More Strength for the Blunt Iron - Ecclesiastes 10:10

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “whoso removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaves wood shall be endangered thereby”, and in chapter ten and verse ten of his book Solomon said, “If the iron be blunt …then must he put to more strength” where we read,

If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: 

but wisdom is profitable to direct.

The verse reads, “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength:” Solomon began with the words, “if the iron be blunt” or “whether and in case the tool, utensil or implement made with iron ore is dull”, “and he do not whet the edge” which means “and he, the person wielding the iron instrument, does not slight, lighten or sharpen the front or face of the iron tool”, “then must he put to more strength” or “at that time he, the person wielding the iron instrument, has to use more might and prevailing power”. Solomon said if an “iron axe” is dull, and the person using it does not sharpen the edge of it at that time, the person needs to use more strength for it to be effective. 

 

The verse continues, “but wisdom is profitable to direct.” Solomon added the words, “but wisdom” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover skill, shrewdness and prudence” “is profitable to direct” which means “exists an advantage, gain and more excellent way to be suitable and successful”. Solomon said skill, shrewdness and prudence give an advantage toward being successful. 

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we see how Solomon employed the idea of sharpening an iron axe as an advantage to a person to relate how “wisdom” or “skill, shrewdness and prudence” puts a person at an advantage in the world. God wants us to be wise, and our greatest act of wisdom is to receive His Son Jesus as our “Savior and Lord” who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with the “wisdom” of His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to use His “wisdom” to give us an advantage and make us successful in the world. 

Next time Solomon says, “surely the serpent will bite without enchantment”, 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".