1 So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him. 2 All share a common destiny--the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good man, so with the sinner; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them. 3 This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. 4 Anyone who is among the living has hope -- even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. 7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. 8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. 9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun-- all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. 11 I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. 12 Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them. 13 I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: 14 There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. 15 Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. 16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded. 17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
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--14 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.
1 So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him. 2 All share a common destiny--the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good man, so with the sinner; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them. 3 This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. 4 Anyone who is among the living has hope -- even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. 7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. 8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. 9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun-- all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. 11 I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. 12 Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them. 13 I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: 14 There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. 15 Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. 16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded. 17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
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--14 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.
Prayer: “Make the Word come alive to us, Father make it come alive….”
Death is the great equalizer among humanity. It is not just some who die, it is the common destiny of us all, Amen? In Chapter Nine verses one through six, King Solomon basically gives us his crescendo about the meaninglessness of life. If there is no God or life beyond the grave, then all is meaningless. Death cancels out all of our actions, be them good or bad they are rarely remembered – especially rightly. Solomon drives us to the reality of death demonstrating God’s sovereign rule over our lives. We all are subject to God’s timing. As we learned last week, God is in charge of life and death – not us. I am reminded of the pagan (perhaps turned proselyte) King Nebuchadnezzar’s words in Daniel:
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” Daniel 4:34-35 (NIV)
There is a Sovereign God and he is ever on His throne. And there is an eternal life beyond the grave - whether heaven or hell – you can take that to the proverbial bank. Therefore, it does matter how we are to live our lives. In the Old Testament even Job knew this. Many think this is one of the oldest if not the oldest Book of the Bible. Job writes in Job 19:25-27:
25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes--I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27 (NIV)
King David, Solomon’s father, speaking of the child that died which Bathsheba bore him prior to Solomon writes in 2 Samuel 12:21-23:
21 His servants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” 22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23 But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” 2 Samuel 12:21-23 (NIV)
King David realized, as did Job, that there would be a time in the future when he would also die and then he would be joined again with his child. While the child was alive, David’s prayer was for life. After the death of his child, however, he no longer saw the need to mourn for him. Instead he determined to live with expectancy of one day being with his child again.
Lastly, we see in 1 Samuel Saul conjuring up Samuel’s spirit for guidance. We discover in 1 Samuel 28:15-19:
15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am in great distress, Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” 16 Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? 17 The LORD has done what he predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors--to David. 18 Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this to you today. 19 The LORD will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 28:15-19 (NIV)
As we learned last week King Solomon had total disregard for the commands of the Lord and lived life pretty much however he wanted. Like Saul, God was getting ready to tear his kingdom from him. Because David was a man after God’s own heart and to honor David, God waited for Solomon’s son to take over before the destruction. Solomon’s son proved to be as debased as Solomon. We see in 1 Kings 11:29-36:
29 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, 30 and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. 31 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. 32 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. 33 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. 34 “‘But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon’s 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. 35 I will take the kingdom from his son’s hands and give you ten tribes. 36 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. 1 Kings 11:29-36 (NIV)
If Solomon had followed hard after the Lord and his commands, his life, no doubt, would have ended entirely differently as well as his perspective on life. Sin destroys. Sin always destroys and God never looks in favor upon it. God gave Solomon over to his own heart and he lived out his days hardened by sins deceitfulness, cynical, pessimistic, disillusioned, world weary and filled with meaninglessness and futility. And yet he was the wisest and richest to have ever lived. He had not set his heart on seeking the Lord. And that is exactly how his writing in Ecclesiastes reads. This is a red flag for all of us as well. It mattered greatly then how one lived their lives and it matters greatly now presently.
Many believe Solomon wrote this at the end of his life looking back in the rear view mirror. Hindsight is always 20/20, Amen? He had failed miserably in restraining his fleshly desires and it came back to bite him. He had not followed the Lord wholeheartedly and with a willing mind as had his father David. Remember ladies a divided heart will cause you much grief. Jesus stated in Matthew 12:25:
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25 (NIV)
Solomon had a divided heart which resulted in a divided kingdom. Heart submission to the Lord leads to sufficiency and fulfillment as God’s children. Want what He wants. He is always looking for obedience from His children as that demonstrates we believe He has our best interest at heart. And His Lordship demands our obedience from the heart. It is always about the heart, Amen? As we discussed last week, God is extremely interested in our obedience to His authority. We must say no to ungodliness and yes to Christ – readily kneeling before Him. Unlike his father David, Solomon lacked wholehearted devotion and a willing mind.
