"The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one Shepherd."
Ecclesiastes 12:11
Part 2
Yesterday:
“The words of the wise are as goads.” (a)
To “goad” an ox, is to poke him with a sharp stick until he is willing to obey.
Today:
“The words of the wise are as goads.” (b)
These words are meant to “pierce deeply into the mind.”[1] God’s Word goes there!
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men, and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).
God’s Word can do what no other words will do.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
“Here then are two more qualities that mark the pointed sayings of the wise: they spur the will and stick in the memory”[2] (Kidner).
“And as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies.”
Wise words are also used as “nails.” We use nails to fasten things together that we want to stay put.
“(The words) ‘are fastened (in the memory) like nails’”[3] (Holden).
“…nails” (perhaps tent-spikes), because they remain fixed in the memory”[4] (Barnes).
The wise words as “goads,” awaken the conscience and speak to (prick) the “will.” As “nails,” wise words help the truth to be fastened into the heart to be remembered.
These “masters of assemblies,” according to Barnes “are simply ‘teachers’ or ‘preachers’… instructors of such assemblies as Wisdom addresses.”[5] Perhaps all those who treasure up God’s wisdom to share with others might fit into this category. Godly pastor-teachers, parents, disciples, witnesses of the Gospel all these are to share God’s wisdom words with others.
“Which are given from one Shepherd.”
Where our words come from is critically important! If we dare speak for God, we had better be sure that we are using His Words! Wisdom words are the words “given from one Shepherd,” our Lord.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).
We who share God’s Word with others have a genuine desire for these words to be driven deep into the hearts of the hearers, stick there and make a difference for the Kingdom.
“This kind of impact happens when a teacher, pastor, parent, wise person, sage… is diligent in his preparation to share the Word, and cooperates with the Divine Shepherd as to how he ‘nails’ the truth”[6] (Stone).
Quote: “Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge” (Proverbs 22:17).
[1] Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Kidner, as quoted by the Enduring Word Bible Commentary. Downloaded: Friday, August 21, 2020. From: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/ecclesiastes-12/.
[3] JFB, ibid.
[4] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[5] Barnes, ibid.
[6] These words are borrowed and edited for our use from Bob Stone’s Expository Preaching Seminar notes.