Ecclesiastes 1

Ecclesiastes 1:2

Introduction

From Proverbs 10:1 there is a striking change in the form in which Solomon passes on his proverbs. This changed form continues until Proverbs 22:16. In it we do not find the powerful instructions to seek wisdom and no long speeches with clear situations and persons or personifications. Instead, we find, corresponding to the name of the book, Proverbs, a collection of short, concise proverbs or sayings. There are about three hundred and seventy-five of them.

The first part of the book, Proverbs 1-9, deals with two persons: woman Wisdom and woman Folly. In this second section, Proverbs 10:1-22:16, it deals with two kinds of persons, each kind of whom follows one of the women mentioned. One kind is wise, righteous, good, etcetera; the other kind is foolish, wicked, evil, etcetera.

The form of the proverbs in this second volume, with a few exceptions, consists of two lines of verse, with the second line elaborating the thought of the first line. This mode of writing is called “parallelism. The lines run parallel.

We will encounter three main types of parallelism. It is worth paying attention to them:

1. There are parallels that correspond to each other, also called synonymous parallelism. In this case, the second line of verse repeats in different words a similar thought as in the first line of verse. They are two parts that reflect one thought. An example is: Pride [goes] before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling (Proverbs 16:18).

2. There are also parallels that are opposite, forming a contrast, also called antithetical parallelism. In this case, the second line of verse says the opposite of what the first line of verse says. This is often expressed by the word “but” at the beginning of the second line of verse. An example is: A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother (Proverbs 10:1).

3. Another form of parallelism is the complementary form, also called synthetic parallelism. In this, the second line of verse complements the first. The thought of the first line of verse is developed further in the second line of verse. This is often expressed by the word “and” at the beginning of the second line of verse. An example is: In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge (Proverbs 14:26).

The use of these different kinds of ‘parallelism’ will make us feel the power of the individual proverbs all the more. Incidentally, we also find this use of parallelism in Psalms and in Ecclesiastes.

The proverbs in this second section are mostly about the consequences of right or wrong actions. In the letter to the Galatians, Paul puts it this way: “For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7b-8). The proverbs that follow now assist and encourage in making the right choice, or in other words, the sowing to the Spirit.

There is no such thing as a predestination to make a choice, as if it were inevitable to make that choice. That would exclude personal responsibility. This book makes it clear that each one is responsible for the choice he makes and therefore for the consequences of that choice. That is what makes this book so important.

There is no clear order to be noted in this section of the book, although there are instances when two or more consecutive proverbs are connected. In that case, this is evidenced by a theme or word mentioned in the successive verses. That in most cases there is no connection between verses forces the reader to engage deeply with the meaning of one particular verse, that is, one particular saying, before moving on to the next.

That the context is lacking, at least to our eye, is also consistent with the course of daily life, in which not everything always follows a certain pattern, a fixed order, either. Although we have a certain pattern of expectations based on experience, life is still also full of surprises. When we are with the Lord, it may turn out that all sorts of events between which we see no connection have nevertheless been connected, but this has eluded us.

Precisely because of its apparent incoherence, this book invites us to read it daily. The purpose is not so much to read a chapter every day. This is certainly not wrong, for by doing so we become increasingly familiar with the content in a general sense. What it is about is that we read a verse or a few verses and reflect on them. Who knows, we may encounter a situation to which what we have read and pondered applies.

Thus, the proverbs in this section of the book constantly reinvigorate us by each time presenting us with a different truth or the same truth from a different perspective. God’s Spirit has given Solomon these ‘single’ proverbs, in which at first glance no particular order can be detected, to us for a purpose. He knows what we need on a particular day or in a particular situation. He can remind us of a particular proverb for that purpose or have us read it at that moment.

A Wise Son and a Foolish Son

This second part of Proverbs (Proverbs 10:1-22:16) has the same heading as the first part, “the Proverbs of Solomon” (Proverbs 10:1; cf. Proverbs 1:1). It confirms that the book continues here, although the form is different from the first part. The second line of Pro 10:1, containing the first proverb, underscores that. The first proverb is about a son in his relationship with his father and mother. This indicates that, as in the first part, the atmosphere in which the teaching is given is that of the family (Proverbs 1:8). It emphasizes the importance of an upbringing in the fear of God.

All subsequent proverbs are for the purpose of helping the son act like a wise son and keeping him from acting as a foolish son. He who acts as a wise son shows himself to be a son of wisdom. The result is joy with his father, who has raised him in wisdom, as the previous chapters have shown. This includes the warning not to behave as a foolish son, which leads to grief for his mother. Esau is a foolish son. He has caused his parents grief by his marriage to Hittite women (Genesis 26:34-35; Genesis 27:46).

