College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Ecclesiastes 10:1-4
D. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THOSE WHO LACK Wis. 10:1-11
1. The foolish worker is in trouble. Ecclesiastes 10:1-4
TEXT 10:1-4
1
Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.
2
A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left.
3
Even when the fool walks along the road his sense is lacking, and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.
4
If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 10:1-4
373.
What lesson in Ecclesiastes 9:18 is illustrated again in Ecclesiastes 10:1?
374.
Where does a foolish man's heart lead him?
375.
What is meant by toward the left (verse two)?
376.
A fool demonstrates to all that he is a fool because he is lacking in what?
377.
A wise man should maintain his composure although the ruler does what?
PARAPHRASE 10:1-4
A large amount of perfumer's oil is ruined by a few dead flies. They send forth a vile odor, putrify and negate the value of the oil. So even a little foolishness may outweigh wisdom and honor. A wise man's mind will lead him to the right while a fool's mind will lead him to the leftas one thinks so he will act. Even the walk of a foolish man manifests his foolishness. His heart and understanding fail him and he demonstrates to all who look upon him that he is a fool. Suppose the ruler himself loses control of his temper, acts the part of a fool, and turns against you, do not flee from your position (the right side)stand firm. Many great offenses have been diverted through patient resistance and a gentle spirit.
COMMENT 10:1-4
The unfortunate division of the chapter at this point suggests that the author is turning to a new subject. However, the following eleven verses are a series of sayings and illustrations which further demonstrate the principles set forth in the close of chapter nine.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies are literally flies of death. The statement at the close of the preceding chapter, one sinner destroys much good, is metaphorically illustrated by the flies which fall into the perfumer's oil. It is close to the statement of Paul that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough (1 Corinthians 5:6). A precious, expensive jar of mixed perfume can be ruined by the foreign influence of dead flies. So the most noble monarch or righteous person could be destroyed by one sinful act. The concept of flies of death is purposely intended to be much stronger than the fact that a fly falls into the oil. The flies are poisonous, destructive creatures which can potentially corrupt and destroy. One who is great in wisdom and honor may fall prey to evil and thus meet with destruction.
Even in life, how often does the one secret, unconfessed sin poison the mind until it renders the whole of man useless? Surely, a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.
The costly perfume is putrified and made to stink. Thus the value of the perfume as well as its practical use is nullified. The lesson of the flies of death serve to remind one that there is no such thing as insignificant sins.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 The association of good with the right hand and evil with the left hand is nothing new. Pagans have long believed that the right is synonymous with good luck, while the left is identified with bad luck. Although the Christian disdains attributing the events of life to luck, he recognizes that a distinction is made in the Bible concerning right and wrong in association with the right and left hands. (Cf. Matthew 25:31-33; Matthew 25:41; Luke 1:11; Acts 7:56)
It is commonly said today that his heart is in the right place. By this one means that his heart directs him toward the right. For years many considered left-handed persons sinister, shifty and generally distrustful. This was true because the majority of people were right-handed. Thus the association of foolishness with the left, and wisdom with the right, was a natural distribution. The right hand has always been a place of honor while the left is one of less importance. It is this and nothing more that should be made from the comparison.
Heart is equal to the judgment of the mind as used in verse three and also in Proverbs 2:2; Proverbs 14:33; Proverbs 15:28.
Ecclesiastes 10:3 Verses two and three should be considered together. The grammatical construction of the sentences is such that it is more the idea of following a direction of duty of obligation than placing the emphasis upon the hands. The fool of this verse shows no sense of direction. It is said of him that even when he walks along the road, he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. Along the road suggests that in his simplist acts he gives evidence of being a fool. If the mind is filled with folly, it isn-'t long until such evil finds expression. If he had learned wisdom at home (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) he undoubtedly would have manifested it in the way.
Ecclesiastes 10:4 The figure of a ruler rising against the wise is revived. When this happens, one should not move from his place or position, for truth does not change. (Cf. COMMENT Ecclesiastes 8:3) If one moves from his position of wisdom, his only alternative is to follow the behavior of the fool. Thus, the verse admonishes one to remain consistent in following the greatest of all qualitieswisdom! Such composure practiced by the wise will smother in the birth great offenses. Study Proverbs 10:12; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 25:15; James 5:6-10. Examples from Old Testament history are found in Jacob overcoming Esau (Genesis 32-33) and David who triumphed over Saul (1 Samuel 26).
FACT QUESTIONS 10:1-4
494.
The first eleven verses of chapter ten illustrate what principle?
495.
Explain the lesson taught by the flies of death.
496.
Explain why people have ascribed evil to the left hand and good to the right hand.
497.
What is implied by along the road?
498.
What single alternative does one face when he chooses to forsake his wise position?
499.
What happens when power is intrusted to unwise men? (Cf. verse five)
500.
State the truth amplified by verses six and seven.