Memory Verse: “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” Proverbs 1:5.
Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
Introduction:
A student of ancient Greek in an English university surprised his teacher by his rapid grasp of the subject. When asked if someone were helping him, he mentioned his uncle. The professor said he’d like to meet him and a date was set. The teacher was astounded with the uncle’s knowledge of Greek, “What work do you do?” he asked. “I’m an itinerant preacher. I preach God’s Word.” Dismayed that such a gifted man should waste his time preaching, the professor blurted out, ‘Man, you’re a fool!” the wise preacher retorted, “In which world, Professor?” –Reflections, Atlanta, Georgia
In the same way, men of this world are dumb-founded by the wisdom of God. What we, as Christians, choose may astound the world when they judge our actions by their conversational wisdom. As believers, we have a responsibility to seek out godly counselors who will help us gain the wisdom and understanding of God. Through wise counsel and with verification through the Word of God, we will be able to make choices in our daily life that will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God and bring glory to His name.
There is much truth in saying that every man is the architect of his own fate. Your choices affect your destiny. Out of a rough block of stone one may make a beautiful statue, and another, gravel. Both products are good and useful under certain conditions. But a statue can be immoral in conception, and gravel can be the grudging and punitive work of a criminal condemned to a rock-pile. The point is whether you are a gifted artist or a competent gravel maker, you can choose whether to use your abilities worthily or unwarily. In building a Christian life you have the same choice. By acknowledging that God is at work in us, we can rejoice in prosperity and learn to trust God in adversity. Both prosperity and adversity come from the hand of God; for prosperity give thanks, but in adversity reflect on the goodness and comprehensiveness of the plan of God.
Study Questions:
- Why does the preacher prefer a good name over precious ointment and the day of death over the day of birth? Ecclesiastes 7:1; Ruth 2:10-13; I Samuel 18:30; Proverbs 22:1; II Timothy 4:6-8; Daniel 12:13; Revelation 14:12-13; James 1:12; Philippians 1:20-23.
- How could it be better to choose mourning over feasting? Ecclesiastes7:2-4; Psalm 119:65-67; Psalm 78:34-35; Job 5:17; II Corinthians 4:14-18; Matthew 5:4; Luke 6:25; James 4:8-10.
- Why is the sharp correction of the wise better than the merriment of fools? Ecclesiastes 7:5-6; Psalm 141:5; Proverbs 15:5; Proverbs 17:10; Proverbs 25:12; Proverbs 29:15.
- What things seriously threaten the wise man? Ecclesiastes 7:7; Psalm 55:1-8; Exodus 23:7-8; Isaiah 33:14-16; Proverbs 15:27-28.
- Which is preferred, the beginning or the ending, or, pride or endurance? Ecclesiastes 7:8; John 4:34-35; John 17:4-5; John 19:30; Acts 20:24-29; Hebrews 10:34-36; James 5:7-8; Psalm 40:1.
- What advice does the preacher give about anger? Ecclesiastes 7:9; Psalm 37:8-9; Proverbs 14:17; Proverbs 16:32; James 1:19-20; Titus 1:7-9.
- Why must we not allow ourselves to be bound to our past? Ecclesiastes 7:10; Philippians 3:11-14; II Corinthians 3:18; Proverbs 4:18, 23-27.
- Wisdom and money together can be a blessing, but which is better? Ecclesiastes 7:11-12; Job 28:28; Proverbs 3:13-14; Proverbs 8:10-11, 32-35.
- Can anyone fully understand or explain the working of God? Ecclesiastes 7:13-14; Isaiah 55:8-9; I Corinthians 1:25-31; Job 36:22-26; Isaiah 40:13-14, 17.