Ecclesiastes 9:14-16, “There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, ‘Wisdom is better than strength.’ But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.”
Whether the account here given us was an actual occurrence, or only a parabolic representation, we will not undertake to determine. But certainly the event described may easily be supposed to have taken place, and to have come to the knowledge of Solomon. In fact, a precisely similar event had taken place within the memory of Solomon; the only difference being, that the city was saved by “a wise woman,” instead of “a poor wise man.” After the rebellion of Absalom had been suppressed, a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, caused the defection of all the tribes of Israel. David therefore sent an army to pursue Sheba, and to besiege any city in which he could have taken refuge. Joab finding that Sheba was shut up in a city called Abel, went and “battered the wall of the city, to throw it down.” Then “a wise woman” called to Joab, and remonstrated with him on the subject of the assault which he was making; and undertook, that, if he would suspend his assault, the object of his indignation would be sacrificed, and his head be cast over the wall. She then “went to all the people, in her wisdom,” and prevailed on them to execute her project; and thus effected by her wisdom the deliverance of the city, and the preservation of all its inhabitants [2 Samuel 20:1-2; 2 Samuel 20:6; 2 Samuel 20:15-22.]
The minute resemblance which there is between this history and the event mentioned in the text, renders it highly probable that the passage before us is a parable, founded upon the very fact which is here recorded.
But, whether it is a fact, or a parable, with what view is it mentioned? Some think that it is intended to represent the work of redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ, and the sad neglect with which he is treated, notwithstanding the benefits he has conferred. According to these people, the interpretation is this: The little city, with a small garrison, is the Church, which confessedly consists of but “a little flock.” The great king who comes against it, and besieges it, is Satan, with all his hosts, even all the principalities and powers of Hell. The poor wise man is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the counsels of eternal wisdom, has devised a way for the deliverance of his people; yet after the deliverance he has wrought out for them, is by the generality most grievously neglected.
Now though there are parts of this which do not exactly accord with such an interpretation, yet we would not have altogether disapproved of the interpretation, provided Solomon himself had not given us any clew whereby to discover his real meaning: for it is not necessary that a parable should be applicable in all its parts: it is sufficient if in its main scope it be fitted to illustrate the point which it is intended to shadow forth.
But we are precluded from affixing to this passage the sense which we have now suggested, because Solomon’s own reflection upon the supposed event determines beyond all controversy its precise meaning. Solomon intended to commend wisdom, as he frequently does in other parts of this book: in one place, he exalts wisdom above folly [Ecclesiastes 2:13.]; in another place, he exalts wisdom above wealth [Ecclesiastes 7:12.]; in another place, he exalts wisdom above soldiers [Ecclesiastes 7:19.], and weapons of war [verse 18.] Thus in our text he exalts wisdom above strength, “Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength.” Hence the subject for our consideration is two-fold:
I. The excellency of wisdom—
Wisdom is practical understanding, or knowledge regulated by sound judgment. Now wisdom is greatly superior to physical force, in every point of view:
1. In relation to temporal concerns—
The particular instance here adduced, the deliverance of a city by some extraordinary devices, will lead us to notice the operations of wisdom in the different departments of civilized life.
In war and politics wisdom prevails far beyond mere bodily strength, however great. It is from superior skill in arms that we, who are so few in number, have been enabled to conquer an immense extent of territory, and by a very small army to keep in subjection eighty million people, who have scarcely one feeling, or one sentiment, in common with ourselves. And it is from the wisdom of our Constitution, and of our Governors, that we, under God, have rode out the storm which overwhelmed the rest of Europe, and have been enabled to rescue from their bondage the prostrate nations all around us. Had there been less wisdom at our helm, we, and all the nations of Europe, would probably at this moment have been sunk in the lowest state of degradation and misery.
In arts and manufacturing the excellency of wisdom also most eminently appears. See the machinery that is used in every branch of trade! A few children are enabled to effect in a month, what thousands of grown people could not by mere manual labor accomplish in a year.
Nor is the excellency of wisdom less visible in science and philosophy. Who can calculate the benefits that have arisen from the study of astronomy, and the invention of the compass? How light is all human strength when placed in the balance against these products of intellectual research!
In truth, it is wisdom which most elevates us above the beasts; and draws as broad a line of distinction between man and man, as light and darkness do in the material world.
2. In relation to spiritual affairs—
Here wisdom is all. See what mere human efforts can effect in heathen lands: what penances, what pilgrimages, what sufferings of different kinds, will men have recourse to, in order to obtain peace in their own souls! yet they can never obtain it. They may weary themselves even unto death, yet they can never secure to themselves any spiritual benefit whatever.
