Reflecting Wisdom
Richard Nixon was re-elected as the President of the United States in one of the largest electoral landslides in American History defeating Governor George McGovern in 1972. Nixon had an impressive record as President. He ended American involvement in the unpopular Vietnam War as well as ending the military draft. He opened diplomatic relations with China and initiated the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty with the then Soviet Union. He helped to enforce the desegregation of schools in the South. He established the Environmental Protection Agency and began the formal war on cancer with the National Cancer Act of 1971. He also was the sitting president when Neil Armstrong took that one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind in the Apollo 11 moon landing. And for all his accomplishments, most people do not remember Richard Nixon as the great foreign diplomat and political powerhouse, they remember him as a fool.
On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon became the only US President to resign from office. The Nixon administration attempted to cover-up a break in of the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters at the Watergate Office Building. The cover-up lead to Nixon’s famous, “I am not a crook,” line and his public humiliation and resignation from office. Now adding “gate” to words is synonymous with political scandal. All Nixon’s wisdom was overshadowed with a little folly. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes warns us to avoid Nixon-like folly by living with wisdom. Life under the sun is a constant battle of wisdom and folly. Which shall you choose?
Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20 are some of the most challenging verses to interpret in a book that is one the most challenging to interpret in the entire Bible, but as we have seen through this series, Solomon’s words are as timely for our day as when the Holy Spirit first inspired him to write them. I pray our hearts are challenged and convicted by our folly and exhorted and encouraged to pursue wisdom.
Wisdom will Win
Solomon continues to make point that wisdom is better than folly. In this sermon to the gathered assembly, Solomon is driving home the benefits of wisdom over folly by using a variety of analogies and stories highlighting how much better it is to live with wisdom in your life under the sun. He begins this section by sharing a story of how one man’s wisdom saved the whole city. Ecclesiastes 9:13–16
[13] I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. [14] There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. [15] But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. [16] But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.
In the ancient world, cities were protected by the strength of their walls. It would be difficult to breach the walls and would cost the lives of many men so armies would often siege towns by surrounding them for weeks and months to cut off their food and water supply to enforce a surrender.
In one case a great king with a great army attempted to siege a small city with a small army. Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 9:11, “Again I saw under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.” And now he provides a story of one of these sayings where the unexpected happens in real life. One poor, wise man delivers the city with his wisdom. “Wisdom is better than might.” (v. 16) Solomon points out the benefits of wisdom while at the same time showing its limitations. The poor man was forgotten even though he saved the city. He was not listened to because of this poverty. I wonder how many people dismiss wisdom because it comes from an unexpected and unwelcomed place.
Beloved, living in wisdom is always better than living with folly. Wisdom will win in the end even if it does not bring riches or reputation in this life, wisdom will win in the final judgement. Solomon reminds his hearers again and again that they cannot live only for life under the sun, but for the one who rules over the sun for God will judge them for how they live under the sun. We may live in wisdom and things may not go our way. Do not worry for the Lord knows and will reward you at the proper time. And the opposite is true, we may live in folly and things may go our way. Do not worry for the Lord knows and will reward you at the proper time. Do not think the Lord does not see your folly or your wisdom. The Lord sees all and will judge every word spoken and every deed done under the sun.
Foolishness will Fail
Through this section, Solomon wants to point out how wisdom and folly play out in the political arena. Ecclesiastes 9:17–10:7,
[17] The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. [18] Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
[1] Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
[2] A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,
but a fool’s heart to the left.
Solomon was a king and understood the importance of the king for the people. A wise king makes the people flourish while a foolish king makes the people languish. He compares the wise words in private to the shouting of a ruler among fools. How much easier is it for you to hear wisdom in private rather than if you are shouted at in public? Would you prefer a supervisor who pulled you aside for correction or one who would tweet his displeasure with your work?
Wisdom is extremely valuable but only a little folly can ruin it all. Notice how one sinner can destroy much good like one dead fly can ruin a whole patch of perfume. A little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. I can testify to this in my own life. I have seen how a little foolishness can destroy families and friendships. It takes years of wisdom to build and minutes of folly to tear down. Friend, have you experienced folly? Has someone’s foolishness affected you? Have you been foolish? It is easy today to look into the world and to see the foolishness of others, but wisdom does not only look for folly out in the world, but in the heart. Paul wrote to Titus encouraging him to remind the people to live in wisdom while helping them remember the foolishness in their own lives. Titus 3:1–3
[1] Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, [2] to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. [3] For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
We all have been foolish and disobedient. We all have been the one sinner who destroys much good. We all are sinners. Foolishness has failed and will fail. Do not be too quick to see foolishness in others but look to the foolishness in your own life. It is when we see our own folly that we can then turn and rejoice in the loving kindness of Jesus Christ. Paul told Titus, “For we ourselves were once foolish,” for we were once foolish. The Apostle Paul recognized his own sin and his own folly. Yet he continued, Titus 3:4–7,
[4] But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
What a glorious verse! God is kind to save fools. We are not saved by our wisdom, because our wisdom will always be mixed with folly. Jesus saved us. Jesus lived in perfect wisdom and then chose to die a fool’s death on the cross. He was died and buried, but God raised him from the dead. His death and resurrection secured for us the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. He told his disciples he had to leave in order to send the Holy Spirit. Jesus had to die to save us.
