Daily Devotions
Ecclesiastes
"Wisdom is better than weapons of war"
Text: Ecclesiastes 9:18
IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS
Solomon drew his observations to a close with a sobering thought. It is worth pondering over this thought carefully.
“Wisdom is better than weapons of war;
But one sinner destroys much good.”
Ecclesiastes 9:18
1. “Wisdom is better than weapons of war”
a) “Weapons of war”
i) They are highly valued.
ii) But perhaps they are over-esteemed as to its ultimate worth.
iii) Powerful weapons can subdue the enemy.
iv) But more powerful weapons would be found and war resumes.
v) Weapons do not really resolve problems; they increase difficulties.
b) Wisdom is better in more ways than one.
i) There is no carnage.
ii) There is no unnecessary loss of lives.
iii) There is peace achieved.
iv) It is far more civilised.
v) Much good may be achieved through the application of wisdom.
2. “But one sinner destroys much good”
a) There are limitations to wisdom.
b) Wisdom cannot prevent sin.
c) It is not able to resolve a problem that has plagued mankind from the beginning.
d) Sin can indeed be destructive.
i) A good society can be destroyed.
ii) A good infrastructure can also be severely damaged.
iii) Man in all his wisdom is virtually powerless over sin.