Ecclesiastes 12:9 – And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

 

Thought:  The writer is quickly coming to the conclusion of his book.  He has noted what others have possibly seen in life as well.  “All is vanity.”  Is this the truth?  Fortunately, the preacher was wise.  Therefore, he taught the people knowledge.  There was an understanding that mankind needed to have.  Having experimented with many things, he could set forth the truth.  He often did so in proverbs.  This ultimate truth would give meaning to life. 

 

I Kings 4:30-33

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Solomon had ended the last verse on a depressing note.  “Vanity of vanities, saith the preachers, all is vanity.”

 

B.      However, this did not keep the preacher from teaching the people knowledge.

1.       Divine knowledge is an essential for all men.

a.  Hannah prayed to God and as she prayed she gave praise to God.  One of her statements

      about God was:  “…for the Lord is a God of knowledge…” (1 Sam. 2:3).

b.  Solomon tells us that “the Lord giveth wisdom:  out of his mouth cometh knowledge

      and understanding” (Prov. 2:6).

c.  In the book of Proverbs, the wise man exhorts us to acquire knowledge several different  

      times (Prov. 8:10; 22:17; 23:12).

 

Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

 

d.  The same book also tells us to cease from words that turn us from the words of God’s

      wisdom (Prov. 19:27).

 

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

 

2.       The reason the preacher continued to teach the people is because he was wise.

a.  NOTE:  What men might think to be foolish, God deems as wise.

b.  In a world where many live lives of vanity, it is wise to continue to teach individuals the  

      knowledge of God and His wisdom.

-          It is wise because some will hear and will accept the wisdom of God.

-          It is wise because all will be adequately warned from the wisdom of God.

 

C.     Solomon sets forth three principles of Bible study.

1.       Give heed:  The word of God must be read in order for it to be studied.

2.       Seek out:  A person must seek the meaning of the passages found in God’s Word.

3.       Set in order:  Once we have an understanding of truth, it needs to be “set in order.”

a.  We need to order it in a manner that we can understand it.

b.  We need to order it in a manner that others can understand it when it is taught.

 

D.     Solomon set forth the truth that he found in “many proverbs” (See 1 Kings 4:30-33)

 

And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.  For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol:  his fame was in all nations round about.  And he spake three thousand proverbs:  and his songs were a thousand and five.  And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall:  he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 12:10 – The preacher sought to find out acceptable words:  and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

 

Thought:  When words are used to communicate, they need to follow certain guidelines.  They need to be acceptable words.  They need to be as pleasing as possible to the hearer.  Tact, good English, and simple language can help in this area.  Second, the words need to be upright.  They are words that spring from a person who is honest.  They are words that come from a heart of sincerity.  Third, words that are spoken need to be the truth.  Lies, deception, and falsehood have no place in our conversations.

 

Proverbs 25:11-12

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Solomon notes some of the responsibilities of the preacher in this verse.

 

B.      First, he seeks to find out “acceptable words” as he presents God’s Word to others.

1.       Definition:  pleasure, delight, a thing to be desired

2.       Clarke:  “…the most suitable words; those which the people could best understand” (e-sword).

3.       LESSON:  This is not easy to do.  The preacher is speaking to a large audience of diverse individuals.  What pleases one might offend another.  What one understands another misses completely.

 

C.     Second, he makes certain “that which was written is upright.”

1.        Definition:

a.  Strong (3476):  it comes from a word meaning “straight,”  thus, right

b.  BDB: straightness, uprightness, that which is right

c.  Solomon goes on to clarify the definition in the verse itself.  He writes:  “…even words of

      truth.”

2.       NOTE:  This part of the verse modifies the previous portion of the verse.

a.  The preacher is to speak acceptable words.

b.  However, the words must be truthful.

c.  Not all individuals appreciate the truth (John 3:20-21).  It does not matter how acceptably

      he presents them to some individuals, they will consider them to be harsh and

      unloving.

 

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

3.       LESSON:  A minister is not seeking to deceive his audience.  He is seeking to present to them precisely what God has authorized.

a.  He presents the message clearly.

b.  He presents the message kindly.

c.  He presents the message boldly.

d.  He presents the message truthfully.

e.  Ephesians 4:15

 

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.