Ecclesiastes Chapter Two continued... realizing truth from a backsliders perspective.

13    Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

“...wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.” Solomon did come to the right conclusion (again) on the fruits of both wisdom and folly (see comments of previous verse, these questions were already answered for him once), however, he realizes this truth now from the perspective of a backslider, one who has been ensnared by vice and the fruits of an intemperate life (“trying all things” Songs 2:3) where it can do him no good.

What is the wisdom Solomon observed? He saw wisdom linked to the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10); wisdom that is pure (Ps 19:9; James 3:17); wisdom that keeps one free from bondages and curses in their lives (bondages which resulted from opening the door to them through evil works). He saw folly as an activity that will lead one astray (See Proverbs 5:23) into pits and snares. However, in his condition he cannot get free from the yokes he has forged through his lifestyle. You who are more mature beg the young to seek the Lord for wisdom, plead with them because it will keep them from the pits and snares that can negate their testimony, their call and all God has for them! O' how we need the wisdom of God, O' how we need to make wise and right choices; we should cry out continually, “Lord, fill me with your fear that I might learn to walk in wisdom and avoid detours and bondages that slay so many!”

14    The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

“The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness...” This verse is an application of Eccl 2:13; here we see what Solomon was talking about “light vs. darkness”. In other words, the wise mans eyes are opened to see the right and good way whereas the fool is walking blindly into peril. This comparison reminds me of Proverbs 22:3

“...I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.” What is the one event that happeneth to all? It is death (Eccl 2:16). Solomon begins to get mixed up at this point and because he himself is not living right will begin to make some erroneous statements, he says in V:16 that the wise man dies the same as the fool when nothing can be further than the truth! Solomon’s statement fails to bring eternity into the equation and sees only the activity of dying but let us remember 1 Corinthians 15:19 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable”, we are not only to look at this life only but also the life to come. Here is where the distinction is made; this is where death takes on two separate meanings for the wise and the foolish. The fool’s burden gets heavier whereas the wise enters into the joy of the Lord!