Pay Attention To hwat You Are Doing

Ecclesiastes 10:1-11

“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” (Ecclesiastes 10:1)

An apothecary or pharmacist mixed the various medications, salves lotions and perfumes people used.   Flies were attracted to the smells of his perfumes and if they were able to get into the container, the smell of their decaying bodies would often overpower the odor of the perfume or lotion making it worthless.  In the same way, a little foolish behavior can destroy people’s respect.  Just as dead flies can ruing a wonderful perfume a little bit of sin can destroy a great endeavor.  Ecclesiastes 9:18 warns, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.”  One adulterer or thief can destroy a church or business.

“A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.   Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.” (Ecclesiastes 10:2-3)

Traditionally, the Kings most important advisor or general sat at his right hand, giving us the term “right hand man.”  This placed the king was on the right of the person approaching him, but on the left of the advisor.  To reverse the positions symbolically implied that the advisor was the final authority rather than the king.  A wise man considers his heart, and feelings but does not let them control him.  The foolish man allows his feelings to control his actions, and as Jeremiah 17:9 warns us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Because the fool depends on his emotions rather than his intelligence, the lack of thought is revealed by the results of his actions and speech.  It’s almost like he goes around with a sign saying look how dumb I am.  Unfortunately we have a world that is telling our children to just follow their heart, resulting in a lot of stupid decisions.

“If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.” (Ecclesiastes 10:4)

Even when they are unfair, complying with government demands is usually a better choice than resisting.  Resistance builds resolve while yielding sometimes leaves them with nothing to fight, frequently resulting in consideration of your position.    

“There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.  I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” (Ecclesiastes 10:5-7)

A major problem is the result of government action.  Far too often men with no understanding or practical experience are placed in important and powerful positions, while men who have been successful in similar positions are ignored.  As a result, low level bureaucrats and unemployed people drive around in more expensive vehicles than successful business owners.   

“He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.   Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.   If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.  Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.” (Ecclesiastes 10:8-11)

Any action we take produces various effects beside the particular one we were interested in.  These unintended consequences can be quite severe.  One can accidentally fall into a hole they just dug or the edges can collapse.  In pushing through a hedge or dense shrubbery one may disturb a poisonous snake.  The axe can glance off and injure a person who is chopping wood or a piece of metal or stone embedded in it may fly up and injure him.  Failure to sharpen a knife or other tool forces one to exert more force, increasing the danger of slipping.  Wisdom can enable a person to avoid many of those unintended consequences, but just as a deadly snake will bite you unless action is taken to prevent it, action without adequate thought will result in frequent injuries.