MAKING SENSE OF WHAT’S FOOLISH
We have almost completed our study of Ecclesiastes so I thought it a good time for us to be reminded this morning of the kind of book Ecclesiastes is. Solomon wrote three books of Scripture—all of which fall into the literary category of “Wisdom.” Though many of our minds often go to Proverbs when thinking of Solomon’s wisdom books, it’s important to realize that Ecclesiastes is also very much a book of wisdom.
Today we are going to be looking at Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:7. And in our passage for today Solomon is going to help us pinpoint what’s foolish according God. In the text this morning he gives us some tips on how to spot a fool and how to avoid foolishness. Another thing Solomon does is show that in many ways you and me are fools because our tendency is to follow the path of the foolish and go against God.
The first characteristic of a fool that Solomon gives is…
FOOLS DON’T APPRECIATE THE WISE
Look at vv. 13-15. Solomon says,
13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
Here Solomon tells a parable about a small weak city that is attacked by a neighboring king. This weak city only had one thing going for it. Within its walls was a poor man who possessed the rare and underappreciated quality of wisdom and this man through his wisdom delivers this city from the hands of this powerful king.
Now that’s a great story isn’t it? But what’s so tragic about this story is that after this man pulls off this incredible feat, he is soon forgotten. Why does Solomon tell us this story? I believe it’s to make the simple point that though wisdom is to be preferred it’s often underappreciated. Look at what he says in v. 16, 17, and 18. Solomon says,
16 But I say that wisdom is better than might.
17 Words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war.
Solomon makes it clear here in all three verses that wisdom is better. It is to be valued over everything else. Now this is not the first time we have heard this in this book is it? This is a continued theme throughout Ecclesiastes. For example, in 7:19, Solomon says,
19 Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
Why are we constantly reminded of this? I believe it’s because this goes completely counter to the way we think. How often do you complement or appreciate someone for the wisdom they have? I mean we are often more impressed with the exterior of a man or woman than what’s on the inside.
God says wisdom is to be preferred over everything else. It is what we should appreciate—it is what we should esteem—it is what we should value.
The second characteristic of a fool is…
FOOLS DON’T VALUE WISDOM
They don’t appreciate the wise and they don’t value wisdom. Look at the second half of v. 16 and into v. 17. Solomon says,
The poor man’s words are not heard. 17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
What Solomon tells us here is that godly wisdom often goes unnoticed and is often overlooked in this life. Let me ask you this, when you are watching a football or basketball game what is often more impressive to you the way the game is coached or played?
I’m guessing unless you are a coach or a student of the game you are more impressed with the way the game is played. Why? Because wisdom is often overlooked—it’s ignored—it often goes unnoticed. Solomon says what we need to esteem is the quiet exercise of wisdom. God says appreciate biblical wisdom even though it goes against the grain of our society. Value it above power and good health and success nd popularity and wealth.
FOOLS DESTROY THE WORK OF THE WISE
Solomon says in v. 18,
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Though Solomon is clear in this text that wisdom is better and is to be preferred, he wants his readers to realize that all it takes is one sinner to destroy much good. When thinking about this last phrase that “One sinner destroys much good,” who should come to our minds right away? How about Adam? Don’t we know this verse to be true from Adam?
Through his one act of disobedience devastating consequences followed. His one act of disobedience ruined and wrecked God’s perfect creation and we make the same mistakes today and suffer the consequences.
For example, many of you have witnessed one sinner destroy a marriage, one sinner destroy a friendship, one sinner destroy a company, one sinner destroy a church, one sinner destroy his/her life. I mean the acts of fools can be devastating. If you want to display the kind of wisdom that honors God, you need to steer clear of fools who can make a mess of your life and your marriage and your ministry.
Look at what Solomon goes on to say in chapter 10:1. He says,
Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Now though Solomon gives us a pretty gross image here, bear with me while I make it a bit more disgusting. Imagine that you order some food at your favorite restaurant and discover a fly doing the backstroke in your soup? You call the waiter over and he apologizes,takes your spoon and removes the fly. All better? Do you eat the soup? No. It’s ruined. Solomon is giving us this gross visual here to stop us in our tracks and to show us the negative effects of sin.
Once again think of the consequences of one fool that cheats on his/her spouse. How many people are affected? Kids, friends, family, co-workers, neighbors--I mean everyone that this person is in relationship with is affected by this sin. You may not realize it and many don’t who commit such acts, but there is a communal nature to sin. Why? Because you and I don’t live in isolation. We don’t. When we sin, we sin within the context of family and friends and church—when we sin, all of those around us are affected. Just one sinner can ruin the lives of many people.
Solomon also makes the point here that though good character is very valuable—very important and is something many work hard for, it’s like a balloon. All it takes is one pin to completely destroy it and render it useless.
