"Don't Be a Fool"

Introduction: The great theologian Mr. T says “I pity the fool...” We also have no doubt have heard the phrase, especially in the certain parts of the country this phrase “Stop actin the fool!” We have all witnessed foolish behavior in our lives and even in our world, and we see how destructive it can be. Yet we also must admit that we ourselves have contributed to that foolishness. Why? Are natural disposition is one that leads to foolishness. You want to know why the world seems so foolish at times? Everyone needs to look in the mirror. Yet, in the midst of this foolishness, God has a message to us. Live wisely. But how? Through what seems like ways that don’t make sense, Jesus has come in unexpected ways to bring an unexpected outcome. To redeem us from our foolishness and bring us into his Wisdom. By having the wisdom of God himself upend our foolishness, we are then able to truly live wise lives in a foolish world.

CTS: Jesus, the wisdom of God, took our foolish weakness and makes us strong in Him.

I. Expect the Unexpected (9:11-12)

It doesn’t matter sometimes. Sometimes, life doesn’t make sense. Verse 11 exemplifies that this life doesn’t make sense. The Preacher lists a number of things that we would expect to be true. The fastest wins the race. The strongest wins the battle. The wisest gets what he needs. The most intelligent are rich. Knowledge brings favor.

But in each of those situations, we know that this isn’t always the case. The fastest can get injured and not finish. The strongest army doesn’t always win (Illustrate: The American Revolution, and many of the biggest empires eventually fall. Why? Foolish tactics.) The smartest can lack common sense and not know how to gain what they need. The rich can lose with bad investments and foolish spending. Bad luck happens, even to what would seem like the best and the brightest.

You can’t control life, as we have found out over and over again throughout Ecclesiastes. The best we can do is to expect the unexpected. The net may come to fish us out. Death comes at some point, though we can never know for sure.

Spiritually, we are spectacular examples of this. We are the unexpected, and God often uses the unexpected to carry out His purpose.

According to the world and our own ways of thinking, Jesus comes in an unexpected way and comes to save us in an unexpected way.

Hebrews 2:14–15 ESV

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

In our way of thinking, this is doesn’t make sense! The Scriptures make it very clear that all that Jesus did was expected and prophesied. But our hearts and humanity have rebelled against this, often placing salvation and favor with God upon our own actions and our own selves. Salvation to the unbeliever doesn’t make sense until God intervenes and reveals that it is that which makes most sense in the world. We couldn’t save ourselves.

According to the world, we are foolish people with a foolish message. God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 ESV

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

We who are foolish are made the wisdom of God. That’s unexpected! That’s the gospel!

II. Live Wisely (9:13-10:1)

So the Preacher expands upon this idea of wisdom vs. folly and gives us what wise living looks like, even in a world full of folly.

A. The Strength of Wisdom (9:13-10:1)

1) Even When No One Heeds It or Remembers It (9:13-16)

First thing we need to remember from this text is that we wisdom is better. Wisdom can deliver in the midst of seemingly impossible circumstances. Here, the brains outdo the brawn, and it is good. Yet, even when the city is delivered, the poor man is forgotten. It doesn’t matter. Be wise anyway.

Similarly, Jesus became poor for us and lived the wisest life, the most human life, to deliver us from the Enemy of sin. He delivered the city of humanity from the invading ruler of darkness, Satan himself. Yet, many reject or forget it, we know that it is His wisdom that delivered us and redeemed us.

We live wisely, even if we don’t ever get the fame for it. God sees it, and that is what is most important anyway. The wisdom of God can have lasting legacy for those who benefit from it, even if they forget the person who brought the wisdom.

2) Even When It’s Thwarted (17-10:1)

And here is what seems like an evil under the sun. Even the most wise actions can be ruined. Verse 1 of chapter 10 is an idiom, much like we use to do. A bad apple ruins the whole bunch.

Wisdom is better than the weapons and the loudmouth ruler. This is probably pointing back to that ruler from the earlier verses. Quiet strength is one that often brings great wisdom. But guess what? It only takes one sinful action to ruin it all. We see it all the time in the Bible. You would have great wise rulers as judges and kings throughout Israel’s history, and then the next king lives foolishly and brings the whole things down. Personally, we see good and wise words from men and women of God, and then immediately will say something foolish. I think of Peter, who says that wonderful statement about who Jesus is.

