Ecclesiastes 7:23-24

B. IMPORTANT LESSONS DRAWN FROM THESE OBSERVATIONS Ecclesiastes 7:23-29

1. Practical lessons can be learned but the deeper things are unattainable. Ecclesiastes 7:23-24

TEXT 7:23-24

23

I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me.

24

What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it?

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 7:23-24

213.

List the things that all this refers to if it has reference to the teaching found in Ecclesiastes 7:1-22.

214.

Make a list of the things all this refers to if it has reference to the teaching found in Ecclesiastes 7:25-29.

215.

What was the means by which Solomon tested everything?

216.

Identify the conclusion at which Solomon now arrives.

PARAPHRASE 7:23-24

I have proved many things, and in each case I proved it by wisdom. However, I have not discovered all there is to know about anything. I became wise, but complete wisdom was far from me. What I have failed to discover is still remote and exceedingly deep. Is there anyone who can find it?

COMMENT 7:23-24

Ecclesiastes 7:23 What is the all this to which Solomon here refers? Whatever it is, he declares that he tested it with wisdom. One idea is that all this refers to everything written thus far in Ecclesiastes. This suggests that all of his previous experiments, observations and conclusions have been tested with wisdom. Others argue that all this is limited to the observations which pertain to a good name, and speak only to the material in the first twenty-two verses in chapter seven. On the other hand, there are those who believe that all this refers only to the final five verses of chapter seven, and not to any of the previous material. There is little doubt that Solomon claims that all of his activities were guided by wisdom. Examine the following random expressions: explore by wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:13) I set my mind to know wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:17); my mind was guiding me wisely (Ecclesiastes 2:3); My wisdom also stood by me (Ecclesiastes 2:9); I turned to consider wisdom (Ecclesiastes 2:12); Wisdom is protection. wisdom preserves (Ecclesiastes 7:12); wisdom strengthens (Ecclesiastes 7:19). Similar references to the place of wisdom are found in eleven direct instances in Chapter s eight through twelve. Note: Ecclesiastes 8:1; Ecclesiastes 8:16; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Ecclesiastes 9:13; Ecclesiastes 9:15-16; Ecclesiastes 9:18; Ecclesiastes 10:1; Ecclesiastes 10:3; Ecclesiastes 10:10; Ecclesiastes 12:11.

What does this prove? First, it proves that one should not make too much of what all this refers to since everything in the book is tested by wisdom. Secondly, the emphasis is on the fact that wisdom is the tool used to test everything. Solomon's stated purpose was to possess wisdom fully. He wanted to understand all the facets of lifethe perplexing contradictions as well as the transparent joyous experiences, the deep riddles along with the self-evident truths. There is now the obvious desire to probe deeper into the hitherto unexplored areas of life. His desire to know more concerning the deeper things of life is openly stated. He wishes to explore each nuance of every side of life, and yet his conclusion is almost a declaration of frustration: -I will be wise,-' but it was far from me. The secret things of God are always a little distance from man's reach; at least until that time when God chooses to disclose the deep, deep mysteries. (Cf. Deuteronomy 29:29; Colossians 1:26-27). A parallel thought is found in Solomon's own words: Man cannot find out the work that God does (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The Bible receives a new dimension of appreciation from such a searcher for it holds numerous answers to what would otherwise be perplexing riddles of life. More than that, the Bible gives us the most important answer to the most important question of life: What will God do with my sins? What the Preacher of Ecclesiastes searched diligently to discover, the Christian knows about and gives thanks, for God teaches us that ... the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

A beautiful parallel passage to the two verses under discussion here is found in Job 28:12-28. The reader would do well to look it up and read through it thoughtfully. One is immediately impressed with three conclusions: (1) Man is limited in his knowledge and understanding; (2) Wisdom is of the greatest premium; and (3) God is the only source of true wisdom and man must turn to Him for understanding.

Ecclesiastes 7:24 Solomon set out to write about wisdom and in the midst of his adventure, he confesses his lack of it. He is wise but not fully wise. He can see the value of wisdom and extols it honestly and sincerely while at the same time humbly confessing that he is helpless before the infinite wisdom of God. He wants to know what is the actual essence of all things. Yet, he cannot discover it. He turns to a superlative which is variously translated but the impact is still felt. He states that it is remote and exceedingly mysterious; or that it is far from me and deep, deep. He wishes to impress upon the reader that such knowledge as he is seeking is beyond the grasp or understanding of man. He cannot discover it!

There is a wisdom which is discoverable by man but it lies under the sun. It is this wisdom that Solomon employs. However, there is a wisdom which God alone possesses and man cannot discover it. It is to Solomon's credit that he perceives his limitations and is wise enough to admit to them.
What is the nature of the information he seeks? From the context, it is obviously the every-day entanglements of life with its recurring inequities which build a web of unexplained riddles to bind and limit the understanding. He is practical rather than philosophical. He wants answers to why things happen as they do rather than how did they come to be. He knows God is the Creator (Cf. Ecclesiastes 8:15; Ecclesiastes 8:17; Ecclesiastes 11:5; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Ecclesiastes 12:7). He now wants to know the why behind the behavior of men. He is unable to explain it but he does draw a conclusion that temporarily satisfied him. He says, Behold, I have found only this, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices (Ecclesiastes 7:29). Man's eyes are blinded by sin and the darkness is compounded because he lives in a sinful (dark) environment. Solomon's conclusion is another way of saying that man is the author of his own blindness, while God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

FACT QUESTIONS 7:23-24

386.

Identify three sections of Ecclesiastes that the all this of Ecclesiastes 7:23 could possibly refer.

387.

Since there are numerous views as to what all this refers to, what two lessons should be drawn?

388.

Was Solomon determined to be wise? Explain.

389.

What kept Solomon from becoming completely wise?

390.

Write out the three obvious lessons found in Job 28:12-28 which parallel the Ecclesiastes 7:23-24 passage.

391.

What is the nature of the wisdom Solomon seeks? Explain.

392.

What is it that blinds the eyes of men and keeps them from seeing clearly?

393.

What compounds this darkness.