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Ecclesiastes Lesson Eighteen

Ecclesiastes Lesson Eighteen: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18 – Wisdom’s Limits

Again I saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, or the battle to the strong, or bread to the wise, or riches to the discerning, or favor to the skillful; rather, time and chance happen to all of them. 12 For man certainly does not know his time: like fish caught in a cruel net or like birds caught in a trap, so people are trapped in an evil time as it suddenly falls on them. 

13 I have observed that this also is wisdom under the sun, and it is significant to me: 14 There was a small city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege works against it. 15 Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he delivered the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.” 

17 The calm words of the wise are heeded 

more than the shouts of a ruler over fools. 

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, 

but one sinner can destroy much good. (HCSB)

I’ll be splitting this lesson into two parts.

  • Persevere in life – verses 11-12.
  • Power and limitations of wisdom – verses 13-18.

Persevere in Life

The author closed the last section by talking about death. Now, he turns his attention to making 

the most out of our lives.

  • One point the author puts forward here is that life is unpredictable, no matter our abilities.
    • The fastest don’t always win the race.
    • The strongest warriors don’t always win the battle.
    • The wisest don’t always have the most “stuff”: money and possessions.
    • In each case, those most seemingly destined for success can, and often fail, because of circumstances outside their control.
  • We may innocently believe that people are lucky when they succeed, and others are unlucky when they fail.
  • However, Christians shouldn’t believe in luck. That’s an abstract concept when compared against God’s sovereign will.
    • We shouldn’t carry a rabbit’s foot.
    • We shouldn’t place our faith in lucky or unlucky days or numbers. Friday the 13th is no different than Friday the 14th.
  • Our confidence should be in the loving providence of God, wholly based on His timing.
  • There’s a saying, “I’m a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more I have of it.” 
  • From the human perspective, life can seem arbitrary. But from a theological perspective, it all makes perfect sense. God is working according to His eternal purposes.
  • The author’s final thought is contained in the last part of verse twelve.
    • The “evil time” is the event of our physical death.
    • In most cases, we have no idea when it will happen. 
    • There could be an accident.
    • A medical diagnosis could result in very little time before passing.
    • In each case, it is like falling into an unexpected trap that catches the person completely unaware.

Power and Limitations of Wisdom

In the second section of this lesson, we see that opportunities are not a guarantee of success. There is some disagreement among scholars on the interpretation of verses 14-15, but we’ll go over the possibilities.

  • The minority position is that the poor wise man was asked for his advice, but he was ultimately ignored.
    • But there are two problems with this position.
      • The Hebrew word for “delivered is malat. This word means to rescue or save. 
      • The wording of verses 17-18.
        • Calm words of the wise are heeded.
        • Wisdom is better than weapons of war.
    • Both phrases imply the advice was used.
  • The majority position is that the advice was heeded.
    • The poor wise man’s advice could have been in one of two areas.
      • Diplomacy – the advice led to some agreement without hostilities.
      • Military strategy – the advice led to a military victory against the invaders.
    • Regardless of which one it was, and regardless of the low stature of the man giving the advice, his advice was heeded, and it led to a satisfactory outcome of the city not being attacked.
  • There is another angle to this example. Was the writer referring to an actual siege he had witnessed, or is this an allegory?
    • Jewish allegory from a targum, which is an oral paraphrase or interpretation of the Hebrew Old Testament in Aramaic.
      • The city represents a person whose body has been invaded by an evil spirit.
      • The poor, wise man stands for the good but humble spirit that wages war against the evil spirit.
      • This targum would likely have been used in synagogues during Jesus’ time to represent the spiritual struggle that takes place within a person.
    • Christian allegory. There are parallels to the gospel message in the New Testament.
      • Man’s soul is under siege by the forces of darkness. Ephesians 6:12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 
      • Christ is the wise man. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
      • Christ became poor for our sake. Philippians 2:7-8 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, 8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross. 
      • Christ’s atoning sacrifice is God’s wise way of delivering man from the city of destruction. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved. 19 For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the experts. 20 Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age?  Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
      • Christ was greeted with ingratitude. Luke 17:11-19 While traveling to Jerusalem, He passed between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As He entered a village, 10 men with serious skin diseases met Him. They stood at a distance 13 and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When He saw them, He told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And while they were going, they were healed. 15 But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God.  16 He fell facedown at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus said, “Were not 10 cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Didn’t any return to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has made you well.”
  • The writer draws some conclusions over the final three verses.
    • Wisdom is better than strength.
      • God’s way is better than man’s.
        • The Gospel is a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others – 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.
        • Many will despise the Gospel and drown out its proclamation, but it should and will be heard.
        • Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill got a mixed reception. Acts 17:32-34 When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him. But others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” 33 Then Paul left their presence. 34 However, some men joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. 
      • Looking back through the recent history of the Christian church, we see further examples of this.
        • George Whitefield, John and Charles Wesley often met violent opposition as they preached the Gospel in open-air meetings.
        • However, the message overcame the shouts and taunts, often turning the hearts of their loudest opponents.
    • The root of the entire problem is man’s sinful heart.
    • Sin entered the world through one man, and by the obedience of another, each of us is provided a way of deliverance. Romans 5:12-21 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned. 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a prototype of the Coming One. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.  17 Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  • The ending of verse 18, “but one sinner can destroy much good,” creates a natural link to chapter ten.

