14There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it. 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man. 16 Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength.Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised,And his words are not heard.17 Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heardRather than the shout of a ruler of fools.18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war;But one sinner destroys much good.”
Ecclesiastes 9:14-18
Proper wisdom occupies the last portion of this text. Christian, seek Godly wisdom through His Word, the Holy Spirit, and His people. Wisdom is needed now more than ever.
We can live our lives through the power of God. We don’t have to do this alone. Christ came to this earth to live for us, die for us, and He rose again to verify that all that He said and did was truth. Relationship with Christ is available. “The wages of sin is death, but, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another.” (1st John 3:23)
7 Go, eat your bread with joy,And drink your wine with a merry heart;For God has already accepted your works.8 Let your garments always be white,And let your head lack no oil.9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. 11 I returned and saw under the sun that– The race is not to the swift,Nor the battle to the strong,Nor bread to the wise,Nor riches to men of understanding,Nor favor to men of skill;But time and chance happen to them all. 12 For man also does not know his time:Like fish taken in a cruel net,Like birds caught in a snare,So the sons of men are snared in an evil time,When it falls suddenly upon them.13 This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me:
Ecclesiastes 9:7-13
We can have enjoyment of life through our relationship with God in Jesus our Lord. God is the source of all good things and He delights in our enjoyment of them. These verses list three specific areas of life that should be meaningful to Believers.
**Through Christ, we should enjoy life’s blessings. God provides our food, our drink, our clothing, and our vitality. Thankfulness should permeate the life of the Christian. When praying, it is common to express gratitude. When you converse, give thanks. When you get up and when you lie down, give thanks for God’s blessings.
**Through Christ, we should enjoy marriage. Marriage is a gift from God. We should be grateful and give praise for that gift.
Marriage was God’s idea. Jesus defines it as being between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:3-11). The gift of marriage should be enjoyed and be a source of blessing as long as both the husband and wife lives.
**Through Christ, we should enjoy our work. God supplies us and blesses us through our labor. It’s not always easy and fun. But, work is necessary for our wellbeing. God teaches us much through work about dealing with people and finishing tasks honorably. God uses work to build our trust in Him.
1 For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them. 2 All things come alike to all: One event happens to the righteous and the wicked;To the good, the clean, and the unclean;To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.As is the good, so is the sinner;He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath.3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die;But the dead know nothing,And they have no more reward,For the memory of them is forgotten.6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished;Nevermore will they have a shareIn anything done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 9:1-6
Life “under the sun” seldom makes sense to us. It can be maddening to try and find order and meaning in the randomness of life. Life is full of monotony, but it is also replete with contradictions and paradoxes that boggle the mind.
How can these problems be addressed? Solomon gives us some help. Follow along with this week’s post and let us learn these truths about life on this planet.
The complexities of life are on full display here. The same fate seems await all when life is viewed without God. The categories that the preacher uses are stark and stunning. Consider from an earthly perspective the following……
*The same fate awaits the righteous and the wicked.
*The same fate awaits the clean and the unclean.
*The same fate awaits the religious and the irreligious.
*The same fate awaits the good and the sinner.
All will die and be forgotten. Their achievements and emotions will perish. Their rewards perish with them and lead to ultimate meaninglessness.
I’m thankful that we have purpose and meaning through Christ. Aren’t you grateful for the fact that we do not have to live this life apart from God? He calls on all to be saved (Romans 10:9-13). And His desire is relationship with you. Trust Him today!
9 All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt. 10 Then I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of holiness, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity. 11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God. 14 There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. 16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.
Ecclesiastes 8:9-17
Our trust in God should be growing each and every day. Trust means believing even when we don’t understand. Faith means believing in the reality of things we can’t see, touch, feel, or hear. Let us end this lesson with specific reasons we need to grow in trusting God.
**We need to trust God in the midst of the brevity of life. Our lives are short, like a vapor (James 4:4). One man rules for a season and then another takes his place. Trust God and make the best of the life we are given.
**We need to trust God in the midst of life’s injustices. Life will treat us unfairly and unjustly. Some injustices we can fight.Other inequities will overcome us no matter what we do. Trust God in all of it. He will see you through.
**We need to trust God in the midst of the evil that prevails. At times justice will prevail. Yet, at other points, injustice rules in our society. When we see these verses through the prism of earthly knowledge, Solomon tells us that nothing better to do but to eat, drink, and be merry. Trusting God during these times will help us know that God will judge all things and evil-doers will not escape.
**We need to trust God even though we don’t understand God’s plan or His activities here on this earth. God has not promised to explain Himself to us. He never said He would fill us in on all the details. This is why faith is so important.
You can trust God in all things. Those who trust Christ will never be put to shame. Life is not fair and inequities abound in every sphere of life. We can trust God in the midst of it all. He will lead us, guide us, and carry us home safely.
