CHAPTER 10

 

Ecclesiastes 10:1 – Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor:  so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.

 

Thought:  An apothecary was one who produced and sold perfumes.  These perfumes had a remarkable fragrance unless a flies were allowed to get into the mixture.  Just a few dead flies would cause the perfume to stink.  The same is true of a person’s reputation and character.  He can manifest many good qualities for many years.  Then, a single action can cause his life to stink.  All his wisdom and honor from the past is tarnished.  Be careful about unwise decisions and unguarded moments.

 

Matthew 26:73-75

 

Commentary: 

 

A.     Solomon is able to excite our emotions and senses as he makes various comparisons.  Such is the case here. 

 

B.      An apothecary was one who produced and sold perfumes. 

1.       Perfumes are carefully constructed to carry remarkable fragrances.

2.       However, if dead flies ever got into the ointment, they would “send forth a stinking savor.”

3.       Milk, vegetables, and meat are similar in nature.  When they are ruined in any way, they send forth a strong stench. 

 

C.     Solomon compares this to a man who is held in reputation for his wisdom and honor, but allows “a little folly” to come into his life.

1.       Reputations are like perfumes, they have to be carefully constructed.  When they are, they shine brilliantly.

2.       However, just a little folly can ruin what one has taken years to build.

a.   One lie

b.   One affair

c.   Alcohol

d.   Pornography

e.   Extortion

f.  Abuse to a family member (i.e., wife, child)

3.       This happens to individuals all of the time:  politicians, athletes, movie stars, ministers, teachers, neighbors, members of the church.

4.       Bible examples:

a.  Noah’s drunken stupor

b.  Judah’s sin with Tamar

c.  Moses killed a man and smote the rock in the wilderness

d.  David’s sin with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah

e.  Solomon’s marriage to foreign wives and the idols that were built

f.  Peter’s denial of the Lord

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 10:2 – A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

 

Thought:  There are many thoughts as to the meaning of Solomon’s words.  Some see the right hand as being good and the left as being evil.  Thus, the wise man seeks what is right.  The fool engages in what is wrong.  Another thought is that the right hand is usually strong and diligent.  The left hand is weaker and lazier.  Still another sees the right as being disciplined, sacrificial and responsible.  The left, on the other hand, is reckless, irresponsible, and absorbed with self.  The point is that there are major differences between the heart of a wise man and the heart of a fool.

 

Proverbs 14:8

 

Commentary:

 

A.     There are many thoughts as to what Solomon means specifically by these words.

1.       Some see the right as being good the left evil.  Thus, the wise man seeks what is right while the fool engages in what is wrong.

2.       Some believe that the right hand is strong and diligent.  The left hand, however, is weaker and lazier.  Thus, the wise man works and is attentive to his life.  The fool, on the other hand, leaves life to the wind.

3.       Others believe that the right hand is disciplined, sacrificial, and responsible.  The left, though, is reckless, irresponsible, and absorbed with self. 

4.       Sometimes the right hand involves strict obedience to God’s will while the left is not concerned about the letter of the law.

 

B.      The point Solomon is making is that there are major differences between the heart of a wise man and the heart of a fool.

1.       The Proverbs

a.  Proverbs 10:8

 

The wise in heart will receive commandments:  but a prating fool shall fall.

 

b.  Proverbs 12:15

 

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes:  but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

 

c.  Proverbs 14:16

 

A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil:  but the fool rageth, and is confident.

 

2.       The wise man and the foolish man (Matt. 7:24-27)

 

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock;  and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not:  for it was founded upon a rock.  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish men, which built his house upon the sand:  and the rain descended, and the flood came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:  and great was the fall of it.

 

3.       We also have the example of the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.

 

 

Ecclesiastes 10:3 – Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

 

Thought:  The fool must eventually operate in the public arena.  When he does, his wisdom fails.  He shows his lack of understanding.  He shows his inconsistencies.  He proves that his solutions do not work.  He exposes his selfish, carnal desires.  His behavior is what speaks loudly to others.  “He saith to everyone that he is a fool.”  He should just wear a t-shirt that says:  “You dealing with a fool.”

 

Proverbs 13:16

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Fools think they are wise.

1.       They try to act wise.

2.       They believe they have the answers.

3.       They are easily critical of others.

4.       They often think:  “They should have asked me.”

 

B.      Eventually fools expose themselves.  This is what Solomon meant when he said a fool walks by the way and his wisdom faileth.

1.       He does not understand everything claims to understand.

2.       He proves his solutions do not work, if he has any to begin with.

3.       He exposes his inconsistencies.

4.       He manifests his selfish desires.

5.       He stutters and stumbles and makes all kinds of excuses when things are wrong and don’t work out.

 

C.     His foolishness exposes him for what he is, a fool.

1.       Proverbs 13:16

 

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge:  but a fool layeth open his folly.

 

2.       Example:  Idol worshipers, especially those who claim to be the priest and prophets of idols are bold and brash regarding their gods.  In 2 Kings 18, the foolish king Ahab, an idol worshiper, and his prophets are put to the test.

a.  It was Elijah against the 450 prophets of Baal.

b.  The test was simple (1 Kings 18:23-24).

 

Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under:  and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under:  and call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord:  and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God.  And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

 

c.       The prophets of Baal called on the name of Baal from morning until noon.

1)      They leaped upon the altar that was made.

2)      “And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till blood gushed upon them” (1 Kings 5:28).

3)      “…and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded” (1 Kings 18:29).

 

Ecclesiastes 10:4 – If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

 

Thought:  The Bible often gives simple, practical advice for daily living.  Here is an example of such advice.  All of us serve as inferiors from time to time.  We have someone over us to whom we are to submit.  How are we to handle ourselves when he rises in anger and rages against us?  Solomon tells us.  Maintain your post of duty.  Do not quit fulfilling your responsibilities.  Keep calm.  Stay posed.  Do not lose your cool.  “…for yielding pacifieth great offences.”  Your calm reaction will cause the “ruler” to calm down.

 

II Kings 5:11-14

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Rulers can often be unpredictable when it comes to their emotions.  It often takes very little to cause their tempers to flare. 

1.       Some rulers just have an angry disposition.

2.       Others are under a lot of pressure in their position.

3.       Some live in constant fear that they might be replaced.

 

B.      Solomon tells his readers how to deal with an angry ruler.  “If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee…”

1.       He gives two instructions.

a.       Leave not thy place.

1)      Solomon tells the followers not to leave their post of duty.

2)      They need to continue to fulfill their duties and their responsibilities.

3)      They do not need to let the ruler have another reason to be angry with them.

b.      They do not need to lose their cool.

1)      Sometimes the anger of one person creates anger with another.

2)      Instead of getting angry, Solomon tells us to remain calm.

3)      “…for yielding pacifieth great offences.”

c.       Proverbs 25:15

 

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

 

d.      Abigail pacified the anger of David by her soft approach toward him (1 Sam. 25:23-35,

      esp. vs. 32-35).

 

And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:  And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.  For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted to come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.  So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thy house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.