Proclaimer Blog
Carefully worded preachers
I read these wonderful words in my devotions this morning, describing how Solomon has put together the book of Ecclesiastes:
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true (Ecc 12.9-10).
What encouragement for the preacher! Here is a model of preparation which many would do well to learn from. It is not just studying and crafting and ordering, it is also finding just the right words. I don't use a full manuscript myself, but I do think very carefully about the words I use as a preacher. I remain unconvinced that preachers who give no time to the actual words they may use are really following in the footsteps of the wise writer of Ecclesiastes.