3. The folly of criticism in view of the uncertain future 10:12-20Since we do not know what our earthly future holds (Ecclesiastes 10:12-15): even though governmental officials may prove reprehensible (Ecclesiastes 10:16-19), it is not wise to criticize them (Ecclesiastes 10:20). read more
These proverbs show what bad effects can come from unqualified, irresponsible leadership (cf. Isaiah 5:11; Acts 2:15). Ecclesiastes 10:19 reflects the bad attitudes of the profligate leaders.". . . the point is not that every man has his price but that every gift has its use-and silver, in the form of money, is the most versatile of all." [Note: Kidner, p. 95.] read more
Practical Advice Touching Life’s Puzzles1-8. Cultivate wisdom and tact, specially in the dangers that attend upon courts, but also in ordinary operations.1. Dead flies, etc.] This v. really belongs to the end of Ecclesiastes 9. As a few of the poisonous flies abounding in hot countries would render valueless a whole jar of perfume, so a man by a slight admixture of error may render nugatory much of his own skilful or upright conduct.2. At his right hand.. left] A wise man’s mind directs him to... read more
Fences and Serpents Ecclesiastes 10:8 Any attempt to transgress the laws of life which God has enjoined is sure to bring out the hissing snake with its poison. I. All life is given us rigidly walled up. The walls are blessings, like the parapet on a mountain road, that keeps the traveller from toppling over the face of the cliff. II. Every attempt to break down these limitations brings poison into the life. Some serpents' bites inflame, some paralyse; and either an inflamed or a palsied... read more
Nor in Devotion to Affairs and its Rewards. Ecclesiastes 9:13-18; Ecclesiastes 10:1-20So far, then, Coheleth has been occupied in retracing the argument of the first Section of the Book. Now he returns upon the second and third Sections: he deals with the man who plunges into public affairs, who turns his wisdom to practical account and seeks to attain a competence, if not a fortune. He lingers over this stage of his argument, probably because the Jews, then as always, even in exile and under... read more
Combined with a steadfast Faith in the Life to come. Ecclesiastes 10:9 - Ecclesiastes 12:7But, soft; is not our man of men becoming a mere man of pleasure? No; for he recognises the claims of duty and of charity. These keep his pleasures sweet and wholesome, prevent them from usurping the whole man, and landing him in the satiety and weariness of dissipation. But lest even these safeguards should prove insufficient, he has also this: he knows that "God will bring him into judgment"; that all... read more
CHAPTER 10 This chapter contains a series of proverbs, expressing the wisdom and prudence of the natural man. Here are a number of observations and all show that there is a practical value in wisdom and that it has certain advantages. These maxims are of a different kind than the proverbs in the preceding book. There we are face to face with the wisdom which is from above, here it is the wisdom of man. The name of the Lord is not mentioned once, Similar philosophic utterances can be traced in... read more
10:17 Blessed [art] thou, O land, when thy king [is] the son {k} of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!(k) Meaning, when he is noble for virtue and wisdom and with the gifts of God. read more
United Proverbs Ecclesiastes 10:0 In this graphic chapter we have a number of extraordinary sayings, which some commentators have fruitlessly attempted to shape into unity. Bishop Ellicott says: "Commentators cannot be said to have been very successful in their attempts to trace a connection between the proverbs of this chapter. Perhaps nothing better can be said than that the common theme of these proverbs is the advantage of wisdom. It is forcing the connection to imagine that the enterprise... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 10:17
17. son of nobles—not merely in blood, but in virtue, the true nobility (Song of Solomon 7:1; Isaiah 32:5; Isaiah 32:8). in due season— (Isaiah 32:8- :), not until duty has first been attended to. for strength—to refresh the body, not for revelry (included in "drunkenness"). read more