The Story:Being wise is full-time work. Neglect wisdom and you will pay. Yes, there is a time for laughter and gladness, and even money is not inherently evil. It won’t solve all our problems (Solomon is being ironic here), and it can’t be looked upon as the source of happiness. It’s more important to get wisdom than to get bread, wine, or money. In the end you’ll know more joy, peace, and prosperity by “keeping the roof in repair” than by filling your life with good times. And if Rehoboam thought about mocking his dad to his friends, he needed to remember that he will be king one day, and the scornful words of those who oppose him will find their way back to him, one way or another. Then what will the fool do?

The Structure:Jesus Christ is the Wisdom of God (Col. 2.3), and He never rests from applying His wisdom to the task of upholding the world and all things in it. There is no such thing as a “spiritual vacuum” in life (Eph. 5.15-17). Wherever we are not keeping up the wisdom of God, the rot of folly will find a foothold. Jesus is our example – steadfast and faithful in exerting His power, love, and wisdom on the entirety of creation. We must not become distracted by the things that gratify, satiate, and entertain us so that we neglect the larger and more important duty of keeping up the wisdom of God. The King of Heaven knows the folly we think we can get away with in secret. He loves us too much to sit by and let us destroy our lives with sin.

What are you learning from Solomon about how to counsel those who think they can sin with impunity? Is it loving simply to let “fools” persist in their folly? What does love require of us?

Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “It’s Common Sense! Ecclesiastes 10,” simply click here.

T. M. Moore

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.