Read Ecclesiastes 10:8–10
Questions from the Scripture text: What happens to the man who digs a pit in Ecclesiastes 10:8a? And what happens to the man who breaks through a wall in verse 8b? What happens to the one who quarries stones in Ecclesiastes 10:9a? And to the one who splits the wood in verse 9b? Especially if what is true of the ax (Ecclesiastes 10:10a–b)? Why (verse 10c)? So, what must one have (verse 10d)?
What is the use of wisdom? Ecclesiastes 10:8–10 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wisdom doesn’t guarantee desired outcomes, but rather serves God well, as it submits to His providence.
It is not only the conduct of kings that leads to results that are opposite what we intended (Ecclesiastes 10:5-7). In God’s wise, but inscrutable, providence, this happens both to those with evil intentions (Ecclesiastes 10:8) and those who are engaged in ordinary life (Ecclesiastes 10:9-10). Ecclesiastes 10:8a has its parallel in Psalm 7:15. Both this pit-digger, and the wall/hedge breacher, cannot escape the judgment that providence brings upon them. But, the stone quarrier and the wood splitter, who are engaged in ordinary labor, experience similar earthly results. Ecclesiastes 10:10, in comparison to Ecclesiastes 10:8-9, teaches something similar to Ecclesiastes 9:13–18 in comparison to Ecclesiastes 9:11–12. Though God’s providence is sovereign and unpredictable, wisdom is still valuable, under that providence—even such simple wisdom as to use a sharpened ax rather than dull one. Believers must do both: employ wisdom under God’s instruction and service, while trusting and submitting to God’s providence.
What difficult situations are you in? What wisdom should you be exercising in it? To Whom must you trust the result?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for trying to control or produce the outcomes that we want. Grant unto us cheerful submission to Your providence, as we exercise wisdom in Your service, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH131B “Not Haughty Is My Heart”
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