Ecclesiastes 7:19-22 – Self-appraisal is needful for personal improvement

Bob Marley, the iconic Jamaican singer said, “Don't gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold.” Wisdom truly is more precious than silver or gold. We have been reflecting on the book of Ecclesiastes which belongs to the class of wisdom literature. Solomon, it’s author, started his reign of Israel not asking God for silver or gold or fame. He started off by asking for wisdom and was granted it. Because of his wise start, he was reckoned as the wisest man in the Bible. Many of his sayings in the book of Proverbs and now in the book of Ecclesiastes show us how perceptive he was. It is said that one of the ways to learn wisdom is to glean lessons from life’s experiences. The best way to acquire wisdom is to reflect on the experiences we encounter in each moment and make up our minds what we ought to or not do in future. In Ecclesiastes we see Solomon gaining wisdom both from his painful experiences and his reflections. Although he maintained that everything is vanity and emptiness and that he did not have all the answers, yet he knew that he could not do without wisdom.

In Ecclesiastes 7:12 he advised that wisdom can protect and save one’s life. And now in verse 19, he tells us that “wisdom gives strength to a wise man than ten rulers who are in a city.” Here he sees a city that is governed by a council of ten. We all know that there is strength in numbers. And though to have more to rule is good, Solomon wants us to know that having wisdom is more effective. Because through wise people much more can be accomplished. They can provide better insight, therefore have greater foresight. Wisdom will help them discern better so as to make better choices. Wisdom will also empower and give them the ability to act rightly in all given situations. More importantly, wise people know their need for God. For in connecting with God, we find a rich reservoir of wisdom to tap from.   

Verse 20 is a timely reminder that we are not perfect. We all fail to meet the standard that God expects of us at some points. And we will stumble and fall like everyone else. The wisdom then is to hold everything with a gentle grasp and evaluate everything in the light of one’s own failing. Wisdom teaches us not to be overly troubled by the swear word leveled at us. It is true that we too have committed the same offense and are guilty of hurling unkind words at others. Therefore, the advice is not to take everything we hear to heart. The call is to exercise self-control over our own tongues, and not to overreact when some snide remarks or criticism are said about us.  

Consider an advice Paul gave to Titus, a co-laborer of his. In Titus 3:2-3, his advice to him was “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” As we seek to live wisely, we must evaluate everything from the perspective of our own personal failings and unworthiness. It will help us not to be overbearing in our dealings with others. Let’s heed the word of God!