“Wisdom is a shelter
as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom preserves those who have it.”
Ecclesiastes 7:12
The Teacher in chapter 7 of Ecclesiastes now looks at some factors that make the difference between how wisdom and wealth that both impact the direction of our lives are subtly different. As he says in verse 12, both wisdom and money are shelters we can run to but that does not mean they are both meaningful. They don’t both preserve our lives.
- extortion leads to foolishness and bribery corrupts in, both are a means to wealth but both do not truly shelter v.7
- End results accomplished are a better shelter than dreams and visions of success at the start v.8
- the flash of anger from a provocation leads to foolish decisions that destroy our shelter v.9
- Nostalgia for the past and impatience for the future both lead to dissatisfaction with our present shelter v.10
What ties these ideas together?
The first African proverb we were taught our first day in Swahili language school when we arrived in Kenya was, “Haraka, haraka haina baraka.” It can be translated, “Hurry, hurry, has no blessing.” My mother taught us a similar proverb as children, “A stitch in time saves nine.” I think the Teacher is referring to the temptation to short sheet the present to force, or “help,” us get to where we want to go in the future.
Extortion and bribery are ways we try to force another or perhaps our hearts to apply pressure to our souls to convince us that cutting corners will get us to our dream. Fudging on the income tax is ok because we are not part of the “rich” who live in a better house. Agreeing to extended debt so we can “keep up” and get that better job or house or life draws us into taking on a burden we are not sure we can carry and that may easily lead to financial chaos. My young teenagers used to try to convince me that they would have gotten their first million by the time they were 30. That dream of the future grew discontent with their present. Frustration leads to anger and then the mouth is out of control. Yes, quickly, quickly can lead to problems. The Teacher says patience is better than the pride that focuses on visions of who we think we might be. Patience comes from realizing God is the unseen being walking with us through the challenges in the present.
So let us think for a moment about what frustrations are the quick sand in our day. What draws us to discontent and anger. Perhaps it is the interruptions that slow us down like that little ole driver in front of us. Perhaps it is when someone we respect disagrees with us. Perhaps it is a detour as we head to our goal, be it work or weight loss. I could mention those speed zones where an unseen authority might lurk. We all deal with frustrations and road blocks to our “I wants.”
The Teacher would say wisdom of realizing God holds our life is the attitude that “preserves” our life, not the wealth in our bank account. Lord, I am afraid to pray for patience because I don’t want lessons that force me to learn the lesson. May our hearts be aware of you as the unseen partner in our lives.
On the Way to Wonder 