Ecclesiastes 9 (7)
Pray Psalm 115.12, 13.
The LORD has been mindful of us;
He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
He will bless those who fear the Lord,
Both small and great.
Read Ecclesiastes 9.13-18.
Prepare.
1. What makes wisdom so powerful?
2. Why do people tend to scorn wisdom?
Meditate.
Wisdom doesn’t always get the recognition or appreciation it deserves. Witness Rehoboam’s hardness against his father’s counsel. Wisdom may not make you rich or famous, but it contains more power than the greatest weapons of war. That’s because God sees the wise person, and He blesses.
It is enough for the wise person to be wise. Wise doesn’t need a lot of hoopla and hooray, much less the acclaim or rewards of the world. Wisdom’s satisfaction is in itself, because wisdom partakes of the very essence of God (Prov. 8). “Under the sun”, men despise the contributions of wisdom, probably because they remind them of the God Who beckons to them from His throne in the heavens, and they’re not interested in what He has to say.
But Solomon, though wise, was neither small nor lacking in power. He was a great king and, at the end of his life, a wise one again. If Rehoboam wouldn’t listen to him for his wisdom, perhaps he would hear this mighty king as he tried to dissuade his son from a life of folly – not by force of arms, but by quiet counsel, confrontation, and cajoling.
Rehoboam may have considered his father, in his declining days, small and powerless. But Solomon advised him to look for the wisdom in his words, and not at the doleful record of his recent days, or the decrepit state of his body (see chapter 12).
Does it seem as if Solomon keeps going over the same ground, with only a little twist here and there? There are only so many ways of answering the fool according to his folly (Prov. 26.4, 5). But we can see the value of what Solomon was trying to do: Make his son face-up to the presuppositions and convictions that were governing his life. Lead him to consider the implications of those views, and to contemplate the folly of his thinking. And always – always – hold out for his consideration the beauty and consistency of life “under heaven”.
We must never tire of seeking to persuade our unbelieving friends to forsake their folly and embrace the truth in Jesus.
Reflect.
1. Why is being wise its own reward?
2. How have you experienced God “answering the fool according to his folly” in your own life? Why is this an important part of growing in the Lord?
3. What makes wisdom so powerful?
A man may, by his wisdom, bring to pass that which he could never do by his strength. If God be for us, who can be against us, or stand before us? Solomon observes the power of wisdom, though it may labor under outward disadvantages. How forcible are right words! But wise and good men must often content themselves with the satisfaction of having done good, or, at least, endeavored to do it, when they cannot do the good they would, nor have the praise they should. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Ecclesiastes 9.13-18
Give me wisdom for today, Lord, and empower me to serve You as I…
Pray Psalm 115.1-18.
Consider how you will glorify God today. Lay aside any idols that keep you from trusting Him. Seek His Presence and blessing for the day ahead, and rejoice in advance of the goodness He will show you.
Sing Psalm 115.1-18.
Psalm 115.1-18 (Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, "Where is their God on high?"
You rule us, Lord, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Idols made by men's own hand – ever to Your Name be glory –
see nor hear nor understand – ever to Your Name be glory!
They neither feel nor walk, nor can they speak or talk.
All those who serve them fall, but unto Your Name be glory!
All who trust in Jesus yield – ever to His Name be glory! –
find in Him their help and shield – ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the Lord! He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Blessings from our gracious Lord – ever to Your Name be glory –
will attend us evermore – ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, Lord, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Grant us, Savior, great increase – ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless us with eternal peace – ever to Your Name be glory!
Heaven and earth are Yours; let every soul adore
and bless You evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
T. M. Moore
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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).