INSIGHTS INTO THE

MEANING OF LIFE

ECCLESIASTES 10:1-20

WISDOM CHARACTERISTICS

INTRODUCTION

• WISDOM 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!

ECCLESIASTES 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."

ECCLESIASTES 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."

APPLICATION OF WISDOM

• 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

PITFALLS TO AVOID

• 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

ECCLESIASTES 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."

ECCLESIASTES 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."

ECCLESIASTES 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."

PITFALLS TO AVOID

• 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;

PITFALLS TO AVOID

• 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

PITFALLS TO AVOID

• 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”

PITFALLS TO AVOID

• “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

PITFALLS TO AVOID

• 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

ECCLESIASTES 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.”

ECCLESIASTES 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!”

ECCLESIASTES 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!”

ECCLESIASTES 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!”

ECCLESIASTES 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.”

FOOL’S LIPS

• 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

FOOL’S LIPS

• 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

WISDOM OF A KING

• 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

FAILURE TO THINK AHEAD

• 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

FOOL’S THEME SONG

• 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

THOUGHTS AND WORDS

• “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

CONCLUSION

• 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”