Father and mother both have their own indispensable role in parenting. The father, through his powerful love, provides safety and security. The mother, through her warm, sensitive love, makes the child feel wanted and accepted.

The child can be a son or a daughter. That a “son” is always mentioned is because it is about the ‘masculine’ aspect of life as a believer, that is, the practice of a relationship. The ‘feminine’ aspect of the believer represents more the relationship itself, the relationship in which the believer is placed.

A wise son is not wise simply because he has a lot of knowledge and has also gained the necessary experience. Wisdom is not “knowledge plus experience”, but knowledge of Christ as the wisdom of God. The beginning of wisdom is fearing the Lord. It is impossible to become wise if He is not the center of our heart and life. Wisdom is “Christ-centered”.

We see in the first proverb what the consequence is if the teaching of and about wisdom is listened to and what the consequence is if it is not listened to. He who listens to it is “a wise son”. He is a constant source of joy for his father. He who does not listen to it is “a foolish son”. He is a constant cause of intense grief for his mother. It will be clear that the mother is constantly rejoicing with the father over a wise son and the father is constantly grieving with the mother over a foolish son.

We see that the effects of wisdom or foolishness in the son affect others. These are first and foremost both the parents who have shown him wisdom and folly (cf. Proverbs 17:21; 25; Proverbs 23:24-25). But others who live with God will also be glad or grieved when they look at young people and perceive wisdom or folly (cf. 2 John 1:4).

Ecclesiastes 1:3

Righteousness Is Life

The next saying is about life and death (Proverbs 10:2). The wicked one lives for the here and now and tries to get as many treasures as possible in this life. He does so in his own wicked way. All those treasures are “ill-gotten gains”, literally “treasures of wickedness”, treasures characterized by wickedness. This may be because of the wicked way they were obtained or because of the way they are dealt with. With these treasures marked by wickedness, he thinks he can live a pleasant life.

But these treasures do not benefit him when he dies. In the words of a well-known proverb: Ill-gotten gains never benefit anyone. What benefit did Ahab derive from appropriating the vineyard of Naboth (1 Kings 21:4-24; 1 Kings 22:39)? What benefit did the thirty pieces of silver give Judas for surrendering the Lord Jesus (Matthew 27:5)? Both perished in their sins.

Only “righteousness delivers from death”. In the government of God, doing righteousness will not bring us into death, but will preserve us from it. We do righteousness if we give each one what he is entitled to, both God and a human being. This can only be fulfilled by one who possesses the righteousness of God in Christ. Such a person possesses a treasure of inestimable value. That treasure is separate from all earthly treasures. One who possesses that treasure can face death without fear, for death has been robbed of its terror for him. Christ has conquered death.

Righteousness is of far greater value than earthly prosperity especially if it has also been obtained dishonestly. Thereby prosperity can only be enjoyed for a limited time, at its longest during the short stay on earth, while righteousness passes through death to be enjoyed even afterward.

The LORD sees to it that a righteous person lacks nothing (Proverbs 10:3). The Lord Jesus points His disciples to the birds of heaven for which He cares. Then He says that His own are far beyond those birds (Matthew 6:25-26). Those who live in fellowship with Him receive from Him what they need. Even if he has want, yet his soul will not hunger, because in his soul he has fellowship with God. Habakkuk can therefore sing even though he has lack of everything (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

Wicked people get nothing from God. Nor have they ever asked anything of Him, but steal their possessions from others and above all from God. Their craving He rejects. A wicked person is never satisfied; he never says he has enough, but always wants more. His cravings are also evil cravings, cravings that he wants to satisfy at the expense of others. Sometimes he succeeds, but God will take it all away from him. He will have to live forever with unfulfilled cravings. It is one of the torments of hell that the wicked will never get what they desire because they never desired God when He offered them Christ.

Ecclesiastes 1:4

Righteousness Is Life

The next saying is about life and death (Proverbs 10:2). The wicked one lives for the here and now and tries to get as many treasures as possible in this life. He does so in his own wicked way. All those treasures are “ill-gotten gains”, literally “treasures of wickedness”, treasures characterized by wickedness. This may be because of the wicked way they were obtained or because of the way they are dealt with. With these treasures marked by wickedness, he thinks he can live a pleasant life.

But these treasures do not benefit him when he dies. In the words of a well-known proverb: Ill-gotten gains never benefit anyone. What benefit did Ahab derive from appropriating the vineyard of Naboth (1 Kings 21:4-24; 1 Kings 22:39)? What benefit did the thirty pieces of silver give Judas for surrendering the Lord Jesus (Matthew 27:5)? Both perished in their sins.

