2 Chronicles 1:11-12
God answered Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may rule my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like."
Jewish tradition learned early what postmodernity has yet to figure out: It's not all about power. Postmodern culture is, in many ways, a return to the most raw barbarism of pagan antiquity. You can put a barbarian in tweed and turtleneck, teach him a great many polysyllabic words and make him a tenured prof at some university. But if, in the end, he says (as many in the academy do) that Everything is About Power or that all language is for the purpose of winning power or that all of civilization is simply a veneer on the war for power between races, classes, and genders and that "truth is whatever the most powerful says it is" then that professor remains a barbarian in tweed. Any barbarian can devote himself to power in the pursuit of possessions, wealth, honor, the life of those who hate you, and long life. Fools do it every day. But it's still not what life is about. Love is what life is about. And one crucial step toward figuring that out is to do what Solomon did and ask for knowledge instead of power. Other steps follow of course. But the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
