Sermon Tone Analysis

People Of The Word

Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20

Today we’ll see something that when it’s over, cannot be unseen.

We’ll know something that cannot be unknown

And we’ll be presented with a decision, so stay with me and lets see where we go from here.

Ecclesiastes 9:13–10:20 (ESV)

13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me.

14 There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it.

15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.

Yet no one remembered that poor man.

Who is this forgotten poor wise man, this savior of many?

I’ve been intrigued by this theme in scripture, I’ve seen it in the story of Joseph.

Do you know that story?

A young man was given dreams by God, and those dreams made His brothers jealous, so much so that they sold him to slave traders, who brought him to Egypt, eventually his dreaming and dream interpretation got the attention of the king.

After this the king found him to be wise - his wisdom was leveraged in helping all of Egypt survive their famine and through the one man all of Egypt was saved, Joseph is a type of Jesus …and he was forgotten.

The whole story of the OT foreshadows Jesus so that when we see the New Testament we’ll say “I’ve been hearing about this man, I’ve been hearing this story - so what does it declare) - hang onto that, what does this story of Jesus declare?

1. Joseph’s brothers were afraid of him, see what he said

Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Then you flip the page after this AMAZING rescue through one man.

Exodus 1:8–10 (ESV)

*Pharaoh Oppresses Israel*

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

How can that be, how could it be that such a great saving work done by this man would be …forgotten…

9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us.

10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.”

Joseph and his wisdom his saving wisdom and work, was forgotten how could that be?

I think he’s like that poor man above - but lets keep going.

Ecclesiastes 9:16–10:4 (ESV)

16 But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Those two verses tell what’s at stake here.

Wisdom is best; a poor man’s wisdom is unheard.

Those wise words in quiet, in personal reflection maybe at the end of a church service, maybe are better than washing war, they’ll save you, that is what’s at stake here - will you heed the wise words or search after rich fools to loudly tell you what you should do.

Now, we’re going to pick up from “poor and forgotten wisdom”

1 Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;

so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2  A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,

but a fool’s heart to the left.

You’ll see here that the movement to the right and left is consistent with the heart.

Have you ever heard someone say that with driving, you’ll drive toward what you’re looking at?

This is why I’ve hit SOOO many taco bells while driving…

3  Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,

and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

4  If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,

for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

‘

Maybe you seen an older man work?

Younger man comes out fast, and powerful his movements are exhausting and they burn out doing things the hard way - also, younger leaders generally zealous but quick to cash out and burn up people with them - but wisdom, wisdom is different.

Ecclesiastes 9:17 (ESV)

17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Do you see a theme here, wisdom and wise living is often private whereas foolishness is often public.

*Wisdom is beneficial, foolishness is trapping.*

Ecclesiastes 10:5-20 (ESV)

5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:

6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.

7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

Now here we need to consider something, this is not a democracy not American capitalism - this is a society where there is a ruling class, and so this would have been seen as foolish to put someone inexperienced on a horse (an animal of war, not a barrel racing pet like black beauty) this is the public error that in the hands of someone with power, brings about devastation.

If you’re receiving this as a people under a ruling class, you’re starting to think about being under the rule of foolishness - maybe as an American you’re thinking about being under the rule of fools - this is where he want’s us, because he’s going to transport us from thinking about government to thinking about what we allow to rule our lives…

After he’s sunk home this point (people of power, being foolish) here is what he does, he gives this chain of proverbial wisdom with a common theme, lets read it then lets uncover the theme:

8  He who digs a pit will fall into it,

and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

9  He who quarries stones is hurt by them,

and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

10  If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,

he must use more strength,

but wisdom helps one to succeed.

11  If the serpent bites before it is charmed,

there is no advantage to the charmer.

What is all this madness - is it random, I think not - remember he’s looking at foolish things, these are all OK things done sloppily with little attention and care and result in bad to the person.

Remember it ties into this ruler who was poor but wise and saved many and the question to you is the beginning of the shift from government to us.

Will I be following and sloppy in fling a simple follower, or will I be wise?

12  The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor,

but the lips of a fool consume him.

13  The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,

and the end of his talk is evil madness.

14  A fool multiplies words,

though no man knows what is to be,

and who can tell him what will be after him?

Again, wisdom about living and speaking and a debunking that we so need today.

Because we think we have it all figured out yet even with Doppler radar and Super Doppler radar and degreed meteorologists weather prediction still takes some voodoo or a ground hog.

15  The toil of a fool wearies him,

for he does not know the way to the city.

Maybe you’ve felt this, the pressure of verse 15?

The toil of a fool wearing him down.

I cannot win, I cannot find the way of true meaningful life church today I know of a city with a poor but wise man, He’s not forgotten by all but by many -

16  Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,

and your princes feast in the morning!

17  Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,

and your princes feast at the proper time,

for strength, and not for drunkenness!

He’s shifting into a familiar concept - when rulers are fools, the nations are in a bad way - and let me tell you, it’s 2017 we’re wise in our own eyes and are often foolish, even if the ruler is the one you voted for we tend to spout foolishness at the ruler level.

18  Through sloth the roof sinks in,

and through indolence the house leaks.

19  Bread is made for laughter,

and wine gladdens life,

and money answers everything.

Laziness brings negative results - we’re getting to the end here - Solomon want’s us to see something that is yes about wisdom, but more than that, he want’s us to see what a lack in wisdom does, and how easy it is through our laziness to be unwise, and bring about un intended consequences.

20  Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,

nor in your bedroom curse the rich,