How to Live (A Study in Ecclesiastes)

 Lesson #2 : The Right View Point (Ecclesiastes 2:12-14)

 In the previous lesson we saw that Solomon gave himself to whatever his heart desired. This is shown to us in Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. But in verse 13 when after considering wisdom, madness, and folly he comes to the conclusion that wisdom excelleth folly as far as light excelleth darkness. Then Solomon makes a strange statement in verse 14, it goes as follows:

“The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness”

(Ecclesiastes 1:14a)

This may seem like a strange statement but we will attempt to give some understanding to it and learn a valuable life lesson from this statement.

Wisdom and Folly:

 Wisdom and folly are about as opposite as you can get. Wisdom is often defined as knowing how to use the knowledge that you have. In the bible the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. But what about folly?

Folly – Weakness of intellect; want of understanding. Acts that are inconsistent with the dictates of reason. Absurd or sinful acts. {American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828}

What is means by the wise man’s eyes are in his head?

In Proverbs 17:24 Solomon made a similar statement except for this time he said, “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.”. Therefore, when we compare these two statements, we see that the fool’s eyes are said to be in the end of the earth and the wise man’s eyes are in his head.

From this we learn that we must have our eyes in the right place. For instance, note that in the verse from Proverbs wisdom is said to be before him that hath understanding. Most people that are looking for wisdom are simply looking in the wrong place they have their eyes in the ends of the earth when wisdom is right before them. Like many scientists spend their lives trying to find the answers in the far reaches of our galaxy when the truth is right before them in the Word of God. They just simply refuse to believe it.

Why is it important to have our eyes in the right place?

1) We must remember that the eyes and heart work together (Job 31:7).

• Note that when you compare Psalm 19:8 with Proverbs 15:30 it says the commandments of God lighten the eyes and the light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart.
• Proverbs 23:26 also shows us a connection between the heart and the eyes.

2)  Eyes were connected to the original sin the Eve committed (Genesis 5:3)

• The first-time mankind sinned on this earth it was connected with a quest for knowledge. This shows us that it is extremely important for our eyes to be in the right place especially when finding knowledge is the goal.

In Ecclesiastes 11:9 Solomon gives us a warning concerning this matter. He says that from the view point of man it is good to walk in the ways of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes, but to remember that God will judge you for those things.

Therefore our life lesson is simple. When our eyes are in our head we are wise and consider the consequence of our actions. But when our eyes are in the ends of the earth we are not looking past the fun or want of the moment and we will pay the price for what we are about to do.

How to Live (A Study in Ecclesiastes)

 Lesson #2 : The View Point (Ecclesiastes 2:12-14)

 1)  What is the strange statement made in this passage?

2)  What are the two things that are compared in the passage? Define both of them.

3)  What is meant by the phrase a wise man’s eyes are in his head?

4)  What is the life lesson for us from this passage?