When Foolishness Surrounds You

Having extolled the virtues of wisdom, Solomon gives us the devastating results of foolishness. And if you care about your future at all, you want to pay attention. 

Ecclesiastes 10:1–3 (ESV) Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left. 3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. 

Think of how something small like a fly, if there are enough dead ones, can make perfume stink! That's the power of foolishness - a bunch of self-seeking SMALL choices that come from the flesh can lead to death. 

As Romans says:

Romans 8:6 (ESV) For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Think of how foolishness makes your life obviously destructive? Your very walk shows the community you've ruined your life. 

Then this line:

Ecclesiastes 10:4 (ESV) If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

Sometimes the fool in your life is in charge. Sometimes they give their foolish friends a job:

Ecclesiastes 10:5–6 (ESV) 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.

What do we do when our leaders are foolish? We keep on doing what God wants us to do, loving and serving Him and loving our neighbors. Stay calm. If you overreact or get defensive, it's going to cost you. Your God is watching over you and that protective shield of His hand can keep you strong in spite of the danger fools present.

Then Solomon suggests you simply give it time:

Ecclesiastes 10:8–9 (ESV) He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. 9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

Eventually, the fool will bury himself. Eventually, those who destroy things will destroy their own lives. And those who stayed calm and faithful to God in the wisdom He gives will stand the test of time. What you often have to do in life is outlast your haters. 

Then consider the "wisdom tips" from here through the end of the chapter:

Ecclesiastes 10:10 (ESV) If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.

Work on yourself while you're dealing with these kinds of situations you cannot control. Sharpen what God has given you. You cannot control them, you can invest in yourself.

Then watch what you say:

Ecclesiastes 10:12 (ESV) The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 (ESV) Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

So what do we have in Ecclesiastes 10? A simple guide for dealing with those situations where foolishness seems to win. And in those moments, we have to acknowledge that we are not in control of others but we can, through the Holy Spirit, control ourselves and develop ourselves for where we are going. 

That takes a load off. Because trying to control others is exhausting, but being controlled by the Holy Spirit is life-giving.