Ecclesiastes 10:9 – Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.

 

Thought:  Not only should we refrain from attacking others, but we should also take caution as we live each day of our lives.  Most of the things we do have some risks and uncertainties attached to them.  If we move stones, they could fall on us.  If we cut wood, we could be hurt by the ax or the tree.  Just driving a car has many risks associated with it.  Use caution.  Take care.  Think.  Don’t get into a hurry.  Don’t do crazy things.  Heed warnings.  Follow the rules.  End your day without hurt or harm.

 

Deuteronomy 19:5

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Solomon had mentioned how vengeance against our neighbors could bring our own hurt in the previous verse.

 

B.      He now reminds us that common, every day actions can also bring us harm.

1.       Those who remove stones could be hurt by a stone falling upon them.

2.       Those who cut wood could be hurt in some manner by their actions.

 

C.     LESSON:  Most of the things we do in life come with risks.

1.       Driving an automobile has dangers attached to it.

2.       Using a hammer to drive a nail can bring harm to us.

3.       While shaving, a man can cut himself.

4.       If an office, a person can get a paper cut while putting paper in a copy machine.

5.       Cutting the grass and weed eating the yard has hazards attached to it.

 

D.     Use caution.

Take care.

Think.

Look for the dangers.

Don’t get in a hurry.

Don’t do crazy things.

Heed warnings.

Follow the rules.

Do not get cocky.

Do not try to show off.

Know your limits.

Exercise extreme caution when tired.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 10:10 – If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength:  but wisdom is profitable to direct.

 

Thought:  Iron was used to make farming equipment and instruments of war.  Knives, swords, hoes, axes, and shovels were some of the things produced.  To lessen one’s labor, it was wise to keep these things sharp.  The duller the ax, the more difficult the work.  Those who failed to “whet the edge” learned valuable lessons during their workday.  Experience is a great teacher.  Natural consequences lodge things deeply into the mind.  Some call it the University of Hard Knocks.

 

I Samuel 13:20-21

 

Commentary:

 

A.     There is a saying among those who fell trees.  “Keep your ax sharp.”

 

B.      In this verse, Solomon explains the “why” to that saying.  “If the iron be blunt, then must he put to more strength.”

1.       More strokes

2.       Difficult pushing and pulling (if using a saw)

3.       More effort to sharpen later

4.       May have to purchase a new blade instead of being able to sharpen it

 

C.     Some people believe that stopping to “whet the edge” is a waste of time.  Not so.  A sharp ax will increase productivity immensely. 

 

D.     “But wisdom is profitable to direct.”

1.       This statement does not seem to make sense when we read it.

2.       They key is found in looking at the definition of the word “direct.”

a.   Direct

                        1)  Strong (3787):  to succeed or prosper

                        2)  BDB:  to succeed…be advantageous

b.   Wisdom is profitable to a successful life, even when it comes to the little things. 

      Remember, Solomon had noted that a failure to whet the edge of an ax means more               strength must be used.  The wise will sharpen the ax.

                   c.   Other areas:

                        1)  Keeping the house picked up from day to day

                        2)  Making sure the oil in changed in a car

                        3)  Always keeping an extra something on hand that is important

                        4)  Always have a little extra cash in your wallet.

                        5)  Save some money for a “rainy day.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 10:11 – Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment, and a babbler is no better.

 

Thought:  The bite of a serpent is extremely painful.  The place of the bite burns, stings, and swells.  The poison also affects the rest of the body.  Breathing and heart rate can be endangered.  Death is a possibility.  “A babbler is no better.”  The babbler’s bite is painful.  He wounds the mental state of another.  He wounds another’s reputation.  He, too, can take the life of the one wounded.  Clarke writes:  “The moral of this saying is simply this: A calumniator is as dangerous as a poisonous serpent; and from the envenomed tongue of slander and detraction no man is safe” (e-sword).

 

Psalm 58:4-5

 

Commentary:

 

A.     In this verse, Solomon compares two things, a serpent’s bite and a babbler.

 

B.      A serpent’s bite is extremely painful.

1.       The serpent injects its deadly poison into the victim.

2.       The bite itself stings, burns and swells.

3.       The venom can do much damage to the body:

a.  Breathing can be impacted.

b.  One’s heart rate can be the target.

c.  Some bites paralyze the victim.

d.  Some snake bites cause one’s skin to rot.

 

 

4.       Death can also result from a snake bite.

5.       NOTE:  The serpent, however, can be tamed by the enchanter. 

 

C.     A babbler can, and often does, cause as much harm as a serpent.

1.       Babbler

a.  The word comes from two words:  “man” and “tongue.” 

b.  A babbler is one who uses his tongue in inappropriate ways.

      1)  Lying

      2)  Gossiping

      3)  False witness

      4)  Cursing

      5)  False teaching

6)  Blasphemy

7)  Boasting

2.       The babbler can wound and bring harm just as the serpent does (James 3:6, 8)

 

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity:  so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell…But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

 

a.  Damaged relationships

b.  Ruined reputations

c.  False imprisonment

d.  Fired from jobs

e.  Unused potential

f.   Suicide

g.  Lost souls

 

3.       Just as the serpent can be tamed, so can the tongue.

a.  It takes a commitment.

b.  It takes focus.

c.  It takes patience.

d. It means the removal of excuses.

4.       James 1:26

 

If any man among you seemeth to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.