Wisdom is Better

October 9, 2011

Lesson: Ecclesiastes 9:13–18

Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:16

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Introduction

Solomon, after being rebuked by the Lord and brought to repentance (1 Kings 11), being moved by the Spirit, wrote, “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanities” (Eccl. 1:2). “Hence Solomon, throughout the Book of Ecclesiastes, after enumerating all the studies in which men think they attain the highest wisdom, pronounces them vain and frivolous” (Calvin, Institutes).

The title of the Book is translated “Preacher” from verse one; and translated in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, “Ecclesiastes” meaning the speaker of the called out church or congregation of God’s people. We praise our Lord for the faithful preachers of the His Gospel whom He has chosen to shepherd His people that His name may be glorified both in the home and congregation. The wicked and the righteous are compared as in the Book of Proverbs. We are to live by the wisdom of God and not of man; thus we will find joy in our Lord in our homes and work. Our key verse teaches us that “Wisdom is better than strength.” M. Henry wrote that “A man may by his wisdom affect that which he could never compass by his strength, and may overcome those by out-witting them who are able to overpower him.”

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A City Delivered—Ecclesiastes 9:13–15

Solomon witnessed “wisdom” here on earth “under the sun, and it seemed great unto me.” He illustrates such wisdom: “There 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. Now 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.” This king was filled with pride that he would show his greatness by building bulwarks, blockades from which his army could batter the small city. Men who think they are great, having wisdom in themselves, find joy in beating the seeming little ones. These tyrants are but bullies: they raise taxes while hiding behind their own written laws; their voices are loud, but their wisdom is but pride built upon their lies.

Within this little city lived a poor man whose greatness was in his wisdom. The city recognized this wisdom as coming, not from a man of pride but of integrity; for he spoke, not to win fame but to win victory for his city. This is the kind of leadership each city, or nation, needs to have victory over those who wish to lord it over others; for they have no strength but their own pride. John Calvin wrote, “For as the surest source of destruction to men is to obey themselves, so the only haven of safety is to have no other will, no other wisdom, than to follow the Lord wherever he leads. Let this, then, be the first step, to abandon ourselves, and devote the whole energy of our minds to the service of God.”

Discussion: How was the “little city” delivered from the evil king?

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Words of Wisdom—Ecclesiastes 9:16–18

Solomon declares: “Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.” Shall we look to those who hold the highest office, have the riches of this world, speak eloquently, and say that they must be wise; while despising the poor as if their lack of the things of this world reveals that they cannot possibly be wise? How then shall we judge wisdom? Solomon speaks: “The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.” Those in power rule by words which many follow as if they are ignorant, believing that they alone can give them prosperity, or at best, can deliver them from destruction. Do we believe God’s Word: “Wisdom is better than weapons: but one sinner destroyeth much good?”

The question is: Where do we get the wisdom needed to prosper and win victories in our lives, in our homes, and in our nation? For the Christian, Wisdom is given by grace; it is a heavenly gift: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:33–36). We cannot by our own reason or logic express a smidgen of counsel that will reveal any truth or wisdom above what God has revealed about Himself or His creation. We live by faith alone, a faith that rests alone on the Wisdom of God. “Our true wisdom is to embrace with meek docility, and without reservation, whatever the Holy Scriptures, have delivered” (Calvin).

Christ teaches us that “all the prophets and the law prophesied” (Matt. 11:13). Calvin understood that the prophets “gave a foretaste of that wisdom which was one day to be clearly manifested, and showed it afar off. But where Christ can be pointed to with the finger, there the kingdom of God is manifested. In him are contained all the treasures of wisdom and understanding, and by these we penetrate almost to the very shrine of heaven.” If we desire the wisdom of heaven we must look to Christ and His Word. Paul reminds us that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain” (1 Cor. 3:19–20). Christ alone is “the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor. 1:24–25). Therefore, our faith “should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:5),

Discussion: Why is God’s wisdom better than the world’s wisdom?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2011 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.