Wisdom is Better than Strength - Ecclesiastes 9:16

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man”, and in chapter nine and verse sixteen of his book Solomon said, “wisdom is better than strength” where we read,

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: 

nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

The verse reads, “Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength:” Solomon began with the words, “then said I” or “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed I, Solomon”, “wisdom is better” which means “skill, shrewdness and prudence exists as more pleasant, agreeable and excellent” “than strength” or “compared to might, bravery, valor and force”. Solomon declared that skill and prudence are more excellent than might, valor and force.

 

The verse goes on to say, “nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.” Solomon continued with the words, “nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom” or “however, notwithstanding and moreover the impoverished male human being’s skill, shrewdness and prudence” “is despised” which means “exists as held in contempt, disdained, regarded with contempt, vile and worthless”, “and his words” or “and his, the poor wise man’s, utterances, declarations and proclamations” “are not heard” which means “exist as not listened to and without attention, interest and understanding”. Solomon shared how the shrewd impoverished male human being is regarded with contempt, and his utterances and proclamations are not listened to or given attention. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how Solomon declared “skill and prudence” to be superior to power and might, and yet, the shrewd impoverished male human being is not listened to or given attention. God owns everything, and He distributes His gifts and “wisdom” according to His purposes and will. He knew we were in need of a “Savior” for our sins, and for this reason, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide His Holy Spirit to us so we use our gifts according to His truth and in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

Next time Solomon says, “the words of the wise men are heard in quiet”, 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".