Only “righteousness delivers from death”. In the government of God, doing righteousness will not bring us into death, but will preserve us from it. We do righteousness if we give each one what he is entitled to, both God and a human being. This can only be fulfilled by one who possesses the righteousness of God in Christ. Such a person possesses a treasure of inestimable value. That treasure is separate from all earthly treasures. One who possesses that treasure can face death without fear, for death has been robbed of its terror for him. Christ has conquered death.

Righteousness is of far greater value than earthly prosperity especially if it has also been obtained dishonestly. Thereby prosperity can only be enjoyed for a limited time, at its longest during the short stay on earth, while righteousness passes through death to be enjoyed even afterward.

The LORD sees to it that a righteous person lacks nothing (Proverbs 10:3). The Lord Jesus points His disciples to the birds of heaven for which He cares. Then He says that His own are far beyond those birds (Matthew 6:25-26). Those who live in fellowship with Him receive from Him what they need. Even if he has want, yet his soul will not hunger, because in his soul he has fellowship with God. Habakkuk can therefore sing even though he has lack of everything (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

Wicked people get nothing from God. Nor have they ever asked anything of Him, but steal their possessions from others and above all from God. Their craving He rejects. A wicked person is never satisfied; he never says he has enough, but always wants more. His cravings are also evil cravings, cravings that he wants to satisfy at the expense of others. Sometimes he succeeds, but God will take it all away from him. He will have to live forever with unfulfilled cravings. It is one of the torments of hell that the wicked will never get what they desire because they never desired God when He offered them Christ.

Ecclesiastes 1:5

To Work Diligently in Summer

These verses connect to the previous verse. That God provides (Proverbs 10:3) does not mean that man should not work to earn his bread (Proverbs 10:4). Here laziness and poverty are linked on the one hand, and diligence and wealth on the other. Laziness causes poverty, and diligence results in wealth. A “negligent hand” is a slack, lazy hand, a hand that seems to perform something, but in reality does nothing. It is a hand that deceives, that disappoints, because nothing is done with it. He who is lazy will become poor. Diligence, or zeal, is a condition for becoming rich. Paul warns against laziness (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12). Ruth is an example of one who is diligent (Rth 2:2; 19).

Diligence includes seeing and making use of the time to work. It is not to work only when we are in the mood for it. Work should be done when the opportunity is there, or, as the Lord Jesus says of Himself, that He works “as long as it is day” (John 9:4). A son of wisdom will gather “in summer” (Proverbs 10:5; Proverbs 6:6-8; Proverbs 30:25). By this he proves that he is “a son who acts wisely”. Harvest is the right time to do the right thing. Joseph acted as a wise son by gathering that abundance in a time of plenty and saving it for the ‘meager’ years (Genesis 41:46-56).

When we take full advantage of the suitable occasion, making the most of our time (Ephesians 5:15-16), we are as “a son who acts wisely”. This has everything to do with learning the will of God, which He makes known to those who want to be obedient. Young people show that they are sons who act wisely when they are diligent in studying the Word of God. They then heed the exhortation given by Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes: “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come” (Ecclesiastes 12:1a).

Opposed to a wise son is the son who “sleeps in harvest”. While everyone is hard at work bringing in the harvest, this son lies in bed fast asleep. Thus he lets the time of gathering pass and will have nothing when he wakes up. The Lord Jesus says: “The fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35). But He unfortunately also has to say: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37; Luke 10:2). Many Christians have fallen into a deep spiritual sleep. They are busy doing many things for themselves and not working for the Lord.

A son who sleeps at harvest time is not only shortchanging himself. He “is a son who acts shamefully”, that is, he also shames and shortchanges his father who taught him wisdom. He behaves shamefully by neglecting his duty out of laziness, although he knows it. Demas is an example of one who shames others. Paul must say with sadness to Timothy that Demas had “loved the present age” (2 Timothy 4:10). Unfaithful believers shame believers who have prayed and struggled for their spiritual welfare (cf. 1 John 2:28).

Christians who do not respond to the calling with which God has called them put God the Father to shame. God is ashamed of them. The people of God who had returned from Babylon to Judah and Jerusalem shamed God by saying that it was not the right time for the building of the house of God (Haggai 1:2-3). They ran hard for their own houses, while any effort for the house of God was too much for them.

Ecclesiastes 1:6

To Work Diligently in Summer

These verses connect to the previous verse. That God provides (Proverbs 10:3) does not mean that man should not work to earn his bread (Proverbs 10:4). Here laziness and poverty are linked on the one hand, and diligence and wealth on the other. Laziness causes poverty, and diligence results in wealth. A “negligent hand” is a slack, lazy hand, a hand that seems to perform something, but in reality does nothing. It is a hand that deceives, that disappoints, because nothing is done with it. He who is lazy will become poor. Diligence, or zeal, is a condition for becoming rich. Paul warns against laziness (2 Thessalonians 3:7-12). Ruth is an example of one who is diligent (Rth 2:2; 19).