Friend, have you recognized your foolishness? Have you experienced the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior? God’s perfect life of wisdom is offered to you today. Repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Turn from your sin and foolishness and God will save you, not according to your works done righteousness, but by his mercy. Experience his mercy today. Repent and rejoice in Christ.
Beloved, we are justified by his grace and his grace alone. And now being justified by his grace, as our church covenant states, “there is a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life.” Simply, we are called to live in wisdom. Are we? “A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right but a fool’s heart to the left.” (Ecc. 9:2)
Are you Ruining or Reflecting Wisdom?
Jesus Christ is wisdom personified. Every day we have a choice before us. Will we reflect God’s wisdom or ruin it? 1 Corinthians 1:18–31,
[18] For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
[20] Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? [21] For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. [22] For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, [23] but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, [24] but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25] For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
[26] For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; [28] God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, [29] so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. [30] And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, [31] so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
We are in Christ and therefore, we must strive to be like Christ and live in his wisdom. We want to reflect Christ to the foolish world so they will no longer see the word of the cross as folly but the very power of God. Do we realize how we live affects eternity? Are you reflecting Christ or are your ruining Christ’s image and reputation in how you live?
God saved us so we could be salt and light to the world. He wants our lives to reflect him so that people will turn to God. Ecclesiastes 10:3
[3] Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
Our lives reveal what we love. Our lives reveal who we love.
Wisdom will win, foolishness will fail, therefore let us learn from Solomon on how wisdom is better so that we can reflect the wisdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ.
Do you reflect God’s design for conflict?
[4] If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,
for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. (Ecclesiastes 10:4)
It is unwise to leave a king’s presence hastily when his anger rises against you, because it will only deepen his anger. It is better to remain calm in the face of anger. Most of us will not face the wrath of our ruler, but you may face anger from others. When the anger of your spouse, parent, boss, or friend, rises against you, it is wisdom to remain calm for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. Are you a peacemaker or a peace-breaker?
Do you reflect God’s design for authority?
[5] There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: [6] folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. [7] I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves. (Ecclesiastes 10:5–7)
Solomon reflects on how he sees life upside down. God is a God of order. It is best for those who are wise to rule. Solomon sees a world where fools are in positions of power.
[16] Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
and your princes feast in the morning!
[17] Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,
and your princes feast at the proper time,
for strength, and not for drunkenness! (Ecclesiastes 10:16–17)
Woe to a nation when the king acts foolishly and those in power feast for their own pleasure. How much pain do you see in a nation when those in charge work to serve themselves? Blessed or happy is the land when the king rules in wisdom and knowledge and when princes feast not for themselves but strength to serve the people. Have you ever been under good leadership? It may have been a boss or a governor, your parents or a pastor. Good leadership cause people to rejoice. The last words of King David reflect this in 2 Samuel,
[1] Now these are the last words of David:
The oracle of David, the son of Jesse,
the oracle of the man who was raised on high,
the anointed of the God of Jacob,
the sweet psalmist of Israel:
[2] “The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me;
his word is on my tongue.
[3] The God of Israel has spoken;
the Rock of Israel has said to me:
When one rules justly over men,
ruling in the fear of God,
[4] he dawns on them like the morning light,
like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning,
like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth. (2 Samuel 23:1–4)
What a beautiful image. This is the way leadership should be. If you are a leader strive to care well for those in your charge for they will experience the kindness of God.
Sadly, in our world that is not what we often see. We too often see foolishness in our leaders and experience the dark grey of a cloudless morning. We may even be tempted to curse them, yet Solomon warns us,
[20] Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
nor in your bedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter. (Ecclesiastes 10:20)
He is warning us not to curse those in authority for they may find out and punish you. And he says, “even in your thoughts, do not curse the king.” How do you respond to those in authority? Do you curse president or the speaker of the house? Do you speak ill of your boss or principal or parents? Be careful to reflect a trust in God even in an upside-down world.
Do you reflect God’s design for work?
