Learning to live with contentment as
well as partnering with likeminded believers are certainly advantageous. However,
the best thing to do in life is to ensure that Jesus is the key partner in all
our relationships. These were the propositions of the preacher in Ecclesiastes
4:1-12. On top of these he said there is one more aspect one must consider for
life to be more complete. It is to cultivate a teachable spirit in life. So, in
Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 he said. “Better was a poor and wise
youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own
kingdom he had been born poor. I saw all the
living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to
stand in the king's place. There was no
end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not
rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.”
In these
verses, Solomon seems to be telling a story. It’s about a person who rose from
impoverishment and insignificance to royalty.
One of those rags to riches type of story. He certainly was not talking
about himself for he did not begin poor. His led a very rich life in the palace
from the start. It certainly cannot be David, who though rose from being a
shepherd boy to the throne, did not go to prison as suggested by verse 15. The
fact seems to collaborate with Joseph’s narrative more aptly. But we are not sure
who Solomon was referring to. Suffice to say that this person was young and
energetic, but unexpectedly rose from abject poverty to royalty. He ascended
the throne and controlled a massive domain and a steady stream of people
followed him. But the truth is this: he couldn’t reign forever. His place was
taken by another young person who emerged as his successor. Even this successor
didn’t last on the throne forever. Verse 16 clearly said that, “There was no
end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not
rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.”
We cannot fail
to notice one clear fact or pattern, i.e. popularity is transitory. No matter
how famous a ruler may be, there will be an end to his reign. Someday, someone
will arise to take his place. The glory he enjoys will soon fade with his
demise. Accept it or not, no one is indispensable. There is an end to every monarch
and no successor will last forever. It is foolhardy to be so dependant on
earthly position and treasure. They do not last forever. This is the first
clear lesson we can see. There is another that must not escape our notice. It
is found in the phrase the “… old and foolish king who no longer knew
how to take advice.” Of all the differences we see in the old and new
king, whether in age, possession or knowledge, there is one key telling
attitude, i.e. the attitude one adopts toward advice. The old king used to be
receptive to counsel in his hey days. Just as he thought he had a grip of the
throne, he became a rule unto himself. He no longer listened to the counsel, the
wise and useful advice of others. He clung to power and would not accept any
other view.
Herein is a
key lesson for us believers. None of us has a monopoly of everything. Older
people are always seen as wiser and this is often the case. But the smart ones
are those who are prepared to listen and be receptive to counsel. The smart
ones are those who more than listen but would also make the necessary
correction. There is no denial that every Christian has the capacity to do
something useful for the Kingdom of God. The key to be an effective and useful
person is not to come with a “I-know-it-all” attitude. It is important to hold
onto what we know with a gentle grasp. With more knowledge, we can be more
effective. The best stance to have is to come to any ministry with a teachable
spirit. Proverbs 3:5-6 say this, “Trust in the Lord with
all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
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