Wisdom excelled folly; although wisdom is not sufficient to make men truly and perfectly happy, yet it is of a far greater use and excellency than vain pleasures, or any other follies. As far as light exceled darkness, ‘that is to say vastly and unspeakably. There is, of course, an obvious objection to Solomon’s experiment. “The problem you have is that you’re trying to retain your wisdom while chasing pleasure. Give up the wisdom; make pleasure your ultimate good. Turn your brain off while you do this.” Solomon reminds us that he was not seeking pleasure but meaning in life: Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. Then I saw that wisdom exceled folly, as far as light exceled darkness. Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness. Then I saw that wisdom surpasses foolishness as light surpasses darkness.
Folly is associated with a seductive woman. Folly (“foolishness” in some translations) is loud, seductive, and knows nothing (verse 13). She seduces the simple who pass by (verses 14–17). Those who turn to her find death (verse 18).Folly is an unruly woman.
Proverbs 9:13-18 Keep in mind this may talk about a woman, but that doesn’t leave a man out that acts in the same way.
In Proverbs 9:13–18,
She is simple and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
2:12-17 Solomon found that knowledge and prudence were preferable to ignorance and folly, though human wisdom and knowledge will not make a man happy. The most learned of men, who dies a stranger to Christ Jesus, will perish equally with the most ignorant; and what good can commendations on earth do to the body in the grave, or the soul in hell?
Ecclesiastes Chapter 2:12-17
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. Then I saw that wisdom excelled folly, as far as light excelled darkness. The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walked in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happened to them all. Then said I in my heart, As it happened to the fool, so it happened even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, my mind is open to Your Thoughts, and closed today to every thought but Yours. I rule my mind, and offer it to You. Accept my precious gift, for it is Yours to me. Guide me in Your will and where You want me to go and what to do. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
{Power Verse}
“No good thing will He withhold from them that work uprightly”
Psalm 84:11
"Only Life Changes" 