Wisdom Better Than Folly. continued. Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

Transcription

1 1 Wisdom Better Than Folly continued Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

2 2 Text: Ecclesiastes 10:1-20, Wisdom Better Than Folly Continued 1. As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2. The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. 3. Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. 4. If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest. 5. There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: 6. Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. 7. I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. 8. Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9. Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. 10. If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. 11. If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. 12. Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. 13. At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness-

3 and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming who can tell him what will happen after him? 15. A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town. 16. Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. 17. Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time for strength and not for drunkenness. 18. If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks. 19. A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything. 20. Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say. (NIV) Introduction: I. Adam Clark outlined this chapter as follows: A. Observations on wisdom and folly, (1-3). B. Concerning right conduct toward rulers, (4). C. Merit depressed, and worthlessness exalted, (5-7). D. Of the person who digs a pit and removes a landmark, (8, 9). E. The use of wisdom and experience, (10) F. Of the babbler and the fool, (11-15). G. The infant king, (16). H. The well-regulated court, (17). I. Of slothfulness, (18). J. Of feasting, (19).

4 4 K. Speak no evil of the king. (20) II. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown observed that this chapter begins as a follow-up to Ecclesiastes 9:18 and that the phrase him that is in reputation may reference such as; A. David 1. 2 Samuel 12:14, But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die." (NIV) B. Solomon 1. 1 Kings 11: 1-43, King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done. On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods. The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of

5 5 Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD's command. So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen." Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom. Earlier when David was fighting with Edom, Joab the commander of the army, who had gone up to bury the dead, had struck down all the men in Edom. Joab and all the Israelites stayed there for six months, until they had destroyed all the men in Edom. But Hadad, still only a boy, fled to Egypt with some Edomite officials who had served his father. They set out from Midian and went to Paran. Then taking men from Paran with them, they went to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave Hadad a house and land and provided him with food. Pharaoh was so pleased with Hadad that he gave him a sister of his own wife, Queen Tahpenes, in marriage. The sister of Tahpenes bore him a son named Genubath, whom Tahpenes brought up in the royal palace. There Genubath lived with Pharaoh's own children. While he was in Egypt, Hadad heard that David rested with his fathers and that Joab the commander of the army was also dead. Then Hadad said to Pharaoh, "Let me go, that I may return to my own country." "What have you lacked here that you want to go back to your own country?" Pharaoh asked. "Nothing," Hadad replied,

6 6 "but do let me go!" And God raised up against Solomon another adversary, Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah. He gathered men around him and became the leader of a band of rebels when David destroyed the forces of Zobah ; the rebels went to Damascus, where they settled and took control. Rezon was Israel's adversary as long as Solomon lived, adding to the trouble caused by Hadad. So Rezon ruled in Aram and was hostile toward Israel. Also, Jeroboam son of Nebat rebelled against the king. He was one of Solomon's officials, an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and his mother was a widow named Zeruah. Here is the account of how he rebelled against the king: Solomon had built the supporting terraces and had filled in the gap in the wall of the city of David his father. Now Jeroboam was a man of standing, and when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force of the house of Joseph. About that time Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh met him on the way, wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone out in the country, and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. Then he said to Jeroboam, "Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon's hand and give you ten tribes. But for the sake of my servant David and the city of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, he will have one tribe. I will do this because they have forsaken me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Molech the god of the Ammonites, and have not walked in my ways, nor done what is right in my eyes, nor kept my statutes and laws as David, Solomon's father, did. " 'But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon's

7 7 hand; I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David my servant, whom I chose and who observed my commands and statutes. I will take the kingdom from his son's hands and give you ten tribes. I will give one tribe to his son so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put my Name. However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel. If you do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you. I will humble David's descendants because of this, but not forever.'" Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt, to Shishak the king, and stayed there until Solomon's death. As for the other events of Solomon's reign all he did and the wisdom he displayed are they not written in the book of the annals of Solomon? Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. Then he rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king. (NIV) C. Jelarhaphat 1. 2 Chronicles 17:1-19, And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

8 8 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem. And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand. And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand. And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him

9 9 D. Josiah armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand. And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah. (NIV) 2. 2 Chronicles 19:2, Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. (NIV) 1. 2 Chronicles 35:22, Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Neco had said at God's command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo. (NIV) III. Davidson observed that, either specifically stated or inferred, the ways of the wise and foolish are contaminated throughout this chapter. Commentary: Ecclesiastes 10:1, As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. (NIV) Note: Sectional headings based on NIV text I. As dead flies give perfume a bad smell,... A. The Pulpit Commentary noted that this metaphor is an affirmation of the concluding statement of the last chapter, One sinners destroyeth much good.

