The Book Of Ecclesiastes Pt. 32 Minds Illuminated, Eyes Opened By God's Spirit

Illumination & proper interpretation are from God. 

Ecclesiastes 8:1  Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. 

Solomon shows us what kind of man a truly wise man is. The word "wise" means skilled in doing technical work, capable as an administrator, and wise with regard to knowing and fearing Jehovah. 

Heavenly wisdom will make any man (or woman) a better person. He becomes a useful friend to his neighbors and a productive citizen, giving his best effort in all things. 

Wisdom from God makes a man's face shine. It is like Moses, when he came down from Mount Sinai after communing with Jehovah forty days.

The idea is that knowing Jehovah and having a proper reverence for Him, changes our outlook on life. We seek to please God in all things, and this makes us useable in His service.

The phrase "the interpretation of a thing" means that a wise man understands the proper relation of circumstances around him. 

Daniel 2:27-30  Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28)  But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; 29)  As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. 30)  But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. 

The same word translated "interpretation" is used thirteen times to describe Daniel's ability to understand and rightly interpret dreams (Daniel 2).

This is a fine example of wisdom from God. Daniel made it clear to Nebuchadnezzar that he did not possess more wisdom than the kings' astrologers. Rather, the One, True God of heaven grants wisdom, understanding of dreams and proper interpretation.

He sees into human affairs and observes God’s dispensations in the case of nations and individuals. 

Such a wise one has the right view of life, one that includes the knowledge of God and seeks to honor Him.

Wisdom from God will enlighten and illuminate men's hearts. This is expressed by the Psalmist writing that "the entrance of thy word giveth light, it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psalm 119:130).

Wisdom from God is dispensed by the Holy Spirit of God. 

1 Corinthians 2:12-16  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13)  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14)  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15)  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16)  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 

Each believer in Christ has received the Holy Spirit of God. He lives in us, and this makes our bodies a living tabernacle for Him. 

This is why we must seek to live a holy and pure life (See 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

The Holy Ghost is our teacher and instructor for learning the Bible. He is ready to help us grasp the wonderful things of God that He will freely show us. 

The Holy Spirit compares spiritual things with each other so that we gain a better understanding. His careful instruction is like learning basic math before attempting to learn algebra. 

He contrasts spiritual things with other spiritual things, to show us the beauty of our Lord Jesus Christ, throughout the Bible. 

The natural or unsaved man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. In fact, he rejects them as foolish. 

But, the believing man (or woman) has his or her mind renewed and his spirit illuminated by God's Spirit. 

Why? So that we might walk in the ways of God and be pleasing unto Him in all things, just as Solomon is showing us. 

Apostolic prayer for all believers in Christ. 

Ephesians 1:15-16  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16)  Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 

Paul's prayer for the Christians at Ephesus, and by extension for all of us, is one of giving ceaseless praise for God's work in men's hearts through gospel preaching.

God's Spirit illuminates our hearts and exalts Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 1:17-23  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18)  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19)  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20)  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21)  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22)  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23)  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Paul's specific prayer for all Christians is that the Holy Spirit would grant us wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God, just as Solomon is pointing out.

The Spirit of God will illuminate our understanding of the Bible and He will open our eyes to behold wondrous things from God's law (Psalm 119:18).

Paul then launches into a long list of specific things he desires all Christians to know. He wants us to know about our calling in Christ, and the inheritance that awaits us. 

He wants us to understand the mighty power of God exercised on our behalf, to bring salvation to all mankind, through repentant faith in Jesus Christ.

He wants us to know that the Lord Jesus Christ is exalted far above all things and that Jesus is the head of His church, and we are members of His body.

We can see what Solomon is getting at, when he speaks of the wise man's countenance shining with the light of God. 

It is the Spirit of God, working in the heart of man with the Word of God. 

God's own Spirit will lead and guide us. He will teach us truth.

John 16:13-15  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14)  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15)  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 

Notice the words of the apostle John. The Spirit of God will guide each believer as he or she studies the scriptures. The word "guide" is like a seasoned guide who knows where the trails lead, where the dangers are and how to safely arrive at the desired location. 

The Holy Spirit is going to teach us what God is saying to us in the scriptures. In this process, He will put honor and glory upon the risen son of God, Jesus Christ. He will help us grasp the richness and scope of the blessings from the Father that await us, through faith in Christ. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Solomon is showing us just how important it is for us to seek wisdom from God. The world's wisdom does not matter. God says it is foolishness and He will bring it all to nothing. 

This is why the Spirit of God indwells each Christian the moment that we turn to Christ with repentant faith. 

He seeks to produce His holy fruit in our lives, and works to conform us to the image of Christ. 

The Spirit of God will work in us, convicting us of sin if we stray or fail God in some way. 

He will work to bring us to confession so that we seek forgiveness and cleansing from God.

Therefore, we can rejoice for all the good things and powerful benefits that the Father gives each child of God.

May we yield to the Spirit as He seeks to lead us.

Bob

Psalm 143:10  Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.