Ecclesiates 2

Some Thoughts on Wisdom and Foolishness

Wisdom

An ancient concept that spans the cultures

Although the nations around ancient Israel did not use the same descriptions or terms to refer to wisdom, the underlying concepts associated with wisdom throughout the ancient world were largely the same as those in Israel

Biblical wisdom refers to practical skills associated with understanding and living a successful life

These range from the ability to create highly skilled works to the intellectual capability required to make choices that result in favorable outcomes and avoid troubles

Foolishness (includes folly)

Foolishness is characterized by thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, or judgments that lack sense, prudence, and discretion. Foolish behavior may be immoral or dangerous and is often used for self-destructive tendencies. Foolishness stands in contrast to wisdom, prudence, and sound judgment.

Seven different Hebrew words are usually translated by the single English word “folly.” Some of the shades of meaning suggested by these various words include: (a) deliberate sinfulness; (b) simple-mindedness; (c) malicious simple-mindedness; and (d) brutal or subhuman activity.

Also aloofness;

We’ll see one example in 12:11b when we get to it

We see an example with Job’s wife who told him to “curse God and die: n Job 2:10 “But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”

A good one in Psalm 14:1 “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.”

Back to the Outline

C. The emptiness of pleasure (2:1–3)

We could look at 1 Kings, chapters 3-10 and see his great successes, just reading the headings gives a pile of information; then we get to chap. 11

It recites the downfall of the man who had prayed for wisdom

He tried to live with abandon…yet wisely

Is this possible, or an oxymoron?

How far can I push pleasure?

What’s the problem with pleasure?

All pleasure is purchased with the price of pain; you either pay up front, or pay later

D. The emptiness of possessions (2:4–11)

He had all he wanted…and in the end, what did he get?

What a list! The guy who dies with the most toys wins

He claims he still had his wisdom, even when living to excess

Survey says???

He even found pleasure in the work of pushing all this to the limits

We notice the high use of the 1st person pronouns, I, me, my...

A bit of self-idolatry, perhaps?

Yet, in the end, was there satisfaction?

E. The limits of wisdom (2:12–17)

He lays out some thoughtful contrasts

Wisdom v. madness and folly

Light v. darkness

Even though there is a benefit to wisdom over folly, in the end the fate of the wise is the same as the fate of the fool

This is that temporal v. eternal viewpoint

Do we see similar things in today’s culture/worldviews?

F. The emptiness of work (2:18–23)

Moving on to work, of what value is it?

It’s good for us, but of what eternal consequence?

It passes on to someone else who may, or may not, make wise use of it

When he sees this, he is moved to despair (relates to hopelessness)

Seems to depict more of the self-idolatry mentioned above

G. Pleasure, possessions, wisdom, and work in God’s perspective (2:24–26)

Is even hedonism a gift from God?

Check out Is. 22 15, but read the context

Here in 8:15,

1 Cor, 15 32…quoting Is....but check that context

(Assuming this to be Solomon’s writing, he originated it)

Is this a glimpse of true wisdom popping through?

Look ahead to Luke 12:13–21 “Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.””