I NSIGHTS INTO THE M EANING OF L IFE E CCLESIASTES 10:1-20 W ISDOM C HARACTERISTICS

I NTRODUCTION W ISDOM has been a constant theme in Solomon’s search for the meaning of life Life is full of inequities Foolishness can destroy wisdom Wisdom is not always appreciated — God’s or man’s!

E CCLESIASTES 10:1,2 “ Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left. "

E CCLESIASTES 10:3,4 “ Even when a fool walks along the way, he lacks wisdom, and he shows everyone that he is a fool. If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post; or conciliation pacifies great offenses. "

A PPLICATION OF W ISDOM One mistake and wisdom can disappear A little folly can devalue wisdom and honor One sin can destroy a lifetime of good A small fly in an expensive perfume ruins it and produces a foul odor… Little folly can destroy much good ! Heart of wise man keeps him on right path—foolish heart does the opposite. –Proverbs 4:23

P ITFALLS TO A VOID The fool lacks wisdom even in the simplest of acts Person’s conduct shows the course of their heart Fools’ deficiencies are evident to all— cannot be hidden Anger can be calmed by keeping one’s head –Proverbs 15:1 Being calm in the presence of anger - a great benefit

E CCLESIASTES 10:5-7 “ There is an evil I have seen under the sun, as an error proceeding from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, while the rich sit in a lowly place. I have seen servants on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants. "

E CCLESIASTES 10:8,9 “ He who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits wood may be endangered by it. "

E CCLESIASTES 10:10,11 “ If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; the babbler is no different. "

P ITFALLS TO A VOID Folly of human judgment Sometimes poor character evaluations cause many heartaches Placing one in authority—ignoring others more qualified—”under the sun” Favoritism and partiality often manifested in civil governments When unqualified and unworthy individuals are appointed—social unrest lies ahead! –Proverbs 19:10 ;

P ITFALLS TO A VOID Often this kind of mistake is made in the Lord’s church (“ Slaves on horses ”) –Sometimes the best qualified are the ones sitting on the sidelines—while others of less ability do all the work –Called evil —why? –Incompetents frequently gain more power—causing the majority to suffer 3 John 9-11

P ITFALLS TO A VOID Bold endeavors are sometimes disastrous Carefully look at a situation and think ahead what could happen Remember Haman and his gallows –Esther 7:9ff Simple tasks should be approached with caution Everything is subject to “ chance ”

P ITFALLS TO A VOID “Axe is dull” Preparing ones’ “ tools ” makes him more efficient in the task undertaken Wisdom is a valuable commodity in protection from failure Example : If one is going to have success in teaching the gospel to others: –Must know God’s word –Must be a good student of the book –Must have deep love for souls

P ITFALLS TO A VOID Laziness will kill any talent that one may have Having ability does little good if we procrastinate in using it. –Psalm 58:4,5 –Jeremiah 8:17

E CCLESIASTES 10:12,13 “The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, and the end of his talk is raving madness.”

E CCLESIASTES 10:14,15 “A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; who can tell him what will be after him? The labor of fools wearies them, for they do not even know how to go to the city! ”

E CCLESIASTES 10:16,17 “ Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time- for strength and not for drunkenness!”

E CCLESIASTES 10:18,19 “Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks. A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; But money answers everything !”

E CCLESIASTES 10:20 “Do not curse the king, even in your thought; do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, and a bird in flight may tell the matter. ”

F OOL ’ S L IPS The fool’s lips consume him in four areas: –His reputation— Ecclesiastes 10:3 –His character— James 3:6 –His impact for good— Ephesians 4:29 –They ultimately consume the man himself— Matthew 12:36ff

F OOL ’ S L IPS Fool’s talk begins with senseless, illogical talk—ends with irrational actions Fool multiplies his words –Proverbs 29:11 No concept of present or future His labor does nothing but weary him “Does not even know how to go into the city” –Shows how he is unable to accomplish even simple tasks

W ISDOM OF A K ING King is a child –Inexperience, immature, incapable King is son of nobles –Well trained, qualified and respected Feast in morning— proper times –Eat out of “due season” instead of at proper times –Eat and drink not for strength—but for gluttony and drunkenness Proverbs 31:4; Isaiah 5:11

F AILURE TO T HINK A HEAD Laziness of a fool—not always immediately felt Things break down over time Lack of attention does have consequences –Lack of attention causes things to decay –“Raining cannot fix the roof now” –“Not raining, no need to repair now” Proverbs 24:30-34

F OOL ’ S T HEME S ONG Feast/Food —solely for personal enjoyment Wine —so I can get drunk and make my life merry (shallow happiness) Money answers all problems — Money is good if used wisely –Such reasoning is very shallow –Failure to use these “gifts” in a way that give good results

T HOUGHTS AND W ORDS “ Cursing king ” dangerous - has power and the ability to punish! “ Cursing the rich ” evidence of jealousy and envy –Need to practice self-control –Keep our petty opinions to ourselves –If one would not speak “ words ” to the face of a person—should not THINK them either –Matthew 12:36,37; Romans 2:16

C ONCLUSION Need to keep things in proper perspective True wisdom can be found only in the hands of prudent men (earthly viewpoint) Life presents us with choices and those choices can be helpful/hurtful Learn from Solomon’s “research” and “mistakes”