What does Ecclesiastes 7:28 reveal about the rarity of finding true wisdom? Understanding the Verse “While my soul was still searching but I have not found, I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all.” – Ecclesiastes 7:28 Setting in Ecclesiastes • Solomon is conducting a hard-nosed investigation into life “under the sun.” • Ecclesiastes 7 moves from observations about sorrow and death (vv. 1-4) to the limits of human wisdom (vv. 23-29). • Verse 29 concludes, “God made men upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes”, framing 7:28 as a lament over humanity’s fallenness, not a blanket condemnation of women. What Solomon Found—and Didn’t • “One upright man among a thousand” – Picture one trustworthy voice in a stadium of people. – The ratio stresses extreme scarcity, not mathematical precision. • “Not one upright woman” – Solomon’s personal sample was skewed: 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). Most were pagan alliances that drew his heart away (1 Kings 11:4). – Throughout Scripture righteous women do appear (e.g., Ruth, Hannah, Abigail, Mary). The point is the general paucity of wisdom, not female inferiority. • Bottom line: true wisdom—living in reverent obedience to God—is extraordinarily rare in a fallen world. Why True Wisdom Is So Rare 1. The corruption of every heart (Psalm 14:2-3; Romans 3:10-12). 2. The deceitfulness of sin that blinds perception (Jeremiah 17:9). 3. Human pride that resists God’s revelation (Proverbs 26:12). 4. The narrow road that few choose (Matthew 7:13-14). 5. Wisdom’s price: it “must be searched out like hidden treasure” (Proverbs 2:4-5; Job 28:12-13). How the Rest of Scripture Confirms the Point • Job 28: “Man does not know its value…God understands its way.” • 1 Corinthians 1:30: Christ became “wisdom from God for us.” • James 1:5: Only God can supply wisdom when we ask in faith. • Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” All endorse Solomon’s verdict: unaided humanity rarely attains genuine, God-centered wisdom. Practical Takeaways for Today • Expect wisdom to be uncommon; seek it intentionally. • Measure “wisdom” by alignment with God’s Word, not culture. • Guard against pride—humility is wisdom’s doorway (James 3:13). • Saturate your mind with Scripture; it “makes the simple wise” (Psalm 19:7). • Ask persistently: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). True wisdom is scarce, but it is available to every believer who fears the Lord, treasures His Word, and depends on His grace. |
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