It takes trust to submit to God’s providential care, particularly in seasons of trials when He has chosen to mold our character through adversity. We are to trust in Christ, throwing our hearts into the arms of Jesus, yielding to His sovereign will, to be carried wherever He pleases. He has a plan for our lives and we do not want to miss it. His will is always good, pleasing and perfect. When we trust in the Lord with all our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding, He will lead us on the straight and narrow path. This will take our humility to admit our need – as we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up in due time; it takes strength to do it, through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit within us; and it takes self-denial to practice it. We are not our own, we have been bought with a high price and we are to honor the Lord with our bodies. We belong to Jesus and He calls us to deny self and take up our cross daily and follow Him.
The only way to be prepared to live is to be prepared to die. One cannot die well if one has not lived well. Now, death is a fact of life, but it will not be always. Therefore, Solomon examined many facets of life so that he might better understand God’s pattern for satisfied living. Christians will one day leave this battlefield for a better land and we must always be ready. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:6-10:
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (NIV)
There is no escaping death when our time comes – it is not an accident rather it is an appointment - a destiny that nobody but God can cancel or change Unless Jesus returns. Either way we must be ready. Death is unavoidable and life is unpredictable, therefore we are to trust God, live by faith, and enjoy whatever blessings God bestows on us, NOW! The present is the present. Do not wait until tomorrow to be thankful, content, and joyful, enjoying the many blessings we have here on earth. While we do all share in the common destiny of death, we do not all share a common destiny in eternity. Christians have trusted Jesus Christ to save them from sin and death, so, as far as they are concerned, “the last enemy” has been defeated. Paul tells us in Romans 6:23:
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23 (NIV)
John 11:25-26 states:
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (NIV)
And lastly, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tells us:
13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)
Sadly, unbelievers do not have that confidence and are unprepared to die. How people deal with the reality of death reveals itself in the way they deal with the realities of life. Solomon points out three possible responses that people make to the ever present fear of death:
Escape (verse 3): The fact of death and the fear of death will either bring out the best in people or the worst in people. And, sadly, all too often it is the worst. In facing the death of others we are confronted with our own death and many people cannot handle this. People seek to escape the reality of death through almost anything they can think of to keep their minds occupied and off the subject. Alcohol, drugs, reckless living, spending huge amounts on useless things and plunging into one senseless pleasure after another seeking to keep the “Grim Reaper” at arm’s length. But these costly endeavors only temporarily distract from the battle, they do not end the war. Each day we are aging and the clock never turns back. If we spent as much time on our hearts as we do our faces/body, we could change the world, Amen? Jesus did it with 12. We are to face death honestly, turning from sin to Jesus to save us. “Every day we get to choose to be faithful or not – to live for Christ or self – to invest in the eternal or the temporal. Life is but a vapor. It is not repeatable and every minute is a miracle. Live with an eternal perspective – don’t waste your life, it is precious. Remember, Jesus died to save it.” BHY
Endurance (verses 5-6): As we discovered in escape, diving into hedonism is not the answer but neither is gritting our teeth, squaring our shoulders and enduring all the while holding on to “where there is life there is hope” (a good paraphrase of verse 4). The Christian believer has “a living hope”, not a “dead” hope, because our Savior is alive and has conquered death. 1 Peter 1:3-5 tells us:
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)
A hope that can be destroyed by death is a false hope and must be abandoned. Solomon was emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities while we live, rather than blindly hoping for something better in the future as death will end all opportunities on this earth.
Interestingly, the human body experiences a powerful gravitational pull in the direction of hope. That is often why a patient’s hopes are the physician’ secret weapon. Hope is the hidden ingredient in any prescription. We endure because we hope, but hope in hope (like faith in faith) is too often only a kind of self-hypnosis that keeps us from facing life honestly. False hope is hopeless hope. Life is not easy, yet there is so much more to life than enduring. Jesus came to give us life and give it to the full. Christians hope in Him. There is a third response that can be made only by those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior and that is enjoyment.
