Daily Devotions

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 
Day 
Day 105

"Who is like a wise man?"

Text: Ecclesiastes 8:1

THE EFFECTS OF WISDOM

There were many reasons why Solomon sought after wisdom. One of the reasons was the way in which wisdom could affect a person so positively.

“Who is like a wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
A man’s wisdom makes his face shine,
And the sternness of his face is changed.”
Ecclesiastes 8:1

1. “Who is like a wise man?”

a) It is a good thing to desire to be a wise person.
b) It may even be said that it is “natural” to have this desire.
c) But the quest to be “a wise man” is a difficult one to attain.

2. “And who knows the interpretation of a thing?”

a) One of the things that a wise man can do is to interpret things correctly.
b) Many things in life require an interpretation.
c) Things or events that are not interpreted properly may become:
i) Shallow
ii) Mundane
iii) Meaningless
iv) Futile

3. “A man’s wisdom makes his face shine”

a) Wisdom blesses the wise man in a special way.
b) It makes his face shine:
i) Because of understanding.
ii) Because of enlightenment.
c) His wisdom has taught him how not to:
i) Fret
ii) Worry

4. “And the sternness of his face is changed”

a) Wisdom can even affect the wise man physically.
b) Where there may be sternness, there is now a happier countenance.
c) Sternness is often a reflection of:
i) Being overly concerned.
ii) Being unable to relax.
d) Wisdom teaches a person how to:
i) Understand life better.
ii) Appreciate God’s blessings more.
iii) Enjoy this short life that we have on earth.
iv) Learn to fear God in our life.