Untitled Sermon (2)

The fool exposed

a. How to spot a fool

b. The foolishness of an upside down world

a. How to spot a fool

It is obvious

He stinks

The literal

Ch. 10 is the continuation of Solomon’s long comparison of wisdom and folly. Chapter 9 ends with v18 where Solomon starts to shift his focus to folly

English Standard Version Chapter 9

18 a Comparison Wisdom is better than weapons of war,

b Topic (c) but one sinner

c Event destroys much good.

we see this is true in the example of adam. in adam’s sin alone we all die.

this is illustrated in v1 where the sinner is likened to dead flies in perfume

in those times this type of oil was used to anoint dead people to mask their smell

but here it says the contaminated oil spoils the smell and actually makes it have an opposite effect.. it stinks

something that was meant to make something smell good in itself smells bad, and is now useless

it goes on to compare the dead flies to folly saying

A LITTLE folly outweighs wisdom and honor

just like the dead flies, folly even just a small amount can spoil wisdom and honor

making it like the spoiled perfume, unusable and even offending

next..

He walks opposite from wisdom

in v2 it says that a wise man’s heart goes to the right

and since the wise are attuned to the eternity that God has placed with in them, we can assume that they will walk towards that..

right= the correct place

but the fool’s heart goes to the left

note that it is not talking about legs and feet here but an inclination of the

the heart often was a symbolism for the whole man

and here it says that his whole being goes opposite to God

v3 emphasizes this saying that even when a fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense

the fact his heart is inclined in the wrong direction makes the simple act of walking, breathing, blinking become foolishness

so if those things are wrong already, any good or righteous act intending to please God, becomes like the bad smelling perfume, unacceptable

and his speech is no different

His words give him away

v12 contrasts the gracious words of the wise and the lips of the fool that consume him

gracious here is courteous, kind and pleasant

but the lips of a fool consume him

consumed here means that he is completely filled or preoccupied.. and with what? talking

and the content of his speech starts out with folly

BUT ends with him speaking evil madness

the word BUT here is very important

Solomon is not merely making a connection but another contrast

he is saying it may just start as folly or pajoke joke lang, BUT will progress to more serious evil if not arrested

so is the progressive nature of folly and sin as we see in James where he says “Then, after desire has concevied, it gives birth to sin, and sin when full grown gives birth to death”

Solomon here continues his point that something seemingly small may have a great effect

with speech also we know that what the heart is full of the mouth speaks

this again is a matter of a heart that is inclined in the wrong direction. it makes all your talking foolishness

in the dictionary to consume when used of a fire gives the illustration of complete destruction

not only is he probably destroying others but he is also destroying himself as v12 says

Solomon talks about this digging your own grave concept as well from v 8-11

he talks about seemingly harmless acts that when done without wisdom, can result in complete disaster

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 10

He who digs a pit

c Possibility may fall

b Emphasis (c) into it,

d Topic (e) and

e Possibility a serpent may bite him

d Topic (e) who breaks through a wall.

9 a Topic (b) He who quarries stones

b Possibility may be hurt by them,

Supplied and

c Topic (d) he who splits logs

d Possibility may be endangered by them.

10 a Background-Condition (d) If the axe is dull

b Elaboration and he does not sharpen its edge,

c Emphasis (d) then

d Implication he must exert more

c Emphasis (d) strength.

e Contrast Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

11 a Background-Condition (b) If the serpent bites abefore being charmed,

b Denial there is no profit for the charmer.

v14 identifies the fool as anxious

constantly worrying about things they do not know about

these gives them struggles.

just like the recurring theme of ecclesiastes, the fool is unable to enjoy the fruits of his labor and is focused mainly on things he has no control over

He pursues his own enjoyment, neglecting his duties

the fool is likened to young nobles who just want to party all night and slack off all day.

feasting in the AM here is a picture of late night partying/ an after party situation

it was not common to party in the AM

English Standard Version Chapter 2

For these people are not drunk, as you suppose,

b Reason since it is only the third hour of the day.

we also see this same selfish mindset in v19

this is compared to how it ought to be to have a king who is of actual royalty and noble birth

who is diligent to eat at a proper time and we can imagine has a schedule because the next verse we have is about laziness

The interpretation

just like the burning of animal sacrifices gave a soothing aroma to God, Paul urges us to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God. to

2

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 10

If the ruler’s temper rises against you,

c Command (Neg.) do not abandon

b Emphasis (c) your position,

d Reason because composure allays great offenses.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 10

5 a Status There is an evil I have seen under the sun,

b Comparison like an error which goes forth from the ruler—

6 a Status folly is set in many exalted places

b Topic (d) while rich men

d Status sit

c Emphasis (d) in humble places.

7 a Experience I have seen slaves riding on horses

b Elaboration and princes walking like slaves on the land

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 10

16 a Exclamation Woe to you,

b Address O land,

c Continuation whose king is a lad

d Elaboration and whose princes feast in the morning.

17 a Beatitude Blessed are you,

b Address O land,

c Continuation whose king is of nobility

d Elaboration and whose princes eat at the appropriate time—for strength

e Contrast and not for drunkenness.

18 a Background-Reason (b) Through indolence

b Event the rafters sag,

c Background-Reason (d) and through slackness

d Event the house leaks.

Supplied Men

19 b Action prepare a meal

a Emphasis (b) for enjoyment,

c Topic (d) and wine

d Event makes life merry,

e Topic (f) and money

f Event is the answer to everything.

20 a Background-Location (c) Furthermore, in your bedchamber

c Command (Neg.) do not curse

b Emphasis (c) a king,