Lesson 34
The Things That Don't
Work!
Chapter Ten
The value of wisdom
10:2
A
wise man's heart (refers to volition - choices made) directs him toward
the right, (fig. for the paths of righteousness) but the foolish man's heart directs
him toward the left.
-
The right is not a reference to good luck and the left to ill fortune, there is
no belief in the Bible of some goddess of luck or fortune, chance, just not there.
-
The right is a common metaphor for the right place, the place of power, honor,
something that is worthy of our effort and pursuit.
OBSERVATIONS
1. The direction, the course for one's life comes from within.
2. To have one’s heart inclined to the right is to
be upright, skilful and resourceful in one’s daily life.
3. To have one’s heart inclined to the left is to
be fumbling and incompetent at the ‘wellspring of life’ (Prov.
Such incompetence will become visible vs:3.
4. The fool doesn't learn from his mistakes because he doesn't listen.
10:3 Even
when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to
everyone that he is a fool.
-
"walking along the road" -
common metaphor for one's pattern of life – behavior
and he demonstrates to
everyone that he is a fool.
- The fool cannot
hide his status. Prov 18:2 reveals what’s in his mind.
- Must recognize
that the fool is dangerous to be around.
Prov 17:12
- They act without
regard to the consequences. Prov 18:6
10:4
Protection of Wisdom is related to patience
If the ruler's temper (today could be the boss) rises
against you,
do
not abandon your position, (tannach xN:+T; - leave, cease, abandon)
because
composure (raphe' aPer; basic to be healed; speaks of the soundness,
stability that brings solutions, (comes
from wisdom)
allays great offenses. (‘anniach - x:yNIßy: quiets - puts to rest)
-
One's composure under fire, so to speak, Solomon says that it quiets, allays
great offenses.
*** Wisdom says that
when in a confrontation with unfair authority relax. Your composure under fire will probably
totally disarm him and get him to recognize his error.
10:5-7 Promotion of Mediocrity
10:5
There
is an evil I have seen under the sun, (as
Solomon observed life lived apart from God and His perspective as the motivator
of the life) like
an error which goes forth from the ruler –
-
Today it would go like this - "I have observed the mediocre driving new
cars while true nobility, those with integrity drive clunkers."
-
In the culture of the day where only the dignitaries were allowed the privilege
of riding, the reversal of roles here is very strong and indicates great social
upheaval.
Dr Kenneth Gangel
commenting on this section makes some interesting observations:
"Much of
politics is irrational, capricious and subject to human error. Qoheleth harbors
no illusions about the equitable status of politics. He is looking back on a
life of dealing with this thing. He
lived with it, fought against it, and tried to give some sensible answer to
nonsensical things going on all around him.
It is not our
province here to be critical of our government, but certainly we see things
every day, in our own country and around the world, which make us wonder
whether there is a great deal more of foolishness than wisdom in every human
gov't.
Maybe God just wants
us to see how foolish we are, and how useless it is to trust in the vanities of
mankind under the sun. Perhaps He indeed waits for us to confess how futile it
is for man to even try to govern himself, much less do anything that has any
eternal value.
** It is an evil thing then to promote mediocrity over performance.
**
God uses this type of situation to show us the futility of life under the sun.
**
Adversity along the way does not to be a roadblock to our enjoyment of life.
10:8-11 Life has risks - dangers and he contrasts the
application of wisdom
and foolishness in some common situations of life
10:8 He
who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may
bite him who breaks through a wall.
10:9 He
who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be
endangered by them.
Wise men, unlike fools,
take into their calculations the possible danger, and then they guard against
it. - take precautions to minimize the danger.
SITUATIONS DANGERS
1. Digging pits 1. Falling into
the pits
2. Breaking down
walls 2. Being bitten by
a serpent
3. Quarrying
stones 3. Being
hurt by the stones
4. Splitting
logs 4.
Endangering oneself
5. Chopping
wood 5. Overexertion
because of dull axe
**
Solomon's emphasis - conclusion is that wisdom is the difference between
success and failure.
** If you want to be successful, don't neglect the path of wisdom.
***
The wise one thinks ahead, counts the costs, considers
the dangers of a project while the fool just plows ahead. (sets
up himself for SIM)
***
SIM results or is the consequence of ones actions as a fool who rejected
wisdom.
1. Rejection of the
WOG - neg vol. Prov 1; Jer 11
2. Failure to master
the DOL. Matt 6:19-33 (heads off the FSH)
3. Failure to deal
with wory and anxiety. Lk 12:22-31; Phil 4:6-7
4. Failure to
isolate sin. Heb 12:15; Phil 3:13-14
5. Rejection of
authority but esp of the teaching of the Word. Heb 13:17.
6. Rejection of the
doctrine of marriage - Prov 5; 7 (worth the wait)
-
Isogogics: many parts of the Near and Far East there have always been those who have been
snake charmers.