ECCLESIASTES

Chapter 9:13 – 10:20

Introduction

Picture the scene Solomon describes for you. There is a quiet little city. There is a wall around it, but it offers little protection. And suddenly the marching army of a wicked king can be heard in the distance. The people inside the city are threatened. The king comes to the wall and begins to build a mound of dirt up against it so that this siege ramp against the wall will allow his army to scale the wall and invade the village. The insignificant, unprotected city is nothing more than a clod under the boot of this strong ruler and his army. Death is sure. But, suddenly, within the city there is a poor wise man who speaks. By following his wisdom the city and its inhabitants are delivered from certain destruction.

While this story may be a true, historical account, it is meant to be taken as a parable. It is a parable about spiritual warfare. The "city" in Solomon’s story can represent a country, a county, a city, a Church, or a Christian. The "great king" who comes against it is your adversary, the devil, the ruler of this world. He and his demon hoards do indeed "besiege" countries, counties, cities, Churches, and Christians. They devise "great snares" which seek to destroy you.

But wisdom will deliver you! God’s wisdom, found in the pages of God’s Word, is all that you need to resist the devil and defeat his siege. As you read in Second Corinthians 10:4,

2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

Solomon knew that part of the vanity of "life under the sun" (life on earth) is that you would be besieged by spiritual foes and their terrible snares. You must defeat them through wisdom – God’s wisdom, found in God’s Word.

We’ll organize our thoughts around these two points: #1 God’s Wisdom Is The Weapon You Should Seek When Besieged, and #2 God’s Wisdom Is The Way You Should Submit To When Besieged.

#1 God’s Wisdom Is The Weapon

You Should Seek When Besieged

God’s wisdom is your weapon in spiritual warfare. In verse eighteen you’re told that "wisdom is better than weapons of war." Thus it should be wisdom that you seek when you are besieged by the enemy.

We’re suggesting that the story in verses thirteen through fifteen is a parable. Let’s think about that for a moment and offer some applications.

Could the "city" in the parable represent our country, the United States of America? It could and it does! Our country is under spiritual siege. The enemy has laid his subtle snares. One example would be the so-called sexual revolution. Promiscuity, premarital sex, pornography, and homosexuality are snares that are besieging our country.

Could the "city" in the parable represent our county and its cities? It could and it does! Our county and its cities are under spiritual siege. For example: When we first moved here in 1985 there was a outcry against a palm reader establishing a business in the city. But there is one now operating on Tenth Avenue.

Could the "city" in the parable represent Churches? It could and it does! For example: Psychology is besieging the Church. It is a snare that is captivating and capturing many Churches into believing that God’s Word is no longer sufficient to deal with the problems people face.

Could the "city" in the parable represent Christians? It could and it does! You are certainly under siege. Think of your own life and I’m sure you can identify some area – your marriage, your family, your job – in which you face spiritual warfare.

The point Solomon makes in the verses following his parable is simple, yet profound: You should seek God’s wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 9:16 Then I said: "Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, And his words are not heard.

God’s "wisdom" is better than the "strength" of human solutions. Yet often God’s wisdom is "despised" and his "words are not heard." Let me use the example of psychology again to emphasize my point. Whenever you tell someone that you reject psychology, they invariably say something like this: "So you think prayer and the Bible are sufficient to solve people’s problems?"

Yes we do! And so did the apostle Peter, who wrote,

2 Peter 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

The subtle "snare" that is laid for you is the idea that you need a degree from an institution of higher learning in order to truly help others…That psychology has discovered the secrets of the soul that have been unknown by generations of Christians for centuries. It’s an example of what we’re talking about.

Ecclesiastes 9:17 Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.

"Words of the wise, spoken quietly" reminds you of the ministry of the Holy Spirit Who indwells the heart of every believer. His gentle promptings "should be heard."

The enemy is always louder! You may be doing battle in the realm of sexual morality. There are far more books and advisors "shouting" at you to go right ahead, to throw off God’s outdated restraints.

Ecclesiastes 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.

Your marriage may be in conflict. If you are listening to the advice of the "sinner," your old nature, you'll find ample encouragement to walk away, to give it up, simply to say, "We failed." But deep within, the poor wise man is whispering, "No, don't do that." The enemy is always louder and more convincing than the quiet wise man.

What I’m saying is this: Christians always agree that God’s wisdom is the solution to their spiritual dilemmas, but they seldom seek His wisdom. They listen to the shouts of the world, and the shouts from within, and ignore the wisdom of God found in the Word of God.

Why would a believer ignore God’s wisdom? One reason is because following God’s wisdom usually involves what appears to be weakness. It involves showing mercy, dying to self, thinking more highly of others, preferring others. It involves pursuing peace, being willing to yield, being gentle, patient and longsuffering. God’s wisdom goes against our natural, sinful bents towards revenge and retribution. Let me give you an example. In the church at Corinth, believers who were unable to resolve certain conflicts were taking one another to court and asking the secular laws to judge between them. The apostle Paul wrote,

1 Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

Do you hear what Paul is saying? He’s saying it is "an utter failure to go to law" against another believer because it is a reproach upon your testimony for God. God’s wisdom is for you "to accept wrong" and "let yourself be cheated." That is why we ignore God’s wisdom; it can involve what we consider weakness.