Matthew 16:15–17 ESV

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

And then he says something foolish...

Matthew 16:21–23 ESV

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Yet, even in this, Christ is gracious. We speak wisely anyway, even if it may get thwarted. Sometimes by our own actions. Peter would experience grace and then without any hindrance preach Christ crucified.

The wisdom of God is never thwarted really, for Jesus is that wisdom that will come in rule and reign and bring all wisdom in fullness at His coming again!

B. The Weakness of Folly (10:2-20)

1) When Rulers are Foolish (4-7)

Quietly have wisdom, patience is the key. You’re going to see some foolish things happen in this world. It won’t make sense. In light of that, don’t give up. Whether it’s our rulers in government, or authorities in our lives. Teachers, bosses, spouses, leaders in the church. In cases of abuse and life-threatening issues…YES, LEAVE. But in cases where we live calmly and safely, we can help wisely lay anger to rest by not reciprocating it.

1 Peter 2:13–17 ESV

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

2) Everyday Foolishness (8-11)

Verses 8-9 describe the foolishness that happens. It could be seen as random work, but here is the idea behind it. Digging a pit for someone to be entrapped. Breaking into someone’s home and getting bit by a snake. Foolishly working. This is foolish behavior, and in a sense, these are all examples of the destructive nature of folly. Foolish living destroys.

Verses 10-11 show the strength of wisdom. Preparation and patience are the key words here. Prepare for the task. Sharpen your tool. Fools keep hacking with blunt tools. Wise people sharpen their tool to accomplish the task with one swift cut. The patience of a charmer rather than being arrogant is better. Though it may take longer than we would like, patience and preparation goes a long way into doing something wisely in life. Patience and preparation is essential to living and leading.

3) Foolish Mouths (12-15)

These verses clearly reveal to use the difference between wise words and foolish words. When we speak wisely, we win favor. The point is not to just to receive favor, but give us the opportunity to express favor to others. Wise people are often given the advantage of a captive audience (sometimes, as Ecc 9:15 reveals that’s not always the case).

So what does it mean to speak with wisdom? Philip Ryken gave six great applications that I would like to share with you from this passage:

A wise person offers verbal praise and audible thanksgiving to God—not cursing him but blessing him.

When a wise person speaks to other people, he or she uses more words of encouragement than criticism.

A wise person speaks “the truth with his neighbor” (Eph 4:25), not stretching it for personal advantage, but saying what needs to be said in a loving way.

A wise person speaks with gentleness, never in unrighteous anger.

A wise person also knows how to use reconciling works like “I’m sorry” and “please forgive me.”

A wise person speaks words of love and affection.

Matthew 12:34 ESV

34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

“Wise speech requires a heart overflowing with the love of God.”

4) Foolish Nations (16-20)

When the immature rule, it is folly and leads to great foolishness and evil.

Charles XII, who became the king of Sweden when he was only a teenager had wild behavior with his friends during his rule that including riding on horseback through his grandmother’s apartment, knocking people to the ground in the city streets, and practicing firearms by shooting out the windows of the palace. In response, the leading preachers of Stockholm all agreed to preach from Ecclesiastes 10:16 on the same Sunday, pronouncing woe on a land with a child for a king and princes that feasted in the morning.

We should always attempt to elect wise leaders that are not fools. But we can apply this to ourselves on a more personal level, a more local level as well spiritually. We are considered princes and princesses in the kingdom of God. We would do well to not rule immaturely but always seeking wisdom from God, particularly his Word. The church needs wise leaders that draw from the wisdom of God found in His Word. Bad rulers, foolish rulers are lazy and do not seek the good of the place they lead. They leave it in shambles and do not keep it up. Wise leaders continually address the problems and work hard to remedy them. That is why the church has to move forward and not always sit on the things of the past. To move forward is to adjust to the changes of the world while never changing the truth of God’s Word and His clear Gospel message.

Jesus Endured the Foolishness to Make Us Wise Like Him