Eld Ko Swee Chay

Introduction

Solomon asked “Who knoweth what is good for man in this life?” (Eccl 6:12). In Ecclesiastes 7:1-10, we have looked at some important truths that are “better” as presented by Solomon: a good name is better than wealth; the day of death is better than the day of birth; to go to the house of mourning is better than to go to the house of feasting; sorrow is better than laughter; to receive rebuke is better than to receive praise; to be patient is better than to be proud.

We shall now focus on Ecclesiastes 7:11-14 to learn the excellency and value of wisdom.

Wisdom is more excellent than wealth (Eccl 7:11-12)

¹¹ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.¹² For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

Solomon says: “Wisdom is good with an inheritance. It is profitable to those who see the sun (meaning live on earth). For both wisdom and money are a defence (meaning protection or shadow) in this life, but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.”

Wisdom defends us against the deceptions of evil men. It help us to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. Wealth defends us against poverty and provides a roof over our heads. It protects us from the vicissitudes of life such as the cold in winter and rain and that of the sun in summer. Money can buy weapons to protect us from evil men. But wisdom is better in that wisdom is also able to give life, i.e. an abundant and eternal life in Christ. Wisdom, i.e. the Word of God, has a dual function as it protects us in this life and provides us with eternal life after this life. Wealth is material and protects only the physical. It cannot give life to spiritually dead people, whereas wisdom (i.e. the Bible) can!

In the book of Proverbs, the value and excellency of wisdom is explained:

• “⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. ⁶ Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. ⁷ Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Pro 4:5-7)
• “¹⁰ Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. ¹¹ For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. ¹² I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.” (Pro 8:10-12).
• “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” (Pro 16:16).

Wisdom is more excellent than wealth because this wisdom comes from heaven above whereas wealth is earthly. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (Jam 3:17). In Jesus Christ we can find “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). With wisdom we are able to live a holy life pleasing and acceptable to God.

Wisdom to accept God’s immutable providence (Eccl 7:13-14)

¹³ Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?  ¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Solomon placed the work of God before us, and wanted us to consider it by asking this provoking question: “God makes it crooked, who can make it straight?” The answer is obvious: No power of man can make it straight, only He that made it can mend it. In this context, Solomon advised us that in times of prosperity we are to be joyful, but in times of adversity we should remain joyful. Consider that God set prosperity and adversity side by side so that no one can discover anything about their future other than what God has determined. In this sense, God doesn’t want us to be depressed and despair, nor proud and self-reliant.

We ought to consider the work of God with reverence, faith and submission. It is wise to know that God’s work and plan for us are ordained by Him. Every work of God is good and wise. He knows what is best for us more than we ourselves know. We must acknowledge and submit to His plan and will for our lives, be it good or adverse, pleasure or pain. To do otherwise is foolish. God allows both prosperity and adversity to come to all His children. He intermingles them in our lives in such a way that we cannot count on human wisdom and the arm of flesh to live a God-honouring Christian life. Often in prosperous times, we forget God and to give thanks to Him; then in adversity, we tend to question and blame God without acknowledging and thanking Him for the good that comes out of it. When life is comfortable and peaceful, don’t stray away from God, for He may allow adversity to chastise and draw us back to Him. When life seems uncertain and uncontrollable, don’t despair, for God is sovereign and in control of all things and brings good out of tough times (Rom 8:28).

God gives us wisdom to see God’s immutable providence. If God wants us to be poor and sickly, we will be poor and sickly. Are you going to murmur and complain and question God? Will that help? One day you are wealthy and healthy, next day you are poor and inflicted with serious illnesses. This was what happened to Job, but despite all the sudden and unexpected calamities he accepted God’s will and worshipped God. “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1:22). When Job’s wife said to him “… curse God, and die.”, he replied to her “What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:9-10). This reflects the need to accept and live with both good and evil, pleasure and pain, as from the Lord.

God intermingles good and evil in human lives according to His purposes, so we should not worry about the unknown future. Whatever our experience be, let it not discourage and disquiet us. All we need to do is to remember it is our heavenly Father’s work, and to be totally dependent upon God “Casting all our care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7), and learn to take a cheerful view of what God has ordained because under His guidance it will turn out good for us.

Conclusion

Wisdom as well as inheritance (wealth) is a protection and defence. Wisdom and inheritance are good, but wisdom is more excellent than wealth in that it gives life eternal in Christ.

Wisdom teaches us to submit to the immutable will and providence of God, knowing that what God has ordained is unalterable. God allows prosperity and adversity in our life to teach us to depend on Him completely always. In days of prosperity, enjoy it with a cheerful and thankful heart, and don’t forget the Lord. In days of adversity, consider what spiritual lessons might be learned; adversity should remind us of our dependence on God and the need to trust Him no matter what; it is a sin to murmur and complain. God has His purpose and plan for us. His purpose allows for both days of prosperity and adversity. Life is about riches toward God, not about the material abundance of life.  May God help us to learn these important spiritual lessons. AMEN.