Daily Devotional | The Value of Wisdom

Have you ever heard the sayings, “The early bird gets the worm” or “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Proverbs are short, pithy sayings that contain a larger truth. The same is true for biblical proverbs, but their purpose goes a bit deeper. In Scripture, proverbs invite readers to become wise by reflecting on their words.

Solomon, who many say is the author of Ecclesiastes, was also the author of the Book of Proverbs. Solomon had asked God for wisdom (1 Kings 3:1; 4:29), and he shares his wisdom in the form of proverbs. As we read each short saying, we can ask: What does this illustration mean in the literal sense? What point about life and wisdom might the Teacher be making? Where else in the Bible do I find this same teaching?

For example, in chapter 10, verse one, the Teacher says, “As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.” Here he is conveying that even one small misstep can have a dramatic effect. Consider how one bad action, once discovered, can be enough to tarnish someone’s reputation. The proverb is reminding us that “folly” or “sin” should not be tolerated.

He extols the virtue of a calm reaction to accusations: “If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest” (v. 4). Similar advice is found in the book of Proverbs: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (15:1). While these proverbs may at first glance seem unrelated, they are building a picture of what it means to be wise. How would it look if we followed this advice in the ordinary situations of life?

Go Deeper

Which of the proverbs in this section is most meaningful to you? Follow the guidelines in this devotional and spend time reflecting on that saying. What does it teach you about living with wisdom in this world?

Pray with Us: As we approach the end of our study, we pray that the lessons and wisdom of Ecclesiastes will stay with us, Lord, that they will burn in our hearts, and spur us to apply these truths to our everyday living “under the su

BY Dr. Russell L. Meek

Russell Meek teaches Old Testament and Hebrew at Moody Theological Seminary. He writes a regular column on understanding and applying the Old Testament at Fathom Magazine, and his books include Ecclesiastes and the Search for Meaning in an Upside-Down World and the co-authored Book-by-Book Guide to Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary. Russ, his wife, and their three sons live in northern Idaho.