"Wisdom is better than strength," "words of the wise should be heard," and "wisdom is better than weapons of war." It is the weapon you should seek when you are besieged.

#2 God’s Wisdom Is The Way

You Should Submit To When Besieged

In verse three of chapter ten Solomon speaks of walking along "the way." Wisdom is "the way" you should walk along. His point in chapter ten is that once you seek wisdom, you should submit to it and walk along the way of wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.

You can’t mix the wisdom of God’s Word with the foolish solutions of the world. You only corrupt God’s Word when you do. Instead of rivers of living water, you end up with putrefying pools.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand, But a fool's heart at his left.

Any lefties among us? Solomon says you’re a fool! Not really… In the ancient world, the right hand was the place of power and honor, while the left hand represented weakness and rejection (Matthew 25:33, 41). Many people considered the left side to be "unlucky." The English word "sinister" comes from a Latin word that means "on the left hand." Since the fool doesn't have wisdom in his heart, he gravitates toward that which is wrong (the left) and gets into trouble.

What Solomon is telling you is that you have a choice to make. Once you seek God’s wisdom, it’s your choice to submit to it or not. It’s a matter of inclining your heart to trust God’s Word to be your guide. Will you go to the "right," or will you go to the "left?" It’s up to you!

Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.

It’s possible for "fool[s]" to "walk along the way" of wisdom for a short time. You see this when unbelievers try to apply biblical wisdom to their problems. They can only go so far because they lack the power of the indwelling Spirit. They can seek God’s wisdom, but they cannot ultimately submit to it because it requires the power of the indwelling Spirit of God.

We’ve learned two things in chapter ten about submitting to God’s wisdom:

1. You must be a believer to submit to God’s wisdom;
2. Believers must choose to submit to God’s wisdom.

In the remaining verses of chapter ten Solomon challenges you to submit to God’s wisdom as a citizen, as a servant, and in your speech.

Being a citizen is discussed in verses four through seven and in verses sixteen and seventeen.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.

Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler:

Ecclesiastes 10:6 Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place.

Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants.

God’s wisdom for you as a citizen is in verse four. Let’s understand the context of verses five, six and seven first. In those verses Solomon is pointing out that the "ruler" or, in our case, the government, over you may be in "error." The highest official or officials may be "fools." The wrong men and women may be chosen as leaders.

He continues this thought in verses sixteen and seventeen:

Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning!

Ecclesiastes 10:17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time; For strength and not for drunkenness!

The contrast is between rulers who have character and values and those who do not. Character counts in a leader; values count in leadership. But Solomon is presenting the case in which your rulers, your government, is foolish. What is God’s wisdom for you as a citizen?

Look back at verse four:

Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.

God’s wisdom is for you to be a godly citizen even under ungodly conditions! Even if the "spirit of the ruler rises against you," you are to react as a model citizen.

Next Solomon looks at God’s wisdom for you as a servant, in verses eight through ten and eighteen and nineteen.

Ecclesiastes 10:8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.

Ecclesiastes 10:9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.

One word of explanation: In ancient times it was common for "serpents" to live in the hollow walls, so it would not be uncommon to encounter one when remodeling! These verses have something in common: The risks of being a servant or, we would say, of working for someone. Solomon recognizes that working for someone brings risks.

Add to these risks the things he says about being a servant, or a worker, in verses eighteen and nineteen:

Ecclesiastes 10:18 Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks.

Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything.

I think what Solomon is saying is that the master, or employer, is not providing the best working conditions; "the building decays" and "the house leaks." Nevertheless, the master or the employer "feasts" and enjoys himself with "laughter." His focus is on making "money," which is his "answer" to "everything." You’re called upon to suffer so he can show a greater profit!

Still Solomon is convinced, at the end of verse ten, that "wisdom brings success." What wisdom does he have in mind? Probably what you read in First Peter 2:18-19,

1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

1 Peter 2:19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

God’s wisdom is for you to be a model employee.

Then there is the matter of your speech:

Ecclesiastes 10:11 A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;

Ecclesiastes 10:13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness.

Ecclesiastes 10:14 A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?

Ecclesiastes 10:15 The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city!

Snake charmers were common entertainers in the ancient world. You should be like a snake charmer in your speech! You should consider the potential reaction of others to your words. Your speech should be "gracious." You should speak few words and not attempt to be a know it all. The fool is characterized by speech that is destructive, unreasonable, uncontrolled, and boastful.

We are all citizens; we are all servants in some capacity; we all speak. Whether we are submitted to God’s wisdom or not is revealed in each of these areas. As James says,

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

James 3:15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

James 3:16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Conclusion

Solomon ties his thoughts together in verse twenty:

Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.

He speaks of the "king," the "rich," and your "voice." Those are the three examples he used in this chapter!

The "king" is the ruler or government over you. He says not to "curse the king, even in your thought."

The "rich" is your master or employer. Don’t "curse" him or her – even in the privacy of your own "bedroom."

And, regarding your speech, a "bird" may overhear you and spread your words. It’s an ancient expression – like saying "loose lips sink ships," or "the walls have ears." What he means is that your words can get you into trouble. Does the name "John Rocker" ring a bell?

Seek God’s wisdom, then submit to God’s wisdom. It will involve what appears to be weakness. It will involve showing mercy, dying to self, thinking more highly of others, preferring others. It will involve pursuing peace, being willing to yield, being gentle, patient and longsuffering.