## Ecclesiastes, Part 8

## Eccl. 10

3. In view of life's uncertainty. cf. 10:1-20

a. Solomon continues his advice on wisdom and foolishness. cf. v1-3

1) folly in the life of a wiseman is like a dead fly in the perfume. [1]

2) the wiseman can react to a situation more aptly.

3) the foolish man's conduct is such that he is declaring his folly to everyone that comes in contact. [3]

b. Solomon advises the subjects in relationship to the government. cf. v4-11

1) stay in your place of service. [4]

2) the mistake of many rulers. [5-7]

a) it isn't who you are, it's who you know.

b) that is why there is so much governmental corruption.

3) violent change is not the answer. [7-11]

a) he that digs a pit (for another)

b) he that tears down a wall

c) he that removes stones

d) he tht splits wood

e) he that uses improper tools

f) ALL OF THESE CAUSE HURT

4) Wisdom is the answer v10B

a) wisdom will teach us to charm the serpent, not provoke it. v11a

b) the same is true with a babbler, don't provoke, use wisdom. v11b

c. Solomon shows the mischief of folly. v12-15

1) Fools talk a great deal to no purpose. v12-14

a) the lips of the fool will not only expose his foolishness, but will ultimately bring him to ruin.

b) he is full of words, he never knows when to be quiet.

c) he talks just to hear himself, he never makes any sense.

2) Fools toil a great deal to no purpose. v15

a) he works a lot, so much so that he wears himself out.

b) there is nothing that ever comes of his labor because: "he couldn't find his way out of the closet."

c) he can't find the broad and frequented highway, so he goes the long way around.

d. Solomon speaks of the problems that arise when rulers are not wise. v16-19

1) the happiness of land depends much upon the character of its rulers.

2) the people cannot be happy when their rulers are childish and slothful about business.

3) if, by slothfulness, one allows his home to run down, it will eventually fall down.

4) the same is true of nearly anything, especially the government.

5) pleasure has a place in life, but sometimes we must be given to labor in order to receive wages because money is needed to survive.

e. Solomon warns against rebellion. v20

1) watch yourself in this area.

2) contempt for authority does not go undiscovered.