10 Corinthians 5:6, Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? (NIV) B. The Pulpit Commentary also stated that dead flies could mean deceased flies on flies that were carriers of a deadly visur/poison. 1. Psalm 7:14, He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. (NIV) 2. Psalm 18:5, The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. (NIV) 3. One rotten apple spoils the whole barrell. (Bland) II. so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. A. A little foolishness can greatly impair a long and carefully developed good reputation. B. The Pulpit Commentary further stated,... one fault unchecked, one secret sin cherished, poisons the whole characters, Ezekiel 3:20, "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. (NIV) 2. Ezekiel 33:13, If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but then he trusts in his righteousness and does evil, none of the righteous things he has done will be remembered; he will die for the evil he has done. (NIV)

11 Proverbs 25:26, Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. (NIV) C. Adam Clark noted that just as any putrefaction spoils perfume, so a foolish act ruins the character of him who has the reputation of being wise and good. D. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown added, The more delicate the perfume, the more easily spoiled is the oil. So the higher a man s religious character, the more hurt is caused by a (single) sinful folly. 1. Flies represent life s follies while ointment represents reputation. E. Davidson wrote,... it does not take much to destroy something of beauty and value. F. The New English Bible tells us that a little folly causes wisdom to loss it s worth. (Davidson) G. Flies, a little folly, include white lies, being paid under the table to avoid taxes, the evil thought, the lustful look,... (See Davidson) H. Smith wrote,... little faults mar great characters and reputations;... It is a sad fact of life that one foolish act will suffice to impair the real value of a person s wisdom and the estimation in which he is held. Ecclesiastes 10:2, The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. (NIV) I. The heart (intelligence, conscience and will) of the wise inclines to the right,...

12 12 A. Right is the place of justice, honor and strength reserved for the godly. 1. Matthew 25:31, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. (NIV) 2. Psalm 110:5, The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. (NIV) B. The heart of the wise leads him to do what is right, good, wise, and to avoid many of life s problems even when it s difficult. C. God is right handed. 1. Exodus 15:6, "Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. (NIV) 2. The Good News Bible translates verse 2, It is natural for a wise man to do the right thing, and for a fool to do the wrong thing. (see Davidson) 3. Davidson also supports the meaning here may be the attitude of a wise man leads to success while that of a fool leads to failure or trouble. D. Bland observed that the heart of the wise and foolish are diametrically oppressed to each other. 1. Ecclesiastes 2:13, I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. (NIV) II. but the heart of the fool to the left. A. The left is the place of weakness, dishonor, perversion, incompetence, the way of the foolish.

13 13 B. The heart of the fool leads him in the wrong direction into evil, corruption and failure, into the easy way of the least resistance. Ecclesiastes 10:3, Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. (NIV) I. Even the fool walks along the road,... A. As soon as the fool sets foot outside his house he acts stupidly and everybody sees him for what he really is, a person filled with vanity, nonsense, and wickedness. (See Pulpit Commentary and Adam Clarks) B. Proverbs 6:12-15, A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart he always stirs up dissension. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed without remedy. (NIV) C. Proverbs 13:16, Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. (NIV) D. Coffman recalled a sign he once saw on a dangerous curve on a Tennessee highway, Slow Down! You must meet Another Fool. E. Smith observed that the fool s ineptitude might have been concealed if he had remained home, but in public everyone sees him for what he is. F. The fool, by his behavior, figuratively goes around with a big sign around his neck which says. I AM A FOOL! II. The fool lacks (heart, common sense) sense... A. The fool is deficient in understanding.

14 Proverbs 6:32, But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. (NIV) 2. Proverbs 7:7, I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. (NIV) B. The fool thinks everyone else is the fool C.... The price you pay for being a fool is that you do not or cannot see your own folly, the folly you so clearly reveal to other people. (Davidson) D. Davidson observed that we are often tempted to think of other people, particularly those with whom we disagree as (being) plain stupid. E. It is difficult to take a long, hard look at ourselves. (Davidson) III. and shows everyone how stupid he is. A. Proverbs 26:16, The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. (NIV) B. Psalm 9:20, Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah (NIV) C. Proverbs 13:16, Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. (NIV) D. Proverbs 18:2, A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. (NIV) Ecclesiastes 10:4, If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest. (NIV) I. If a ruler s spirit rises against you,... (his counselor).