But let a man attend to the councils of wisdom given him by our blessed Lord, and all that he can desire is attained at once. Peace will flow into his soul, as soon as ever his conscience is sprinkled with the blood of Christ. His spiritual powers are invigorated with supernatural strength, the moment he by faith apprehends the Lord Jesus. From being so weak as not to be able to do anything, he becomes instantly so strong as to be “able to do all things.” [John 15:2. Philippians 4:13.]. A new set of energies are developed, and such as Satan is not able to withstand. That enemy, who with assured confidence of success besieged the soul, is constrained, like Sennacherib, to flee with precipitation and disgrace [James 4:7.] In a word, the simple device of a “life of faith upon the Son of God” effects everything, liberating the soul from all its bondage, and making it victorious over all its enemies.
But from daily observation, we are constrained to lament,
II. The disregard shown to religion, notwithstanding its acknowledged worth.
By how few are its dictates attended to as they ought to be! Alas! they are neglected and despised by the great mass of mankind.
1. By the mirthful and thoughtless—
They have no ear for the counsels of Wisdom. They will commend her in general terms; but will have as little as possible to do with her instructions. Let the parent labor ever so much to instill wisdom into the minds of his children, he will find, to his grief, that the enchantments of folly baffle all his efforts. It should seem no difficult task to prevail on them to think before they act, and to regulate their conduct by sound principles: but though he gives “line upon line, and precept upon precept,” he will have reason to bless himself, if, after all his endeavors, his family do not embitter his days by their faults and follies.
The word of God too, may be acknowledged by them as good: but not a precept in it is allowed to have an ascendant over their mind. Sabbath after Sabbath divine instructions are poured into their ears; but none are allowed to descend into the heart. In fact, they are despised; and if obtruded upon the mind as principles of action, they are rejected with scorn and contempt.
2. By the formal and self-righteous—
Wisdom’s sublimest dictates are by these, regarded as the reveries of a heated imagination. The whole life of faith is foolishness in the eyes of a self-righteous Pharisee. He sees no suitableness in it to the end proposed. He thinks that an attendance on ordinances, and a performance of some moral duties, are quite sufficient. Why should he mourn and weep over his sins? What is there in faith that can benefit his soul? Why may not his works find acceptance with God? In vain is he told that the Gospel is “the wisdom of God in a mystery;” and that the very angels in Heaven are made wiser by the revelation of it to the Church [Ephesians 3:10.]
In vain is he told what the Lord Jesus Christ, that “Wonderful Counselor,” has done for the redemption of a ruined world, and will do in all who believe in him. No sense of obligation abides upon his mind; no expressions of gratitude flow from his lips: the Benefactor is forgotten, and the benefit despised—and he chooses rather to seek his resources within himself, than to depend for them on the bounty of another.
3. The backsliding professor—
The man who has once “professed godliness,” has given his testimony to the excellence of wisdom. But when he declines from the way of godliness, he revokes his testimony, and becomes an open advocate for folly. He proclaims to all, that the ways of wisdom are incapable of affording him any solid comfort; or, at all events, that there is more happiness to be found in the vanities of time and sense, than in the service of the living God. Yes, backslider, you “exalt folly, and praise the wicked” [Proverbs 28:4.] And, if you condemn, as you must, the inhabitants of the city that left their benefactor to pine away in poverty and contempt, then much more must you condemn yourself, who have, by your declensions, “crucified the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
Let me now improve the subject, by recommending to your adoption,
1. A life of consideration and thoughtfulness—
The man who has begun to think and to consider, has already got more than half way to Heaven. It is lack of consideration that ruins the whole world. Would men but inquire from day to day, What have I done? Has it been consonant with the dictates of sound wisdom? Have I proposed to myself the best ends, and have I pursued them by the fittest means? how much evil would they avoid, and how much misery would they escape! O that I might prevail upon you to enter on such a course as this!
Admirable is that advice of Solomon, “Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.” [Proverbs 24:27.] This is what any prudent builder will do, though he is only constructing a temporary habitation for the body. How much more should we do it, who are building for the immortal soul! Adopt this plan then: think what you have to do for God: think by what means you may best advance the interest of your souls; and redeem, as it were, every hour in preparation for eternity. “Walk, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
2. A life of real piety—
Nothing but sincere piety will inspire true wisdom—nothing but sincere piety will enable us to counteract with effect the assaults of our great adversary. Let us seek from above “a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and of might”—then, whether we are poor or rich, we shall assuredly be victorious.
Indeed the poor are for the most part more highly favored than the rich. The rich are too apt to be self-confident and self-sufficient; while the poor thankfully accept the offered aids of the Gospel. Hence “the things which are hid from the wise and prudent, are frequently revealed to babes;” and hence, while the rich are vanquished, the poor are crowned with victory.
Let it not be forgotten, that “in the Lord alone we have either righteousness or strength.” “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty!” Yes, by the Spirit of the living God revealing the Savior to us, and communicating strength out of his fullness—we shall be “enabled to withstand in the evil day,” and shall have that joyful song put into our mouths, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
Charles Simeon