Ecclesiastes 10 FACE LIFE The Preacher in the last chapters of Ecclesiastes takes the place of a Teacher who is calm, cool and collected. With measured tones and words, he points out the value of wisdom in everyday life. To apply truth to present-day events is really necessary, even though it may be only a little bit here and a little bit there that takes root. The principles of the Proverbs are the basis from which action is taken. There are and will be, all through life, reasons to be discouraged. To apply wisdom from the word of God to each situation, then to water it with prayer and nurture it with practical application to the issues of life, will bring the best possible results.
Such results will not always be good, because sin is never good. Homelife, business life and church life are all lived by imperfect people. Each person has personal preferences about almost everything, and are inclined to think that those should be accepted by others. Wisdom does not guarantee that there will not be unpleasant circumstance in life. But it does help us to face them, and if necessary, live with them. Somethings we will not be able to change. Others we might change a little or at least learn to adapt them to certain circumstances in life.
Fundamental to facing the facts of living in an ungodly world, are certain necessities to which we need to act upon. We need to learn to be more competent. Learned skills can help adapt to lasting difficulties. Character building needs to be a constant practice that takes effort on our part. Learning to speak in appropriate ways with wisdom of words is essential. Patience and willingness to wait are not common but are necessary to face life as it is. There are times to take risks, times to do the same things over and over, and times to make necessary changes. Developing and applying skills for effective living were what the Teacher was seeking to pass on to the young who were under his instruction.
One failure can destroy the influence and reputation of a lifetime lived with integrity, wisdom and honorable conduct. A wise person will usually be found going the opposite way than a fool goes. Their worldview and how they look at life are fundamentally different. The things each one does, and the way they speak will reflect the inward differences. What we are inwardly will show itself outwardly. Our personal reality, and the way one faces life, cannot be hidden.
Employers, leaders or any person who holds a high position to whom we are responsible to obey or support, may get angry at us from time to time. We can’t do anything about their anger, but by a calm reasoned response, that anger maybe diffused. Other times we must just stand our post and take it. By a steady, consistent, quiet response, and at the same time not deviating from what is right nor shrinking from the boss, makes it so his anger can fade away and he can “save face.” Such an attitude can bring a positive result.
There are a number of circumstances that seem unfair and are really senseless that we may have to face in life. A person in authority may create a problem accidentally, and even wisdom doesn’t really make that error right. To put an incompetent person in a place for which he is not qualified, is wrong, especially if those who are capable are overlooked by partiality toward a favored fool. In those settings, wisdom is often ignored and the consequences will be bad in time to come. Some leaders put their family members, friends or favorite people in places of authority they should never have, while the competent ones are told to do menial tasks. It is important to take God into consideration and wait for His will to be known before making choices and decisions that will affect many people.
Society can quickly become chaotic if the wrong person has the place of authority for which he is not qualified. To act unadvisedly and/or make snap decisions can catch you in your own trap. Accidents in life do happen, but if I do not wisely consider what I do, I will fall into a hole I have made. A rash decision can come back to bite me. That happens if I break down the barriers of separation that keep good and evil apart. It is then I will be bitten by an unexpected response that I never considered before-hand. If I plan to move what God has established, or change what the word of God says to suit myself, I will ultimately be the one who will be hurt by my willful actions.
To destroy or damage what God has established is bad enough. To divide what God wants to remain united is to be under the wrath and hatred of God and His justice. We need to apply the word of God to have the discernment for wise decisions. Keep the ax sharp. Training, study and practice are ways we can sharpen our spiritual and intellectual skills on order to be proficient in God’s work. There are some damages from foolishness and ignorance that can never be undone. The words we speak can have helpful benefits or bad consequences. The words of a wise person are gracious words like our Lord Jesus spoke, and can bring blessing.
The fool will talk himself into a corner from which he cannot escape because of his lack of courtesy, decency and common sense. His talk may start out as merely a joke or silly comment, but as he continues talking evil nonsense, accusations will be made without thought and they are void of truth. Usually because of lack of consideration and forethought as to what he is going to say, he starts talking and says the first thing that comes into his mind. It may be totally irrelevant, then irreverent, then irresponsible and then irreversible. Talking too much is the result of thinking too little. Endless babble is wearing to the listeners and frustrating to the talker, to the extent that neither knows whether he is going or coming. Such a talker is usually one who refuses to listen to what God says, because God’s word is plain, precise and cuts right to the heart of a matter.
Immature and unqualified leaders create havoc in a country, assembly or a home. They are more concerned about themselves and their pleasures, than meeting and fulfilling the responsibility of the role they have taken. A qualified leader will be neither lazy or selfish. He will understand his obligations and will put first things first. Any homeowner who has worked hard to get a house for his family to live in, knows the importance of upkeep. One leak in the roof can lead to rot somewhere else. Rot leads to structural breakdown and the ultimate ruin of property. Diligence is necessary to maintain a house, a family and an assembly, and to keep them from decay and disintegration. To neglect important spiritual practices is to open the way to the intrusion of the world into that which is sacred. Lack of discipline, of faithful concern and care will bring down the whole unit. The converse is true as well. To maintain consistency in spiritual matters will strengthen and maintain spiritual growth.
Money is useful but not fundamental to security, contentment and the accomplishing of goals in life. It is not the answer to everything. It can be a trap if we think it will solve our problems if we had just a little bit more. It does not solve all the problems “under the sun.” If we trust money rather than God, we will end up spiritually bankrupt. Full joy is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. Careless talk has a way of getting out no matter how hard one tries to keep it covered. The person who guards their speech by controlling their mind and thoughts, will keep their tongue under lock and key. That will save them and many other people a lot of unpleasantness. When gossip gets out, it seems to have a mind of its own.