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The Scriptorium

Wisdom for Work and Words

Every situation requires wisdom. Better be ready. Ecclesiastes 10.10, 11

Ecclesiastes 10 (4)

Pray Psalm 38.21, 22.
Do not forsake me, O LORD;
O my God, be not far from me!
Make haste to help me,
O LORD, my salvation!

Read Ecclesiastes 10.10, 11.

Prepare.
1. What wisdom does Solomon recommend for our work?

2. How does he want us to think about the use of our tongue?

Meditate.
In the everyday areas of life, it only makes sense to use a little wisdom. Even Rehoboam would acknowledge that; yet, as time would tell, he didn’t practice it.

A sharp axe gets more work done than a dull one. For better success in chopping, wise up and sharpen the axe! There is wisdom in preparing well for the work God gives us to do. Wisdom brings success.

But folly is unpredictable. You never know when it might bite you, like the unpredictable snake in a charmer’s basket. You think you’ve got this situation in hand, then BANG, it blows up in your face. And suddenly, you’re saying things maybe you’ll regret.

But wisdom never fails. If it makes sense to be wise in the small things of life – and thus to avoid predictable and unpredictable outcomes – doesn’t it make sense to pursue wisdom for all of life? Rehoboam would learn the hard way how the “snake” of folly can suddenly turn on the one who thinks himself its master. No one can master folly. Its stench will out (v. 1); its tendencies are inevitable (v. 2); and everybody can see it, even though they might hold their peace in the presence of its ravings (vv. 3, 4).

Solomon’s ability to appeal to common sense and everyday realities is seemingly unlimited. Certainly, he has thought long and hard about the value of wisdom. He sees it everywhere, as indeed, wisdom can everywhere be found (cf. Prov. 8.1-3).

But you have to look for wisdom, study it, pursue and embrace it, and not try to balance wisdom with a little bit of folly. They just don’t mix, and it’s always wisdom that gets spoiled.

The folly of an unbelieving age has made many inroads into the Church in our day. Believers would be helped by paying a little more attention to the ways God speaks into the ordinary situations of life. Jesus was the Master of such careful observation.

Reflect.
1. Wisdom is the skill to live “under heaven” in every aspect of our lives. Where can we acquire such wisdom?  

2. What can we do to bring more of God’s wisdom into the everyday situations of our lives?

3. What would you suggest is the wisest way to keep our tongue under control, so that we only use it for edification (Eph. 4.29)?

The snake is powerful, when it spreads its poison secretly. In the one who is tricked, an impression is created that he has received something good which in reality is not good. The teacher who charms should not do so in a superfluous way but in a way that accomplishes something. Then he shows his [student] the error, the guile of his seducer. Didymus the Blind (313-398), Commentary on Ecclesiastes 304.20

Help me to be alert, Lord, as every situation requires wisdom, so that I…

Pray Psalm 38.9-16.
Look to the day ahead. Where will you be tempted or tried? Where does the serpent lie in wait to bite? Seek the wisdom of God now for help in keeping your foot from slipping.

Sing Psalm 38.9-16.
Psalm 38.9-16 (Leoni: The God of Abraham Praise)
You know all my desire, my sighs You know full well.
My strength fails and light’s holy fire my eyes dispel.
My friends and loved ones fail;
The wicked do me wrong.
My life they seek, my soul assail the whole day long.

Their threats I will not heed, nor speak to their reproof;
To hear or speak I have no need – I claim Your truth!
Lord, hear my fervent prayer!
Let not my foes rejoice;
Redeem me from their traps and snares – Lord, hear my voice!

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Ecclesiastes fit in the overall flow of Scripture? Our series of studies, God’s Covenant, can show you, and help you discover the great beauty of the unity and diversity of Scripture, and how it all points to Christ. To order your copy of this important workbook, click here.

You can download all the studies in this series on Ecclesiastes by clicking here. If you value Scriptorium as a free resource for your walk with the Lord, please consider supporting our work with your gifts and offerings. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button  at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 360 Zephyr Road, Williston, VT 05495.

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).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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