Bible Verse Synopsis 6-26-25

Ecclesiastes 10:

Solomon continues his pattern of throwing smoke with his words right out of the gate. Verse 1: “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so does a little folly him who is in reputation for wisdom and honor.” A dead fly ruins the scent of a precious ointment or perfume. So does imperfection in our character as believers. Do you have uncertainty of your identity as a believer? Does God shine through you in your character?

This chapter is loaded with some hard hitting stuff. Verse 2: “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.” Man has the sickness of having two hearts. One from God, and one from this world. We are called to rely on our right hand, God’s heart, and not to rely on our left, the heart of this world. When we walk by the way of the world, we are fools. Are you a fool - or filled with the wisdom of God?

Hold fast to the Lord and his wisdom. Use gentleness and kindness in the face of the enemy we will come away unscathed. For this is the way of the Lord, not the vile attacks of man.

Verses 6 & 7 continue the assault on this world. “Folly is set in great dignity and the rich sit in low places. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the Earth.” So many of the powerful in the world today are not put there by God. They are placed there by man and his folly. The rich of the spirit are not elevated because of man’s predisposition to follow the fool. We lift up servants and leave our princes left behind to serve. Who are you forgetting in your journey that is in a low places or is a prince to the Lord?

Verse 10 says: “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.” Verses 8-10 speak of doing things without engaging with the Lord first. Every task is to be guided by the Lord, even the menial. Do you consult the Lord in everything you do?

In our quest to find knowledge and learn of this world are we no greater than the fool? He who babbles on and his talk continues into “mischievous madness” - Verse 13. Verse 15 says: “The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city.” The foolish amongst us, non believers, don’t know the path to the kingdom. Yet they are oft listened to, as though they do. What false testimony do you hear and accept? Has God opened your ears to hear with Him in mind?

Solomon continues to attack those in high places. Verse 18 says: “By much slothfulness the building decays, and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.” This could be in regards to government or state offices or to the church. I prefer to avoid the politics in this publication. With idle hands, the church cannot be maintained and nourished in the right manner. However, with active hands of believers acting in God’s name, the church can flourish! Are your hands ready to be active?

Verse 20 ends the chapter and is a good reminder for all of us. “Curse not the king, no not in your thought, and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.” Our mouth is a dangerous weapon and a place where sin easily escapes. Close your mouth and speak not against others. Your words will travel to the places you mean for them not to go. This is the fate of negative talk. Are you prepared to catch your tongue and put it back in your mouth before you regret what is said? Know also that the Lord is listening always.