Daily Devotions
Ecclesiastes
"Words of the wise"
Text: Ecclesiastes 9:17
THE WORDS OF WISEMEN
Solomon must have thought further about the city which had been saved by the words of a poor wise man. His observations are astute and noting carefully.
“Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard
Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.”
Ecclesiastes 9:17
1. “Words of the wise”
a) The wise are noted for their knowledge.
b) Knowledge and experience produce “wisdom”.
c) The sayings (words) of the wise deserve to be heard carefully.
2. “Spoken quietly, should be heard”
a) There are many ways in which the wise may share their wisdom.
b) They would be “spoken quietly”.
i) The wise know when to speak.
ii) They know when they should not speak.
iii) Their words of wisdom are usually spoken “quietly”.
iv) This displays true humility.
v) The wise never brag about their wisdom.
c) Their words should be heard.
i) Even if they are spoken quietly.
ii) Their words should be heard simply because they contain much wisdom.
3. “Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools”
a) Solomon offered a startling contrast.
b) The ruler in question is not a wise person.
c) He had nearly lost the city to invaders, but the poor and wise man had saved it.
d) But the ruler wins the day.
i) He makes himself heard.
ii) He shouts so loudly, that he drowns out the voice of the wise man.
e) Why would the people listen to the ruler who shouts?
i) The people lacked wisdom.
ii) They are aptly called “Fools”.
f) A city of fools
i) It has a ruler who shouts and drowns the quiet voice of wisdom.
ii) The citizens of the city cannot discern what true wisdom is.
iii) The foolish ruler reigns over foolish people.
They deserve each other.
The poor but wise man resigns himself to yet another reality of life. “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”