Ecclesiastes 10:5-10 says,....Bible reading week 11, day 5

Today's verses are Ecclesiastes 10:5-10, which read,

v.5-7 - There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler--folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.  I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

Solomon has experienced some ironies in his observations under the sun.  He calls them evil.  The first is a ruler who makes a judgment that is in error.  This error would be something out his definition of a ruler who thinks not of himself but of his constituents.  I think in the New Testament of the Pharisees and scribes who created a religious system that benefited them and not those they were suppose to be serving.  To be a ruler was to serve others and not use the position to serve yourself.  

Another is when rich men sit in humble places while fools are in places of exaltation.  The rich men would represent those who are following after wisdom and therefore rich in God.  These are the ones who should be in the positions of authority because they would keep "the peace" the right way.  They would judge with God and others in mind.  But the positions of exalted  places are filled with those who are fools and living foolishly.  If they were only switched around the situation would also be switched.

The third is a word picture to show the irony of the situation.  You have slaves riding the horses and princes walking the road.  You look at the situation and say to yourself, "Shouldn't it be the other way around?"  The thing is, others are also seeing it and thinking the same thing.  Many times, even in the church, we get caught having this backwards when we don't focus on what is important to God.  Many times we elevate what satisfies or comforts us rather than what God mandates for His followers.  We put ourselves on the horse saying in essence "look at me" and make God walk the road, scooping up the output of our exalted prideful position.  

When we have things out of order in light of God's wisdom and plan, we look funny to the world.  We look hypocritical and that is the main judgment lodged against Christians and the church.  We receive what Jesus blasted the Pharisees and scribes with over and over because they made their position one to be served rather than to serve.  It is ironic but it is also very obvious.

v.8-10 - He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall.  He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them.  If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength.  Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

What is the answer to these ironies?  The answer is wisdom.  When we have to dig a pit, be careful not to fall into it.  When we have to break through a wall, be careful to protect yourself from something hidden in the wall or behind it.  When we have to do hard work like quarrying stones or splitting logs, be careful and take precautions to put yourself in a safe position while accomplishing the task.  Make sure to have the right equipment and also have tools that aid you rather than make you exert more energy and therefore put yourself in a vulnerable physical position.  Be prepared for the tough things in life.  How?  Rely and practice wisdom.

I have split a lot of wood in my day.  My father heated the whole house with wood through the winters of northern Michigan.  Putting up 20 to 30 cords of wood was not uncommon over the summer for the following winter so it had enough dry time.  We used chainsaws, axes, and bucksaws that needed to be sharp otherwise the hard work just got harder.  My first church heated with wood and part of the job description was putting up about 40 cords of wood each year because we living in a fast burning piney area.  The necessity to be prepared, so it didn't take up more time and energy than needed, was important for the task getting done but also for the strength you had to have to do it properly and not get hurt.  You didn't rush.  You worked with safety in mind.  You paced yourself to work within the limits of your ability.  You used wisdom.

Many times we attack tough times without using the wisdom of God.  We don't put on His protective gear.  We don't sharpen His tools that He has given us.  We approach a tough time already tired and we fall down more than we should or injure ourselves because preparations where not made or followed.  We treat our spiritual lives this way when we take advantage of God.  We assume a level of comfort and peace that we don't tend to.  We almost act like we deserve it when we haven't done the hard work of attending to this relationship that He has given His Son for.  We blow off the spiritual disciplines for another day and when a hard day comes our way, we injure ourselves because of our own doing.  It is an irony that we live this way when God's wisdom to follow is ever before us.  Let us pray.

"Lord, it is quite an irony when I don't follow after You.  I make more work for myself spiritually.  When I don't take Your principles and follow them then I find myself in the pit or bitten or working with dull equipment.  Help me to see Your wisdom today and use it for the benefit of others and myself and to bring glory to You.  Amen."

Pastor Adam