Ecclesiastes 10: 1 – 20
Thick Headed
1 Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left. 3 Even when a fool walks along the way, he lacks wisdom, and he shows everyone that he is a fool. 4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses. 5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, as an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, while the rich sit in a lowly place. 7 I have seen servants on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants. 8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. 9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits wood may be endangered by it. 10 If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. 11 A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; 13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, and the end of his talk is raving madness. 14 A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him? 15 The labor of fools wearies them, for they do not even know how to go to the city! 16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! 17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time— For strength and not for drunkenness! 18 Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks. 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; But money answers everything. 20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, and a bird in flight may tell the matter.
I have always had a problem with saying the word ‘fool’ because of what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 5, “21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire” However, our Precious Holy Spirit has seen fit to talk about this condition as we will see in chapter 10 of Ecclesiastes, So, let’s have a go at what our Holy God wants to teach us.
I have observed that many of us do not know what certain words mean. So, the first question I would like to ask is. ‘what is a fool?’
Our Holy Master tells us in Psalms 53 verse 1, “ 1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.”
Wow! That says a lot. So, we can deduce that a ‘fool’ is a non-believer. That fact would necessitate us to ask then, ‘Can a Christian be a fool?’ 2 Chronicles chapter 16 verse 9 informs us, “9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”
So, the answer is that we cannot be a fool, but we can act foolishly. We will be seeing from God’s Holy Word what happens when we take our eyes off of Him and focus our attention solely on our own issues.
Another word for ‘foolish’ or ‘foolishness’ is ‘folly’. This describes a person who ‘goes his own way’ or is ‘thick headed’. It is a person who puts their faith is our Holy Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for ‘salvation’ but does not keep Him as ‘Lord’. It describes a person who has one foot in the world while the other is trying to fit into the world. If we attempt to act like this it will ruin our reputation and cut off our influence.
1 Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left. 3 Even when a fool walks along the way, he lacks wisdom, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
Have you ever heard or said, ‘my life stinks’. There you go. Solomon put it adequately that when we act foolishly our lives stink. We are not being blessed. God seems a million miles away from us. Just as one fly ruins a whole batch of ointment, so an ounce of folly will spoil a pound of wisdom. Remember that the ointment use to smell so sweet but now it stinks. So also, are our lives that were sweet now doesn’t smell so good. Have you ever heard of the ‘Atta Boy’ and ‘Aw Shucks’ scenario? When you do nice things you get ‘Atta Boys’ however when you do something wrong all the ‘Atta Boys’ are eliminated by one ‘Aw Shucks’. Here Solomon says the same thing when a act of folly counterbalances all of a man’s wisdom and reputation.
People use to believe that the right hand was the place of honor. Remember our Lord Jesus Christ now sits at the ‘right hand of the Father. The right side is usually the strongest where also the heart is. The point is that a wise person protects what is most important – His integrity. He uses his wisdom at the right time and on the right occasion, not like the fool who is careless. I like the statement, ‘Blessed is the fool who know that he is a fool and keeps his mouth shut than the one who opens his mouth and removes all doubt.’
There are also times when a fool even acts correctly yet he remains a fool. Sadly, look at most of our Politicians. They act the humble part of being righteous while they have their hands in your pockets. They say one thing which is the right thing while behind the scenes are doing just the opposite.
.Solomon will now address foolish behavior when interacting with bosses and other influential people.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses. 5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, as an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, while the rich sit in a lowly place. 7 I have seen servants on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants.
Have you ever wanted to quit your job because of the way one of your superiors spoke or dealt with you? Well, Solomon here give you the correct way to deal with that issue – don’t quit! In this situation you need a lot of patience.
Do you feel that your employer is your enemy? Our Lord tells us how to handle this situation as reveled in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 5, “"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,”
We should not take offense or react to someone else’s poor behavior, especially if they hold a superior position over us. Although we are the victims, any poor response on our part can result in a loss of a job or future difficulties with that person. We should at all costs ride out the insane emotional barrage of our superiors. If we quietly do our work the boss will probably get over his or her anger and move on. I know it is hard. We want to strike back. But wisdom instructs us to do the opposite of what we would like to do.
Our human sinful conditions cause us to ignore real facts by our emotions as verse 5 points out – “There is an evil I have seen under the sun, as an error proceeding from the ruler.” We like to have ‘Yes’ men and women around us. Who doesn’t? However, it is easier to promote someone than fire them. So, in many cases the lousy people get promoted to key management position and in the long run, a lot of problems will arise. We should be very careful who is put in charge.
Solomon further describes this problem of promoting the wrong person, “6 Folly is set in great dignity, while the rich sit in a lowly place. 7 I have seen servants on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants.” It is very rare that you see success stories on someone who was low on the totem pole rise to the top. Many times because of political correctness you see this happen and the company goes down the tubes.
8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. 9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits wood may be endangered by it. 10 If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.
If we fail to heed common sense warnings from our Holy Lord danger is lurking to strike us as verses 8 and 9 teach. Have you ever got fed up enough that you took matters into your own hands? What was the outcome? If you are like me, then you are the one who took the hit as verse 8 says, “8 He who digs a pit will fall into it” When you try to return evil for evil the plans backfire and you are the one who gets dealt with. The bottom line is this, if you seek to do harm to someone else you will find that you are the recipient of the action. Also, another thing to take heed here is that if you mess around with dangerous things you can get hurt. Remember, the old saying, ‘if you mess around with fire, you may get burned.’ Now do you see the inference of this important act of life?