Diligence includes seeing and making use of the time to work. It is not to work only when we are in the mood for it. Work should be done when the opportunity is there, or, as the Lord Jesus says of Himself, that He works “as long as it is day” (John 9:4). A son of wisdom will gather “in summer” (Proverbs 10:5; Proverbs 6:6-8; Proverbs 30:25). By this he proves that he is “a son who acts wisely”. Harvest is the right time to do the right thing. Joseph acted as a wise son by gathering that abundance in a time of plenty and saving it for the ‘meager’ years (Genesis 41:46-56).

When we take full advantage of the suitable occasion, making the most of our time (Ephesians 5:15-16), we are as “a son who acts wisely”. This has everything to do with learning the will of God, which He makes known to those who want to be obedient. Young people show that they are sons who act wisely when they are diligent in studying the Word of God. They then heed the exhortation given by Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes: “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come” (Ecclesiastes 12:1a).

Opposed to a wise son is the son who “sleeps in harvest”. While everyone is hard at work bringing in the harvest, this son lies in bed fast asleep. Thus he lets the time of gathering pass and will have nothing when he wakes up. The Lord Jesus says: “The fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35). But He unfortunately also has to say: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37; Luke 10:2). Many Christians have fallen into a deep spiritual sleep. They are busy doing many things for themselves and not working for the Lord.

A son who sleeps at harvest time is not only shortchanging himself. He “is a son who acts shamefully”, that is, he also shames and shortchanges his father who taught him wisdom. He behaves shamefully by neglecting his duty out of laziness, although he knows it. Demas is an example of one who shames others. Paul must say with sadness to Timothy that Demas had “loved the present age” (2 Timothy 4:10). Unfaithful believers shame believers who have prayed and struggled for their spiritual welfare (cf. 1 John 2:28).

Christians who do not respond to the calling with which God has called them put God the Father to shame. God is ashamed of them. The people of God who had returned from Babylon to Judah and Jerusalem shamed God by saying that it was not the right time for the building of the house of God (Haggai 1:2-3). They ran hard for their own houses, while any effort for the house of God was too much for them.

Ecclesiastes 1:7

Blessing or Rotting Away

“The righteous” and “blessings” belong together (Proverbs 10:6). On the head of the righteous are blessings from God (cf. Genesis 49:26; Deuteronomy 33:16), no matter what people may do to him or say about him. God speaks His blessing over the righteous and blesses him with temporal and spiritual blessings. Here again we may think first and foremost of the Lord Jesus Who is the Blessed One.

Opposite the head of the righteous is “the mouth of the wicked”. His mouth conceals “violence”. That can mean that his mouth is forcibly gagged. For him there is no blessing, but he is harshly silenced (cf. Psalms 107:42). It can also mean that violence lies like a covering over his mouth, that out of his mouth only violence comes. Every word of blessing for another is foreign to him.

What has characterized the life of the righteous and the wicked is continued after death (Proverbs 10:7). How blessed is the memory of the Righteous One par excellence, Christ Jesus (Psalms 112:6b), and how terrifying is the name of Judas. Reflecting on righteous people who have lived before us is an activity from which blessing flows for us (Hebrews 11:1-40). We experience this when we read biographies of committed believers. Such believers we hold in grateful memory.

“The name of wicked” works the opposite. Thinking about it or mentioning it evokes disgust. We will not give our children the name of a wicked person. No blessing emanates from such a name, but that name “will rot”, indicating a rotting process. The name of King Jeroboam is such a name. He is referred to after his death as the king “who made Israel sin” (1 Kings 14:16; 1 Kings 15:30; 1 Kings 22:53; 2 Kings 3:3; 2 Kings 10:29; 31; 2 Kings 13:2; 6; 11; 2 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 15:18; 24; 28; 2 Kings 23:15).

The question before us is how we want to be remembered. At funerals, often only the good things are mentioned, when sometimes the person was known to be quite different. But the aroma of the life someone lived remains after death, no matter what words may have been spoken at the funeral. Will we leave behind a pleasant aroma or stench? Will our name be mentioned with gratitude or with disgust?

Ecclesiastes 1:8

Blessing or Rotting Away

“The righteous” and “blessings” belong together (Proverbs 10:6). On the head of the righteous are blessings from God (cf. Genesis 49:26; Deuteronomy 33:16), no matter what people may do to him or say about him. God speaks His blessing over the righteous and blesses him with temporal and spiritual blessings. Here again we may think first and foremost of the Lord Jesus Who is the Blessed One.

