Ecclesiastes 10:1-11
With the exception of Ecc. 10:5-7, this whole chapter feels much more like Proverbs than Ecclesiastes, at least to me. Hence, I’m having a hard time discerning any particular flow to the Preacher‘s argument through today’s reading other than to note that:
- Wisdom is better than folly (though folly takes its toll)
- Sometimes the world seems upside down (or downside up)
- Things frequently don’t go according to plan
All of those things are certainly in keeping with the Preacher‘s theme, so maybe I just need to keep mulling this reading over…
Even so, let’s just look at the first verse for a moment:
Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;
Ecc. 10:1
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
How often we have seen the truth of this proverb! Think about people you have known (perhaps even yourself!) who have done quite a lot of good, wise, honorable things, but then did something foolish. And what does everyone remember? Just the screw up. I am sure Nixon did at least a few reasonably decent things, but he will forever be known primarily for Watergate. Carter did some excellent things — notably the Camp David Accords — but he is largely remembered for the Iran hostage crisis and the failed rescue mission. Reagan has Iran-Contra. Clinton has Monica. Etc., etc. Naturally, depending on which side of the aisle you are on, you may raise plenty of other criticisms or otherwise come to the defense of these characters of history, but the point is that the mistakes stand out much more than the positive accomplishments, just as the proverb says.
And all of that goes to say that — in full dependence on Christ — we need to be diligent in our pursuit of wisdom, righteousness, and holiness. We cannot afford to let down our guard and indulge in “just a little” folly. The chances are that that “little” folly will become a dead fly in our perfume.
One dead fly. So true! When one student disrupts a class, little gets done. And there are so many more life examples…
However, as John pointed out, the important application is to our own lives. Excusing just a small vice often leads to bigger problems. “Just this once” are dangerous words.
Other verses that jumped out to me in this section are 8 and 9:
These verses remind me that bad things are bound to happen. (In fact, some translations use “will” instead of “may.”) One needs to be alert, but also learn from mistakes (and not blame God when evil happens). And perhaps have good health insurance! 😄
I got stuck on Ecc. 10:11: “It does no good to charm a snake after it has bitten you.” I realize this is a metaphor for something, but honestly I’m drawing a blank on the meaning or lesson or implication or…? Can someone help explain this verse to me? Thanks.
Closing the barn doors after the cows have already gotten out… The same metaphor. When a (bad?) thing is done, it’s done. There’s no undoing or reversing it, and it may be pointless to try.
I was confused by the same verse, Bruce. I guessed it may be related to the idea that the snake charmer makes his living entertaining people, but if the snake gets him first, nobody will watch(?) So like Fred’s metaphor of cows, what’s done is done—no going back…
Thanks, Fred. Thanks, Carol. That helps. I was trying to over-think it.