Applications

  • All of us will face challenges and adversity as we go through life. A measure of our faith is how we deal with and overcome them. Do you handle them calmly and trustfully, or do you worry and lash out when they happen? Place your trust in the God of the universe to see you through those times.
  • If you are in a leadership position, listen to advice from those below you, even if the advice comes from an unlikely source. It may just be a word from God at the right moment. 
  • Don’t be afraid to offer advice, regardless of your position. God may reveal to us a word of wisdom during a challenging or difficult situation. Don’t hesitate to offer solutions even if you’re not listened to.
  • The Gospel (wisdom) is mightier than the most powerful ruler. Share it whenever you have the chance. We have nothing to fear in this life if we’re walking with Jesus. Our eternity is secure. 
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Eleven

Ecclesiastes Lesson Eleven: Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12 – Power and Wealth: God’s Perspective

If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. 9 The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field. 

10 The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile. 11 When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply; what, then, is the profit to the owner, except to gaze at them with his eyes? 12 The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich permits him no sleep. 

13 There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm. 14 That wealth was lost in a bad venture, so when he fathered a son, he was empty-handed. 15 As he came from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands. 16 This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go. What does the one gain who struggles for the wind? 17 What is more, he eats in darkness all his days, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger. 

18 Here is what I have seen to be good: it is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward. 19 God has also given riches and wealth to every man, and He has allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God, 20 for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart. 

6 Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity:  2 God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a sickening tragedy. 3 A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. 5 Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he. 6 And if he lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place? 

7 All man’s labor is for his stomach,

yet the appetite is never satisfied. 

8 What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others? 9 Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 

10 Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and it is known what man is. But he is not able to contend with the One stronger than he. 11 For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for man? 12 For who knows what is good for man in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell man what will happen after him under the sun? (HCSB)

There are several ways to divide this passage, but I’ll be using the following outline.

  • Political corruption – verses 5:8-9.
  • Wealth – verses 5:10-6:9.
  • The proper perspective – verses 6:10-12.

Political Corruption

The teacher is telling the readers they shouldn’t be shocked when they see or hear about corruption in high places within a government. He makes several points in these two verses.

  • When a government has multiple levels of administration, it is inevitable that corruption will occur.
  • When there is a large number of officials who have an opportunity to make themselves rich through the abuse of political power, some will succumb to the temptation.
  • Oppression, even if conducted by individuals, has structural and systemic aspects. 
  • Often, numerous people at different levels within the organizational structure work together to oppress the less fortunate and benefit themselves.
  • Verse nine does present some difficulty and generated much debate.
    • It could simply mean the king is at the top and in control of the oppressive structure.
    • In contrast, it could mean that the king keeps the oppressive structure from being overbearing, allowing all members of society to benefit in at least a small measure.

The teacher now moves from the issue of oppression for personal gain to the root cause of oppression.

