As Happens to the Fool, It Happens to Me - Ecclesiastes 2:15

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walks in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happens to them all”, and in chapter two and verse fifteen of his book Solomon said, “As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me”, where we read,

Then said I in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me; 

and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

The verse reads, “Then said I in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me;” Solomon began with the words, “then said I”  or “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed I, Solomon” “in my heart” which means “within my soul and mind”, “as it happens to the fool” or “in the same manner it, the one event, befalls, chances toward and is met toward the person who is a dullard, simpleton, arrogant and stupid”, “so it happens even to me” which means “indeed and also it, the one event, befalls, chances toward and is met indeed and also to me, Solomon”. Solomon shared how he realized within his soul and mind that the same one event that befalls a dullard and simpleton befalls him as well. 

The verse goes on to say, “and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.” Daniel continued with the words, “and why was I then” or “and for what reason and cause was I, Solomon, therefore, wherefore and on this account” “more wise” which means “advantaged, superior and better in skill, prudence and understanding”? “Then I said in my heart” or “therefore, wherefore and on this account I, Solomon, uttered, declared and proclaimed within my soul and mind”, “that this also” which means “that this, being more wise, even so and indeed” “is vanity” or “exists as vapor, breath and transitory dissatisfaction”. Solomon question what the advantage was for him to be superior in skill and understanding because it was indeed as vapor and empty dissatisfaction. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he began to question the value of having “wisdom” versus another person being foolish. Since the same “one event - death” happens to both of them, what is the use? He decided that gaining “wisdom” in the overall scheme of things is empty. It is true that whether we are “wise or foolish” we shall certainly die, and death comes to all of us because it is the wage for our sin. (See Romans 5:12; 6:23) For this reason God sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and filled with His Holy Spirit so we may use His “wisdom” throughout our lives on earth before we go to Heaven with Him.

Next time Solomon says, “there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever”, 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".