There is a book of proverbs simply known by the name Proverbs, but that’s not the only place to find proverbs in the Word of God. The author of the book of Proverbs shared some proverbs in “the words of the Preacher,” the book of Ecclesiastes. This practical book gives us proverbs for life and living, mixed with observations of the same to help us be wise.
“Even when a fool walks along the way, he lacks wisdom, and he shows everyone he is a fool” (Ecc. 10:3). This is a continuation of the fool mentioned just before in verse 2 and tells us that one devoid of wisdom, which comes from God, can be seen by his actions to be a fool. Moses recorded it this way: “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23). One may get by for a while in their foolishness, but they will not forever. Actions do speak louder than words, and a wise servant of God will see and know the difference between the wise and the foolish.
One mark of the truly wise is that they maintain their integrity in the presence of a ruler. A bit of wisdom from a country song goes like this: “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” The people of God should act in such a way as to hold the ruler accountable. Too often it is the other way around, and children of God will let a ruler get by with evil. Our lives should set the standard for truth and right. No ruler is higher than God. His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isa. 55:9). As God’s people and His army, we answer to Him. No ruler is above the law of God, and blessed is the ruler whose God and guide is the Lord (Psa. 33:12). Live with conviction. Remember Daniel (Dan. 6:10).
Abuse of power can hang you. It did Haman (Esther 7). “He who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent” (Ecc. 10:8). One who abuses his or her power will pay for that abuse. Take advantage of a neighbor and you may get bitten. Jesus offered it this way: treat others the way you would want to be treated—the “golden rule” (Matt. 7:12).
There is a cost to every work. “He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits wood may be endangered by it” (Ecc. 10:9). When I was a child in Alabama, I knew an old roofer who had no fingernails. He had hit his fingernails so many times with his hammer that they could no longer grow. Think of all the good folks he’d helped by giving them cover from the rain and snow, but in doing good work he paid a price. Good or bad, there is a price to be paid for every work. Jesus said to count the cost (Luke 14:28).
True wisdom comes from God. His Word, the Bible, gives us all we need to get from earth to Heaven. Read it to be wise; live it to be saved.
David Hill
President
Tennessee Bible College