Today in God's Word—July 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
July 22, Ecclesiastes 10
Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. - Ecclesiastes 10:1
Mental health care professionals use several criteria or qualifying questions to determine if a patient’s needs might be best served by in- patient treatment. One of those questions is, “Is this person a threat to himself or to others?” If the answer is clearly “yes,” then that patient is more likely to be confined to a facility for treatment.
Chapter 10 reminds me of that qualifying question for mental health patients because most of the proverb-like sayings in this chapter are about ways to do some kind of harm to oneself and others. Take for example the text verse. Just as expensive ointment or perfume is ruined by a couple of dead flies, so a respected person may lose his or her honor and reputation for wisdom by a moment of foolish indiscretion. Folly may or may not do physical harm to the one who behaves foolishly. But an honorable reputation can be lost by a single foolish act.
It’s possible that the first verse of Chapter 10 was meant to accompany the last verse of Chapter 9: “Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.” Sin ruins even battlefield victories and triumphs of wisdom, just as dead flies ruin a costly perfumed ointment. But it also fits well with these things Solomon listed where foolish acts of personal sabotage can destroy our lives.
Solomon said our paths and actions are determined by either our wise or foolish hearts. A wise heart knows not to resign just because the boss speaks harshly to you in anger. When the boss calms down, you will probably still have your job. Remember that people who plan to hurt others often hurt themselves in their schemes. Do not curse rulers, even in your thoughts. Those thoughts come out in words, someone will hear the words and you’ll be in trouble. Wisdom makes a hard task easier, like
a sharp blade enables a worker to cut with less effort.
Solomon reminded us that some occupations are dangerous. In Solomon’s time, there were no power tools, protective gear or safety regulations. Men who worked in rock quarries or forests were often maimed or killed on the job. Knowing what to do to stay safe and failing to do it is like a snake charmer who gets bitten by a cobra he neglected to tame. A homeowner need not use a sledgehammer to tear down his house. Simple neglect will get the job done over time. The same principle applies to a nation, a business, a person’s health or even his salvation.
A fool betrays himself by what he says and sometimes by how much he says. As a general rule, fools talk too much about things they know nothing about. He unmasks himself by his excessive babble, irritates others and blesses no one.
Solomon said, “Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.” Was that sarcasm? Was it just modeling the values and opinions of the world? We know better. Bread nourishes, but Jesus said we don’t live by bread alone. Even Solomon wrote about the ruin that intoxicants can bring to one’s life. And money is surely not the answer to everything. Solomon found no satisfaction or fulfillment despite his great wealth. The rich young ruler who could not let go of his riches to follow Jesus had lots of money, but no joy or peace.
The upside down values and priorities of the “under the sun” world are not based on wisdom or common sense. Solomon realized that the broken world celebrates and idolizes foolishness, and despises wisdom.
Which of these pearls of practical wisdom do you most need to hear and put into practice today? If you’re like me, you can probably find one or more that fit some specific situations in your life. Remember it’s not enough to know what’s wise. We must apply the wisdom and put
it to work to be blessed by it, and keep from hurting ourselves or others.
Copyright © 2023 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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