Listen:  117.5

The book of Ecclesiastes, along with Proverbs and the Song of Solomon, were written by Solomon, a man known for his own wisdom.  For some background about the wisdom and knowledge of Solomon, let’s read 1 Kings 3:5-12, “In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.  And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?  And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;   Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.”

When Solomon wrote of a wise man’s heart, we might realize that he knew what he was talking about.  Let’s read Ecclesiastes 10:2, “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.”  Most people are right-handed, so the right hand is usually thought of as the strongest and most dexterous hand.  The wise man knows the best way to accomplish a task, by using his right hand in a dominant manner over the left.  The foolish man will not use his natural strength or agility and he will stumble and fail in his task.  The wise man does all things well and justly; the fool does the opposite.

Who is wise and who is foolish?  Let’s let the scriptures show us the difference.  Proverbs 9:9-10 says, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”  The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 7:24, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.”  It is the wise man that builds upon the proper foundation; the rock, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself.

Who is the fool?  Let’s read Psalms 53:1, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.”  The fool is the one who denies the Lord Jesus.  He declares that he will serve no God.  The fool is the one who turns away from the invitation of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul wrote of young Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  Have you bowed to the truth and authority of God’s Word and become ‘wise unto salvation?’

The wise man knows where his strength is.  It is found in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Revelation 12:10 says, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ…”  (117.5)