Wealth

The love of money is the root cause of oppression. Money has become a false god, incapable of satisfying the hunger and thirst of a person obsessed with it: “whoever loves money never has money enough.” Profit won’t fulfill those who pursue it, but it only feeds the insatiable desire for more.

In chapter two, the teacher had already discussed the futility of wealth, and some of those same ideas are repeated here. However, a difference in this section is that he refutes some of the myths people have about wealth. Because people hold fast to these illusions, they rob themselves of the blessings God has for them. Here are the myths the teacher refutes.

  • Wealth brings satisfaction.
    • Some people treat money as a god.
    • They’ll do anything to get it, and once they get it, they think the money can accomplish whatever they desire.
    • Their minds are controlled by getting more money.
    • These people place their faith in money, not God.
    • However, money will never satisfy, no matter how much anyone has.
    • 1 Timothy 6:10a  For the love of money is a root  of all kinds of evil.
  • Money solves every problem.
    • People do need a certain amount of money in order to live in this world.
    • But money itself is not the remedy for every problem.
    • Often, an increase in wealth creates new problems.
    • A quote from John Wesley sums up how Christians should view wealth, “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”
  • Wealth brings peace of mind.
    • There is no correlation between wealth and peace of mind.
    • The teacher tells us that the rich will not have sound and peaceful sleep.
    • John D. Rockefeller became the world’s only billionaire at the age of fifty-three.
      • But he lived on crackers and milk and couldn’t sleep because of worry.
      • Once he started to give his money away, his health dramatically improved, and he lived to the age of ninety-eight.
  • Wealth provides security.
    • The teacher paints the picture of two men in verses 13-17.
    • One hoarded all his wealth and became a miser.
    • The other  made unsound investments and lost his wealth.
      • He was back to where he started.
      • He had no estate to leave to his son.
      • He spent the remainder of his days in discouragement and didn’t enjoy life.

In his narratives on poverty and wealth, the teacher is not advocating in favor of either path; each has its own problems. He is warning the reader against the love of money and the misplaced belief that wealth will bring happiness.

In the last three verses of chapter five, the teacher tells the reader how to approach work and money.

  • What should be considered good?
    • To labor faithfully in the work assigned to us.
    • To enjoy the good things in life, eating and drinking.
    • Accept these things as a gift from God.
  • When we have this perspective about life, we will enjoy what we have and not be envious of what others have.
  • Our hearts will be filled with joy, knowing that what we have, whether it is little or much, comes from God.
  • The ability to enjoy life’s blessings is also a gift from God.
    • We thank God for our food when we say grace.
    • How often do we thank God for our taste buds which allow us to enjoy the taste of the food?
  • The important thing is to love the Lord, accept the lot He gives us, and enjoy the blessings He graciously gives to us.
    • If we focus on the gifts more than the giver, we are guilty of idolatry.
    • If we accept the gifts but complain about them, we are guilty of ingratitude.
    • If we hoard His gifts and don’t share them, we are guilty of indulgence.
    • However, if we yield to His will and use what He gives us for His glory, our lives will be filled with joy, and we’ll be satisfied.

As we move into chapter six, the teacher continues the basic discussions about wealth.

  • The teacher observed time and again where people accumulated wealth but were unable to enjoy it.
  • Think about how frustrating it would be to have great wealth but to be unable to enjoy the blessings of life.
  • In the example in verse two, the wealthy man had great wealth, but he had no heir to pass it along to. Instead, all that he had went to a complete stranger after his death.
  • In verses 3-6, the teacher is making a hypothetical case, as no one person could live for two thousand years or father a hundred children.
    • No matter how much someone possesses, if you don’t have the power to enjoy it, it would be better to have never been born.
    • This man had plentiful resources and a large family, both of which were marks of God’s favor to an Old Testament Jew.
    • But his family didn’t love him. When he died, there was no mourning for his passing.
    • In reality, this rich man was actually very poor.
  • The ability to enjoy life comes from the inside. It’s a matter of character and not circumstances.
    • Philippians 4:11  I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
    • The Greek word translated as “content,” contains the idea of “self-contained, adequate, needing nothing from the outside.”
    • Paul contained within his being all the resources he needed to face life with courage and triumph over the challenges he faced.
    • Philippians 4:13  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

The teacher now contrasts the poor man’s situation with the wealthy man.

