Ecclesiastes 10

 

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Ecclesiastes 10:1-20 (KJV) 1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: [so doth] a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom [and] honour.  

Dead flies in perfume…. Causes stink: 

When I touch God’s Word with religion, it stinks.

Fornication causes a clean bed to stink.

Jeroboam’s ministry caused a stink. (Old Testament)

Sin stinks in the nostril of God.

A little bit of profanity, a little lie, a little stealing can corrupt the whole.

2 A wise man's heart [is] at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.

I write with my right hand so my letter will be able to convey my message.  But my left hand is weaker, so if I write my left hand my message will not be clear.

God’s Word is right and clear.  There is nothing written by God that is not good and comprehensible.

3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he [is] a fool. 

When a good man shows what is the right way to respond and a fool walk next to him and does not do as the wise, because he ignored the instructions of the wise, he looks like a fool to all who watch him.

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

Sin has to be dealt with.

If the government, is angry don’t leave;  bring healing to a bad situation.  Godly people know how to speak words that bring healing.  Sin flees when we speak a word in season.

5 There is an evil [which] I have seen under the sun, as an error [which] proceedeth from the ruler: 

The people of God must know the Word of God.

The Word of God is the highest order for man.

All governments must listen to the Word of God.  God’s Word brings healing.

6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 

Fools lead but those rich who have what is NEEDED sit.

This is a portrait of a business out of order. When a leader is wrong and someone who understands what the leader should know but, or is not in the leadership's position, this is not good.

7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. 

This is another example of a business being out of order. The absence of God’s  Word yields chaos.

8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

 

One who sets a trap for others will fall into the hole himself.

 

9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. 

Do not move God’s Word; it is written in stone.

Do not cause a split in relationships

We are to be as a tree planted that produces fruit.

God refers to believers as trees, trees are made of wood, be careful that you do not cause division or damage splitting trees.

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. 

Do what is appropriate.

The Word of God is sharp.  God’s Word knows how to go into the right place and the proper outcome will be made known.

11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.

A snake does not have to be seduced or charmed, he will bite.

So the mouth of a person who talks all the time; he will say things that displease God.

12 The words of a wise man's mouth [are] gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 

Wise people speak favor and they speak

 words that bless.

Jesus said to do more; go more than one mile if need be.

Selfishness speaks words that destroy.  

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness: and the end of his talk [is] mischievous madness. 

Anything that starts wrong will end worse.

14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 

Dealing with a fool is wasted time. It is not clear what he is doing, what he will do next, or who can give him advice.

15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

 

Jesus said, His way is easy.  Anything man does concerning God's instructions is not complicated.

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king [is] a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 

An immature leader does things childishly and those that go along with him do the entire land no good. 

17 Blessed [art] thou, O land, when thy king [is] the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 

A prince led by good leaders and following instructions well causes the people to dwell securely.

18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. 

Lazy people refuse to maintain what they build.

A person who wastes time will cause his own home to have problems.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all [things]. 

God wants us to laugh.

Wine makes you happy.

Money answers needs 24/7.

20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Think no evil.

Speak no evil.

Do not think you have a private area in life to gossip.  God will make sure your words are put on blast.  Can you handle that?