The Way of Wisdom

Notes
Transcript
Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20 – The Way of the Wise
Last week, looked at God’s work in justification and sanctification through means.
Circumstances and choices – these shape us into Jesus’ likeness as the more of each of these we experience, we gain godly wisdom.
Sounds great, except we know how we can become discouraged when circumstances or the result of our choices don’t go as expected or hoped (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 )
Ecclesiastes 9:11–12 CSB
11 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 certainly no one knows 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.
Life happens in ways we don’t like, but the teacher will tell us wisdom is worth it and wants to encourage us to pursue it.
We’re Starting with a parable/story but continues from what we looked at in Part 12, so we’ll connect them shortly: (Ecclesiastes 9: 13-18 )
Ecclesiastes 9:13–18 (CSB)
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.
There is more power in wisdom than physical strength, but it is NOT always appreciated or celebrated.
What is more important to you, the Power of God or the illusion of power through earthly strength, power, prestige?
Reminds me of Jesus: Isaiah 53:3-8
The POWER of God took the form of a meek sacrificial Lamb.
If you want to grow in Christlikeness, it’s going to look different,
Sanctification leads us to be more like Jesus over time.
Think of how Jesus started the Sermon on the Mount: Mt 5:3-12
Matthew 5:3–12 CSB
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
This is NOT weakness. It’s meekness (power under control) and takes much more strength to control your tongue and your temper than having no control over them at all.
Becoming more like Jesus is the work of God in us, but also something that we take seriously and pursue with intentionality, yielding every day to Jesus (Ecclesiastes 9:18 ) – “…one sinner can destroy much good.”
Ecclesiastes 9:18 CSB
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much good.
Don’t allow sin to stifle the Spirit’s work in your life. There are no vacations from sanctification.
Those are the times we let our guard down and the Enemy tempts us to do things that can ruin our entire lives, our reputation, our testimony, our family.
So, let’s walk The Way of the Wise: (5 ways addressed in this text)
1. (Ecclesiastes10:1-3 ) The wise live according to their identity – don’t allow for even “a little folly” in life
Ecclesiastes 10:1–3 (CSB)
1 Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2 A wise person’s heart goes to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left. 3 Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense, and he shows everyone he is a fool.
2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
Galatians 2:20 CSB
20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
2. (Ecclesiastes 10: 4-7 ) The wise practice self-control
Ecclesiastes 10:4–7 (CSB)
4 If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your post, for calmness puts great offenses to rest. 5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler: 6 The fool is appointed to great heights, but the rich remain in lowly positions. 7 I have seen slaves on horses, but princes walking on the ground like slaves.
(4) How you handle hard situations changes everything.
Burning bridges is foolish.
ILLUS: Beard at Whittemore’s
He didn’t fire me, but it changed our relationship. I thought I had won a victory, but was a massive loser.
(5-7) Things aren’t always as they should be – there’s ample opportunity to get upset and demand justice.
Wisdom looks for opportunities to build bridges over burning them.
Hebrews 12:14
Hebrews 12:14 CSB
14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord.
Romans 12:18 - If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18 CSB
18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
ILLUS, Pt 2: Reconciliation with my former boss
3. (Ecclesiastes 10:8-11 ) The wise understand life is unpredictable, so they press into Christ and make wise, thoughtful decisions.
Ecclesiastes 10:8–11 (CSB)
8 The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9 The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them. 10 If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success. 11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.
Do what you know to do; what you know is right (sharpen the axe, charm the snake— use the brain God gave you. Think before you act. Still, there are no guarantees!
Proverbs 3:5-6
4. (Ecclesiastes 10:12-15 ) The wise practice discernment
Ecclesiastes 10:12–15 (CSB)
12 The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13 The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness; 14 yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what will happen, and who can tell anyone what will happen after him? 15 The struggles of fools weary them, for they don’t know how to go to the city.
Discernment is the ability to perceive, recognize, and make wise judgments, particularly in complex or nuanced situations. It involves understanding and distinguishing between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, or the better and best course of action in various contexts.
(15) The more we live and learn, the more we realizes how complex life is which leads to humility.
This comes with experience in life (16)
(13-14) He knows when to stop talking. Foolish give advice beyond their experience.
(12) When he does speak, his words are gracious, thoughtful, and “heeded” (17)
ILLUS:Don’t be like Elihu! Job 32
5. (Ecclesiastes 10:20 ) The wise practice discretion.
Ecclesiastes 10:20 (CSB)
20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, and do not curse a rich person even in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry the message, and a winged creature may report the matter.
Discretion is the quality of being cautious, judicious, or tactful in one’s actions, words, or decisions. It involves exercising good judgment, especially in situations that require sensitivity, confidentiality, or prudence.
Leviticus 19:16 CSB
16 Do not go about spreading slander among your people; do not jeopardize your neighbor’s life; I am the Lord.
“Do not go about spreading slander among your people; do not jeopardize your neighbor’s life; I am the Lord.”
Proverbs 11:13 (CSB)
13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
“A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.”
Proverbs 16:28 (CSB)
28 A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
“A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Proverbs 17:9 (CSB)
9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.
“Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.”
Proverbs 18:8 (CSB)
8 A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.
“A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.”
Proverbs 20:19 (CSB)
19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.
“The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.”
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