Enjoyment (verses 7-10): This is one of Solomon’s recurring themes so far and he brings it up again in Chapter 11. He was into enjoyment yet unfortunately often the wrong kind! He encourages us to get up and live! In view of the uncertainties of what the future may bring, whether adversity or prosperity, and in view of the certainty of death with the loss of all earthly opportunity for enjoyment, Solomon again recommended enjoying life as God’s good and precious gift. This does not mean hedonism rather enjoyment of all that comes from His loving hands – happy, leisurely meals (verse 7); joyful celebrations with friends and family (verse 8); a faithful loving marriage (verse 9); and hard work (verse 10). This stands in great contrast to modern society’s formula for enjoyment. People are getting weary of the emptiness of living on substitutes, Amen? They are desirous of something more substantial than earthly trinkets and surface relationships and jet set extravaganzas which often find us wanting. We find ourselves needing a vacation from our vacations. Oftentimes too, the simple pleasures are the most memorable and enjoyable – not always, but oftentimes. A kiss from your grandchild, a hug from your spouse, laughter with friends are all precious. Also, if as followers of sweet Jesus we “pour out our lives like a drink offering” as the Apostle Paul states, we will find such joy in serving. And remember ladies, we will never outgive God.
Solomon underlined the need to enjoy these gifts by emphasizing life’s brevity. He did this by repeating a phrase, “all the days of this meaningless life” and “all your meaningless days”. “Meaningless” here should be rendered “fleeting”. Remember, our lives are truly a vapor. So we are to hug our fam, love those in our spheres, laugh hard and loud and long and enjoy what God places in our hands and not grumble over what He doesn’t. And be thankful. Enjoy life and receive it happily as a gift from the Lord. His mercies are new every morning – great is His faithfulness.
An interesting point regarding meals in Biblical times was that eating together or “breaking bread” largely consisted of bread and wine, perhaps milk and cheese, with a few vegetables and fruit in season, and sometimes fish. Meat was expensive and was served only on special occasions. It was a simple meal that was designed to nourish both the body and the soul, for eating together was a communal act of friendship and commitment.
The most important thing on any menu are who you share it with – love turns an ordinary meal into a banquet, Amen? Also, life was difficult for the average home yet every family knew how to enjoy special occasions such as weddings and festivals. God loves to be a part of this too. He instigated many celebrations and feasts in the Old Testament which expressed both thanksgiving and joy – they did and continue to play a major role in the Jewish faith. And they served as a reminder of God’s past faithfulness of which we are so prone to forget. People wore white which was a symbol for joy and anointed themselves with expensive perfumes rather than simply olive oil. Yet one does not need a festival to celebrate. We can make every occasion a celebration even the most routine.
Our marriages are a gift from God. It is too bad that Solomon did not live up to his own ideals. He forsook God’s pattern for marriage and allowed his many wives to seduce him from the Lord. If Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes at the end of his life – as I believe he did – then verse nine stands as his confession, “Now I know better”!
The Jewish people looked upon work as a stewardship from God not as a curse. Work was created before the fall. It is a gift from God. It was only after sin entered in that it became laborious. Paul tells us in Colossians 3:23-24 and also in Colossians 3:17:
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
One day fire will test the quality of each man’s work and we desire to receive a “well done good and faithful servant”. A great reward for our works both for His glory and for our good.
Solomon next speaks on the unpredictability of life in Verses 11-18. Our abilities are no guarantee of worldly success. Indeed, we are not even guaranteed that we will see the sun rise tomorrow. Sometimes gifted people fail miserably because of factors simply out of their control. It is God that is in control and not us. The promise is that all He allows in the lives of His people, He works for their good and His glory – as confusing and frightening and debilitating as some of these things may seem. That is the promise of Romans 8:28:
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Christians trust God to guide and direct their paths as He is Sovereign over all, believing His will is best as well as pleasing and perfect. He gives us all that we need to accomplish His purposes.
Solomon next states that our opportunities are no guarantee for success in Verses 13-18. Sinclair Ferguson calls the first part of this passage a prophecy.
The poor, wise Savior who rescued the world is rejected and despised because the wisdom of God is foolishness to the world and the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. It pleased God to save through a cross that looked like foolishness. Turn to Jesus, and He can free you from your brokenness and meaninglessness. Let Him turn your foolishness into wisdom.
