Matthew Henry Commentary Ecclesiastes 10
Matthew Henry Commentary
Ecclesiastes 10
Matthew Henry Commentary
Ecclesiastes 10
"Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; [so] doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor. A wise man`s heart is at his right hand; but a fool`s heart at his left. Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool." — Ecclesiastes 10:1-3 (ASV)
Those who profess their faith, in particular, should avoid all appearances of evil. A wise person has a great advantage over a fool, who is always at a loss when they have anything to do. Sin is the reproach of sinners, wherever they go, and shows their folly.
"If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler: folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth. He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him. Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct." — Ecclesiastes 10:4-10 (ASV)
Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in a hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion, quit your post of duty; wait awhile, and you will find that yielding pacifies great offences.
Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are least aware of the difficulties, or the consequences.
The same remark is applied to the church, or the body of Christ, that all the members should have the same care one for another.
"If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer. The words of a wise man`s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him? The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city." — Ecclesiastes 10:11-15 (ASV)
There is a practice in the East of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; and contradiction only makes it more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself.
If we were to properly consider our own ignorance regarding future events, it would eliminate many idle words that we foolishly multiply. Fools toil a great deal to no purpose. They do not understand the plainest things, such as the entrance into a great city. But the excellence of the way to the heavenly city is that it is a high-way, in which the simplest wayfaring men shall not err (Isaiah 25:8). But sinful folly causes people to miss that only way to happiness.
"Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh. A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things. Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter." — Ecclesiastes 10:16-20 (ASV)
The happiness of a land depends on the character of its rulers. The people cannot be happy when their princes are childish and lovers of pleasure. Slothfulness is detrimental to both private and public affairs. Money, by itself, will neither feed nor clothe, though it meets the needs of this present life, since what is obtainable can generally be acquired with money.
But the soul, just as it is not redeemed, so it is not sustained by corruptible things such as silver and gold. God sees what people do and hears what they say in secret; and, when He chooses, reveals it in surprising and unexpected ways. If there is danger in secret thoughts and whispers against earthly rulers, what must be the danger from every deed, word, or thought of rebellion against the King of kings, and Lord of lords!
He sees in secret. His ear is always open. Sinner! Do not curse THIS KING in your inmost thought. Your curses cannot affect Him; but His curse, coming down upon you, will sink you to the lowest hell.
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