Ecclesiastes 10:18-20

3. Warnings Ecclesiastes 10:18-20

TEXT 10:18-20

18

Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks.

19

Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything.

20

Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping room do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound, and the winged creature will make the matter known.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 10:18-20

391.

What two things are said to happen to a house when a lazy man lives within?

392.

Instead of repairing the house, the lazy man plans for what?

393.

The indolent man looks upon what as an answer to everything?

394.

Explain how the truth which states, Be sure your sins will find you out! is illustrated in verse twenty.

PARAPHRASE 10:18-20

Because a man is lazy and concerned only with merriment, the rafters of his house sag and soon he will have a leaky house. His whole attitude toward life is colored by his slackness. He makes a feast for enjoyment, pours wine for enjoyment, and believes every problem he has can be resolved with money. Do not revile a king, not even in the privacy of your own mind. Do not revile a rich man, not even in the privacy of your own bedroom. You can be sure they will learn of your thoughts and your wordsa winged creature, like a bird, will carry your voice and disclose to others what you say.

COMMENT 10:18-20

A demonstration of the supreme value of wisdom over folly continues in the closing three verses of this chapter. It is illustrated, however, through three negative warnings. The subject of the discussion turns from the examples of noble and honorable men to the foolish rulers and the blight cast upon the land as a result of the attitudes and actions. Since the rulers or king serves as the subject, the use of rafters and house should be taken figuratively for the nation's state of affairs. Solomon was bordering upon the brink of rebellion. Both Rehoboam and Jeroboam were setting their sights on the throne. Although the picture is applicable to the later Persian period and well represents the conditions of that day, it also vividly describes the conditions in the day of Solomon. As a matter of fact, the principles which are interwoven throughout the narrative are applicable in any generation where the leaders are given to wine, merriment and money, and where a segment of godly souls long for the restoration of justice, righteousness and honor.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 Indolence is an intensive word and in the original language, it carries the idea of much slothfulness. Not just one idle hand, but both are meant. A vivid picture of such laziness is presented in Proverbs 26:14-16: As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is weary of bringing it to his mouth again. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a discreet answer. Since those who are in control have little welfare for their subjects, the judicial matters go unattended. The picture of a house is introduced to convey a common illustration which would be understood by all, and actually experienced by some. First the rafters sag and through inattentiveness the house leaks. When those in authority are more concerned with their own personal pleasure (Cf. Ecclesiastes 1:2-10) than the welfare of the state, even the innocent suffer. (Cf. Amos 6:6) How different the admonition toward industry found in chapter nine verse ten! Diligent work is the way of wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 10:19 It is because of the three erroneous attitudes expressed in this verse that the condition discussed in verse eighteen existed. Instead of repairing the breaches, the officials seek a feast, wine and money. They spend their time and energy in revelry rather than looking after the affairs of the state. A Jewish tradition puts the following words in the mouth of Solomon's mother as she scolds him for just such irresponsible behavior for a king: Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink. Lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to him whose life is bitter. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his trouble no more. Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Money answers all. How did Solomon acquire the money to carry out his outlandish experiments, and pursue his luxurious personal pleasures? The Amplified Bible says that he depends on (tax) money to answer for all of it (Ecclesiastes 10:19 c). Solomon taxed the people heavily and survived the criticism of the people. However, upon his death excessive taxation proved to be the undoing of Rehoboam and occasioned the loss of the ten tribes. In troubled times, when justice is perverted, money is secured from many illegitimate sources. Extortion, exorbitant taxation, bribes, and numerous opportunities for graft are only a few examples. Thus, money grants all that such people want. It is of course a perversion that money answers all. Truly it is more than just perversion, it is idolatry. Meander says: Silver and gold,these are according to my opinion, the most useful gods; if these have a place in the house, wish what you wilt, all will be thine. Such is the obsession which conquers the fool. The Preacher is already on record concerning the superiority of wisdom over money. Not only is wisdom greater than money, it has the inherent quality of preserving the lives of its possessors (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12). Of course the philosophy that money will resolve every problem and supply the answer to every desire is the expression of the sinner, not the godly of Israel.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 In the concluding verse, wise counsel is offered to those who must suffer through the abuse of leaders whose character has been identified in the preceding verses. It is dangerous to react in an unwise way to the behavior of leaders who work contrary to the will of God. Thus the warning, Curse not the king. The motive of prudence is sufficient for one to refrain from lifting a voice against the kingone should have regard for his own personal safety. The idea of cursing either God or the ruler is prohibited (Exodus 22:28). Here the word curse means speaking lightly of. The bird of the heavens, and the winged creatures simply means, in almost every culture, that secrets have wings. Words spoken in confidence often find wings and fly to the ears of those spoken about. Today one would say, a little bird told me. Jesus said, Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Luke 6:45). One must guard against entertaining evil thoughts in the heart, for in some unguarded moment the words will find their way through the lips to the ears of others.

FACT QUESTIONS 10:18-20

518.

What is meant by rafters and houses if they are taken figuratively?

519.

In what way is such a picture applicable to Solomon's latter reign?

520.

How intense is the laziness mentioned in verse eighteen?

521.

What will take care of all the problems according to unwise rulers?

522.

How did Solomon acquire his riches?

523.

In what sense does the statement money answers all suggest idolatry?

524.

Why is wisdom greater than money? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 10:19; Ecclesiastes 7:11-12)

525.

Explain what is meant by the statement: Prudence is sufficient for one to refrain from lifting a voice against the king.

526.

Why refer to a bird and winged creatures when speaking of words spoken in private?