15 15 A. Judges 8:3, God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?" At this, their resentment against him subsided. (NIV) B. Proverbs 29:11, A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. (NIV) C. Smith wrote that the question here is, How should wisdom act in the face of anger and resentment? D. Ecclesiastes 8:2-4, Obey the king's command, I say, because you took an oath before God. Do not be in a hurry to leave the king's presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. Since a king's word is supreme, who can say to him, "What are you doing?" (NIV) E. The picture here is of a monoroh who became angry at the advice of his counselor and shows his resentment by scorn and reproach. The natural reaction would be a hardly resignation from the court or an intemperate outburst against the king. But wisdom encourages restaint because composure pacifies great offenses, Smith well wrote! F. Rash responses by the rebuked courtier may well bring upon himself charges of conspiracy, rebellion, or treason, Smith also wrote. II. do not leave your (position) post;... A. If the ruler rejects with anger your advice which you believe to be proper and good, don t react hastily, but continue to faithfully perform your duties humbly. 1. Isaiah 22:19, I will depose you from your office, and you will be ousted from your position. (NIV)

16 Ecclesiastes 8:3, Do not be in a hurry to leave the king's presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. (NIV) B. In all life s relationships we need to find, seek the way of peace and pursue it. (See Adam Clarks). C. Coffman persuaded this verse as, Don t run when accused; they might think you are guilty. D. The natural reaction would be a hasty resignation from the count or an intemperate outburst against the king. (Smith) E. However, composure pacifies great offenses. (Smith) F. Reacting in kind is natural. Koheleth advises reataint. (Bland) III. calmness (deference, a soothing word, healing, moderation) can lay great errors to rest. A. Proverbs 14:30, A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (NIV) B. Proverbs 15:14, The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. (NIV) C. Proverbs 25:15, Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. (NIV) D. Calmness of the courtier may keep the ruler from making the same mistake again. E. Proverbs 15:1, 4, A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. (NIV) F. Proverbs 14:30, A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (NIV)

17 17 G. We need to be prepared to accept and/or constructively, diplomatically deal with criticism, justified or not. 1. This is very difficult and requires great maturity. 2. Defensiveness, anger, etc., are easy, but foolish. 3. Proverbs 16:14, A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it. (NIV) 4. Proverbs 25:15, Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. (NIV) Ecclesiastes 10:5, There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: (NIV) I. There is an evil I have seen under the sun,... ( in government). A. Koheleth has identified many evils under the sun and here is the current one to which he gives attention. B. Qoheleth, Bland wrote, tries desperately to square what he believes with the discrepancies he sees in the world. C. Bland further wrote, In spite of the continual quarrel he (Qoheleth) has with what he believes, he never gives up on traditional wisdom. II. the sort of error that arises from a ruler: A. All rulers, especially foolish ones, make mistakes, even Solomon for sure. B. Many rulers thoughtless mistakes are unintentional while many often are purposeful and pre-meditated. C. Adam Clarks observed that the kinds of errors in view here, as specified in verses 6 and 7, are:

18 injudicious distribution of officers. 2. raising people to places of trust and confidence who are destitute of merit and who do not excite public confidence. 3. This ruler s mistake undermined the established social order. (Davidson) 4. Those in positions of power are by no means immune to making major blunders in their decisions, Bland well wrote. D. The result of these types of mistakes result in the upheaval of the social order. (See Bland) 1. Proverbs 30:21-23, "Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food, an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress. (NIV) Ecclesiastes 10:6, Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. (NIV) I. Fools (half-wits, morons) are put in many high positions,... (great dignity). A. Think not only of foolish politicians but of other celebrities of whose foolish ways we hear daily on the evening news. B. Proverbs 31:5-8, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. (NIV) C. Remember Haman?

19 Esther 3:1, 2, After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. (NIV) D. Rehoboom s young advisors were fools! He listened to them and the nation was divided for centuries. E. Smith wrote A foolish ruler exalts incompetent persons to high positions. II. while the rich (those of noble birth and ancestral wealth. Smith) occupy the low ones (places). A. Many truly talented, even wealthy people, are ignored by foolish rulers Samuel 2:7, 8, The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. "For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's; upon them he has set the world. (NIV) 2. Proverbs 19:10, It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! (NIV) B. The Pulpit Commentary pointed out that in the Eest the rich were often exploited by their tyrannical rulers. 1. It seems many things don t change much through the centuries.

