Introduction
Are you willing to let God expose the places where you are still living like a fool, so you can grow into wisdom from above? The central teaching of Ecclesiastes 10 is this: life “under the sun” is already hard, and foolishness makes it ruinous; but God offers wisdom that protects, strengthens, and steadies us when we humbly admit our need.
We’ve been walking through Ecclesiastes in a series called Under the Sun, Solomon’s honest look at life when it’s navigated apart from God’s design. The book keeps pressing us toward the only lasting answer: wisdom from above (language echoed in James). Wisdom doesn’t erase the storms of life, but it does teach us how to live rightly through them, with joy, steadiness, and a face that can “shine.”
Ecclesiastes 10 gives us a sober contrast: what the world looks like when wisdom is absent. And before we aim this at “that friend who really needs it,” we step onto the doorstep of wisdom with humility, what Benjamin Franklin captured well: the doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance. Biblically, that posture is the fear of the Lord, the recognition that I cannot be god of my own life and expect it to go well.
Main Points
Are you willing to let God expose the places where you are still living like a fool, so you can grow into wisdom from above? The central teaching of Ecclesiastes 10 is this: life “under the sun” is already hard, and foolishness makes it ruinous; but God offers wisdom that protects, strengthens, and steadies us when we humbly admit our need.
We’ve been walking through Ecclesiastes in a series called Under the Sun, Solomon’s honest look at life when it’s navigated apart from God’s design. The book keeps pressing us toward the only lasting answer: wisdom from above (language echoed in James). Wisdom doesn’t erase the storms of life, but it does teach us how to live rightly through them, with joy, steadiness, and a face that can “shine.”
Ecclesiastes 10 gives us a sober contrast: what the world looks like when wisdom is absent. And before we aim this at “that friend who really needs it,” we step onto the doorstep of wisdom with humility, what Benjamin Franklin captured well: the doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance. Biblically, that posture is the fear of the Lord, the recognition that I cannot be god of my own life and expect it to go well.
Small Folly Ruins Great Good
Solomon opens with a sharp proverb:
“Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor…” (Ecclesiastes 10:1)
The image is simple: something valuable and carefully made can be spoiled by something small. That’s how folly works. You can labor to build a wise reputation, a faithful pattern, a life that honors God, and one foolish act can stain what took years to cultivate.
Scripture gives painful examples. David’s life included towering moments of faith (Goliath), but one act of adultery and its cover-up became a defining tragedy (2 Samuel 11–12). Solomon is warning me and you: don’t treat “small” compromises as harmless. In real life, small indulgences can become loud scandals.
So I want you to ask: Where am I minimizing “just one” sin, one click, one lie, one outburst, one secret resentment, without fearing the damage it can do?
The Heart’s Direction Reveals Our Path
Solomon continues:
“A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.” (Ecclesiastes 10:2)
This isn’t about handedness; it’s a wisdom picture. In biblical imagery, the right hand is honor and strength (Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father, Philippians 2’s exaltation theme), while the left represents the path of rejection and ruin (echoed in Jesus’ sheep-and-goats judgment imagery).
There’s a real inner war here, similar to the conflict Scripture describes between flesh and Spirit (Galatians 5). Wisdom isn’t merely knowledge; it is a heart-direction. My desires, reflexes, loyalties, and fears are constantly pulling either toward God’s design or toward self-rule.
Discipleship question: What is your heart defaulting toward lately, humble obedience, or self-protective control?
Foolishness Eventually Exposes Itself
Solomon says:
“Even when a fool walks along the way, he lacks wisdom, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.” (Ecclesiastes 10:3)
A person can “look the part” for a while, religious activity, polished speech, public worship, outward success. But over time, what’s inside will show itself. You can’t permanently conceal a life built on sand. Eventually the path reveals the walker.
That’s why this chapter pushes us away from judging by appearances. We can’t reliably identify wisdom by neighborhoods, job titles, cars, or platforms. The real measurement is deeper.
Titles And Status Don’t Guarantee Wisdom
Solomon observes an “evil…under the sun”:
“Folly is set in great dignity, while the rich sit in a lowly place… servants on horses while princes walk…” (Ecclesiastes 10:5–7)
In other words: don’t assume that leadership equals wisdom. Rulers can be foolish. People in high office can commit grievous errors. Those with prestige can act beneath their calling, and those without status may have more prudence than the “princes.”
This should sober us in two ways:
- Don’t put ultimate trust in human leaders, political, cultural, or even spiritual. They can fail.
- Don’t use position as proof of maturity. The real question isn’t “How high did I climb?” but “How faithfully am I walking with God?”
Foolish Work Creates Self-Inflicted Pain
In verses 8–10, Solomon describes the fool’s work:
“He who digs a pit will fall into it…” (Ecclesiastes 10:8) “If the axe is dull… he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success.” (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
Folly shows up in how we labor. Under the sun, work is part of life; and done with wisdom, it can be received as a gift and offered to God with diligence. But foolishness turns labor into avoidable harm:
- digging a pit and falling in,
- breaking through a wall and meeting danger,
- loading life with more than it can bear because of greed or impatience.
