The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up. Ecclesiastes 10:12
Solomon, having shown the benefit of wisdom and of what great advantage it is to us, exposes the folly of a fool here in Ecclesiastes 10.
(1) Fools talk a great deal with no purpose. They show their folly by the multitude of their words. The words of a fool not only expose him to ridicule, but also bring him to ruin. Adonijah foolishly spoke against his own life (1 Kin. 2:23).
(2) Fools have little control over their emotions. Ecclesiastes 10:13 states, “The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, and the end of his talk is raving madness.” The fool speaks foolishness and ends up in great anger and fury. No one seems to be able to talk sense to him.
(3) Fools never know when to stop talking. Ecclesiastes 10:14 says, “A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; who can tell him what will be after him?” A fool speaks endlessly and never knows when to leave off. Many who are empty of sense are full of words, and those without substance are the noisiest.
(4) Fools toil a great deal to no purpose. Ecclesiastes 10:15 says, “The labor of fools wearies them, for they do not even know how to go to the city!” The foolish tire themselves in endless pursuits and never bring anything to pass. Proverbs 22:15 reads, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.” The way to drive foolishness out of our hearts is through the rod of correction. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” How do we lay aside every weight as well as the sin that easily ensnares us?
The answer is found in Hebrews 12:5-6, “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’” We all need to be disciplined and to endure the hardship of the rod of correction. But to learn, you must be willing to be taught. Therefore, if you want to be wise and drive foolishness away; then as children, submit to your parents, listen to them and honor them. As believers, submit yourselves to your spiritual leaders so that they may train you to be a true disciple of Christ (13:17).
Solomon, having shown the benefit of wisdom and of what great advantage it is to us, exposes the folly of a fool here in Ecclesiastes 10.
(1) Fools talk a great deal with no purpose. They show their folly by the multitude of their words. The words of a fool not only expose him to ridicule, but also bring him to ruin. Adonijah foolishly spoke against his own life (1 Kin. 2:23).
(2) Fools have little control over their emotions. Ecclesiastes 10:13 states, “The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, and the end of his talk is raving madness.” The fool speaks foolishness and ends up in great anger and fury. No one seems to be able to talk sense to him.
(3) Fools never know when to stop talking. Ecclesiastes 10:14 says, “A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; who can tell him what will be after him?” A fool speaks endlessly and never knows when to leave off. Many who are empty of sense are full of words, and those without substance are the noisiest.
(4) Fools toil a great deal to no purpose. Ecclesiastes 10:15 says, “The labor of fools wearies them, for they do not even know how to go to the city!” The foolish tire themselves in endless pursuits and never bring anything to pass. Proverbs 22:15 reads, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.” The way to drive foolishness out of our hearts is through the rod of correction. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” How do we lay aside every weight as well as the sin that easily ensnares us?
The answer is found in Hebrews 12:5-6, “And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’” We all need to be disciplined and to endure the hardship of the rod of correction. But to learn, you must be willing to be taught. Therefore, if you want to be wise and drive foolishness away; then as children, submit to your parents, listen to them and honor them. As believers, submit yourselves to your spiritual leaders so that they may train you to be a true disciple of Christ (13:17).
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