Sunday, December 13, 2020 pm
Studies in Ecclesiastes (31)
Wisdom is better…
Ecclesiastes 9:11-18
Tonight, we
continue our study from the book of Ecclesiastes.
We continue to examine observations of Solomon as he seeks the meaning of
life, finding that all worldly paths are vanity.
In the latter half of this book, Solomon continues to extol wisdom and
our need to remember God. In this
latter half, we find a number of topics addressed in a form similar to the
Proverbs, but often in greater detail.
In our last
lesson we noted how God is in control, all are going to die (recurring theme in
this book), but in life there is hope if we live wisely and with a proper
disposition. Tonight, we find more
practical observations contrasting wisdom with folly.
I.
No guarantees in life (11-12)
a.
“I returned and saw under the sun” – this is the
Hebrew way of saying, “Something else I observed under the sun is”.
He is continuing to learn as he observes.
Learning never ends.
b.
Life has a way of changing plans and outcomes,
even with something that seem obvious.
Can you think of a time in recent history where this is true?
(Like 2020) He gives 5
examples:
i.
The race is not to the swift – the fastest
runner does not always win. In the
Olympics, “the agony of defeat” is sometimes witnessed with a stumble, a mistake
or an injury. The “favorite” in a
horse race may be “scratched” at the last moment because of tendonitis, etc.
Think also of the “tortoise and the hare”.
ii.
The battle is not to the strong – if
anyone understood this, it should have been Israelites.
All Solomon had to do was think of his father in his youth against
Goliath, or the fall of Jericho, etc.
Again, things happen that change the outcome of a battle.
iii.
Nor bread to the wise – it is possible for
the wise to have to go without a meal.
Think of a disaster that strikes.
iv.
Nor riches to men of understanding – while
wise men usually garner wealth, because they use their wisdom to save, invest
and to not spend or go into debt foolishly, that is certainly no guarantee.
Paul describes riches as uncertain – 1 Timothy 6:17
v.
Nor favor to men of skill – or ability.
While ability gives you advantage, there
are times your skills will not work, OR possibly even though you are the best
qualified for a promotion, you are passed over for whatever reason, right or
wrong.
vi.
The POINT – Time and chance happen to
them all.
When life moves along, we have normal expectations, and we ought to.
BUT, things happen – like pandemics, disease, earthquakes, wars,
riots, etc. Things that are OUT OF
your control.
In preparing a project, man may try to think of every conceivable problem and
prepare for it, but there is ALWAYS the chance of something you did not plan for
happening. The story of redemption is
one where often the underdog (aka -the remnant) often excels.
vii.
For man does not know his time – vs. 12
gives us another reminder of the uncertainty of life.
As James 4:13ff – your life is a vapor, so do not neglect God in your
plans.
Life can throw you curve balls. And
if you are unprepared it can be disastrous.
And sometimes life is cruel – primarily because of evil that is so prevalent.
Natural calamities are one thing (and frustrating), but how much more of
our troubles are the result of pure evil?
NOTE: This is not saying that we should not make plans or use our resources to
achieve the expected outcome, BUT it is saying, don’t be arrogant and realize
that life is uncertain. WE have
heard the expression, “Expect the unexpected.”
See also, 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands,
take heed…”
II.
An example of inequity (13-15)
a.
Wisdom seen that seemed great –
impressed (NASB). Not necessarily
for good, but it leaves an impression.
Do we learn from what we see happening around us, or from our own
experiences?
b.
A little city with few men, besieged by a great
king. But a poor, wise man delivered
the city with his wisdom. BUT no one
remembered him.
c.
NOTE: An alternate reading of the original states
rather than the poor, wise man delivering the city, it could read, “Present
in the city was a poor wise man who might have saved it with his wisdom,
but nobody thought of that poor man.” (Jewish Tanakh -1985), or and
should find in it a poor wise man, and he should save the city through his
wisdom: yet no man would remember that poor man. (Septuagint, LXX –
English Translation, Brenton)
This actually makes more sense in the verse.
The man was poor, but because of it he was ignored.
d.
Both interpretations are worthy of consideration
and true.
i.
How often are those who achieve something not
recognized because of their lowly status?
Far too many are “too good” to say thank you and give credit where it is
deserved (especially when that means they do not get the credit themselves).
We sometimes see it in business and especially in politics (where one
party takes credit for all the good and blames the other for all the bad, AND so
does the other party).
Such is a product of ingratitude, pride and even selfishness – all qualities
that are condemned in scripture.
We look at externals and disregard their wisdom and knowledge.
ii.
Also, there are times that one with true wisdom
and solutions is ignored because of their lowly status.
Sometimes the lowly cannot even a hearing
to offer their thoughts and concerns.
As a result, no solution is offered and disaster or failure results.
Example: Christianity has the answer to many of todays inequities and problems,
but because of hatred of the truth and God,
we cannot even get a hearing, much less fair consideration.
III.
Wisdom is better (16-18)
a.
Wisdom is better than strength –
the one who is wise will find solutions.
He invents ways around his lack of strength to move something.
Proverbs 24:5 says, A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases
strength;
b.
Nevertheless, the poor man’s wisdom is
despised – this is Solomon’s observation based upon the previous
analogy.
Consider Jesus – He was physically poor, but will you ever find greater wisdom.
Yes, many did follow Him, but consider some who did not.
- In Nazareth, as He taught in the synagogue the people were astonished and
said, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is
given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the
carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And
are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
Mark 6:2-3 – as a result, Jesus could not do many might works there.
- A greater example – consider the wisdom of God.
It is better than the thoughts of men (Isaiah 55:8-9), yet to so many
(wise in this world) it is a stumbling block and foolishness (1 Corinthians
1:21-23)
When it comes to
wisdom, we need to accept and consider it regardless of where it originates.
This is not to say we ignore the wisdom of leaders and the successful.
It simply means there are also others with wisdom worthy of
consideration.
c.
(17) Words of the wise spoken quietly
should be heard – here Solomon makes an observation the wise have
learned – you don’t have to shout to get your point across.
In fact, at times it is detrimental.
I here think of one who with calm wisdom diffuses a potentially explosive
situation. He calms down the angry
by being calm.
Truly this is better “the shout of a ruler of fools.”
James 1:19-20 notes, So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to
hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the
righteousness of God.
d.
(18) Wisdom is better than weapons of war
– can anyone deny that war is a bad thing.
Would we not be better off if we prevented the war in the first place?
Wisdom will do that! And if
there is war, wisdom will seek to bring the quickest resolution, with the least
amount of damage.
e.
One sinner can destroy much good –
hypocrisy, an act or word uttered without thought, even if uncharacteristic, can
do great damage.
Paul warned, “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6)
Think of Achan who took a few items from Jericho (Joshua 6-7) which resulted in
a defeat at Ai.
Peter’s act of hypocrisy as recorded in Galatians 2:11-13 resulted in many
others following him. Think of the
damage done to his attempts to defend the salvation of Gentiles.
So much more
could be said about these verses and wisdom.
It is so applicable in so many ways, both spiritually and with life in
general. As Christians, we
need to think before we act.