Opposite the head of the righteous is “the mouth of the wicked”. His mouth conceals “violence”. That can mean that his mouth is forcibly gagged. For him there is no blessing, but he is harshly silenced (cf. Psalms 107:42). It can also mean that violence lies like a covering over his mouth, that out of his mouth only violence comes. Every word of blessing for another is foreign to him.

What has characterized the life of the righteous and the wicked is continued after death (Proverbs 10:7). How blessed is the memory of the Righteous One par excellence, Christ Jesus (Psalms 112:6b), and how terrifying is the name of Judas. Reflecting on righteous people who have lived before us is an activity from which blessing flows for us (Hebrews 11:1-40). We experience this when we read biographies of committed believers. Such believers we hold in grateful memory.

“The name of wicked” works the opposite. Thinking about it or mentioning it evokes disgust. We will not give our children the name of a wicked person. No blessing emanates from such a name, but that name “will rot”, indicating a rotting process. The name of King Jeroboam is such a name. He is referred to after his death as the king “who made Israel sin” (1 Kings 14:16; 1 Kings 15:30; 1 Kings 22:53; 2 Kings 3:3; 2 Kings 10:29; 31; 2 Kings 13:2; 6; 11; 2 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 15:18; 24; 28; 2 Kings 23:15).

The question before us is how we want to be remembered. At funerals, often only the good things are mentioned, when sometimes the person was known to be quite different. But the aroma of the life someone lived remains after death, no matter what words may have been spoken at the funeral. Will we leave behind a pleasant aroma or stench? Will our name be mentioned with gratitude or with disgust?

Ecclesiastes 1:9

Be Ruined or Walking Securely

“The wise of heart will receive commands” that his father or anyone above him holds out to him (Proverbs 10:8). He does so because he is aware of his need for them and their value. In himself, he has no strength to say ‘no’ to sin within himself and to the temptations of the world around him. Therefore, the wise of heart longs for commands that he can keep in his heart to be guided by them in his life (Proverbs 4:23). He wants to be taught to become even wiser.

The fool is constantly babbling himself with babble that makes no sense. As a result, he is unable to listen to the commands presented to him that are for life. You can try to point out to him that he needs wisdom, but he talks right over it with verbose nonsense. Thus he evades confrontation with his real need, for he does not want to see it.

A person “walks in integrity” when he walks with God and not before the eyes of men (Proverbs 10:9; Genesis 17:1). Then he “walks securely”. Security goes hand in hand with integrity. Joseph went his way in integrity and thereupon enjoyed the protection of God. “But he who perverts his ways”, that is, sinful ways, does not go unnoticed. God sees all his ways and will confront him with them. That discovery, that being “found out” brings punishment (Psalms 125:5).

Peter went a perverted way when he denied his Christian position for fear of the Jews. He did not walk straightforward about the truth of the gospel. Paul noticed this and admonished him sternly about it (Galatians 2:11-14).

There are those who cause suffering to others by secret communications (Proverbs 10:10; cf. Proverbs 6:12-14; Psalms 35:19). Saying something with a wink of the eye has the meaning that what is said is not true. A “babbling fool” will be ruined. Here the second line of verse is not a comparison with the first line of verse, nor is it a contradiction, but an addition to it, which is represented by the word “and” at the beginning of the second line of verse.

Ecclesiastes 1:10

Be Ruined or Walking Securely

“The wise of heart will receive commands” that his father or anyone above him holds out to him (Proverbs 10:8). He does so because he is aware of his need for them and their value. In himself, he has no strength to say ‘no’ to sin within himself and to the temptations of the world around him. Therefore, the wise of heart longs for commands that he can keep in his heart to be guided by them in his life (Proverbs 4:23). He wants to be taught to become even wiser.

The fool is constantly babbling himself with babble that makes no sense. As a result, he is unable to listen to the commands presented to him that are for life. You can try to point out to him that he needs wisdom, but he talks right over it with verbose nonsense. Thus he evades confrontation with his real need, for he does not want to see it.

A person “walks in integrity” when he walks with God and not before the eyes of men (Proverbs 10:9; Genesis 17:1). Then he “walks securely”. Security goes hand in hand with integrity. Joseph went his way in integrity and thereupon enjoyed the protection of God. “But he who perverts his ways”, that is, sinful ways, does not go unnoticed. God sees all his ways and will confront him with them. That discovery, that being “found out” brings punishment (Psalms 125:5).

Peter went a perverted way when he denied his Christian position for fear of the Jews. He did not walk straightforward about the truth of the gospel. Paul noticed this and admonished him sternly about it (Galatians 2:11-14).

