Thy Strong Word — Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20: Dead Flies in the Ointment: Folly Ruins Everything

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One dead fly ruins the perfumer’s oil, and a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. Qoheleth shifts into proverb mode and catalogs the ways fools wreck what the wise build: the fool walks down the road and everyone can tell, rulers put idiots in high places while the competent sit low, and the fool multiplies words about a future he cannot predict. But the Preacher also warns the wise man: even your private thoughts about the king can travel, because a bird of the air may carry your voice.

The Rev. James Stefanic, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Renault, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20.

To learn more about Holy Cross in Renault, visit holycrossrenault.org.

What does a man gain from all his toil under the sun? Solomon asked that question three thousand years ago, and it still cuts. Ecclesiastes is the Bible’s most unflinching book about work, wealth, wisdom, and the ache nothing in this life can fill. It is also one of the most pastoral, because the Preacher tells the truth about death, time, and meaning without leaving the reader in despair. Pastor Booe and guest pastors from across the Synod study it verse by verse, following Solomon’s argument to where it finally lands: fear God and keep His commandments.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20

[13] I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. [14] There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. [15] But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. [16] But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

[17] The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. [18] Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

10[1] Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;

so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

[2] A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,

but a fool’s heart to the left.

[3] Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,

and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

[4] If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,

for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

[5] There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: [6] folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. [7] I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

[8] He who digs a pit will fall into it,

and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

[9] He who quarries stones is hurt by them,

and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

[10] If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,

he must use more strength,

but wisdom helps one to succeed.

[11] If the serpent bites before it is charmed,

there is no advantage to the charmer.

[12] The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor,

but the lips of a fool consume him.

[13] The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,

and the end of his talk is evil madness.

[14] A fool multiplies words,

though no man knows what is to be,

and who can tell him what will be after him?

[15] The toil of a fool wearies him,

for he does not know the way to the city.

[16] Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,

and your princes feast in the morning!

[17] Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,

and your princes feast at the proper time,

for strength, and not for drunkenness!

[18] Through sloth the roof sinks in,

and through indolence the house leaks.

[19] Bread is made for laughter,

and wine gladdens life,

and money answers everything.

[20] Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,

nor in your bedroom curse the rich,

for a bird of the air will carry your voice,

or some winged creature tell the matter.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved.