The Wise Still Teach

“And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.” (Ec 12:9-10 AV)

This really struck me this morning.  The manifestation of the wisdom of the preacher is his faithfulness to his duties as the preacher.  He still taught the people.  He still taught the people because he saw teaching as a wise thing to do.  Or, he still taught the people because he continued to be wise.  His faithfulness to his duties is further manifested by the diligence he shows in preparing the proverbs he shares.  He gives good heed.  He seeks out more wisdom.  He sets those kernels of truth into a cohesive presentation. He double-checks his insight against the word of God so they are based on sound truth.  The foolish messenger shows no wisdom when he keeps a pattern of silence.  The messenger who knows some truth and who chooses not to share that truth with those who need it is not a wise person.  This encouragement is not just for the preacher.  It is for anyone who has the wisdom of years and can share that wisdom with a generation that needs it.  The preacher could be a parent.  The preacher could be a teacher, a co-worker, a neighbor, or a total stranger.  As long as there are souls who need the wisdom of the word of God, there is a job to do for the one who is versed in it.  To be wise is to share wisdom.

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, the elder Preacher gives the younger Pastor some advice on relationships between church members.  In particular, Paul advises the young Pastor on how different generations should interact.  He advises the younger generation to respect the elder generation and not to accuse them, criticize them, or devalue them.  The younger generation is to value the elder generation because they have wisdom and experience that could be of great help.  Paul also admonishes the elder generation to share the wisdom they have with the younger set.  Especially in the area of marriage and family.  This cooperative relationship benefits both.  The younger generation, whether they like to admit it or not, need their parents, pastors, deacons, and elder saints.  Although details may be different, the wise writer of the passage above clearly teaches in the same book that nothing really changes.  As I said, the details may be different, but the nature of things is always the same.  Those getting up in age have seen different variations on the theme their whole lives.  They have seen patterns that do not change just because the details do.  For the seasoned saint, we can begin to think we come of an age when it is someone else’s responsibility to teach the younger.  Not so.  If we are wise, then we will continue to seek out teachable moments for those who need that which the LORD has graciously shared with us.

The foolish one will sit on what he knows.  The callous one will allow others to needlessly suffer because, for one reason or another, he says nothing.  Perhaps he is worn out.  Perhaps he has lost an edge and thinks he has nothing left to say.  Maybe, he sees others who are adequate and feels he can retire from the wisdom-sharing business.  Not so!  The wise person helps those who need that wisdom.  The age of the messenger matters not.  As long as one has wisdom that another does not, and that wisdom is needed, then the one with it must share it.  That is a mark of wisdom.  That word ‘still’ is so convicting.  That word ‘still’ is so challenging.  Solomon, like his father David, shared his insight with his sons until the day he died.  Even upon his death bed, he shared what he knew and how he thought his son should rule.  Solomon’s wisdom followed after him.  Even after his death, those that followed compiled proverbs no one knew existed and found themselves in the canon of scripture.  The wisest man on earth shared what he knew beyond the grave.  ‘Still’.  Are we wise in continuing to help others with the truth we know?  Or, are we foolish and keeping it all to ourselves?