The point is not “never work hard.” The point is: wisdom plans, sharpens, prepares, and heeds warnings. Foolishness rushes, ignores counsel, and pays later, often with interest.
A discipleship practice here is simple: slow down long enough to “sharpen the axe.” Seek counsel. Take the extra step of preparation. Build habits of diligence. Many disasters are preventable, not because life is easy, but because God’s wisdom is real.
Words Can Swallow The Speaker
Next Solomon turns to speech:
“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up.” (Ecclesiastes 10:12) “A fool also multiplies words…” (Ecclesiastes 10:14)
He compares reckless speech to danger that bites like an uncharmed serpent (Ecclesiastes 10:11). Wisdom literature consistently teaches that words reveal the heart and shape the future, echoed strongly in James’ teaching about the tongue’s power.
Here’s a painfully practical proverb that applies to all of us:
“Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace…” (Proverbs 17:28)
Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is stop talking. Be slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19). Let your words be gracious rather than reactive. And remember that in our world, words travel:
“Do not curse the king… for a bird of the air may carry your voice…” (Ecclesiastes 10:20)
What you say privately has a way of becoming public. What you post, text, or vent can come back later. Wisdom guards the mouth because it fears God more than it fears being unheard.
Foolish Leadership Breeds Disorder And Decay
Solomon gives a “woe”:
“Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child…” (Ecclesiastes 10:16) “Because of laziness the building decays… the house leaks.” (Ecclesiastes 10:18)
Foolishness doesn’t stay private; it creates a climate. When leadership is immature, when feasting is for drunkenness instead of strength (Ecclesiastes 10:17), life becomes disordered. And eventually the results show up as decay: neglected duties, collapsing structures, leaky roofs.
This applies beyond politics. It applies to homes, churches, ministries, and personal lives. If I lead my life with appetite instead of wisdom, the “house” will eventually show it.
So I’m calling you to take responsibility for what God has placed under your care: your soul, your habits, your household, your work, your relationships. Wisdom builds. Foolishness leaks.
Conclusion
Ecclesiastes never pretends life is easy. Under the sun, storms are guaranteed. Marriage can be hard. Parenting can be hard. Work can be hard. Even faithful obedience can feel costly.
But here is the dividing line Solomon is pressing on us: wisdom doesn’t remove the storm; it determines whether your house stands. Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount the same way:
- Hear His words and do them → wise builder on rock.
- Hear His words and ignore them → foolish builder on sand. When the rain falls and winds beat, one stands and the other collapses, and “great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24–27).
So I want you to respond with humility: admit your ignorance, fear God, ask for wisdom from above, and then practice it, especially in the “small” choices that either preserve a life of faithfulness or spoil it.
Father in heaven, I confess that I am prone to foolishness. I confess the ways I minimize small sins, rush ahead without listening, speak too quickly, and trust in my own understanding. Please forgive me.
Lord, give me wisdom from above. Shape my heart so it leans toward Your right hand, toward honor, obedience, and life. Train me to work with diligence and preparation, to sharpen the axe, and to walk carefully in the fear of the Lord.
Guard my mouth. Make my words gracious and truthful. Help me be slow to speak and quick to listen. Protect me from the traps of careless speech and from the pride of multiplying words.
Jesus, help me not only to hear Your sayings but to do them, so my life is built on the rock. When storms come, keep me steady by Your grace. I trust You. Amen.
Conclusion
Ecclesiastes never pretends life is easy. Under the sun, storms are guaranteed. Marriage can be hard. Parenting can be hard. Work can be hard. Even faithful obedience can feel costly.
But here is the dividing line Solomon is pressing on us: wisdom doesn’t remove the storm; it determines whether your house stands. Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount the same way:
- Hear His words and do them → wise builder on rock.
- Hear His words and ignore them → foolish builder on sand. When the rain falls and winds beat, one stands and the other collapses, and “great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24–27).
So I want you to respond with humility: admit your ignorance, fear God, ask for wisdom from above, and then practice it, especially in the “small” choices that either preserve a life of faithfulness or spoil it.
Closing Prayer
Father in heaven, I confess that I am prone to foolishness. I confess the ways I minimize small sins, rush ahead without listening, speak too quickly, and trust in my own understanding. Please forgive me.
Lord, give me wisdom from above. Shape my heart so it leans toward Your right hand, toward honor, obedience, and life. Train me to work with diligence and preparation, to sharpen the axe, and to walk carefully in the fear of the Lord.
Guard my mouth. Make my words gracious and truthful. Help me be slow to speak and quick to listen. Protect me from the traps of careless speech and from the pride of multiplying words.
Jesus, help me not only to hear Your sayings but to do them, so my life is built on the rock. When storms come, keep me steady by Your grace. I trust You. Amen.