Get Ready
Are you the type of person who develops a detailed plan for every activity? Who tends to look for the ideal time to begin a project? Or are you the kind of person who just starts work and figures you will be able to adapt or adjust if circumstances change in the middle of the effort?
The Word
10 5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as great an error as if it proceeded 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 horseback, and princes walking on foot like slaves.
8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;
and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a snake.
9 Whoever quarries stones will be hurt by them;
and whoever splits logs will be endangered by them.
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not whet the edge,
then more strength must be exerted;
but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage in a charmer.
12 Words spoken by the wise bring them favor,
but the lips of fools consume them.
13 The words of their mouths begin in foolishness,
and their talk ends in wicked madness;
14 yet fools talk on and on.
No one knows what is to happen,
and who can tell anyone what the future holds?
15 The toil of fools wears them out,
for they do not even know the way to town.
16 Alas for you, O land, when your king is a servant,
and your princes feast in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is a nobleman,
and your princes feast at the proper time—
for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Through sloth the roof sinks in,
and through indolence the house leaks.
19 Feasts are made for laughter;
wine gladdens life,
and money meets every need.
20 Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts,
or curse the rich, even in your bedroom;
for a bird of the air may carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter.
11 Send out your bread upon the waters,
for after many days you will get it back.
2 Divide your means seven ways, or even eight,
for you do not know what disaster may happen on earth.
3 When clouds are full, they empty rain on the earth;
whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
4 Whoever observes the wind will not sow;
and whoever regards the clouds will not reap.
5 Just as you do not know how the breath comes to the bones in the mother’s womb, so you do not know the work of God, who makes everything.
6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. NRSV
Get into the Word
1. What “evil” does the writer begin with in this section? How does it relate to the observation in the previous section? What images does he use to convey the problem?
2. What problems does the author mention next [vv. 8-9]? What is the general thread through each situation? What other images might he have used? Which is strongest for you? Why?
3. What does Solomon say about wisdom? About foolishness? How do these sayings compare to his ideas in Proverbs, [see Notes]?
4. What problems does the author identify regarding rulers? What images does he use here? How do you respond to these? What does he conclude about our response to kings?
5. What advice does the writer give in light of the uncertainty of life? Why do you suppose he used these situations? What others might he have included? How do you respond to these suggestions?
Get Personal
What is the crucial difference between Solomon’s world-view and that of a Christian? How does this affect your approach to the future? How has God helped you deal with the uncertainties of this world?
Notes . . .
10:5. An evil — Solomon continues his observation about inequality by noting rulers who put the wrong people (fools) into positions of authority or responsibility, or deny such positions to those who should be there (the wise).
10:8-9. Whoever . . . — a series of contingencies that points out how bad timing can nullify wisdom’s supposed advantages.
10:10. Whet the edge — sharpen (as an ax) this proverb applies wisdom to a common task; but v. 11 points out the problem of timing again.
10:12. Wise words — the author continues the discussion of wisdom, but always in light of our inability to know the future [v. 15]. Solomon said much about wisdom and foolishness in Proverbs, [check 14:15-18; 16:20-22; and 18:6-7 and 20].
10:16. Servant — Solomon describes the problems of living under a foolish ruler, but he still counsels obedience [v. 20] since a person doesn’t know what will happen in the future. Compare his
thoughts in Proverbs: Fear the Lord and the king, and do not disobey either of them; for disaster comes from them suddenly, and who knows the ruin that both can bring, [24:21-22].
10:20. Bird — the image of small birds as stealth messengers – for good news as well as bad – appears throughout near-eastern and western culture.
11:1. Send your bread — the writer concludes this section with some practical advice in dealing with uncertainty. The first two suggestions are pro-active: engage in commerce but “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
11:3. When . . . whether — the next advice points out the futility of waiting for “just the right moment” because such a perfect time will never occur.
11:5. Just as — Solomon links the direction of the wind and the mystery of a developing baby as images of what we cannot know, which leads him to his final advice: keep busy since we don’t know which effort will ultimately pay off.
Memory Verse
Just as you do not know how the breath comes to the bones in the mother’s womb, so you do not know the work of God, who makes everything, [Ecclesiastes 11:5]
Last Lesson
Advice and concluding thoughts — Ecclesiastes 12