  • Both the rich and the poor need to work in order to live.
    • The rich man can use his money to “work” for him.
    • The poor man has to use his energy to provide for himself and his family.
    • However, neither ends up being satisfied.
  • Why do people eat? So they can live. But what good does it do to add years to our lives if we’re not able to add life to our years?
  • The teacher isn’t saying it’s wrong to work or to eat.
    • It is possible to enjoy doing both.
    • But if our lives consist only of working and eating, we are controlled by our appetites and are no better than animals.
    • We are made in the image of God, and we shouldn’t live as animals.
  • Verse 9 is an early version of the saying, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
    • The Greek philosopher Plutarch said, “He is a fool who lets slip a bird in the hand for a bird in the bush.”
    • The teacher is saying, “It’s better to have a little and enjoy it than to dream about much and never attain it.”
    • Dreams can quickly become nightmares.
    • The teacher isn’t saying it’s wrong to dream great dreams, but we must be careful that our dreams are motivated by and for the glory of God and not the praise of men.
    • We should desire to serve others and not promote ourselves.
    • Psalm 16:11  You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.

The Proper Perspective

  • Up to this point, the teacher has observed that life is a dead-end street for two kinds of people.
    • Those who have riches but experience no enjoyment.
    • Those who labor but have no satisfaction.
  • But he also pointed out that true happiness is not an automatic result of making a good living; it is the blessed result of making a good life.
    • If you devote your life only to the pursuit of happiness, you will be miserable.
    • If you devote your life to doing God’s will, you will also find happiness.
  • It appears the teacher is touching on five questions people often ask in the last three verses of this passage.
    • Because “what’s going to be is going to be, why bother to make decisions? Isn’t it all predestined anyway?
      • Our world is not a prison; we have the freedom to act as we see fit.
      • God can accomplish His divine purpose with or without us, but He invites us to work with Him.
      • We cooperate when we accept the names He has given to things; sin, obedience, and truth.
      • When we change the meaning of these names, we move into a world of illusion and lose touch with reality.
      • We are free to make choices, but we aren’t free to change the consequences.
    • Why disagree with God? We can’t oppose Him, can we?
      • The word “contend” means to dispute. 
      • It doesn’t pay to argue or fight with God.
      • The will of God comes from the heart of God and is an expression of His love for us.
      • God’s will is the best path for each of us.
      • Insisting on our “freedom of choice” is actually the worst kind of bondage.
      • Our greatest freedom is when we are lost in the will of God.
    • What do we accomplish with all of these words? Does talking about it solve the problem?
      • At times it seems that the more we discuss an issue, the less we understand it.
      • Words can bring clarity, but they can also bring confusion and darkness.
      • Only God’s Word can bring clarity and wisdom.
    • Who knows what’s good for us?
      • Only God does.
      • A person is wise if they take time and listen to what God says.
      • 1 John 2:17b  but the one who does God’s will remains forever.
    • Does anybody know what’s coming next?
      • Nobody knows the future except for God.
      • It’s a waste of time to speculate.
      • God will give us enough information to encourage us.
      • The future certainty is death. We need to make the best use of our present opportunities before we pass from this world.

Applications

  • We must peacefully fight oppression wherever and whenever we see it.
    • If it’s within an organization or group you are a part of; you may be able to confront it directly.
    • If it’s outside your direct control or ability to impact it, peacefully organized demonstrations to fight against it.
  • Find a healthy balance between work, stuff, and leisure time that aligns with God’s will. This may require changes to one or more areas of your life. A question to ask yourself is, “are you content and joyful with your current circumstances in life?” If the answer is no, then adjustments are needed.
  • In the end, each of us will die and spend eternity in one of two places. This reality begs us to ask two questions to ourselves.
    • Have you surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, secure in spending eternity in the presence of God in heaven? Or are you still walking in disobedience, and if you died today, you’d spend eternity separated from God in hell?
    • If you are a follower of Christ, are you making the most of your time to glorify God and advance His kingdom? If you aren’t, repent and get back on track to fulfilling your God-given purpose.