Who are you trusting? In whom have you placed your faith? Believe in Christ. He gave all for you in order that you might have relationship with God. Repent of your sin, trust Christ to forgive you and cleanse you, and call upon His name today and be saved. You can trust Christ in everything!
1 Who is like a wise man?And who knows the interpretation of a thing?A man’s wisdom makes his face shine,And the sternness of his face is changed.2 I say, “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. 3 Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.” 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power;And who may say to him, “What are you doing?”5 He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful;And a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment,6 Because for every matter there is a time and judgment,Though the misery of man increases greatly.
Ecclesiastes 8:1-6
Chapter 8 continues the theme began in the previous chapter of Ecclesiastes. The author continues to look for wisdom in the futility of life. Let’s join him in this pursuit this week.
Obey the authorities is the first general instruction found this chapter. General submission to authorities is a good and wise principle. Government is established by God to protect the citizenry in a fallen, sinful world. We would do well to obey. (Romans 13)
There may be a time when civil disobedience is necessary. In Acts 4:18-20, Peter states his willingness to keep speaking the truth despite the warnings from the leaders. These times might be needed, but they will also be infrequent. As much as we can, may we submit to authority even when we disagree with it.
But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.13 Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked?14 In the day of prosperity be joyful,But in the day of adversity consider:Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other,So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.15 I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness,And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.16 Do not be overly righteous,Nor be overly wise:Why should you destroy yourself?17 Do not be overly wicked,Nor be foolish:Why should you die before your time?18It is good that you grasp this,And also not remove your hand from the other;For he who fears God will escape them all.19 Wisdom strengthens the wiseMore than ten rulers of the city.20 For there is not a just man on earth who does goodAnd does not sin.
Ecclesiastes 7:12-20
As we close out this chapter, let us see five lessons. As we examine the question, “Why do we need Godly wisdom?” We will look at three of these principles today and then peruse the others next week.
Why do we need Godly wisdom?
**We need wisdom because we all die. As was stated earlier, the rich and the poor, the foolish and the wise, the believer and the unbeliever all will perish. Are you ready to meet God?
**We need wisdom because we all sin. Solomon teaches us that there is not one person who does not sin. We all come short of God’s glory and need His mercy. Wisdom helps us to see ourselves as we truly are—sinners in need of a Savior.
**We need wisdom because people won’t always like you. People will speak evil of you and even “curse” you behind your back. We also are guilty of doing the same thing to others. Lord, give us wisdom to use our words wisely.
7 Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, And a bribe debases the heart. 8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. 10 Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:7-12
Ecclesiastes 7 reveals to us the need for Godly wisdom. The wisdom of the Lord is greater than the sage advice of the world. And wisdom is needed today by each and every Believer.
Today’s guidance emphasizes the importance of refraining from accepting bribes and actively opposing oppression. Wisdom also implores us to be patient, humble and not easily angered. We also find that Godly wisdom is profitable to us and acts as a defense against the foolish pursuits of this life.
We need wisdom in our day. Knowledge and facts are good to know. But, wisdom tells us what to do with our knowledge and principles. Wisdom helps us assemble our learning in a way that we can apply to the circumstances of our life. May God give us wisdom!
1 A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth; 2 Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 7:1-6
The author’s attention now turns to the need for wisdom in a futile world. Having firmly established His case for the vanity of life, Solomon now seeks to apply wisdom to the madness so that he might live as he should. Chapter 7 provides wisdom for the day. Let’s see it in total over these next few weeks.
We are reminded in this passage of the eventuality of death. Every person will face death (if Christ doesn’t return in the rapture of the church). The rich and the poor will die. The wise and the fool are headed to the same fate. Solomon mentions death, mourning, sorrow, and sadness in the first 4 verses to drive home this point.
Given the shortness of life, it is imperative that we pursue wisdom. A life lived wisely is far better than a life lived in foolish pursuits. Life is a one-time gift. Use it wisely realizing we will all stand before God in judgment.
11 Since there are many things that increase vanity,How is man the better?12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 6:11-12
The writings of Solomon in this book can be difficult to follow. At times several different themes emerge in short order. At the same time, the theme of hopeless without God prevails from start to finish in this testament of the “preacher.”
Seen through the lens of the world, the book of Ecclesiastes is depressing and unfulfilling. The book’s purpose is to show us the problem. This writing repeatedly tells us not to seek lasting peace in the world’s system.
Another purpose of this book is to point us to the solution for the vanity of life under the sun. His name is Jesus! He can forgive you, cleanse you, and put you on the path to heaven. If you have not yet done so, consider placing your trust in Him for forgiveness. Turn from your sin and trust in Him to save you and place you into His family. He loves you and gave His all for you!
mrtonyfrench 