Feet of Clay

(Proverbs 4:20 KJV)  My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

As I read this I am reminded of how elusive and compartmentalized success can be.  Most of the book of Proverbs was written by Solomon.  Portions were not.  How do we know?  Because the book tells us.  Some start like chapter one saying these are the proverbs of Solomon.  Others, like chapter 30, have another author listed.  Solomon is noted for his wisdom.  He is the author of what is called the Wisdom Literature.  You would think that he was a rousing success.

Not really.

His sons did not listen.  When he died they divided his kingdom and began to destroy everything he had built. 

So?  The Bible is very open about the human qualities of the great heroes.  The list of qualities that we would want to avoid is long.  I am encouraged by that.  If great icons of the Bible often had feet of clay and were still used of God then there is hope for me.  And you.  I can’t use it as an excuse for disobedience but I can use it for encouragement for falling short.