HoHum:
A wise man said, “knowledge is knowing how to pick your nose, wisdom is knowing when”
WBTU:
In these Scriptures Solomon talks about wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to choose the best possible end, and to choose the best possible means of achieving that end. It is not the same as knowledge, but is rather the ability to put one’s knowledge to practical use.
Solomon, the wisest man of the OT, had a lot to say about wisdom. ““The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
In Proverbs Solomon uses an illustration talking about lady wisdom and lady folly. Look throughout Proverbs and much is said about wisdom. Ecclesiastes is much the same. “Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.” Ecclesiastes 7:19
In chapter 9:13-16 Solomon elaborates more on 7:19 with a parable or an illustration of what he is talking about. However, in this story he also comments upon the drawbacks to wisdom
Our society honors wealth, attractiveness and popularity above wisdom. Many times the wisest in any area of life go unheeded and shunned even though they have the best ideas. Vs. 16- Wisdom is a greater asset than strength, although this is ignored many times by the masses. Samson was not wise but how many loved him. Solomon is warning us to be receptive to wisdom. Most of the best and the brightest are not at the top of the heap in society. No matter who it comes from true wisdom needs to be honored.
Let’s spiritualize this parable/ story in Ecclesiastes 9:13-16. Talk about 3 things:
1. a small city with only a few people in it
In Bible times larger cities had walls around them to protect them against enemy invasion.
Let’s say that this is the planet Earth. “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” Psalms 8:3, 4, NIV.
We are nothing compared to God and His immense universe.
We have no protection against enemies. If we do not have the protection of the Lord, we are extremely vulnerable to spiritual attack. No physical weapons or physical defensive items will help us. We are open to anything from the spiritual realm.
In ancient times they had no defenses against areal attack but there were not planes.
“The ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” Ephesians 2:2, NIV.
2. a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it
This small village doesn’t stand a chance.
Satan uses bulwarks of greed, deception and confusion against this world. He swallows up entire countries into his evil kingdom. “The whole world is under the control of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19, NIV.
There are very few men who are willing to stand up against him. Cowering in their homes, not mustering the courage to stand for the truth. But there is one wise man
3. a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom
Poor- “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
Wise- “The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.” Matthew 12:42, NIV. Also “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:24
Saved the city- This man came up with a certain strategy for salvation. Sinners are saved by grace (as the basis, this is the gospel of Jesus Christ), through faith (as the means), in baptism (as the time), for good works (as the result). See Ephesians 2:8-10; Colossians 2:12.
The sad part is that this wise man is forgotten. Many forget or fail to understand what this man has done for them. Actually it could be read that no man appreciated that same poor man. This is what has happened with our Savior. He is often forgotten, often unappreciated for what He did for mankind. They do no appreciate His sacrifice for their sins.
We would expect this from many in the world, but what about vs. 16. But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded. As Christians do we do this?
Many want Jesus Christ to have their sins forgiven but we fail to heed and obey His words. Many do not want to hear the whole will of God from the wise man Jesus Christ. “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” Acts 20:27, NIV.
Thesis: Many want this without this
For instances:
Many want Christ without a cross
Not only do they neglect Christ’s cross and why Christ was crucified, but they want Christ without carrying their cross.
“Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27
Many want salvation without sanctification
Many claim Christ today with no evidence or change in their lives.
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, NIV.
Many want decisions without discipleship
Had this many baptisms but how many are really disciples of Jesus Christ?
What is a disciple? A disciple is a learner, pupil. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19, NIV.
The term most used even in the book of Acts is disciple for the believers, Christians. “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” Acts 11:26, NIV.
Many want love without Lordship
We want the love of God. John 3:16
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9, NIV. Lord= the owner; one who has control of the person, the master.
Many want prosperity without purpose
God does not bless us just to bless us. “The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:1, 2, NIV. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48, NIV.
Many want blessing without birthright
Esau threw away his birthright and still expected a blessing. It does not work that way.
If we want the blessing, we must accept the responsibilities that go with the birthright.
“Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.” Genesis 25:34, NIV.
Many want revival without repentance
We want this world to change but it starts with us. We must change.
“For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17, NIV.
To the 7 churches in Revelation, Jesus told 5 to repent.
Conclusion and invitation:
Paul Tillich, a popular theologian, traveled to Asia to hold conferences with various Buddhist thinkers. Tillich asked a simple question. “What if by some fluke, the Buddha had never lived and turned out to be some sort of fabrication? What would be the implications for Buddhism?” The scholars did not hesitate to answer. If the Buddha was a myth, they said, it did not matter at all. Why? Because Buddhism should be judged as a philosophy—as a system of living. Whether its concepts originated with the Buddha is irrelevant.
This is not true with our faith. Our faith is based on a person, Jesus Christ. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, NIV.
Also, we cannot have Christ without accepting and obeying His words, teachings. ““Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46, NIV.
