10 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell,
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of the fool to the left.
3 Even as he walks along the road,
the fool lacks sense
and shows everyone how stupid he is.
4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you,
do not leave your post;
calmness can lay great errors to rest.
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of the fool to the left.
3 Even as he walks along the road,
the fool lacks sense
and shows everyone how stupid he is.
4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you,
do not leave your post;
calmness can lay great errors to rest.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
6 Fools are put in many high positions,
while the rich occupy the low ones.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes go on foot like slaves.
the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
6 Fools are put in many high positions,
while the rich occupy the low ones.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes go on foot like slaves.
Fools stink up their lives and the lives of those around them. That's basically what Solomon's saying. But, thankfully, wise people can see fool's coming a mile away. Unfortunately, often our rulers are fools. So what do we do then?
Mark Driscoll says....
Fools run the world. They have the loudest voice. They have the biggest platform. They have the widest audience. Why? Because the world is filled primarily with fools and who do they want to follow? The fool. So, guess who’s in charge? The fool. And guess what that makes your life? Complicated.
Now, this doesn’t change anything, but it does bring clarity. And issue is this. If God’s people freak out. Quit their jobs. Flee the city. Run to the hills. Load the guns. Build the wall. Who’s there to help the fool straighten out the mess he’s made? I mean, he’s not gonna figure it out. God gives wisdom so that we would stay where we are and calm down and patiently work for change.
The sad truth is that we, like Solomon, live in an age where fools are exalted and wise people are denigrated.
certain things are superior and should be elevated, like wise people on horseback. And other things are inferior and they should be recognized as such. And only in a foolish society do we take that which is inferior and exalt it because it is like us. Instead, we should repent and be humble. Acknowledge our folly. And when God names us as evil, foolish people, wisdom embraces that. Our biggest problem, individually, corporately, culturally, is a lack of wisdom. Not facts, not minutia, not trivia, not insight, not speculation. Wisdom.
We need to pursue wisdom. The source of almost all our troubles is folly (whether or own, or someone else's). And only way to combat folly is with wisdom.
Tomorrow's scripture focus: Ecclesiastes 10:8-15
1 comment:
"And only in a foolish society do we take that which is inferior and exalt it because it is like us. "
I immediately thought of some of what is now considered "reality TV" when I read this. Real Housewives of wherever? Jersey Shore? I have never watched these shows, but commercials alone make me shudder. Why does our society insist on celebrating that which is distasteful, degrading, or downright dumb?
I like shows like Amazing Race or Survivor, where people are given challenges or put into situations they wouldn't normally be in and they have to step up and do their best. This at least demonstrates some character. Or lack thereof. I dislike shows that merely depict a lifestyle I don't think should be held up as an example of how to live, or even how NOT to live.
And what are these people being "celebrated" for? Having good hair, nice abs, or impressive surgical enhancements? Being cattier or snobbier than anyone else? Demonstrating the ridiculous amounts of money one can spend on a lavish, unnecessary lifestyle? I just don't understand.
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