Words that are like goads

“The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails, they are given by one Shepherd.”

These words are found at the end of the book of Ecclesiastes (12:11). This book is filled with wisdom and perspective regarding life under the sun. It will be wise for us to pay attention to what the Preacher (Kohheleth in Hebrew) has to say. This is what makes this verse interesting. The words recorded for us in the book are wise. The terms “goads” and “nails” are used when speaking about words of wise men.

What exactly is a goad?  A goad was a large sharp pointed stake used to prod an animal. How are words of wise men like goads? If we understand correctly what a goad is, then we can conclude that these wise words are to prod us to better behavior. Christians can begin to drift. We can become spiritually lazy (Hebrews 5:11-14). Just like a goad, these wise words will often sting and hurt. They should provoke us to walk according to God’s will. They should cause us to reflect and act. They should help us to do what is right. They are for our benefit.  How we respond to these words matter. Jesus spoke a how we hear. He often said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” At the end of the sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.”

As we read from the Holy Scriptures, let us be wise and respond accordingly. The words of wise men are like goads. What about the second half of that verse?

Here are some different translations to help us understand.

·      “The words of the wise (are) as goads, and as nails fastened (by) the masters of assemblies, (which) are given from one Shepherd.” KJV

·      “The words of the wise are like cattle prods- painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.” NLT

·      “The sayings of the wise are like cattle prods, and those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails. The sayings are given by one Shepherd.” CSB

·      “The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.” ESV

Nails that are firmly fixed are stable, sturdy, strong, and will remain. So are these wise words. So is the one who listens to them. Like nails firmly fixed, these wise words should be firmly fixed in our memories as we live our lives under the sun. These words are from God Himself! He who has ears to hear, let him hear.