There are those who cause suffering to others by secret communications (Proverbs 10:10; cf. Proverbs 6:12-14; Psalms 35:19). Saying something with a wink of the eye has the meaning that what is said is not true. A “babbling fool” will be ruined. Here the second line of verse is not a comparison with the first line of verse, nor is it a contradiction, but an addition to it, which is represented by the word “and” at the beginning of the second line of verse.

Ecclesiastes 1:11

Be Ruined or Walking Securely

“The wise of heart will receive commands” that his father or anyone above him holds out to him (Proverbs 10:8). He does so because he is aware of his need for them and their value. In himself, he has no strength to say ‘no’ to sin within himself and to the temptations of the world around him. Therefore, the wise of heart longs for commands that he can keep in his heart to be guided by them in his life (Proverbs 4:23). He wants to be taught to become even wiser.

The fool is constantly babbling himself with babble that makes no sense. As a result, he is unable to listen to the commands presented to him that are for life. You can try to point out to him that he needs wisdom, but he talks right over it with verbose nonsense. Thus he evades confrontation with his real need, for he does not want to see it.

A person “walks in integrity” when he walks with God and not before the eyes of men (Proverbs 10:9; Genesis 17:1). Then he “walks securely”. Security goes hand in hand with integrity. Joseph went his way in integrity and thereupon enjoyed the protection of God. “But he who perverts his ways”, that is, sinful ways, does not go unnoticed. God sees all his ways and will confront him with them. That discovery, that being “found out” brings punishment (Psalms 125:5).

Peter went a perverted way when he denied his Christian position for fear of the Jews. He did not walk straightforward about the truth of the gospel. Paul noticed this and admonished him sternly about it (Galatians 2:11-14).

There are those who cause suffering to others by secret communications (Proverbs 10:10; cf. Proverbs 6:12-14; Psalms 35:19). Saying something with a wink of the eye has the meaning that what is said is not true. A “babbling fool” will be ruined. Here the second line of verse is not a comparison with the first line of verse, nor is it a contradiction, but an addition to it, which is represented by the word “and” at the beginning of the second line of verse.

Ecclesiastes 1:12

The Mouth of the Righteous and of the Wicked

“The mouth of the righteous”, that is, what the righteous says, “is a fountain of life” for those who listen to him (Proverbs 10:11). His words are beneficial and give life force. A fountain gives fresh water every time. This is perfectly true of the mouth of the Lord Jesus. Out of His mouth come words of grace (Luke 4:22). His words “are spirit and are life” (John 6:63).

We also find it in all the prophets who spoke the Word of God. All their words of instruction that they spoke on behalf of God were for the purpose of making the people of God live the true life. The same is true of the mouth of the New Testament believer. It is a source of life if he is guided by the Holy Spirit in his words. Then out of his inner being come “rivers of living water” for others (John 7:38-39).

What the wicked one says has a totally different content. He spreads violence. What he says only causes harm to others (Proverbs 10:6b). The quality of life is destroyed by him. Wherever he is and opens his mouth, the atmosphere is poisoned. Instead of refreshment and life, he sows death and destruction with his babbling.

The wicked are driven by “hatred”, but the righteous by “love” (Proverbs 10:12). Out of hatred spring strife and quarrels. The words of the wicked conceal violence, but the love of the righteous covers sins by forgiving them. Love brings peace through forgiveness, through the covering of “all transgressions”.

There is an essential difference between the concealing or covering of Pro 10:11 and the covering of Pro 10:12. In Proverbs 10:11 it is about the covering itself. Nothing is covered, but visible and violent. In Proverbs 10:12, through the covering something is hidden and taken away and that is all transgression.

The Lord Jesus, in His love, has covered all the transgressions of those who believe in Him with His blood and thereby forgiven them. Love “does not take into account a wrong [suffered]” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Peter powerfully applies this word to our dealings with one another as believers living in the end times (1 Peter 4:7-8). Covering transgressions or sins is also what we do when we bring back a sinner from his erring ways (James 5:19-20).

Those who seek “wisdom” find it “on the lips of the discerning” (Proverbs 10:13). That is where wisdom is found. Just as wisdom and lips of the discerning belong together, so do “the rod” and “the back of him who lacks understanding” belong together. The only language that people without understanding understand is the language of the stick striking their backs as a punishment. They have hurt others with their talk and are given pain as punishment.

Rehoboam, the foolish son of Solomon, is one who acted as a man without understanding when the people asked for relief from their burdens. He did not listen to wise counsel, but followed foolish advice. Therefore, he was struck with the rod, that is, the discipline of God (1 Kings 12:1-24).

