May 16, 2019

Ecclesiastes 10:5-11


Rachel Workman: There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

Solomon’s son Rehoboam was proud and unyielding, and this led to the division of the kingdom (1Kings 12:1–24). Instead of following the advice of the wise counselors, he listened to his youthful friends. He made the elders walk and he put the young men on the horses. 

He who digs a pit will fall into it,
    and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
He who quarries stones is hurt by them,

    and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
    he must use more strength,
    but wisdom helps one to succeed.[b]
11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed,
    there is no advantage to the charmer.
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John Burnett:  There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
    the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
Fools are put in many high positions,
    while the rich occupy the low ones.
I have seen slaves on horseback,
    while princes go on foot like slaves. 
The evil of rulers placed by God in high positions appointing fools to high positions is the reason this country is in the shape it is today.  Those on horseback, or living in luxury, are a slave to sin and their love of their money while the best of men are humble in means and attitude.

Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;
    whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;
    whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
10 If the ax is dull
    and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
    but skill will bring success.
11 If a snake bites before it is charmed,
    the charmer receives no fee.
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Tomorrow’s reading for Ecclesiastes 10:12-15.

12 The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor,[c]
    but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,

    and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 A fool multiplies words,
    though no man knows what is to be,
    and who can tell him what will be after him?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him,
    for he does not know the way to the city.

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