In one moment that can happen. Everything that you worked for, everything that you have strived to be can be gone like that. So we need to understand the consequences of sin and need to recognize it takes work to keep our character intact. Because this is the case, you and I we need to make sure that we are not just valuing wisdom some of the time and exercising wisdom on occasion, but instead we need to be focused upon exercising godly wisdom over the course of our life.
FOOLS ARE OFTEN MISDIRECTED IN LIFE
10:2 A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.
Some have tried to make v. 2 a political thing and say, “See, here’s proof that God’s a Republican because the wise man is on the right and the fool is on the left." I’m sorry to tell some of you that this is not a proper handling of the text. Solomon is not saying here that the political right is the way of wisdom and the political left the way of foolishness. This is where context comes in.
This verse is an illustration in symbolic language of how fools gravitate to that which is wrong. In the Scriptures, the “Right Hand” was the place of power, the place of favor and the place of honor, while the left hand represents weakness and rejection. Now no offense to you lefty’s out there, but for most of us we can relate because with most of us there is no doubt that the left hand is the weaker of the two.
So Solomon is just describing the walk of the wise and of the fool and he wants us the reader to observe people according to the way they live. You want to know whether a person is truly wise or foolish? Look at their life—examine the way that they live.
Look at v. 3, Solomon says,
Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
Fools are always giving themselves away because they are constantly lost in life. They are like a ship with huge sails and no rudder. They are tossed about by the winds of life without the compass of wisdom to guide them.
What path are you on this morning? I know an easy way for you to find out. You want to know what path you are on? Just examine your life by God’s word. Now let me warn you, you may not like what you find at times, but this is so necessary for us to do to grow up in Christ.
FOOLS HAVE NO COMPOSURE
Look at v. 4. Solomon says,
If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. Ecclesiastes 10:4
Solomon says here, “The wise person keeps their composure—The wise person does not fight fire with fire.” That’s the response of a fool. Instead he says, “Do not be quick to respond in anger and do not leave your place, but be calm, quietly stand your ground.” And do you know what happens at times as a result according to Solomon? This response has the potential to “lay great offenses to rest.”
Solomon basically says here, “A wise man who is not led by emotions, but who goes the extra mile and turns the other cheek at times is able to pacify great offensives.” Solomon says in Proverbs 15:1,
15 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
FOOLS ARE DRAWN TO FOOLS
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
In these three verses, Solomon is talking about “role reversals.” He makes the point that at times those who have worked hard for every penny that they have are one upped by the lazy fool. Sometimes a man that doesn’t deserve that promotion gets it over others who clearly do deserve it.
Why? Why is this the case? Well though there could be a number of reasons, Solomon explains that one of the reasons why is because our world is made up of fools who are drawn to their kind. That’s His point. That’s what he means when he says, “FOLLY IS SET IN MANY HIGH PLACES.” We elevate the foolish. We set them in high places, give them a voice and listen to what they have to say.
Think about those we look up to, respect and want to be like in our society. Often times it’s not the doctors and teachers who are idolized. In our culture the fool rules because he/she is supported by other fools. Tell me, “Who are the leading Doctors in our country? We don’t know do we? Who are the greatest teachers in our country? Who cares?
We are drawn to the foolish. And because this is the case, we too remain foolish. Who are you drawn to? Who do you idolize? Kids: Are you going against what your parents say because you think your friends advice is better? That’s foolish. Youth: Are you more influenced by what you see on MTV than what’s taught in your church by your pastor and church leaders? That’s foolish. Adults: Do you take what Oprah and Dr. Phil say on their show more seriously than what God says in His word? That’s foolish.
You want to honor God? The answer is simple, “Don’t be drawn to the foolish, but instead look to God and the Godly.”
CONCLUSION
Let me end with this and remember I’m only the messenger. This is just Solomon’s word to us in this passage. If you hold a mirror in front of your face, you will find the greatest challenge to you living a godhonoring life staring right back at you. The Apostle Paul understood this about himself when he said in Romans 7,
18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
He goes on to say,
“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
Paul rightly realized that the biggest obstacle to living the abundant life was himself and the same is true of us.
Why is this passage of Scripture in Eccl. 9-10 so significant? It’s because each and every one of us are fools by nature. We naturally fail to appreciate godly wisdom and instinctively follow the path of fools. Scripture is clear that each and every human being without exception are born genetically corrupted—completely alienated from God—unable to please Him and with a built in tendency to lean toward evil.
Because of Adam, this sin nature is built into our DNA. Now some of you upon hearing this think to yourself, “Then what do I do? Do I just throw up my hands? How do I live a successful life and avoid foolishness if that’s the case? Is there any hope whatsoever?”
The answer is yes. There is hope and it’s in Christ. Though each and every one of us are fools by nature because of who we are in Adam, get this, we can be made right with God and go on to live a wise and god honoring life in Him if we would trust in the person and work of Christ.
Though we became sinful and foolish in Adam, we are able to be made righteous and wise in Christ.
