The Solomon Project-- Ecclesiastes 10:11-15

This blog is for those who suffer from addictive and compulsive behaviors. Particularly sexual addiction. It is based on the biblical book of Ecclesiastes. It is written to apply to a broad range of world views. It is my hope that those who read this blog will find wisdom, comfort and hope as they struggle with sexual addictive and compulsive behaviors.

The thought of the previous verses continues: "If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer." (Ecc 10:11 NIV) Solomon is presenting the benefits and limitations of wisdom in this series of proverbs. Here he demonstrates that wisdom is necessary in dangerous situations i.e. charming snakes, a dangerous task indeed! However timing is important. No matter how skillful you are if it is not applied at the right time one can get hurt badly.

"Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips." (Ecc 10:12 NIV) Solomon directs his attention to human interaction now and away from the dangers of occupation. See Proverbs 13:15 and 22:1. The concept here is that the wise man's words win him favor. The contrast is with the fool who is "consumed" by his own words. Probably what would apply here is that the fool not only talks others to death but also talks himself to death. The wise man's words show him to be skillful in living life the fool's words literally turn upon themselves and the fool is eaten alive by them.

The author continues his observations about the words of the fool: "At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness--" (Ecc 10:13 NIV) This verse is a very good example of the figure of speech called a merism. Solomon gives both ends of the spectrum "the beginning" and "the end--and everything in between." Meaning from start to finish. They start in folly and end in wicked madness. It doesn't sound like someone you would want to carry on a conversation with.

Solomon continues to pile on the comparisons and contrasts: "and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming-- who can tell him what will happen after him? (Ecc 10:14 NIV)" The multiplication of words will continue because he doesn't know when to stop. The constant barrage of words never gives the fool time to think that know one knows the future--he doesn't--he doesn't even know the way to town (10:3, 10:15). Also he can't know what will happen after him. After he is dead.

Are we, both male and female, men and women of few words? Are those words gracious (10:12) Gracious words are looked at primarily as benefiting the speaker in this instance. There are other instances where the wise person's speech benefits others. We are known by our words. We are also judge on behaviors. Words are powerful and can do great good or harm. What are our words like today. As addicts and compulsive people we lash out in anger sometimes saying hurtful things for which some regressive step work will have to be done. There are consequences to our actions. As we move into recovery we will probably use less words and have them carry more meaning for us and those around us.

"A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town." (Ecc 10:15 NIV) Rather than invigorating a person, work for the fool tires him out. Solomon has urged the reader to find enjoyment under the sun all the days of his life in his work that God has given him to do. But the fool is tired of and by his work.

The last part of the verse is hyperbole an overeggageration for effect. contemporary sayings might be "He doesn't have enough sense to come in out of the rain." One perhaps more dated but some may relate to is "He can't think himself out of a phone booth." The fool had been to town many times. In fact in these times they lived in towns. They worked outside the walls of the city and came in at night for protection. They last part of the Proverb means that he doesn't know how to Carry on the most basic parts of life even though he knows them well. Are any of us in this state? Addiction has so mapped our brain that we have left our "hometown" so to speak and can't find our way back. Perhaps you find yourself far from friends who love you and are angry at them because they have "moved" Yet your are the one who is lost and can't find your way back to your home town.

This week we have looked at limitations and benefits of wisdom and the sheer madness of foolish words and actions. Wisdom though limited has the ability to help us along our path in recovery. As we practice sobriety and recovery, we we learn that nothing is sure but the alternative will leave us a long long way from where we want to be.