Ecclesiastes 10 “The Unpredictability of Life”

Ecclesiastes 10 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:      

• Way Maker – Leeland
• Be Still – Hillsong Worship
• Trust In God – Elevation Worship

Resources for Family Worship (with Children)

• Slapstick Theater (Paul’s Letter About Self Control) by Saddleback Kids – Lesson for Younger Kids
• The SELF CONTROL Game! | Micah’s Super Vlog – Lesson for Kids
• In You Alone | Rocky Railway VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Won’t Worry ‘Bout A Thing | Shipwrecked VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• No Matter What I’m Facing | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The content of this chapter appears similar to parts of Proverbs. Earlier, the Teacher said that wisdom cannot be fully known and that even if it were, it would be of little use (9:17). Here, however, he emphasizes the importance of wisdom. “Perfume” (v.1) refers to fragrant oil. Just as a dead fly falling into a bowl of fragrant oil causes it to give off a foul smell, one small act of foolishness can ruin wisdom. It carries the same meaning as the saying, “The devil is in the details.”

Wisdom and foolishness are determined in the heart (v.2). If one does not think deeply, one easily falls into foolishness (v.3), but if one maintains inner calm, one can remain safe even in moments of crisis (v.4). In reality, however, it often happens that foolish people are given positions of honor (vv.5–6).

In the affairs of the world, there are many contradictions—like servants riding on horses while princes walk on foot (v.7). Sometimes people suffer misfortune even when they act with good intentions (v.8), and sometimes they get into serious trouble because they underestimated what they were dealing with (v.9). Just as a woodcutter sharpens the blade of an ax, wisdom must also be cultivated continuously (v.10). Handling wisdom is like handling a snake; one wrong move can lead to foolishness (v.11).

Wisdom reveals its true value in the way one speaks (v.12). A foolish person pours out whatever is inside without discernment (vv.13–14). Such a person cannot even manage basic tasks, like finding their way home, and ends up exhausting themselves in life (v. 15).

The Teacher then turns his attention from individual issues to matters of the state. When a king is foolish, his officials easily fall into indulgence. Such a nation is destined for great misfortune (v.16). On the other hand, when there is a wise king and officials who exercise self-control, that nation will prosper (v.17). This is why the saying arose: “Through laziness the rafters sag; because of idle hands the house leaks” (v.18). When things are in proper order, the people will feast and rejoice. When appropriately used, wine and money are good things (v.19). Nevertheless, one must be careful when criticizing the king (v.20).

Meditation:

We often forget that human beings are multi-dimensional. No one is evil through and through. Even a person condemned as the embodiment of evil still has some good within them. On the other hand, no matter how holy someone may appear, they have flaws to some degree. Even those who seem to be respected by everyone have people who resent them, and even those who seem deserving of universal hatred have people who like them. That is the reality. Yet despite this, we tend to view people one-dimensionally. We expect those who appear devout to speak and act with perfect piety at all times. When they do not, we feel disappointed and betrayed.

As we read Ecclesiastes, we often feel perplexed. This is because the Teacher’s statements sometimes appear contradictory. In chapter 6, he says the dead are more blessed than the living, yet in chapter 9, he says a living dog is better than a dead lion. In chapters 2 and 9, he says that even if one gains wisdom and lives accordingly, nothing really changes, but in chapter 10, he says that following wisdom makes everything go well. It can seem as though he has forgotten what he said earlier and is speaking incoherently. When we read a book, we usually expect the author to talk consistently from beginning to end, but Ecclesiastes boldly shatters that expectation.

Here, we see the Teacher’s own multi-dimensional nature. He does not try to interpret reality according to a fixed set of beliefs, because life is not that simple. He refuses to reduce the complex realities of human life to a one-dimensional view. He speaks of reality as it is, saying what he feels as he encounters it. In doing so, he reveals the many facets of human life and expresses the wide range of thoughts and emotions that people can feel about those realities. That is why, even when we read statements that seem contradictory, we find ourselves resonating with them in the moment.

Prayer:

Lord, make our hearts humble. Lower our desire to reign over everything and control everyone. Gently calm our urge to manage our lives according to our own will. Help us to open our arms wide to embrace what You unfold before us, and to receive it with joy. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Life and people are complex, and God invites us to respond with humility, patience, and wisdom instead of quick judgment or control.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • Have you ever made a small mistake that caused a bigger problem?
  • Can someone be good at some things and still make mistakes? What helps us be kind when that happens?
  • How can we ask God for help when we don’t understand what’s happening?
    
• Youth:
  • Why do you think it’s hard when people don’t act the way we expect them to?
  • Ecclesiastes shows different sides of life. Which feels more real to you right now: “Life feels unfair,” or “Wisdom still matters”?
  • What is one area of your life where you want more control instead of trusting God?