Wisdom Better than Weapons of War - Ecclesiastes 9:18

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that rules among fools”, and in chapter nine and verse eighteen of his book Solomon said, “wisdom is better than weapons of war” where we read,

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

The verse reads, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war:” Solomon began with the words, “wisdom is better” or “skill, shrewdness and prudence exists as more pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuable” “than weapons of war” which means “compared to articles, vessels, implements and utensils pertaining to fighting and battle”. Solomon declared prudence and skill to exist as greater than articles and implements used for battle.

 

The verse goes on to say, “but one sinner destroys much good.” Solomon continued with the words, “but one sinner” or “however, notwithstanding, nevertheless and moreover a single and particular person who misses the mark, goes wrong, incurs guilt and is unclean ” “destroys much good” which means “vanishes, ruins and exterminates a great amount of pleasantness, agreeableness, excellence and value”. Solomon said a single person who commits wrong and is unclean ruins and exterminates a great amount of pleasantness and excellence.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon declared skill and prudence to excel implements of fighting and battle, and he noted how one person who does wrong and commits unclean acts is able to ruin great amounts of pleasantness and value. God wants us to be people of understanding and “wisdom”, and He will willingly give it to us when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth, including His “wisdom”, and give us the power and ability to obey that truth rather than depending upon the “weapons” and “sinners” of the world. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8; James 1:5)

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Solomon say, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".