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The Cost of Folly: A Reflection on Wisdom and Foolishness

Delve into Ecclesiastes 10 to uncover the true nature of folly and wisdom. Explore the consequences of foolish actions, the impact of words, and the importance of humility. Discover the hidden richness of true wisdom beyond fleeting desires. Join the meditation on understanding the value of discernment and the fear of God in navigating life's complexities.

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The Cost of Folly: A Reflection on Wisdom and Foolishness

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  1. Sermon • Ecclesiastes 10 • A Meditation on Folly

  2. The wisest thing you can do is to realize that not even being wise will tell you everything you want to know. - David Gibson

  3. All of the traits of the foolish man/ woman flow from issues of the heart.

  4. FOLLY v. 1-3 • Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.  • 2 A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left. 

  5. 3 Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.

  6. One aspect of the hevel of life is that even wisdom can be undone by one foolish act.

  7. The fool cuts across socio-economic and cultural lines – he may be a ruler or in the temple.

  8. FOLLY IN HIGH PLACES 4-7 • 4 If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses. • 5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler- 

  9. 6 folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places. 7 I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land

  10. Public support earns private influence.

  11. A king may put foolish favorites into office over those who are more qualified. Such strangers to the fear of God are called fools. • - Walter Kaiser

  12. “Rich” does not refer to the lottery winner or to the heir or the thief. “Rich” refers here to the one who worked long and hard, and from such work and faithfulness wealth came. • Zach Eswine

  13. FOLLY IN ACTION v. 8-11 • 8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall. 9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them. 

  14. 10 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. 11 If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. 

  15. FOOLISH TALK v. 12-14 • 12 Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him; 13 the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness. 14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?

  16. “This man, with whom you are so taken, will captivate a multitude with his words provided they are not familiar with him.”

  17. True wisdom found in the fear of God will restrain and guide our hearts, words, and actions.

  18. His unbelief and failure to consider that there is a future judgment, wherein the totality of life will be reviewed, puts him at such a huge disadvantage compared to the devout, wise man that he is to be pitied. - Walter Kaiser

  19. “I WANT TO” • without • “I WILL” • leads to • “I WISH I WOULD HAVE”

  20. FOLLY AND INCOMPETENCE v. 15 •  15 The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city. 

  21. FOLLY IN NATIONAL LIFE • 16 Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning. 17 Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time-for strength and not for drunkenness. 

  22. 18 Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks. 19 Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything. 

  23. 20 Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound and the winged creature will make the matter known.

  24. Woe and blessings come to a land depending on the character of the king.

  25. When you shirk your duties to pursue your own desires, the impact goes far beyond you alone.

  26. Folly leads us to overlook what is small but needful to chase after a bigger dream but in the end will leave us barren. Folly looks for notoriety, not responsibility. Folly looks for instant gratification, not long-term gain. Folly looks for attention for self rather than service for others.

  27. If wisdom has any power to protect us, it is in admitting our own limitations and vulnerabilities.

  28. “We are bigger sinners than we dare admit, but through Christ are more loved and forgiven than we dare imagine.”

  29. The wisdom of God is revealed in the cross. Though it seems like foolishness to the world, it is the wisdom and power of God. • – 1 Corinthians 1:18ff.

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