There was a small town with only a few people, and a great king came with his army and besieged it. A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought to thank him. So even though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long. Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king. (Ecclesiastes 9:14–17)
I appreciate the words of one writer. He says, “This parable is not a moral tale to show what people should do. It is a cautionary tale to show what they are like.”
Solomon’s story is more than a simple account of a city under siege. It’s a scene that communicates the importance of wisdom.
Strength is more impressive yet less effective than wisdom. Isn’t it true? If we stand strength alongside wisdom, strength will get the public’s vote practically every time. We’re impressed with it. It is intimidating. It’s always going faster, getting smarter, more competitive, more skilful. But in Ecclesiastes 9:16 are the words from the wise yet poor man. His words, nevertheless, live on—“Wisdom is better than strength.”
But there’s another piece of counsel given as verse 16 continues: “But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded” (NASB 1995). Wise counsel is never popular, rarely obeyed, and seldom remembered. No one remembered the poor man.
Do you see what this is about? This isn’t a simple little story about a village. This is a parable offering insight about life. And the poor man is the inner heart, the conscience, the spirit within us. It’s that which pulsates with Scripture—that which is in touch with the timeless sage called the Spirit of God. It is the inner man that quietly waits to be obeyed.
Another statement of wisdom is found in verse 17: Human rulers will always outshout wise counsellors, and fools prefer the former. “The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools” (9:17 NASB 1995). Wise counsellors will give accurate yet quiet counsel, but fools will prefer to hear the advice of loud rulers.
The enemy forces are at the wall, and our “village” is being threatened. If we are Christians, there is a quiet voice deep within our spirits. It is the voice of the Spirit of God, prompting us to turn to God’s Book as our unerring guide. But he won’t use force. He won’t even threaten. He speaks softly and waits patiently to be heard and obeyed.
In the rat race called living on the ragged edge, it is easy to be seduced. Listen to God, even if His counsel is painful. Even if you find few people who agree with you, if God says it, do it. Not until you do will you find relief and recovery. Only then can you truly come to terms with reality.
