There is a story told of two women, who were fighting over the custody of a small child.

Each abhorred the other and took umbrage at the very idea of the other having anything to do with the infant’s upbringing. There conflict was so rancorous; it greatly disturbed all those within earshot and created many complaints.

Seeing no resolve, the woman went to the king to ask for a ruling. Approaching their sovereign, they each asserted the other was without any redeeming qualities, or parenting abilities whatsoever.

It was soon clear to the King that there needed to be an object lesson, for their obstinacy was obscuring their ability to discern the proper course. Seeking wisdom, they were “wisdumb,” for they lacked good judgment, and sought only personal justice.

Demanding their silence, the King offered a direct solution. Simply, he commanded the guards that they were to cut the baby in half, so each would have the satisfaction of having at least some portion. 

At the utterance, the woman stood there aghast, each acknowledging that such an act would not solve the dilemma, but only result in death.

One of the women began to argue with the king, demanding the execution would only bring shame upon her house and imperil her standing in the community. She returned to her demands.

The other woman, humbled by the impact of the suggestion, quietly told the king of her willingness to give up the child, for she did not want to see a young death, no matter what the personal cost to herself.

In his wisdom, King Solomon gave the child to the woman, who was willing to give up her parenting rights, for the sake of another. The king now knew of her sacrificial heart, which was needed to provide well. By balancing wisdom, with justice, mercy was served.

Today, we continue to be fraught with constant challenges to our judgments and our wisdom. Each attribute is required to properly effectuate the other.

Some may be called “genius,” yet the execution of their wisdom is truly faulty, for they cannot balance their copious knowledge with good judgment, or justice.

The simple act of arriving on time, to an appointment, may be beyond achievement. It may just be they are wisdumb.

Of course, we all have our moments. Each of has had, is having, or will have times in our lives when we think, do, or say, something which has not been well thought out.

Often, we allow our egos to get in the way, as did the two women, who forgot that the matter of the child was not about them. We may even say to ourselves, judging ourselves, “Well, that was dumb,” as we go about our lives.

Usually, these errors are fairly minor. Our greatest failing is our not learning from ourselves and others.

Spending too much of our time on frivolous things, not taking care of  our relationships, not taking care of ourselves, and not spending time with our Creator, is not wisdom and justice, it is only wisdumb.