12/10/00, AM, Pastor McDearmon

The wise and the foolish speak, think and act differently.  Ecc. 10:2-3

IV 4th Discourse
D.  Vanity dispelled by wisdom applied
   2.  To competence
        a.  The root
Heart - refers to the inner nature of man.  Synonym-soul.
Used:

• Ecc. 3:11 "there is no annihilation of the heart"
• Ecc. 5:20 heart relates to affections
• Ecc. 7:2 One learns with the heart
• Ecc. 7:3 Contrast  heart : face :: spiritual : physical
• Ecc. 8:11 Signifies will
• Ecc. 9:3 Men's hearts are thoroughly depraved
• Ecc. 9:1 Thinking and analyzing
• Ecc. 11:9 Desire, will

Heart then signifies the spiritual, the inward affections and volition.

Here we have wisdom contrasted with folly.  Here "heart" has an emphasis on the mind and reason.  The foolish man's heart is governed by its own notions.  His mind is largely given to the fleeting--listless vacuity.  His reasoning powers are nto governed by God's truths.  Matt. 7:24-25  Your mind matters.  Thus beware of what goes into it.  2 Tim. 3:15
 
       b.  The routes
The condition of a man's heart has real bearing on the course of a man's life. 
-  "The right" signifies

• blessing on someone
• strength, ability or competence

-  God strengthens the hand of skill
-  Hand of power
-  The left hand signifies loss, dishonor, disfavor (sheep on teh right, goats on the left)
Matt. 25:33; Is. 51:13; Ps. 21:8; Judges 3:15
 - exception - left-handed men of high competence

Comments
-  The text bears upon our temporal interest in the world.
-  The text reminds us of things spiritual--if you want to make it to heaven, you've got to live like Christ.