20 The qualified become subservient to the bully, tyrant. C. Davidson observed that the inference here is that the rich, the landed gentry, should rightly be in the leadership roles. 1. Notice that the word here is rich, not wise. 2. Koheleth assumes that people should know and remain in their rightful places in society. (Davidson) a. Archaic view! D. Jesus parable reflects the established order with which his listeners were familiar. 1. Luke 17:7, 8, "Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? 8Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? (NIV) 2. Changing things does not always make them better! E. The truly competent are often feared by insecure rulers who keep them in lowly positions. (Smith) 1. Bland observed that wisdom does not always win. Ecclesiastes 10:7, I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. (NIV) I. I have seen slaves on horseback,... (horses were animals of honor).

21 21 A. This is another injustice, inequity on which Koheleth focuses Kings 10:28, Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. (NIV) 2. Jeremiah 17:25, then kings who sit on David's throne will come through the gates of this city with their officials. They and their officials will come riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by the men of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, and this city will be inhabited forever. (NIV) 3. 2 Chronicles 25:28, He was brought back by horse and was buried with his fathers in the City of Judah. (NIV) 4. Esther 6:8, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. (NIV) B. Incompetents have been elevated to high places because of favoritism. 1. Ecclesiastes 8:9, All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt. (NIV) II. while princes go on foot like slaves. A. Due to political circumstances princes may find themselves in adverse conditions, subjects of misfortune. B. Competents are shunned who might have served the country well.

22 22 C. Matthew Henry wrote, Let neither prince nor people violently attempt changes. Let not princes invade the rights and liberties of their subjects; let not subjects mutiny and rebel against their princes; because... Note: There are benefits of prudence and caution and dangers of folly which are here illustrated by occupational hazards. Ecclesiastes 10:8, Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. (NIV) I. Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;... A. Proverbs 26:17, Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own. (NIV) B. Psalm 7:15, 16, He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head. (NIV) C. Psalm 9:15, The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. (NIV) D. Psalm 10:2, In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. (NIV) E. Pit here may be literal as for trapping wild animals or figurative as a trap designed to ensnare others. F. Esther 7:10, So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided. (NIV) G. Proverbs 26:27, If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. (NIV)

23 23 H. Esther 7:8-10, Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, "Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?" As soon as the word left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, "A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman's house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king." The king said, "Hang him on it!" So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided. (NIV) I. Psalm 35:7, 8, Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. (NIV) J. Psalm 57:6, They spread a net for my feet I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah (NIV) II. whoever breaks through a wall (hedge) may be bitten by a snake. A. Proverbs 24:31, thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. (NIV) B. Amos 5:19, It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him. (NIV) C. Snakes live in crevices of walls. When a wall is demolished, snakes may well bite the person who breaks down the wall.

24 24 D. Wall could be figurative, representative of evil institutions, the snakes being the wicked people who are involved with these evil activities. E. Psalm 80:12, Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes? (NIV) F. Amos 5:19, It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him. (NIV) G. In the simple routines of living, accidents occur, Bland observed. Ecclesiastes 10:9, Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them. (NIV) I. Whoever quarries (removes) stones may be injured by them;... A. 1 Kings 5:17, At the king's command they removed from the quarry large blocks of quality stone to provide a foundation of dressed stone for the temple. (NIV) B. Caution is again advised. C. Whoever pulls down an old building is likely to be hurt by the stones. (Adam Clarke) D. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown gives the meaning of this phrase as, Violations of true wisdom recoil on the perpetrators. E. Many occupations have an element of risk; for example, coal mining. II. whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

25 25 A. Splitting logs is dangerous work and caution is again advised. 1. Deuteronomy 19:5, For instance, a man may go into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and as he swings his ax to fell a tree, the head may fly off and hit his neighbor and kill him. That man may flee to one of these cities and save his life. (NIV) B. No one remains exempt from the uncertainties of life. Life is subject to unpredictable reversals, Bland observed. Ecclesiastes 10:10, If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. (NIV) I. If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened,... A. Splitting logs with a dull ax makes hard work harder. 1. To chop wood with a dull ax is not prudent. 2. The wide person would surely sharpen his ax. 3. Wisdom helps a worker produce more with less effort. 4. Wisdom can make the ordinary activities of life go smoother, Bland wrote. B. Attempting to master by force and violence may return to harm the one using the force and violence. (Matthew Henry) II. more strength is needed... III. but (wisdom) skill will bring success.

