13/5/22. Study 23. Ecclesiastes 9:11-18

 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. ¹² For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.

¹³ I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. ¹⁴ There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. ¹⁵ But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. ¹⁶ But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

¹⁷ The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. ¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

 

 

1. Qoheleth returns to the idea of the unpredicability of life in vv.11-12. What does he say are the factors that the world believes will lead to success? Why are these factors not ultimately decisive?

• Swiftness (quickness to grab the opp for a race
• Strength for a battle
• Wisdom for bread (lifelihood) 
• Intelligence for riches
• Knowledge (skill) for favour

What is the difference between 'wisdom', 'intelligence' and 'knowledge'? Although we might think that wisdom is godly applicaiton of spiritual truth, and intelligence has to do with a high problem-solving capacity, and knowledge is about knowing truth, there is actually a great deal of overlap between the Hebrew words expressing these concepts:

• wisdom (Heb hakam) - skillful, learned,
  
• Intelligence (Heb bin) - undersstanding, perceiving, prudence
  
• knowledge (Heb yada)  - to know , perceive, distinguish, recognize, undestand (cf. Gen 3:3)
  

"Time and chance" affects outcome. 'Time' is expanded in v.12 as a time of disaster, when trials suddenly strike. There is the idea of an unforeseen time known only to God when He moves decisvely to frustrate the expectations and best efforts of men (cf. 9:1 'whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him')

 

'Chance' however is harder to undertand. Does God control everything? Or does He allow some randomness for 'unimportant' things. Are there 'coincidences' and 'accidents'?

If He does (and He does "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." Prv 16:33), then how are we to understand Qoheleth's statement about 'chance'? This is best understood as a descriptor of the outward randomness of events rather than as a theological statement,

 

2. Qoheleth gives an example of wisdom. What are the end results of wisdom mentioned here, and what lesson should we all learn from this example?

Qoheleth was quite impressed by the event he recounts ("it seemed great to me"). The end result of wisdom was:

1. The salvation of an otherwise doomed ('little..with few men' vs. a 'great' king with 'great siegeworks')  city by a lowly man without earthly resources (poor)
2. The forgetting of and lack of recognition of the wise man (cf. the poor and wise youth who became king who was also forgotten, 4:13-16). He was later despised and ignored. His wisdom could not make people look beyond his poverty.
   

 We should learn that it is good to be wise. However, wisdom does not earn us earthly recognition. We should be wise for others's sake and not expect too much for ourselves.

3. Why is wisdom better than might? What does the NT teach us about earthly and heavenly wisdom?

 It accomplished something that military might could not.

 Quiet wisdom is better than frustrated anger among fools. Wisdom does not resort to threats and coercion.

 

"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:13-18)

Wisdom of the world is rooted in jealousy and personal agendas/ambition, characterised by disorder and wrong practice.

 True wisdom from God is characterised by meekness, purity, peace, gentleness, reasonableness, mercy, spiritual fruit, impartiality and sincerity (i.e. it is marked not only by shrewdness and discernment, but by certain Christlike character traits). This kind of wisdom is pleasing to God, who then uses it to accomplish His goals,

"Wisdom is justified by all her children" (Lk 7:35)   God's way is proved right by the followers of God.

4. What is the threat to wisdom that Qoheleth mentions here? 

 Even one sinner can destroy wise efforts - wisdom is fragile, and wisdom cannot guarantee success (cf. v. 11-12) because deliberate sabotage can undo all the intended good.

 

 

Here is the pic of the week:

 One's wisdom (or lack thereof) is shown by one's actions.