Wisdom is better than …

13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 14 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: 15 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. 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. 17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

The word wisdom is mentioned 25 times in the book of Ecclesiastes. Wisdom was a subject that Solomon knew much about. When Solomon was first king, God put a question to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” (II Chronicles 1:7) Remember this was the God of the universe speaking to a newly appointed king.

Solomon could have asked for anything. God gave him the question and waited for the answer. The answer comes in II Chronicles 1:10 “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? “

The answer Solomon gave was in and of itself wisdom. He knew God could and would give him anything he wanted but he asked for wisdom to lead and judge the people.

In this portion of scripture Solomon tells about a poor wise man who delivered a city. No details are mentioned of when and where but Solomon says no one remembered the man. This reminds me of why we do the things we do. Are we doing things in the “name of God” or the “name of wisdom” so others will notice, or do we do things in the name of God in the “quietness of our life” .

Wisdom is the best thing to have. It only takes one person to destroy something. Don’t be that one to destroy. Keep your eyes on Jesus, constantly ask him for wisdom in all aspects of your life.

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 

Are you going through hard times? Do you know someone who is going through hard times (physically or spiritually)? Ask God for wisdom to do and say the right thing.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5  

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Seek out Wisdom

23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? 25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:  Ecclesiastes 7:23-25

Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. I did take a little sabbatical from Ecclesiastes during November and December but I need to jump back in. For the next few weeks I will continue my thoughts and lessons on the book of Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes reminds me so much of Proverbs. There is  a great deal to grasp, learn, absorb. It is loaded with “little gems”, “principles to live by”, “wisdom”.  All of this will do us no good unless we apply it to our everyday life.

The word wisdom is mentioned 234 times in 222 verses.

Let’s take a look at the 5 W’s of wisdom:

Whose wisdom should we desire?

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! Romans 11:33 

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Ephesians 1:17 

What is wisdom?

From the Hebrew Strong’s #2449; wisdom (in a good sense): - skillful, wisdom, wisely, wit.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines wisdom as:

1 a : accumulated philosophic or scientific learning : knowledge

b : ability to discern inner qualities and relationships : insight

c : good sense : judgment

d : generally accepted belief wisdom

among many historians — Robert Darnton>

2: a wise attitude, belief, or course of action

3: the teachings of the ancient wise men

Where do we get wisdom?

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5 

When do we get wisdom?

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 

Why would we want wisdom?

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5 

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17 

Ask God for His wisdom to:

·        Give discernment

·        Act correctly  -according to His Word

·        Redeem time correctly

·        Share His Word with knowledge

May our prayer be this year: O Lord, teach us to number our days and apply our hearts to Your wisdom to do and say the correct things today. (Psalm 90:12)

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Wisdom

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. Ecclesiastes 7:19 

When we have God’s wisdom, found in His Holy book, we have more strength than ten mighty men.

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13 

Need wisdom? Ask God who will gladly give it.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5  

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Rebuke of the wise

5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 7:5-6

Ecclesiastes seven reminds me of the book of Proverbs, so many little sayings and contrasts. When rebuked would you rather it be from someone who knows what they are talking about, or from someone who just “talks through their hat? Advice is always better when given by someone who has been through it.

Godly reproof offends the flesh, but benefits the spirit. ~ Jamieson, Fausett &  Brown

The next time you are offended by what a godly wise person says, ask yourself, “Lord what do you want me to learn.”

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Poor & Wise or Old & Foolish

13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. 14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. 15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. 16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

The Lord doesn’t look at our riches or station in life. He looks at our hearts. It is better to be poor and wise than old and foolish. Ask the Lord for wisdom and discernment.

…for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1Samuel  16:7 

For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:11 

True wisdom is to know what is best worth knowing and to do what is best worth doing. ~ Edward Humphrey

Suppose that a man would advertise to take photographs of the heart; would he get many customers? ~ D.L. Moody

What are your motives for doing what you do? Is your heart and motives “lined up’ with God?

Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Wisdom vs Foolishness

12  And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. 13  Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 14  The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. 15  Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 16  For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. Ecclesiastes 2:12-16

Solomon was a very deep thinking man. Now he starts to compare wisdom with foolishness. Most would say the two are total opposites but Solomon shows some comparisons.

“I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness and folly…”

Here are the meanings from the Hebrew of the three words:

Wisdom - (in a good sense): - skillful, wisdom, wisely, wit.

Madness - folly: - madness

Folly -  silliness: - folly, foolishness.

Quotes:

It is too often seen, that the wiser men are about the things of this world, the less wise they are about the things of the next. ~ John Gibson (1780-1853)

Wisdom prepares for the worst, but folly leaves the worst for the day when it comes. ~ Richard Cecil (1748-1777)

The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate him. ~ John Milton  (1608-1674)

Knowledge is but folly unless it is guided by grace. ~ Edward Herbert (1583-1648)

Real knowledge, like everything else of value, is not to be obtained easily. It must be worked for, studied for, thought for, and more that all, must be prayed for. ~ Thomas Arnold (1795-1842)

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it. ~ Fuller

Findings of Solomon:

·        Wisdom is better than folly, just like light is better than darkness

·        Wise man “sees” the fool walks in darkness

·        One event happens to all (death)

·        Both are forgotten  when they die

Death is one event none of us can escape. Some fear death with a vengeance and try to stop the aging process, others will do many things to make themselves “look” and “act” young. Death is something none of us can stop it is inevitable.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27 

We should not fear death, but fear the judgment that comes after the death. What will we be judged on?

We will be judged on what we did on earth:

               Did we accept or reject Christ?

               If we accepted Christ our works will be judged.

               If we rejected Christ, we will have eternal punishment.

The choice is ours, but death ends the time of making the choice. Now is the time to choose.

 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) II Corinthians 6:2 

Will you choose Christ today?

Have a blessed day, 

Donna