Daily Scripture Threshing for Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Today’s Text: Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:16 (NIV): “So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.”
Wisdom is a sure defense. The Hebrew Bible reveals so much conflicts and conquests during the reign of David, who was a great man of strength; but we must wonder why there was no single war during the days of Solomon, who was only renowned by wisdom. Surely, there is greater power in wisdom than all military might put together. The stronger does not always prevail against the wiser.
As an African boy, I partook in tales by moonlight and still remember the tale of a hare versus a lion, the king of the animals. The lion was hostile and killed many animals, and kept them all in terror. The animals held a meeting looking for anyone who could defeat the tyrant. No one but a hare stood up. The lion was angry and felt embarrassed that a hare would face him. But the hare said that he was keeping and feeding another lion to destroy him. In anger, the terrible lion requested that the hare must show the other lion to him. So, the hare led him to a deep well. The lion looked into the well and saw his own image in the water, mistaking his own image for another lion. He at once jumped into the well and died, and all the animals lived happily after that.
Today's scripture reference holds a firm position on the preeminence of wisdom over strength. We may not be too sure of the time of the stated incidence in history but two stories confirm the narrative: First is of Athens which was delivered in 480 B.C. from the host of Xerxes through the wisdom of Themistocles. And, the other was of Dora besieged by Antiochus the Great in 218 B.C. Whichever is the case, the revelation is incontrovertible that whereas strength gives some confidence; by godly wisdom, a man may bring that which he could never do by his strength to pass. Wisdom may seem to receive little or no reward from such a generation as ours; we must learn from the fact that it was despised in past generations also. But the advantages of true godly wisdom is unequalled. It saves. It enlightens.
Quote for the Day: “Wisdom is the mother strength. A wise man will perish like a brute beast if he casts aspersion on the counsel of the wise.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord, Your fear in a life is the beginning of knowledge. It is Your word that makes us wise and strengthen our foundation. Please awaken in our hearts such genuine love for your Word of Lord, our God — in Jesus’ name. Amen.
With all my Love and Prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families and Christian churches]
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