Living with Purpose - 9
Studies in the book of Ecclesiastes - Chapter 8
Most people will do something when they know it is good for them. You will exercise because you know it will keep you healthy. God wants to do you good. He tells us in the book of Ecclesiastes how we can get the best out of life. That is a good thing isn't it? We will get the best out of life when we listen to, and put into practice, that wisdom that comes from God. We find it in the Bible. We are looking at chapter eight of the book of Ecclesiastes. Here Solomon shows us the benefit of getting wisdom from God.
The first thing we notice is that wisdom from God brings us personal benefit. Verse 1 says, “Who is like a wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its hard appearance. ” Have you got deep searching questions that still remain unanswered? Questions like, "Why am I here? Where is the world heading?" and especially, "What is the purpose of life and how can I find it?" The person who knows God has got a sound explanation and knows the answer to these nagging questions. The man with God's wisdom knows the explanation of things. Because of this he is a happy person. Wisdom "brightens a man's face. " God's wisdom, experienced in Jesus Christ, is so clear and helpful that it takes the strain out of living. The answers that God gives to life's issues in the Bible are very satisfying. They bring peace to the heart. They produce a real joy too. Is your brow furrowed with worry, care and anxiety? Are your problems weighing you down? You need that wisdom from above that will lift your soul and mind. You need the answers that God supplies. We read in 2 Peter l verses 3-4, "(God's) divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in this world caused by evil desires. "
The second thing we notice is that God's wisdom brings us practical benefit. It helps us to think right, and behave correctly as we live in the world. Solomon applies this to a few areas of life to show us how it works. Wisdom helps us to relate in a godly way to government. Verse 2 says, "Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. " The king’s commands are the laws he has introduced. Some of us may not live under the rule of one sovereign king, but we do live under a divinely ordained government. We read in Romans 13 verse 1, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. " We must be good, law abiding citizens. That is good for us because it brings us the commendation of the rulers. Christians must be seen to be responsible, honest people. The only exception to this is where there is a conflict between the law of the land and God's law. We have to say at such a time what Peter said to the rulers of his day. We read in Acts 4 verse 19, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. "
Wisdom helps us to respond positively to life's uncertainties. Verse 7 says, "Since no man knows the future who can tell what is to come? No man has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the day of his death. " The future is concealed by God. We don't know what tomorrow might bring. It could even be our death! The wisdom God gives in the Bible helps us to exercise the right judgement in every situation. There is a successful format to life's experiences. With God and his word we can deal with all that life brings. When we do what he says in a certain situation all will be well.
Wisdom helps us react spiritually to life's injustices. Verse 12 says, "Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. " Two areas of wickedness are highlighted. Verse 9 says, "There is a time when a man lords it over others. " There are those who oppress the weak. Verse 11 says, "When the sentence for a crime is not carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong". There are some who see that crime isn't dealt with and so go on to do worse things. God's wisdom is better because it leads us to a life of care and honesty. This does other people good and keeps us from prison and punishment. It goes better for God-fearing men because we receive the blessing of God for our obedience to Him. We also know we will inherit eternal life. It wont go well with those who do not fear God. Solomon says in verse 13, "their days will not lengthen as a shadow. " They will not enjoy the length of days in heaven. They will experience an accusing conscience, and guilt before God.
Wisdom helps us to deal properly with the challenge of daily living. Life appears to be unfair. Solomon says in verse 14, "Righteous men get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men get what the righteous deserve". We don't fully understand the great complexities of life. Only God has the explanation for these apparent peculiarities. Job suffered and Jacob limped. Paul had a thorn in the flesh. Trophimus was left at Miletus sick. Solomon says in verse 17, "Then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning." So what does wisdom say? Don't allow any of this to become a stumbling block to following God. Verse 15 says, "I commend the enjoyment of life." Make the best of all that God has given you, and be content. The verse goes on to say, "Nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad." Get on with your daily living. Be confident in the wise plan of God for your life no matter what comes your way. Rather than grumble at God, rest in his wise providences. This is the way to real joy. Verse 15 ends by saying, "Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun."
So, receiving and applying God's wisdom to your life brings all those benefits. I hope you are reading your Bible regularly. You will be blessed as you do, and as you put what you have read into practice.