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Are you that "poor wise man"?


The Book of Ecclesiastes gives wonderful words of wisdom but also raises many unanswered questions.  Solomon reflects on life "under the sun".  This seems to indicate life in the human sphere of existence.  He rarely comments on what is right or wrong, but only tells about what actually happens.  He also brings a grand perspective and looks at life from beginning to end.

One of the most interesting little stories he tells is of "The Poor Wise Man".

          13       Also this I came to see as wisdom under the sun, and it impressed me.
          14      There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it.
          15      But there was found in it a poor wise man and he delivered the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
          16      So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded.
          17      The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
          18      Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ec 9:13–18.

In this story we see the value of wisdom even when possessed by someone of little wealth or fame.  That wisdom serves him well and saves the city.  Yet afterward no one remembers that "poor wise  man".  He gains no notoriety or fame from his heroic contribution.  He was little known or recognized either before or after his wisdom saves the day. 

So what does this story tell us?  Wisdom is of great value.  The city was rescued because of it.  But the value of wisdom was not a commodity that brought personal value to the "poor wise man".  That is not the nature of wisdom. 

Does this tell us that the man's pursuit of wisdom was misguided?  Absolutely not.  That wisdom was even of more value than "weapons of war". 

But it seems wrong that this little hero received no credit?  Why do you suppose this was so? Two answers come to mind: 1. That's not the way wisdom works.  Wisdom get's the credit more than the man that finds it. 2. The way this world functions "under the sun", rightly or wrongly, is to give accolades to other types of people.  The "poor wise man" was not the type that would normally be recognized and rewarded in human society.  Other types become more prominent. Public figures are often the strong or powerful, the beautiful, or talented.  People like their heroes to look and act a certain way. The "poor wise man" didn't have what it takes, by worldly standards, even though he saved the day.

So what about you?  Are you that "poor wise man"?  Are you diligently seeking for wisdom?  Are you taking that wisdom to serve others as the character in our story has?  And will you serve others whether or not you get the credit? Are you overlooked and undervalued?

Be encouraged.  One day everything that is hidden will be brought to light.  Those deserving rewards will receive them.  One day we will no longer be "under the sun". Determine you that you will live your life according to God's Word and the wisdom He reveals.  Determine that you will do what's right whether noticed or not, whether rewarded by men or not.  Live for the glory of God and for His Kingdom. Let's determine together to be that "poor wise man".

          “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light."  (NASB95, Lk 8:16–17.)

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