Ecclesiastes 25 Thoughts About Wisdom 2 Ecclesiastes 7

Ecclesiastes (25) Thoughts About Wisdom (2) Ecclesiastes 7: 11 -29 (2)

• • About this section We continue our study of the second half of Ecclesiastes, where Solomon begins a greater focus on things ABOVE the sun. Greater emphasis on wisdom – cf. James 3: 17 -18 Last week we noted some thoughts about wisdom Tonight, some more thoughts about wisdom (7: 15 -22) – part 2

In this section: (7: 11 -29) • We find the value of wisdom. It can provide: • Protection (11 -12) Perspective (13 -14) Balance(15 -18) Strength (19 -22) Insight (23 -29) (From Wilson Adams, Ecclesiastes, Courageous Living Series, pg. 34)

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Inequity (15), Solomon observes that often the just man perishes in righteousness and the wicked prolongs his life in wickedness • Life seems unfair in this (and a reason worldly pursuits are vanity). • Such causes many to blame God, but as we noted last week – 1) He is often not the cause of such! 2) He IS in control 3) There will be an accounting!

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Do not be overly righteous (16), - is it possible to be too righteous? When we consider God’s demands and definition – certainly not! (cf. Matthew 5: 20 – it must exceed that of “the scribes and Pharisees”); The pursuit of holiness is striving to be righteous. • Can we really be too holy?

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Do not be overly righteous (16), - could be a reference to selfrighteousness – arrogance (cf. Luke 18: 9 -14) • Or one whose demands are so exact he leaves no room for those who differ (binding where God has not bound) – NOT a criticism of demanding authority (cf. Ephesians 5: 11)

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Do not be overly righteous (16), Or one whose righteous pursuits cloud his wisdom concerning life – he neglects other responsibilities • Or one who totally isolates himself from the world and thus removes opportunities to be salt and light (Matthew 5: 13 -16)

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Do not be overly righteous (16), The point is, we need to be useful to God, not only to save ourselves, but also striving to win others. I once heard one say, “Some people are so heavenly minded, they are no earthly good. ” Just like too much salt or light can spoil something, we must consider this!

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Do not be overly wise (16), Again one might ask how is this possible? • Consider worldly wisdom that seeks to explain away God and His ways! • Arrogance thinking you cannot be wrong, or know better than everyone else (including God) – cf. Romans 2: 1821

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Do not be overly wise (16), He could set a standard for wisdom too high for himself to achieve – how many will not act because “I’m not ready” How long is that excuse acceptable? • Consider Solomon – with wisdom from God, but see where he ended up! • Why should you destroy yourself? Don’t “overthink” something

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Do not be overly wicked (16), This is NOT saying that a little wickedness is acceptable • BUT we ALL fall short from time to time (Romans 3: 23, 1 John 1: 8 -2: 2) • However, some are wicked on a daily basis. It defines their character. There is no intent on repenting

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Do not be overly wicked (16), Do not let occasional sin give excuse to give up or continue in sinful practices (e. g. “I can’t help it”) There are some brethren who say, we HAVE TO sin every day! That is NOT true and it is dangerous! 1 John 3: 6, 9

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Do not be overly wicked (17), Also do not view yourself worse than you really are – some see themselves as so worthless they believe they are irredeemable. But as long as we are alive, we will NEVER reach that point! So don’t think it!

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Do not be foolish (17), You are either foolish or you are not! The fool acts carelessly and is devoid of sense – whether a single act or a way of life. He goes to extremes to his own hurt. He might even endanger himself (17 c)

Wisdom Gives Balance (7: 15 -18) • Consider all these (18), It is good to grasp balance in this life – remember ALL of these things! • He who fears God escapes the extremes. He will seek to be righteous with God and act with wisdom (1 Thessalonians 5: 22; Ephesians 5: 11, etc. ) • When he does stumble, he takes care of it! He is prepared to face God!

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers (19), • Strength, force or numbers does not always mean wisdom. Force will only get one so far. • Wisdom can overcome being outnumbered – Proverbs 21: 22 • One may be powerful, but still evil, careless and foolish. He will only last so long. Ecclesiastes 9: 13 -17

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers (19), • Also true spiritually – all the military might and wealth in the world will NOT save you when you stand before God. Romans 14: 10 -12 • Nor can it resolve the moral lapse so prevalent in our society

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • There is not a just man on earth who does good… (20), • Consider Romans 3: 10 -11, 23. • The one who thinks he is perfect and sinless – consider 1 John 1: 8 -10, Proverbs 20: 9

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • There is not a just man on earth who does good… (20), • In context – we all have flaws. The wise will humbly acknowledge this and seek to improve The fool, while he may be in the majority, keeps on his reckless path and has no desire to change. Proverbs 15: 12, Ecclesiastes 4: 13

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • Do not take to heart everything people say…(21 -22), • A very timely verse that tells us to THINK before we judge what another says • One of the problems at the root of our divided country is an unwillingness to openly and honestly talk and listen to those who disagree with your viewpoint. - This has NOTHING to do with who is right or wrong in a matter (pick your issue), but our hateful and selfish attitudes and actions.

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • Do not take to heart everything people say…(21 -22), • A very timely verse – Too many want to berate, bully and guilt those who disagree with them. They act with contempt and hatred and seek to destroy the one they have declared their enemy.

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • Do not take to heart everything people say…(21 -22), • A very timely verse – FRIENDS, when people are afraid to openly discuss issues and express concerns, we will NEVER find the whole truth on a given subject • AS long as this mentality exists, we will continue to disintegrate as a nation and without our communities

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • Do not take to heart everything people say…(21 -22), • A very timely verse – Spiritually, at times “brethren” act no differently. Are we guilty of leaving very little room for civil discussion of doctrinal and moral matters? Social media among brethren has become a tool of badgering and division. This does NOT honor Christ! Proverbs 18: 17

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • Do not take to heart everything people say – lest you hear your servant cursing you? (21 -22), • Here’s the point! ARE we looking for fault in what another says or are we willing to give the benefit of the doubt? Do we assume the worst when another (especially one who disagrees with me) speaks? Do we “read into” what they say?

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • Do not take to heart everything people say – lest you hear your servant cursing you? (21 -22), • Here’s the point! Not everyone has sinister motives when they say something to you. Is it possible that YOU misunderstood what they said OR their intent? 1 Corinthians 13: 5 -7, note that we also ENDURE all things

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others (22) • Have you EVER said something about another, privately or publicly, that you soon regretted or realized was inappropriate? Have you ever uttered unkind words or labeled another in anger?

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others (22) • Have you IN TIMES PAST said something you thought was ok then, but NOW you know better and have changed? (Should your past be held against you? ) Have you said something in confidence in limited company that should not have been said?

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others (22) • Have you EVER said something that was misunderstood by those you were speaking to? (They didn’t mean to “curse you” but it was perceived that way – either innocently or hyper-critically)

Wisdom Gives Strength (7: 19 -22) • Do not take to heart…(21 -22) • Consider the following: James 3: 2 – we all stumble in word Matthew 7: 1 -5 – be careful how you judge Matthew 7: 12 – the “golden rule” James 1: 19 – LISTEN before you speak Matthew 18: 15, 5: 23 -24 – go to the one you have an issue with Matthew 18: 21 -22, 6: 14 -15 - forgiveness 1 Corinthians 13: 1 -8 – love described Matthew 12: 36 – every idle word…

Are you seeking to be wise and righteous in God’s eyes? Ecclesiastes 12: 13 -14

Let us pray!