When you look at these verses you might be thinking, ‘duh, no kidding’. Of course if an ax is dull it will more difficult to cut down a tree. However, the wise person meditates on what is said and thinks deeply its meaning. Folks, the ax is referring to us. The bible tells us that on our own, we cannot accomplish anything, but with Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, we can do all things.
Trying to do anything without the necessary skills or tools is like this example of chopping wood. In order to chop down a tree you should first make sure your instrument is up to the task. If you lack certain skills to do things in life, then set about to sharpen them through education and practice. Or you can just pay someone who has these skills and move on to other issues.
Here is a tip for newly married men. If your wives want you to do something around the house, say fix the sink, mess it up the first time. She will never ask you again. Trust me.
I am sure some people may say, ‘Well, that is a foolish thing to do.’ The answer is – ‘you are right!’ [But it works]. This idea brings us back to Solomon’s main point in this chapter regarding foolishness. He points out for us now how a person who is acting foolishly does not control what he says,
11 A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; 13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, and the end of his talk is raving madness. 14 A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?
When you deal with a fool it is like handling a snake. Have you ever seen the snake charmers in India? Once they pop the lid and the cobra comes up, the snake charmer must continually move his flute. The snake does not hear the music. It is fixated on the motion. If you stop the snake will strike. Dealing with fools is similar. You have to constantly give those strokes of praise and encouragement. If you do not, then watch out.
You can know a person by the nature of his words. A babbler loves to talk. He loves to hear himself talk. He uses his tongue for deceit and manipulation. Our Master’s half brother James had this to say in chapter 3
“For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he [is] a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
But no man can tame the tongue. [It is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
Does a spring send forth fresh [water] and bitter from the same opening?
Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.”
Notice the fool if you do not always flatter him will not respond to you with kindness, ‘12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up’ The wise person will speak to soothe or win favor even if admonition is necessary. He appeases those he speaks with because there is no venom in his words. He tells things truthfully in love. I like the statement that truth without love is brutality and love without the truth is hypocrisy.
Not only will a fool respond without any kindness, he will also rave like a mad man when provoked. He loses control and rants on and on as Solomon points out, ‘13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, and the end of his talk is raving madness.
For those of you who are married, have you experienced words said to you in an argument that really hurt you. If you haven’t experienced this you are truly blessed. But for us normal folks unfortunately we have said words we wish were never spoken. So, in a marriage counseling session a woman might say about something her husband said about her that has hurt her deeply. I respond that he didn’t mean it truthfully which gets her defensive posture up. I respond in loving truth and see if you agree with me, that when we argue and it gets heated then we cross a line of no return. From that point on we get verbiage that is irrational and many times hurtful. That is why later on the person who said those words respond, ‘I didn’t mean it.’ This is what Solomon is saying in verse 14, ‘14 A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?” The more you talk about a matter the more probability you will have to sin.
15 The labor of fools wearies them, for they do not even know how to go to the city! 16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! 17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time— For strength and not for drunkenness! 18 Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks. 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; But money answers everything. 20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, and a bird in flight may tell the matter.
If you go and ask advice from a fool all you get is weary. You are almost ready to fall asleep from all their lectures. The statement, ‘he does not know how to go to the city’ was a well known statement indicating ignorance and incompetence. I love the story about this couple who were lost, drove by this house with an old guy sitting on his porch. They asked a few questions regarding their destination and the old man replied that he did not know the answer. With arrogance the traveler told the old man that he didn’t know very much did he? The old man replied that that was true but at least he wasn’t lost.
Verses 16 and 17 at first seem out of place because they are talking about leaders. The point that Solomon begins here in these two verses he goes on in the rest of the chapter to drive home the point and that regards selfishness and laziness. No matter whom a person is if they care only about themselves and their self pleasure things will not go well, they fall apart. And when you see this happen a fool will try to fix things themselves without involving God. Look at these verses again - 18 Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks. 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; But money answers everything.”
You see three bad attitudes here displayed by the person who is acting foolish;
1. By his attitude – He doesn’t care if things are falling down around him. Let the wife worry about the bill collector. He works hard so he can enjoy the extra pleasures that he is entitled to such as the laptop, the cable TV, the cigarettes, the alcohol, or drugs.
2. Their apathy toward what is needed stinks. They forget that their homes and marriages are falling apart.
3. Then their attitudes are warped. Their thinking is so messed up that they think that money will solve all their problems. They will try to just work more hours to bring in the funds so they can pay their way out of their hardship. Money will solve everything, they believe. Let me tell you, It won’t work. I tried it. One time I thought that if I took on a second job I could help get ahead of the bills. I was a Postmaster in New Jersey and I took an evening job at a retail store called Marshalls. I worked every evening and all day Saturday. One payday evening as I finished work and was driving home a police man pulled me over. He asked me if I remembered not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign some 2 miles back. You got to be kidding me. My weekly paycheck for the extra job was a total of $65. Guess what the ticket was for? Yep, $65. I quit the second job the next day. You see I had taken my eyes off my Lord for His help and put it on myself to solve. Stupid, stupid, Tom.
Have you ever heard the statement, ‘A little bird told me.’ Well here you go. This is where that statement came from. When you are walking with our Lord one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self-control. He give us the wisdom to watch what we say or think. There are a lot of people around who will take what we say and use it against so. So, we need to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Do I hear an Amen?
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