God did not remain indifferent and distant from the problem of suffering and evil and meaninglessness. He became part of it so that He could one day do away with it. We can hold on to our faith in times of pain because we serve a God – a Savior – who has experienced rejection and pain. The wicked will not prosper forever and the righteous in Christ will not suffer forever.
In Christ we get to recover and pursue God’s design for our lives. That means living out the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, which looks like contentment with what you have, kindness toward others instead of anger, the ability to control your tongue, a good work ethic, patience rather than arrogantly demanding what we want, and rightly submitting to authority. When we follow God’s design in this broken and fallen world, things may not always work out immediately, but they will work out ultimately. God will make all things new in the end – you can take that to the proverbial bank.
In Chapter Ten of Ecclesiastes Solomon thought it wise to remind his congregation once again of the importance of wisdom and the danger of folly. The word folly is used nine times in this chapter perhaps emphasized by Solomon because folly creates such havoc and problems for those who commit it. Wise people stay away from folly!
The inclinations of our hearts makes one wise or foolish. It is always about the heart and the motivation behind the actions. And remember what Jeremiah tells us in Jeremiah 17:9-10 tells us:
9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV)
The heart is the center of one’s life and it is the master control within us that governs the issues of life. It is where the Word of God does its work. The mind, whether fallen or reborn, is always biased, motivated, and impassioned by the state of the heart in general. Despite its boasts of license, the weak- willed heart is clasped in irons. It has no control. The lack of discipline suggests a heart that is wayward, unregulated, errant, unstable and blind.
In the ancient world the right hand was the place of power and honor, while the left hand represented weakness and rejection. The English word “sinister” comes from a Latin word meaning “on the left hand”. Since the fool has no wisdom in his heart, he gravitates toward that which is wrong (the left) and gets into trouble. When he refuses to listen it demonstrates his foolishness.
In verse four, wisdom and patience is shown by remaining calm when the ruler’s anger flairs (or one in authority over you). Conquering oneself is better than one who overtakes a city. Proverbs 16:32 tells us:
32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32 (NIV)
Solomon goes on to say in Verses 5-7 that if a ruler is too pliable he is also a fool. If he lacks character and courage, he will put fools in the high offices and qualified people in low positions. If a ruler has incompetent people advising him, he is almost certain to govern the nation unwisely.
In Verses 8-11 Solomon continues his folly theme. These verses seem to be describing people who attempted to do their work and suffered because they were foolish. Solomon strung together four proverbs that set forth the potential dangers inherent in representative daily tasks—digging a pit, tearing down a wall, quarrying stones, splitting logs—dangers which could only be averted by applying wisdom or prudence. They all seem to lack wisdom by failing to take proper precautions.
Snake charmers were common entertainers in that day. Snakes have no external ears; they pick us sound waves primarily through the bone structure of the head. More than the music of the charmer, it is the man’s disciplined actions of swaying and staring that hold the snake’s attention and keeps the serpent under control. It is indeed an art. Solomon described a performer who was bitten by the snake before the man had had an opportunity to charm it. Besides risking his own life, the charmer could not collect any money from his spectators. They would only laugh at him. He was a fool because he rushed and acted as though the snake was charmed. He was desirous of hurrying to collect the money and move on to another location – the more shows he put on the bigger the income. Instead by his foolishness he made no money at all.
The common denominator among these “foolish workers” seems to be presumption. They were overconfident and ended up either hurting themselves or making their jobs harder. Proverbs 16:18 tells us:
18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)
Next King Solomon addresses foolish talkers in Verses 12-15 of Chapter 10. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon speaks much about the speech of fools. In these verses he points to four characteristics of their words:
Destructive: The wise person will speak gracious words that are suited to the listeners and to the occasion. Whether one is speaking in personal conversation or public ministry. Our Lord Jesus always knew the right thing to say – we are to seek to emulate Him. Isaiah 50:4 states:
4 The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. Isaiah 50:4 (NIV)
It is God’s Word that is alive and encourages the hearer. It serves us well to have it stored in our hearts – both for ourselves and our hearers. They speak life. Whereas destructive words are compared in Scripture to weapons of war, a fire, and a poisonous beast. We may try to hurt others with our lies, slander, and angry words, but we are really hurting ourselves the most. Proverbs 13:3 states:
3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. Proverbs 13:3 (NIV)
And Proverbs 21:23 tells us:
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23 (NIV)
Solomon now addresses Unreasonable words in Verse 13 of Chapter 10. What the unreasonable talker says doesn’t make sense and the longer he “waxes long” the crazier it becomes. He would be much better off to simply keep his trap shut because all that he says only lets people know what a fool he is. Paul called these people unruly and vain talkers in Titus. It would do us a service (as well as our hearers) to put our words through the sieve of Philippians 4:8 before we speak:
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Amy Carmichael adds: Is it necessary? That in and of itself should keep our mouth’s tightly shut!