“Wise men” are a storehouse of “knowledge” (Proverbs 10:14). They can bring out the right thing at the right time on the right occasion (Matthew 12:35a; Matthew 13:52). Wise men know the value of silence. Knowledge is a precious treasure, not to be shown lightly. They do not loosely and inappropriately throw around words of wisdom. The fool makes himself heard at the most inopportune times and in the most inappropriate situations. From what he says, he is leading himself to ruin.

Ecclesiastes 1:13

The Mouth of the Righteous and of the Wicked

“The mouth of the righteous”, that is, what the righteous says, “is a fountain of life” for those who listen to him (Proverbs 10:11). His words are beneficial and give life force. A fountain gives fresh water every time. This is perfectly true of the mouth of the Lord Jesus. Out of His mouth come words of grace (Luke 4:22). His words “are spirit and are life” (John 6:63).

We also find it in all the prophets who spoke the Word of God. All their words of instruction that they spoke on behalf of God were for the purpose of making the people of God live the true life. The same is true of the mouth of the New Testament believer. It is a source of life if he is guided by the Holy Spirit in his words. Then out of his inner being come “rivers of living water” for others (John 7:38-39).

What the wicked one says has a totally different content. He spreads violence. What he says only causes harm to others (Proverbs 10:6b). The quality of life is destroyed by him. Wherever he is and opens his mouth, the atmosphere is poisoned. Instead of refreshment and life, he sows death and destruction with his babbling.

The wicked are driven by “hatred”, but the righteous by “love” (Proverbs 10:12). Out of hatred spring strife and quarrels. The words of the wicked conceal violence, but the love of the righteous covers sins by forgiving them. Love brings peace through forgiveness, through the covering of “all transgressions”.

There is an essential difference between the concealing or covering of Pro 10:11 and the covering of Pro 10:12. In Proverbs 10:11 it is about the covering itself. Nothing is covered, but visible and violent. In Proverbs 10:12, through the covering something is hidden and taken away and that is all transgression.

The Lord Jesus, in His love, has covered all the transgressions of those who believe in Him with His blood and thereby forgiven them. Love “does not take into account a wrong [suffered]” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Peter powerfully applies this word to our dealings with one another as believers living in the end times (1 Peter 4:7-8). Covering transgressions or sins is also what we do when we bring back a sinner from his erring ways (James 5:19-20).

Those who seek “wisdom” find it “on the lips of the discerning” (Proverbs 10:13). That is where wisdom is found. Just as wisdom and lips of the discerning belong together, so do “the rod” and “the back of him who lacks understanding” belong together. The only language that people without understanding understand is the language of the stick striking their backs as a punishment. They have hurt others with their talk and are given pain as punishment.

Rehoboam, the foolish son of Solomon, is one who acted as a man without understanding when the people asked for relief from their burdens. He did not listen to wise counsel, but followed foolish advice. Therefore, he was struck with the rod, that is, the discipline of God (1 Kings 12:1-24).

“Wise men” are a storehouse of “knowledge” (Proverbs 10:14). They can bring out the right thing at the right time on the right occasion (Matthew 12:35a; Matthew 13:52). Wise men know the value of silence. Knowledge is a precious treasure, not to be shown lightly. They do not loosely and inappropriately throw around words of wisdom. The fool makes himself heard at the most inopportune times and in the most inappropriate situations. From what he says, he is leading himself to ruin.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

The Mouth of the Righteous and of the Wicked

“The mouth of the righteous”, that is, what the righteous says, “is a fountain of life” for those who listen to him (Proverbs 10:11). His words are beneficial and give life force. A fountain gives fresh water every time. This is perfectly true of the mouth of the Lord Jesus. Out of His mouth come words of grace (Luke 4:22). His words “are spirit and are life” (John 6:63).

We also find it in all the prophets who spoke the Word of God. All their words of instruction that they spoke on behalf of God were for the purpose of making the people of God live the true life. The same is true of the mouth of the New Testament believer. It is a source of life if he is guided by the Holy Spirit in his words. Then out of his inner being come “rivers of living water” for others (John 7:38-39).

What the wicked one says has a totally different content. He spreads violence. What he says only causes harm to others (Proverbs 10:6b). The quality of life is destroyed by him. Wherever he is and opens his mouth, the atmosphere is poisoned. Instead of refreshment and life, he sows death and destruction with his babbling.

The wicked are driven by “hatred”, but the righteous by “love” (Proverbs 10:12). Out of hatred spring strife and quarrels. The words of the wicked conceal violence, but the love of the righteous covers sins by forgiving them. Love brings peace through forgiveness, through the covering of “all transgressions”.

There is an essential difference between the concealing or covering of Pro 10:11 and the covering of Pro 10:12. In Proverbs 10:11 it is about the covering itself. Nothing is covered, but visible and violent. In Proverbs 10:12, through the covering something is hidden and taken away and that is all transgression.

