#earlwoodanglican #AndrewRussell #ecclesiastes

Don’t be stupid!

The book of Ecclesiastes is found among the wisdom literature of the Bible, which is
primarily interested in outlining what constitutes wise choices in life, as opposed to
foolish choices. According to the Bible, the ‘fool’ is the person who continues to
make wrong choices, in spite of the damage it continues to inflict. A modern-day
equivalent would be someone who continues to smoke cigarettes, even though
medical data says it causes serious health issues and likely an early death.
Yet in Eccles chapter 8, Qohelet says wisdom is not the be-all and end-all. The reason
being, there are terrible things that continue to occur in life that are simply beyond
human comprehension. Since humans are not God, we cannot know everything
there is to know. Hence Qohelet’s exhortation not to be ‘overwise’ (Eccles 7: 16).
Thinking we can sort all of life’s problems out through wisdom will only leave us
exhausted and despondent.
Yet Qohelet’s conclusion in chapter 10 is that wisdom is still better than folly. While
wisdom does have it’s limitations; heeding words of wisdom makes for a much
happier and fulfilling life. He outlines several areas of life in which poor choices
make everything worse, such as politics, work, words and plotting evil against others
(e.g. digging a pit). At every point Qohelet concludes that foolish choices will leave
individuals, as well as society at large, much worse off.
Qohelet’s conclusion; ‘don’t be stupid’! Work hard at determining what are the wise
choices in life, then live according to those wise choices. And where does this
wisdom come from? According to Paul, Christ is the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1: 24).
Christ’s wisdom is usually in opposition to society’s wisdom. But if someone is living
according to Christ’s word, they are in better place to live the wise life.

Brendan McLaughlin

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro – What are you afraid of?
03:15 - 4 Points
04:58 - Risk it for the biscuit
08:56 - Enjoy youth while it lasts
12:20 - Remember your creator
20:37 - Fear God and keep his commands



Bible Passage:
Ecclesiastes 11: 7 - 12: 14

Preacher: Andrew Russell

Prayer for the day: Sunday - Trinity 4
Let us pray [for a greater love of God and of our fellows.]
Lord our God, help us to love you with all our hearts and to love all people as
you love them. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.