(Repairing
Recklessness)
Ecclesiastes
10 reminds me of a time when I worked as a laborer in construction.
I had a variety of jobs in a number of states doing almost anything
to make money. I was 20 years old and really did not consider any
danger or potential harm. Solomon looks at the lives of those that
perhaps messed up during the reckless years and are still dealing
with it today. He begins, “As
dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs
wisdom and honor“. A
foolish act can permanently turn something sweet into something very
sour. Relationships can be ruined in a moment, never to be repaired
and sometimes the result just stinks. I wonder if he is thinking of
someone in particular as he writes, “Even
as fools walk along the road, they lack sense and show everyone how
stupid they are“. It
seems he is disgusted with this person and expecting more idiocy. He
adds advice for dealing with conflict, “If
a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness
can lay great offenses to rest“.
Emotions can run high during stressful times, and words and actions
cannot be undone. Perhaps Solomon is also warning us to be aware of
caution signs today. Do you see a flagman ahead?
One
of my many jobs was roofing condominiums in Florida. Sometimes at
lunch we would have a beer or two. Solomon is talking about a
different situation, but the concept is similar, “Fools
are put in many high positions“.
Three floors up on a tile roof is not the place for overconfidence!
Working under fools can lead to things falling on you that you do not
expect. It is much wiser to move over, move up or find protection.
Next he provides my resume of summer jobs, “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“.
Do not underestimate the potential for harm if you play near unsafe
walls. Solomon reminds us, “If
the ax is dull… more strength is needed, but skill will bring
success“. Is your ax
dull?
Solomon
warns us that everything needs maintenance. First he says we need
discernment. “Words
from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed
by their own lips“.
Sometimes innocent fun can conceal hidden motives, “At
the beginning their words are folly; at the end they are wicked
madness“. Even good
intentions can turn out differently than we plan, “No
one knows what is coming“.
He says do not neglect your priorities, “The
toil of fools wearies them“.
We don’t always notice the slow decay, “Through
laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks“.
He ridicules the philosophy of the mocker, “A
feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the
answer for everything“.
Solomon closes with words more true today than ever; be careful what
you say or write “because
a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may
report what you say“.
Friend, have you been reckless? Is something starting to stink? I
cannot fix you, but I know someone that can. “Christ
loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God”
(Ephesians 5:2). Stop laboring in your own efforts and ask Jesus to
purify your whole life.