Study notes

Ecclesiastes 10

Introducing EcclesiastesWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

1:12–11:6 Section

The Teacher carefully studied himself and the world around him. He studied the things that human beings spend their time and energy doing. These things make them different from animals and the rest of creation. The Teacher did this in order to test which of these things had meaning.

He studied pleasure. This included laughter, beauty and anything that made the body feel good. He studied wisdom, foolishness, knowledge and understanding. People can never have enough wisdom to fully understand the world or fully understand God.

The Teacher studied hard work and the things that he and others accomplished. He studied the many different ways that people suffer on earth. He studied the ways that people pray, offer sacrifices and worship God. He studied riches, honour and authority. He also studied the evil things that people do.

The teacher learnt that none of these things gives human beings any advantage over animals. This doesn’t mean that human beings live like animals do. It doesn’t mean that people shouldn’t live wisely as explained in the Teacher’s proverbs. It means that none of the things human beings do keeps them from dying.

The Teacher explained that everyone will die someday. This is true no matter who a person is, what they have or what they do. For the Teacher, things that ended in death didn’t have meaning. They made life not worth living. He learnt that what made life worth living was receiving God’s gifts and enjoying them. Food, drink, work, wisdom, knowledge, happiness and family are gifts from God. The ability to enjoy these things is also a gift from God. One reason the Teacher respected God is because everything that God does lasts for ever.

9:18–10:1

one sinner destroys...a little folly outweighs: A little foolishness can ruin things. Sin and foolishness can quickly undo much good.

10:2–3

These two proverbs highlight the foolishness of unwise people. They make poor choices, and their actions reveal their lack of wisdom.

10:4

A ruler is anyone who has authority.

10:5–7

Giving power to those who cannot use it wisely is a big mistake. Favoritism, nepotism, extortion, and bribery can put reckless people in powerful positions.

10:7

slaves on horseback...princes go on foot: Compare Proverbs 19:10.

10:8–9

Every activity needs wisdom. People show wisdom by taking safety precautions in their jobs, but some risk always remains.

10:10

skill produces success: In every job, tools must be in good condition to work well. Sharpening a dull ax is wise for those who rely on it for their livelihood.

10:11

One reason to charm a snake is to prevent it from biting, but a snake charmer risks a bite before charming it. Some jobs are so dangerous that smart people avoid them completely.

10:12

Fools face ruin from making foolish promises, giving false testimony, and angering the wrong people (see 5:6; Proverbs 17:20; 18:6–7; 19:5, 9).

10:14

the fool multiplies words: Fools often speak about nothing important (see Ecclesiastes 5:3; 6:11; Proverbs 10:19; 17:28).
who can tell him what will come after him?: Wise people avoid foolish talk and its consequences (see James 4:13–16).

10:15

People who rarely work get tired quickly when they try to do it.

10:15–20

The audience for this speech might have been a group of government workers. How should a leader govern when power and wealth lead to a lack of responsibility?

10:16–17

A servant does not have leadership skills.
feast at the proper time: Wise leaders relax only after completing their work, not in the morning before starting. Lazy leaders weaken a society or organization.