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"Who is like a wise man?"

Text: Ecclesiastes 8:1

THE EFFECTS OF WISDOM

There were many reasons why Solomon sought after wisdom. One of the reasons was the way in which wisdom could affect a person so positively.

“Who is like a wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
A man’s wisdom makes his face shine,
And the sternness of his face is changed.”
Ecclesiastes 8:1

1. “Who is like a wise man?”

a) It is a good thing to desire to be a wise person.

b) It may even be said that it is “natural” to have this desire.

c) But the quest to be “a wise man” is a difficult one to attain.

2. “And who knows the interpretation of a thing?”

a) One of the things that a wise man can do is to interpret things correctly.

b) Many things in life require an interpretation.

c) Things or events that are not interpreted properly may become:

i) Shallow

ii) Mundane

iii) Meaningless

iv) Futile

3. “A man’s wisdom makes his face shine”

a) Wisdom blesses the wise man in a special way.

b) It makes his face shine:

i) Because of understanding.

ii) Because of enlightenment.

c) His wisdom has taught him how not to:

i) Fret

ii) Worry

4. “And the sternness of his face is changed”

a) Wisdom can even affect the wise man physically.

b) Where there may be sternness, there is now a happier countenance.

c) Sternness is often a reflection of:

i) Being overly concerned.

ii) Being unable to relax.

d) Wisdom teaches a person how to:

i) Understand life better.

ii) Appreciate God’s blessings more.

iii) Enjoy this short life that we have on earth.

iv) Learn to fear God in our life.