Week of October 9,2011
Lesson Scripture
Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
Introduction: Solomon loved wisdom;he embraced wisdom and held her in high regards.In modern terms,Solomon could be called a wisdom advocate.Solomon whole heartedly believed in the value of God's wisdom for every situation in life.As part of Solomon's wisdom,he told a story that emphasizes the value of wisdom over every human effort.He said it is better to have wisdom than a lot of physical strength and powerful war weapons.
Wisdom vs. Folly
Ecclesiastes 9:13-14KJV
13This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
14There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
footnotes:
This week we begin a two-session study from th ebook of Ecclesiastes.here in the 9th chapter, Solomon looks back at an event that had a powerful effect on him.Here Solomon was looking at life from a human perspective,and from a human perspective,life can look very bleak and meaningless. The further Solomon got away from God,th eemptier and more meaningless hi slife became.He lost sight of the truth that when good things happen to the righteous,they bless God and those around them.And when they suffer that are able to rest in the fact that God is always in control,and there is a reason for everything that happens.
Wisdom vs. Strength
Ecclesiastes 9:15-16KJV
15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
footnotes:
In his story Solomon recalls a poor,but wise man who somehow saved the city.We ar enot told how he did this.More than likely, he gave wise military advise based on his own personal experience. Long after Solomon's time,a single man save an entire ethnic group by his quiet wisdom, Mordecai. That story can be read in the book of Esther.From Solomon's purpose challenged perspective, he took this incident as typical of what happens when no one is in control.People do good,and no one notices,and so what is the use.But with God everything is noticed,and everything we do makes a difference.Solomon still concedes that wisdom is better than strength,but feel that no one notices. But rather anyone notices or not we must always do that which is right in the sight of God, for God will never forget the good we have done regardless of the non attention it might receive.
Wisdom vs. War
Ecclesiastes 9:17-18KJV
17The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
18Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.footnotes:
As Solomon reflects on the incident,he tries to make sense of it. Finally he concedes to what he knows is true,and what he know is wise.Many times wisdom is delievered quietly,and we must be still to hear it,and to heed it.Solomon knew from experience that there were many people out there who substituted volume for substance.and sometimes the largest crowds are following the more charismatic leader only because the delievery of his false message is more compelling than his wise,but quieter counter part.In the end Solomon concedes that we must put more weight on the message than we do on the messenger.With all th ewisdom God has made available to us ,it only takes one clever sinner to miss lead many with pretty words wrapped in a fancy delievery.Much like Israel, we often listen to foolish words of the world rather than the wise voice of the Lord.Jesus message of repentance and salvation was indeed drowned out by other louder voice.
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God gives wisdom to those who ask(james 1:5).Studying Scripture and quiet contemplation with devote believers could be a good place to start.The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.So ask God daily for His wisdom for your life.
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