Read Ecclesiastes 10:1–3
Questions from the Scripture text: About what does v1a begin speaking? What do these dead flies do? Even to what? What does the perfumer’s ointment then give off (v1b)? What is analogous to these dead flies (v1c)? Where is the wise man’s heart (v2a)? Where is the fool’s heart (v2b)? Where might a fool walk (v3a)? What does he still lack (v3b)? What does he show (v3c)? To whom?
What can stink up our name? Ecclesiastes 10:1–3 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that just a little bit of folly stinks up our name, and the Lord’s Name that He has put upon us.
The preacher has already commended to us a good name as being better than precious ointment (7:1a). Now, he brings the caution that “one sinner destroys much good” (9:18a) into the realm of what we do with our reputations.
No “breaks” from wisdom. Just as one sinner destroys much good, a little folly (v1c) is like a “fly of death” that turns a good name rotten. If a man wishes to be honorable, he cannot afford to take a single moment “off” from being wise. One glaring moment of folly, and all of your wisdom will be forgotten. Your name will become like stench (v1b).
Keep your heart ready. Therefore, the wise man’s heart must be at his right hand (v2a). Always there to help you. Always there to defend you. The fool does not meditate on what is true, righteous, and wise. His heart is not kept ready-to-hand but rather at the left hand (v2b)—which implies a lack of preparedness, readiness, and use.
Remember what gets noticed and remembered. The great “drawback” to wisdom in 9:15–16 was that it is easily forgotten. The exact opposite is true of the fool’s folly. Everything he does keeps announcing to others that he is a fool. Even the way that he walks (both literally, and figuratively, v3a) displays that he is a fool (v3b).
When are you tempted to “take a moment off” from being wise? By what means and habits will you combat this?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how we have been careless with our honor by acting as if we could take a break from being wise. We have despised the good gift of Your Word and Spirit by living thoughtlessly. Often, the manner of our conduct has declared our folly, and besmirched Your Name, which You have put upon us. Please forgive us, for Christ’s sake, and make us to be like Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH131B “Not Haughty Is My Heart”