“Who is like the wise man, and who knows the meaning of a matter? The wisdom of a man illuminates his face, and the boldness of his face is changed” (Ecclesiastes 8:1). “Who is like the wise man” – this is the Holy One blessed be He, in whose regard it is written: “Wise of heart, mighty in strength” (Job 9:4). “And who knows the meaning of a matter” – for He explained the Torah to Moses.
“The wisdom of a man illuminates his face” – Rabbi Shimon said: Great is the ability of the prophets, as they compare the [human] form to its maker,1By portraying God in human terms. as it is written: “I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai” (Daniel 8:16). Rabbi Yudan said: We have a verse that is clearer than that, as it is written: “And upon the likeness of the throne there was a likeness like the appearance of a man upon it, from above” (Ezekiel 1:26).
“And the boldness of his face is changed” – He changes from the attribute of justice to the attribute of mercy regarding Israel.