Introduction
What’s the point of living? The Preacher has been breaking down the most common cultural strongholds: the pursuit of a comprehensive knowledge, the indulgence of worldly pleasures, and a general sense of self-sufficiency.
In the Preacher’s study of wisdom he has come to the consistent conclusion that life is filled with frustration. It would be easy to see him as a hopeless fatalist, but he has challenged us to enjoy life despite the existence of injustice and unpredictability.
Read Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20
There are simply too many examples of modern politicians and celebrity personalities who have ended their careers due to foolish words and actions. New scandals headline the news daily.
Wisdom is lacking and hardly even desired by contemporary culture. But how often do wechoose foolishness instead wisdom?
Key Words: “Wisdom/wise” (11x). “Fool/folly/foolishness” (9x).
True wisdom teaches us to treasure what is better.
Examples of Wisdom (9:13-10:4)
Military:
13-16 A poor wise man delivered his little city from the attack of a great king.
September 1529, Ottoman Empire (100yrs conquest, Hungary) attacked Vienna. Wilhelm von Roggendorf, commanded 20,000 farmers, peasants, civilians, and European mercenaries with 75 artillery against 100,000 Ottomans with 500 artillery.
Ottomans attacked while digging tunnels.
Alongside Roggendorf, a wise 70y/o German mercenary, named Niklas Graf Salm placed bowls of water and dried peas around the walls. When digging Ottomans were near, the floating peas would vibrate > ripples alerted the Viennese who would locate and destroy the mines.
Wisdom > might even though no one remembered this man.
17-18 Quiet > shouting, wisdom > weapons though a sinner can do great harm.
Folly:
1-3 One foolish word, decision, pleasure can ruin everything. Right = Good, Left = Bad. Proverbs 12:23.
4 Who knew that “stay calm and carry on” was biblical?
True wisdom teaches us to treasure what is better.
- The wise lean right (withstanding temptation, desiring sanctification and discipleship).
- The wise think on “good” things (Philippians 4:8). Thoughts > Words.
- But one foolish slip-up can ruin lives.
We must look to a wisdom that is superior to human understanding. Only wisdom that comes from above can save us.
- Folly returns anger for anger. But Christ teaches us by example (1 Peter 2:23).
Wisdom > Evil
Examples of Evil (10:5-11)
5-7 It is an evil when the foolish are exalted and the rich/royalty are humbled. But how did this come about? A ruler’s error.
Evil extends beyond politics:
8 When the hunter becomes the prey.
9 Work related injuries.
Wisdom helps:
10 A dull ax requires more strength.
Peterson Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle.
11 Snakes sometimes bite before being charmed. Patience required.
Matthew 7:24-27
Notice the same fate occurs to both the wise man and the foolish man, just as the Preacher has noted before. The fool’s house was likely built faster, maybe it was even more extravagant. He was probably throwing parties while the wise man was meticulously preparing his foundation around the rocks.
The same storm came upon both houses, but only the house on the rock survived.
The wise man prepared for disaster.
One foolish decision creates chain-reaction:
- One night of self-medicate with drugs/alcohol > addiction.
- One click on tempting advertisement > hours of sexual lust.
- One angry word > outburst of physical/emotional abuse.
True wisdom teaches us to treasure what is better.
- Instead of wine, Jesus chose prayer.
- Instead of sinful lust, Jesus craved genuine communion.
- Instead of anger, Jesus chose compassion.
Disaster falls upon the fool who hears Christ’s words, but ignores them.
Actions > words
Examples of Foolishness (10:12-20)
12-14 A fool is destroyed by his words.
15 A fool can’t fight his way out of a paper bag.
16 Woe to those living under foolish rulers.
Ryken A notable example from European history is Charles XII, who became the king of Sweden when he was only a teenager. The wild behavior of Charles and his friends included riding on horseback through his grandmother’s apartment, knocking people to the ground in the city streets, and practicing firearms by shooting out the windows of the palace. In response, the leading preachers of Stockholm all agreed to preach from Ecclesiastes 10:16 on the same Sunday, pronouncing woe on a land with a child for a king and princes that feasted in the morning.
17 Happy are those living under wise rulers.
18 The lazy don’t maintain their home.
19 Food, wine, and money should be enjoyed.
20 Don’t curse the king in your thoughts or the rich in private, because they may find out.
Do you pray for our political leaders? Even the ones we dislike? Imagine the impact Christians would have if we prayed for instead of cursed our political representatives.
The wise choose their words carefully. They seek to build up rather than tear down.
But ultimately, we must look to our greatest Ruler, the King of Kings…
Conclusion
- Jesus Christ is the poor, wise king who defeated all his and our enemies with the wisdom of the cross. Have you placed your hope in his wisdom?
- Jesus lived a perfect life, but faced the evil of evils, bearing the wrath of God for us. Has your gratitude resulted in obedience?
- Jesus has the words of eternal life. Have you believed and come to know that he is the Holy One of God? (John 6:66-69)
If you agree that True wisdom teaches us to treasure what is better, you will look to Christ without delay in repentance and faith.