Solomon next addresses Uncontrolled words in Verse 14A. The fool is “full of words” without realizing that he is saying nothing. Proverbs 10:19 tells us:
19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19 (NIV)
James tells us the person who can control his own tongue is able to discipline his entire body. James 3:2-6, 8 states:
2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 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. James 3:2-6 (NIV)
8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8 (NIV)
Some people simply do not like the sound of silence.
Solomon now addresses Boastful speech in Verse 14B-15: Foolish people talk about the future as though they either know all about it or are in control of what will happen. Proverbs 27:1 states:
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)
Several times before Solomon emphasized man’s ignorance of the future – a truth that wise people receive but fools reject.
In the remainder of the Chapter Verses 16-20 Solomon addresses Foolish Officers in four different ways. He has already described foolish rulers. He now exposes the folly of the officers who work under those rulers, the bureaucrats who were a part of the machinery of the kingdom. This continues to be prevalent present day. The four characteristics listed are:
Indulgence (Verses 16-17): If the king is immature, the people he gathers around him will reflect that immaturity and take advantage of it. If he is a true nobleman, he will surround himself with noble officers who will put the good of the country first. Real leaders use their authority to build rather than tear down the nation, while mere officeholders use the nation to build their power and authority – using public funds for their own selfish purposes. It is a judgment of God when a people are given immature leaders. This can happen to a nation or to a local church and sadly even businesses and families as well can be affected by foolish leadership as well. The term “elder” implies maturity and experience in the Christian life and it is Biblically wrong for a believer to be thrust into leadership too soon. Yet, age is certainly no guarantee of maturity, Amen? And youth sometimes outstrips the elders in spiritual zeal. The important thing is maturity. Oswald Chambers states:
“Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of the years, but by obedience to the will of God.”
Incompetence is listed next in Verse 18. These foolish officers were so busy with enjoyment they neglected their employment and buildings and organizations begin falling apart when that occurs. Proverbs 18:9 states:
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. Proverbs 18:9 (NIV)
There is certainly a big difference between those who merely hold an office and those who use an office. Immature people enjoy the privileges and ignore the responsibilities, while mature people see the responsibilities as privileges and use them to help others.
Indifference is mentioned in Verse 19. These immature believers were totally indifferent to the responsibilities of their office and of the needs of the people. The Prophet Amos cried out against the wicked rulers of his day who trampled on the heads of the poor and treated them like the dust of the earth. The courts might not catch up with all the unscrupulous politicians, but God will eventually judge them and His judgment will be both righteous and just.
Lastly, Solomon mentions indiscretion in Verse 20. The familiar say “A little bird told me” probably originated from this verse. A group of leaders private party and instead of toasting the king, they are cursing (making light of) the king, Certainly they would not do it when the king was present or any of his friends. They felt sure that the company would faithfully keep the secret. Even if we cannot respect the person, we are to respect the office. These hirelings should have known that even though they were being indiscreet, one of their number might use this event either to intimidate his friends or to ingratiate himself with the ruler.
Solomon concludes that life is certainly worth living even though death was unavoidable and life unpredictable. We must avoid folly and live by the wisdom of God – instructions he himself did not flesh out. How then shall we live? Solomon continues to point out the things that will or will not work in life. We are to live supportively – responsible to work with others, particularly with regard to the government; we are to live generously, responsive to the needs of others; and thoughtfully, always responding according to the Truth presented in Scripture. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:8:
58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Our faith is to be an entire self-commitment, a hearty reliance, a movement of the whole inner man, and the going out of the heart from itself and its resting on God.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 2 Peter 3:10-15 (NIV)
These are Beth’s personal notes, due to this fact sources are not often stated.