26 26 A. The Pulpit Commentary reads, Wisdom teaches how to conduct matters to a successful termination. B. If your ax is dull, sharpen it! Work smart. Ecclesiastes 10:11, If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. (NIV) I. If a snake bites before it is charmed,... A. Timing, seizing the right opportunity, helps avoid trouble. B. Adam Clarke wrote, A calumniator is as dangerous as a poisonous serpent; and from the envenomed tongue of slander and detraction no man is safe. C. Exodus 7:11, Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: (NIV) D. This verse teaches the importance of wisdom in seizing the right opportunity to avoid problems. 1. Charm the snake before it has a chance to bite! 2. The greatest skill is useless unless it is applied at the right moment, Smith emphasized. E. Wisdom can prevent some problems, lessen the pain of others, but some things wisdom cannot fix including the effects of a venomous snake bite, Bland observed. II. there is no profit for the charmer. A. Snake charmers are numerous in the East.

27 27 B. If the snake bites the charmer, knowing how to charm the snake is of no value. The charmer is still out of business. 1. Exodus 7:11, Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: (NIV) 2. Psalm 58:5, that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be. (NIV) 3. Jeremiah 8:17, "See, I will send venomous snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you," declares the LORD. (NIV) C. The Authorized Version reads, And a babbler is no better. 1. Babbler is literally master of the tongue and refers to the snake charmer. (Pulpit Commentary) D. If an uncharmed snake bites, so the babbling calumniation, unless pacified, will harm you. (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown) E. Knowing what to do to please God will not please God. We must do what it takes to please God. F. Sharpen the ax. Charm the snake. Save yourself at lot of trouble. (Matthew Henry) Note: The point in this section is, Don t be a fool. (Davidson) Ecclesiastes 10:12, Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. (NIV)

28 28 I. Words from a wise man s mouth (the master of the tongue. Smith) are gracious.... (win him favor, are pleasing and persuasive and do good for those around him.) A. Luke 4:22, All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked. (NIV) B. Psalm 45:2, You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. (NIV) C. Ecclesiastes 9:18, Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. (NIV) D. Ecclesiastes 10:4, If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest. (NIV) II. but a fool is consumed by his own lips. (The words of a fool are destructive.) A. Proverbs 10:8, 14, 21, 32, The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. (NIV) B. Proverbs 18:7, A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. (NIV) C. Untimely speech has ruined many a life. (Pulpit Commentary)

29 29 D. Proverbs 12:13, An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. (NIV) E. Proverbs 15:2, The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (NIV) F. Proverbs 22:11, He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. (NIV) F. The result of the fool s talk is to stir up trouble and consists of nagging criticism, snide comments, negative innuendos. (Davidson) 1. About whom is Koheleth speaking? Someone else of course. Not of you and me. 2. James 3:6, 8, 9, The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. (NIV) 3. Matthew 12:37, For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (NIV) 4. He speaks before he thinks... brings reproach upon himself. His words are the cause of his own undoing, Smith wrote. Ecclesiastes 10:13, At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness- (NIV)

30 30 I. At the beginning his words are folly;... (foolishness). A. 1 Samuel 24:13, As the old saying goes, 'From evildoers come evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you. (NIV) B. Proverbs 15:2, The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (NIV) C. Isaiah 32:6, For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD; the hungry leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water. (NIV) D. As soon as he opens his mouth he utters folly, unwisdom, silliness. (Pulpit Commentary) E. Coffman defines the fool as wicked, not dull, whose words begin with foolishness and end with evil madness, mischief. F. Smith defines the fool as dull, stupid. II. at the end they are wicked madness A. The more the fool talks, the worse his speech gets, more evil, insane, vindictive. B. Nevertheless he always has to have the last word worthless as it is. (Matthew Henry) Ecclesiastes 10:14, and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming who can tell him what will happen after him? (NIV) I. and the (dense, confused) fool (is full of) multiplies words.

