Ecclesiastes 12:11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. I. THEY ARE STIMULATING, "as goads." Wise teaching, however attractive (ver. 10), is never pointless. It is penetrating, incisive. It stimulates to — 1. Hatred and opposition. Ahab. (1 Kings 21:20; 1 Kings 22:8). The Pharisees (Mark 12:12). 2. Conversion. Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:5. See also Psalm 45:2, 5). 3. Progress and effort (2 Peter 1:12 :l). II. THEY ARE ABIDING, "as nails," etc. "Masters of assemblies," either those who assemble persons together to hear them, or perhaps "masters of collections," those who collect and arrange wise words. In either case they are teachers, by word of mouth or in writing. A nail "fastened" or "planted," not only penetrates, but abides. The impression made by wise teaching is lasting. It abides — 1. To be pondered. The Blessed Virgin (Luke 2:19, 51. See also Luke 1:66, and Genesis 37:11). 2. To be acted upon, as fixed principles, regulating the conduct. "Having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit," etc. (Luke 8:15; see Psalm 119:11). 3. To be added to; a nail (a "peg," as we say) on which to hang much else. Compare the promise to Eliakim (Isaiah 22:23-25). III. THEY HAVE ESSENTIAL UNITY, "given from one shepherd." 1. The human teacher making his own (so giving harmony and unity to "words of the wise"), drawn from many sources. 2. God, the Author of all wisdom (Proverbs 2:6), the Great Prophet and Teacher of the Church (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13). Harmony and unity of truth, as taught by inspired writers, and those whose teaching accords with them. IV. CONCLUSION. In this description we have a rule by which — 1. The teacher should guide himself. 2. The hearer should try himself. (Archdeacon Perowne.) Parallel Verses KJV: The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. |
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