Ecc 10:8 | KingComments | STEP | contain the warning for a wrong reaction to the follies of the ruler that we saw in the previous verses. A general application can be made with regard to all kinds of matters or persons we do not like. Then plans can come up to eliminate those matters or persons. In the direct context it is about overthrowing a foolish ruler. The Preacher mentions four possibilities, to which he directly connects the consequence for the inventor of the coup. The evil we do will come upon ourselves like a boomerang: 1. We dig a pit and fall into it ourselves ( ). 2. We break through a wall and do not consider the serpent hidden in it, which we wake-up and it gets angry so it bites us ( ). 3. We quarry stones and get hurt, because other stones fall on us ( ). 4. We split logs and we do not consider the danger of circling splinters around us ( ). It happens all too often that we trip over our own feet. The four examples have in common that they destroy something: the ground to walk on, the wall that should protect, stones that form a building, wood that grows. We can draw the following lessons from these situations: 1. He who digs a pit to catch the foolish ruler, will fall into it himself. The trick that he invents to capture the ruler, will turn out that he will be captured himself and carried away. 2. The wall is to be considered a picture of the guards that surround the ruler as a protection. He who wants to break through it, will be bitten by a serpent, meaning that it will cost his life. 3. Quarrying stones from the house of a ruler happens for example when people try to find associates for the coup, among the supporters of the foolish ruler. It will not succeed, but it will turn out to suffering. 4. The splitting of logs gives the picture of sowing division between the supporters of the ruler. He who wants to cause division to cause the fall of the ruler, will fall himself by the result of it. Living in a world fallen into sin involves dangers. Therefore we need to estimate the risks of a certain action carefully, especially in our dealings with a foolish ruler or government. We should watch out, should not take too many risks and also work carefully with good material. The use of a dull axe ( ) takes a lot of energy, while the desired result is delayed and may possibly never be acquired. “Wisdom has the advantage of giving success” ( ), not one’s own clever ideas ( ) or brute force ( ). That means that we must consider before we start something. Then we will be successful in what we intend to do. God gives us the right material in ‘wisdom’. Wisdom makes one do the right thing in the right way, at the right time, with the right means – amongst others the use of other people’s wisdom – and the right motives. This is good for himself and for others. If we forget to be wise, the serpent will bite us ( ). Then the evil has been done and it is too late to prevent the biting. The saying ‘what’s done is done’ applies to this. The “charmer” cannot do anything anymore when the evil is done. He can only prevent it, but not undo it. The tongue is as a serpent, “full of deadly poison” ( ). The Holy Spirit is the ‘charmer’ and can prevent the evil of the wrong use of the tongue. If the serpent has bitten, if the wrong, hurtful word has been spoken, the evil has been done and it cannot be swallowed anymore and not to be undone anymore. For the believer, fortunately, there is the possibility to confess the wrong. Then the sin will be forgiven, although the consequences cannot always be taken away.

‏ Ecclesiastes 10:8

Operate With Wisdom

Ecc 10:8-9 contain the warning for a wrong reaction to the follies of the ruler that we saw in the previous verses. A general application can be made with regard to all kinds of matters or persons we do not like. Then plans can come up to eliminate those matters or persons. In the direct context it is about overthrowing a foolish ruler.

The Preacher mentions four possibilities, to which he directly connects the consequence for the inventor of the coup. The evil we do will come upon ourselves like a boomerang:

1. We dig a pit and fall into it ourselves (Ecc 10:8a).

2. We break through a wall and do not consider the serpent hidden in it, which we wake-up and it gets angry so it bites us (Ecc 10:8b).

3. We quarry stones and get hurt, because other stones fall on us (Ecc 10:9a).

4. We split logs and we do not consider the danger of circling splinters around us (Ecc 10:9b).

It happens all too often that we trip over our own feet.

The four examples have in common that they destroy something: the ground to walk on, the wall that should protect, stones that form a building, wood that grows. We can draw the following lessons from these situations:

1. He who digs a pit to catch the foolish ruler, will fall into it himself. The trick that he invents to capture the ruler, will turn out that he will be captured himself and carried away.

2. The wall is to be considered a picture of the guards that surround the ruler as a protection. He who wants to break through it, will be bitten by a serpent, meaning that it will cost his life.

3. Quarrying stones from the house of a ruler happens for example when people try to find associates for the coup, among the supporters of the foolish ruler. It will not succeed, but it will turn out to suffering.

4. The splitting of logs gives the picture of sowing division between the supporters of the ruler. He who wants to cause division to cause the fall of the ruler, will fall himself by the result of it.

Living in a world fallen into sin involves dangers. Therefore we need to estimate the risks of a certain action carefully, especially in our dealings with a foolish ruler or government. We should watch out, should not take too many risks and also work carefully with good material. The use of a dull axe (Ecc 10:10) takes a lot of energy, while the desired result is delayed and may possibly never be acquired.

“Wisdom has the advantage of giving success” (Ecc 10:10b), not one’s own clever ideas (Ecc 10:8-9) or brute force (Ecc 10:10a). That means that we must consider before we start something. Then we will be successful in what we intend to do. God gives us the right material in ‘wisdom’. Wisdom makes one do the right thing in the right way, at the right time, with the right means – amongst others the use of other people’s wisdom – and the right motives. This is good for himself and for others.

If we forget to be wise, the serpent will bite us (Ecc 10:11). Then the evil has been done and it is too late to prevent the biting. The saying ‘what’s done is done’ applies to this. The “charmer” cannot do anything anymore when the evil is done. He can only prevent it, but not undo it.

The tongue is as a serpent, “full of deadly poison” (Jam 3:8). The Holy Spirit is the ‘charmer’ and can prevent the evil of the wrong use of the tongue. If the serpent has bitten, if the wrong, hurtful word has been spoken, the evil has been done and it cannot be swallowed anymore and not to be undone anymore. For the believer, fortunately, there is the possibility to confess the wrong. Then the sin will be forgiven, although the consequences cannot always be taken away.