[8] He who digs a pit will fall into it,
and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
[9] He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
and he who splits logs is endangered by them. (ESV)
Hunters would dig pits to trap animals. It would be foolish to dig a pit and forget where it is and to fall into it. Snakes often lived in the creviced of walls. Someone breaking through a wall without being careful may be bit by a serpent. Work can be dangerous if you work hastily. Our work should reflect diligence and care. Do you work hard?
[10] If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed.
[11] If the serpent bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage to the charmer.
If you try to cut wood with a dull blade, it will require more effort. If a charmer tries to grab a snake before it is charmed, it may bite him. In both cases, Solomon shows that wisdom thinks and plans ahead. It is wise not rush into a job without preparing for it. Do you work smart?
[18] Through sloth the roof sinks in,
and through indolence the house leaks. (Ecclesiastes 10:18)
Roofs in the ancient world required constant attention and repair to keep the rain out of the home. The lazy person who neglected the roof would eventually not have one. Friend, do not be lazy in your work. And do not be a sloth in fighting your sin. A little neglect paves the way for your roof or your life to cave in. Do not put off something until tomorrow that God wants you to do today.
Whether you are a student in class, a data analyst, a manager, or a child doing their chores, God wants us to reflect his character in how we work. Work hard. Work smart. Work today.
Do you reflect God’s design for words?
[12] The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor,
but the lips of a fool consume him.
[13] The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
and the end of his talk is evil madness.
[14] A fool multiplies words,
though no man knows what is to be,
and who can tell him what will be after him?
[15] The toil of a fool wearies him,
for he does not know the way to the city. (Ecclesiastes 10:12–15)
Jesus said, “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness and slander.” (Matthew 15:18-19) Almost every day we read about someone on the national scene who said or tweeted something that causes them to get into to trouble. The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. He is consumed by the folly in his heart.
The wise use caution and discretion in their words. In a day wherever everyone has the opportunity to be heard on social media, we must be ever so careful to use our words wisely. Over the last 4 months, I have heard from multiple members of their concern on how we as a body of Christ are handling ourselves online. Some of you need to take inventory of the amount of words, the tone of your words and the content of your words online. As elders, we do not “police” how members use social media, but it is becoming a growing concern. The main concern is not our use of social media, but what our use of social media reveals about your heart. Invite people into your lives to hold you accountable with your words so your lips or posts or tweets consume you.
We all need to heed Solomon’s exhortation that we do not know all that is come. We must be people of humility. “A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?” The whole last half of the book Solomon is trying to point out what we don’t know. We are limited in our knowledge. We do not know what is coming let us hold our opinions with humility.
Over last four months I have heard lots of concerns about our words, but I also have heard the opposite. I have heard of countless stories of the body caring well for each other by writing cards of encouragement to one another. I have received several cards of encouragement and over a hundred of text messages of encouraging words during this pandemic. Beloved, the words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
We all were once foolish, but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared he saved us. Richard Nixon never went to prison, but several in his administration did. Chuck Colson, Nixon’s hatchet man, went to prison for his role in the Watergate scandal. Admittingly, he spent the first 41 years of his life with no moral compass, living as a fool. However, Colson will not be remembered as fool, but transformed fool who gave his life to Jesus Christ. Colson repented of his sin and was born again. Listen to his own words as he reflected on his own conversion,
Thirty years ago today, I visited Tom Phillips, president of the Raytheon Company, at his home outside of Boston. I’d represented Raytheon before going to the White House, and I was about to start again.
But I visited for another reason as well. I knew Tom had become a Christian, and he seemed so different. I wanted to ask him what had happened.
That night he read to me from Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis, particularly a chapter about the great sin that is pride. A proud man is always walking through life looking down on other people and other things, said Lewis. As a result, he cannot see something above himself immeasurably superior—God.
Tom, that night, told me about encountering Christ in his own life. He didn’t realize it, but I was in the depths of deep despair over Watergate, watching the president I had helped for four years flounder in office. I’d also heard that I might become a target of the investigation as well. In short, my world was collapsing.
That night, as Tom was telling me about Jesus, I listened attentively, but didn’t let on my own need. When he offered to pray, I thanked him but said, no, I’d see him sometime after I read C. S. Lewis’s book. But when I got in the car that night, I couldn’t drive it out of the driveway. Ex-Marine captain, White House tough guy, I was crying too hard, calling out to God. I didn’t know what to say; I just knew I needed Jesus, and He came into my life.
Colson founded Prison Fellowship to reach fools like himself with power of the gospel. Thousands upon thousands upon thousands have heard of the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior because one man realized he was a fool and desperately needed Jesus.
You may have come today as a fool, but you do not have leave as one. Repent of your foolishness and admit you desperately need Jesus. God loves to forgive fools and transform them by his mercy. Friend you have two options in life: be a fool or a forgiven fool. Choose wisely.