31 31 A. The dull, stupid man thinks he is smart and takes it upon himself to talk to instruct others. (See Pulpit Commentary) B. The fool talks profusely about that of which he is totally ignorant. C. Ecclesiastes 5:2, 3, Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words. (NIV) D. The fool talks and talks and talks, but doesn t say much. 1. Proverbs 15:2, The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (NIV) 2. There is a time to say, I don t know. 3. The fool is a know it all. (Davidson) II. No one knows what is (to be) coming A. These foolish think they can even predict the future, but they don t even know what has already been. B. Proverbs 27:1, Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. (NIV) III. who can tell him what will happen after him? A. Who can tell what will result from all the foolish talk? 1. Deuteronomy 5:9, You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous

32 32 God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, (NIV) 2. Deuteronomy 29:20-22, The LORD will never be willing to forgive him; his wrath and zeal will burn against that man. All the curses written in this book will fall upon him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven. The LORD will single him out from all the tribes of Israel for disaster, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law. Your children who follow you in later generations and foreigners who come from distant lands will see the calamities that have fallen on the land and the diseases with which the LORD has afflicted it. (NIV) 3. Ecclesiastes 3:22, So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him? (NIV) 4. Ecclesiastes 6:11, 12, The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone? (NIV) 5. Ecclesiastes 7:14, When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future. (NIV) 6. Ecclesiastes 8:7, Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come? (NIV)

33 James 4:13-16, Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. (NIV) 8. Luke 12:16-20, And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'" Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' (NIV) 9. Ecclesiastes 11:2, Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. (NIV) 10. Proverbs 27:1, Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. (NIV) B. If the wise cannot foresee the future, the fool certainly cannot foretell what will happen after him! Ecclesiastes 10:15, A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town. (NIV) I. A fool s work wearies him;...

34 34 A. A fool s vain and objectless toil and trouble which accomplishes nothing wearies him. (Pulpit Commentary) 1. Isaiah 55:2, Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. (NIV) 2. Habakkuk 2:13, Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? (NIV) B. The fool s work wearies him because he doesn t know how to do it well; in face, he can t find his way in the house out of the rain. C. The fool toils until his strength is exhausted without accomplishing anything. (Smith) II. he does not know the way to town. (gross ignorance. Smith) A. The fool is so dumb, as evidenced by all his idle chatter, that he can t even find his way to town/home, much less know what he is talking about in regard to all the profound matters about which he continually pontificates. B. He may labour; but for want of judgment he wearies himself to no purpose. (Adam Clarke) D. Davidson wrote, The last thing a fool can do is to recognize his own limitations. E. How can such a person who stumbles around in his own backyard have anything to say about the future? (Bland)

35 35 Note: Subjects of a foolish king are in special need of wisdom and prudence. (Smith) Ecclesiastes 10:16, Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. (NIV) I. Woe to you, O land whose king was a (child, boy) servant..., A. Childish in experience, understanding, ability, age or behavior and a subservient person may be indicated here Chronicles 13:7, Some worthless scoundrels gathered around him and opposed Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young and indecisive and not strong enough to resist them. (NIV) 2. 1 Kings 12:1-14, Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all the Israelites had gone there to make him king. When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt. So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you." Rehoboam answered, "Go away for three days and then come back to me." So the people went away. Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked. They replied, "If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants." But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving

36 36 him. He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'?" The young men who had grown up with him replied, "Tell these people who have said to you, 'Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter'-tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.'" Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, "Come back to me in three days." The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, he followed the advice of the young men and said, "My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions." (NIV) 3. Isaiah 3:12, Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. O my people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path. (NIV) 4. Jeremiah 1:6, "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." (NIV) B. Inexperienced and bought and paid for politicians are a detriment to any nation. C. Davidson wrote that Koheleth was here speaking against inept leadership and anarchy and in favor of a solid social order capably led. D. Smith refers to achieving rank and position through graft and cronyism.

37 37 E. To describe the king as a child is to proclaim the king unqualified to rule and too immature to provide leadership, Bland wrote. F. The happiness of a land depends upon the character of its rulers, Matthew Henry wrote. II. and whose princes feast in the morning. A. Banqueting was an evening activity, but these princes used daily valuable time that should have been used for governmental activities to irresponsibly party. B. Pity the people over whom these princes ruled. 1. Isaiah 5:11, 22, Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, (NIV) 2. Jeremiah 21:12, O house of David, this is what the LORD says: " 'Administer justice every morning; rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed, or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done burn with no one to quench it. (NIV) 3. Isaiah 5:11, Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. (NIV) 4. Acts 2:15, These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! (NIV)