Talking birds

Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. Ecclesiastes 10:20

The first time I read this verse, I thought, “Oh, this is where the saying “A little birdie told me” came from. What exactly is Solomon saying? Use discretion; be careful of what you say and don’t be talking about others.

Time and time again, people have been “hung by their own words” when someone repeated what they said. Oh, when will we learn?

How many “kiss and tell” stories are on the market? Too many to name, unfortunately people love to carry tales, whether true or something they heard repeated.

Description of the wrong way to use words:

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 18:8 

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. Colossians 2:4 

For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak. Psalms 59:12 

Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. Psalms 52:4 

Description of the right way to use words:

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Proverbs 17:27 

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 

Description of God’s words:

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Psalms 12:6 

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalms 119:103 

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psalms 119:130 

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Mark 13:31 

Let’s watch our speech and the words we say, then we will not hear, “a little birdie told me”.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Food, drink and money

A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things. Ecclesiastes 10:19

Solomon is saying that some people think the only thing in life is money, food and drink. A simple equation to explain this is money equals laughter and food and drink.

Warren Wiersbe in Be Satisfied says, “This verse declares the personal philosophy of the foolish officers (verses 16-17)… They are totally indifferent to the responsibilities of their office or the needs of the people.”

This sounds a lot like Luke 12:19-21  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

There is nothing wrong with money but when we love money more than anything else the Bible tells us to watch out!

 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1Timothy 6:10

Let’s not fall into the trap that “money is everything”. Money is good when used rightly but it is not the “be all and end all”. 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Slothfulness

By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. Ecclesiastes 10:18 

A building doesn’t fall apart because you don’t work on it for a week, but leave it for a long period of time and it will fall apart.

This brings to mind the “spiritual life”. As Christians we should be in God’s word daily. When we get slothful in our daily walk with the Lord, it shows. Before you know it one draws away totally from God and is back in the world.

Let’s not be slothful in our daily time with God. Spend time each and every day with God in prayer and Bible reading.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you ... James 4:8 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Kings and Leaders

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! Ecclesiastes 10:16-17

Solomon is concerned about the leadership abilities of kings, rightly so, since he was a king and the wisest person who ever lived.

Solomon says there will be sorrow when a land is ruled by a servant, or an unqualified person. During biblical times the title was passed down through families, not much different than countries that still hold to royalty traditions today. The rulers were not knowledgeable of the tasks and duties set before them. Parties and feasts were held throughout the day instead of ruling the country. Priorities were not right.

He contrasts it with a country that has a noble ruler or one who is qualified to run a country. Someone who will lead with leadership qualities and not just think about partying and having feasts, a king who has the welfare of the country in mind. One who leads with wisdom and knowledge of what is needed in his country.

As I wrote I thought of the countries of the world and the various leaders. No matter which country or state you might live in we are to pray for our leaders.

… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6 

Pray without ceasing. 1Thessalonians 5:17 

As you meditate on today’s reading, pray for our leaders.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Words, words and more words

11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. 12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.  Ecclesiastes 10:11-15

Have you ever had a problem with the way you use words? It may be saying too many, it may be using our words to hurt someone; it may be using them to say foolish things. Solomon is telling us to watch our words. Pay attention to what we say, no one wants his words to “swallow him up”.  Be careful about saying too many words. “think before you speak” is always the best route to follow.

Have you ever listened to someone who just rambles on and on? Within a short time we “turn them off”. Solomon is giving us wisdom on how to use and not use words. As usual the choice is ours. Will we be wise or foolish in the use of our words?

Here are a few verses that have helped me:

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1

 

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Sticks and stones

8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. 10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. Ecclesiastes 10:8-10

No matter what we do in life there is always a chance that something unpleasant (dangerous) may happen. In most jobs there are “pitfalls”; some may be physical while others are mentally stressful.

Just these little verses can scream out “pay attention” use “common sense” before jumping into a situation.

The Preacher is telling the listeners to be careful when well digging, you may fall in. The region probably had a reputation for dangerous snakes (there are many poisonous snakes in the Middle East today).

He then speaks about stone quarries and chopping wood, both are dangerous occupations which require safety precautions. Using a dull ax will certainly hinder the job, but a sharp ax will get the job done quickly and be more efficient.

What can we compare to an ax? The thought that came to me was our mind. When minds are sharpened by the word of God we can be a great tool in the Lord’s toolbox. We need to sharpen our minds daily with the “Great Sharpener”, God’s word. Read and mediate on His word daily so you can be ready to give an answer of hope.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1Peter 3:15 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Mistakes of rulers

5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. Ecclesiastes 10:5-7

Solomon, the wisest man on the earth, a great ruler of Israel, was also a very observant man. He not only ruled but he watched other rulers. He needed to see what was going on in other territories.

The evil that he saw “under the sun” was a grievous error that rulers were making. Rulers or leaders, probably kings, were putting unqualified people in places of leadership. Favoritism is a word that quickly came to my mind, giving someone a place of honor or leadership who did not earn it and is not capable to do the job.

What did he see to confirm his thoughts? Servants were riding on horses while the princes were walking. The princes were “dethroned” so the lowly or incompetent were raised to prominent positions.

As Solomon says, “there is nothing new under the sun”. This practice is still going on today around the world. What can we do as Christians? Pray, pray for our leaders, pray that God would touch their hearts to turn back to Him.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Advice to live by

Chapter ten is a mini version of the book of Proverbs full of advice, counsel and warnings. Let’s look at what Solomon is teaching:

Ecclesiastes 10:1  Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

When flies die and are in a perfume the perfume will stink, if you have a reputation of being wise and honourable you will ruin it with foolishness. Solomon is saying think before you do something, you do not want to ruin your “good name” with a foolish mistake.

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1 

* * * * * * * * 

Ecclesiastes 10:2-3  A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. 3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

Wise and foolish go in opposite directions. One can tell the difference between the wise and foolish by the way they act and speak.

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Ecclesiastes 9:17

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:28 

* * * * * * * *  

Ecclesiastes 10:4  If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

Take control of your anger, if someone over  you (i.e. ruler, boss) is angry don’t leave or quit but assess the situation and humble yourself. You need to respect the position of the one over you.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: … Hebrews 13:17 

It is not easy to do the right thing, but meditating on the word of God daily will help us to know the right way to go.

Have a blessed day,
Donna