해설/말씀 듣기   해설보기  English Edition    

본문의 중심내용

지혜는 힘보다 강하고 지위보다 높습니다. 하지만 그럼에도 쉽게 잊히고 무너지는 한계가 있습니다. 

[ 전도서 9:11 - 9:18 ] (찬송363장)

능력과 성공의 모순 

11내가 다시 해 아래에서 보니 빠른 경주자들이라고 선착하는 것이 아니며 용사들이라고 전쟁에 승리하는 것이 아니며 지혜자들이라고 음식물을 얻는 것도 아니며 명철자들이라고 재물을 얻는 것도 아니며 지식인들이라고 은총을 입는 것이 아니니 이는 시기와 기회는 그들 모두에게 임함이니라 12분명히 사람은 자기의 시기도 알지 못하나니 물고기들이 재난의 그물에 걸리고 새들이 올무에 걸림 같이 인생들도 재앙의 날이 그들에게 홀연히 임하면 거기에 걸리느니라

 가난한 자의 지혜 

 13내가 또 해 아래에서 지혜를 보고 내가 크게 여긴 것이 이러하니 14곧 작고 인구가 많지 아니한 어떤 성읍에 큰 왕이 와서 그것을 에워싸고 큰 흉벽을 쌓고 치고자 할 때에 15그 성읍 가운데에 가난한 지혜자가 있어서 그의 지혜로 그 성읍을 건진 그것이라 그러나 그 가난한 자를 기억하는 사람이 없었도다 16그러므로 내가 이르기를 지혜가 힘보다 나으나 가난한 자의 지혜가 멸시를 받고 그의 말들을 사람들이 듣지 아니한다 하였노라

 지혜와 어리석은 통치자 

 17조용히 들리는 지혜자들의 말들이 우매한 자들을 다스리는 자의 호령보다 나으니라 18지혜가 무기보다 나으니라 그러나 죄인 한 사람이 많은 선을 무너지게 하느니라

[ Ecclesiastes 9:11 - 9:18 ]

11Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.12 For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me.14 There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it.15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.16 But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. 

Who is God like? 

The preacher realised that people’s talents were not always useful. This is because the world is filled with unpredictable events. Misfortune does not discriminate between people (vv. 11-12). The preacher spoke about the shock he felt upon seeing how the world ignored wisdom. Human beings would rather heed the commands of wealthy and powerful foolish leaders than the wisdom of the poor despite experiencing for themselves that ‘wisdom is better than weapons’. The loud cries of foolish commands drown out the quiet voice of wisdom (vv. 13-18). 

What lesson is God teaching me?

Vv. 11-12 Life is ever-changing. Our ability to maintain our wellbeing and cope in this unpredictable world is possible because we have grown accustomed to experiencing countless changes throughout our lives. Let’s not waste this hard-earned life on futile things. Let’s be thankful that we are alive. Above all else, let’s always remember that God is the only unchanging constant in our lives. 

Vv. 13-16 In this world, instead of true words of wisdom leading to empowerment, the words of the powerful are accepted as wisdom. Wisdom affects the entire nation and the rulership of the nation. Wisdom can lead to the salvation of the nation, but a lack of wisdom can lead to the destruction of the nation. What have you been heeding in recent days? Rather than the words of the powerful, let’s open our ears to the words of true wisdom. 

Prayer

Lord, as you are always by my side, help me to experience your help in this unpredictable world.