The Lord Jesus, in His love, has covered all the transgressions of those who believe in Him with His blood and thereby forgiven them. Love “does not take into account a wrong [suffered]” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Peter powerfully applies this word to our dealings with one another as believers living in the end times (1 Peter 4:7-8). Covering transgressions or sins is also what we do when we bring back a sinner from his erring ways (James 5:19-20).

Those who seek “wisdom” find it “on the lips of the discerning” (Proverbs 10:13). That is where wisdom is found. Just as wisdom and lips of the discerning belong together, so do “the rod” and “the back of him who lacks understanding” belong together. The only language that people without understanding understand is the language of the stick striking their backs as a punishment. They have hurt others with their talk and are given pain as punishment.

Rehoboam, the foolish son of Solomon, is one who acted as a man without understanding when the people asked for relief from their burdens. He did not listen to wise counsel, but followed foolish advice. Therefore, he was struck with the rod, that is, the discipline of God (1 Kings 12:1-24).

“Wise men” are a storehouse of “knowledge” (Proverbs 10:14). They can bring out the right thing at the right time on the right occasion (Matthew 12:35a; Matthew 13:52). Wise men know the value of silence. Knowledge is a precious treasure, not to be shown lightly. They do not loosely and inappropriately throw around words of wisdom. The fool makes himself heard at the most inopportune times and in the most inappropriate situations. From what he says, he is leading himself to ruin.

Ecclesiastes 1:15

The Mouth of the Righteous and of the Wicked

“The mouth of the righteous”, that is, what the righteous says, “is a fountain of life” for those who listen to him (Proverbs 10:11). His words are beneficial and give life force. A fountain gives fresh water every time. This is perfectly true of the mouth of the Lord Jesus. Out of His mouth come words of grace (Luke 4:22). His words “are spirit and are life” (John 6:63).

We also find it in all the prophets who spoke the Word of God. All their words of instruction that they spoke on behalf of God were for the purpose of making the people of God live the true life. The same is true of the mouth of the New Testament believer. It is a source of life if he is guided by the Holy Spirit in his words. Then out of his inner being come “rivers of living water” for others (John 7:38-39).

What the wicked one says has a totally different content. He spreads violence. What he says only causes harm to others (Proverbs 10:6b). The quality of life is destroyed by him. Wherever he is and opens his mouth, the atmosphere is poisoned. Instead of refreshment and life, he sows death and destruction with his babbling.

The wicked are driven by “hatred”, but the righteous by “love” (Proverbs 10:12). Out of hatred spring strife and quarrels. The words of the wicked conceal violence, but the love of the righteous covers sins by forgiving them. Love brings peace through forgiveness, through the covering of “all transgressions”.

There is an essential difference between the concealing or covering of Pro 10:11 and the covering of Pro 10:12. In Proverbs 10:11 it is about the covering itself. Nothing is covered, but visible and violent. In Proverbs 10:12, through the covering something is hidden and taken away and that is all transgression.

The Lord Jesus, in His love, has covered all the transgressions of those who believe in Him with His blood and thereby forgiven them. Love “does not take into account a wrong [suffered]” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Peter powerfully applies this word to our dealings with one another as believers living in the end times (1 Peter 4:7-8). Covering transgressions or sins is also what we do when we bring back a sinner from his erring ways (James 5:19-20).

Those who seek “wisdom” find it “on the lips of the discerning” (Proverbs 10:13). That is where wisdom is found. Just as wisdom and lips of the discerning belong together, so do “the rod” and “the back of him who lacks understanding” belong together. The only language that people without understanding understand is the language of the stick striking their backs as a punishment. They have hurt others with their talk and are given pain as punishment.

Rehoboam, the foolish son of Solomon, is one who acted as a man without understanding when the people asked for relief from their burdens. He did not listen to wise counsel, but followed foolish advice. Therefore, he was struck with the rod, that is, the discipline of God (1 Kings 12:1-24).

“Wise men” are a storehouse of “knowledge” (Proverbs 10:14). They can bring out the right thing at the right time on the right occasion (Matthew 12:35a; Matthew 13:52). Wise men know the value of silence. Knowledge is a precious treasure, not to be shown lightly. They do not loosely and inappropriately throw around words of wisdom. The fool makes himself heard at the most inopportune times and in the most inappropriate situations. From what he says, he is leading himself to ruin.

Ecclesiastes 1:16

Security and Life or Ruin

He who is rich feels himself thereby as secure as one who is in a fortress (Proverbs 10:15). He can equip himself with all kinds of means to protect himself from evil. The poor do not have that and easily fall prey to evil-doers. This is what the wise perceive in the world. A person can be rich or poor, which gives a person a certain invulnerability or vulnerability.

Spiritually, we can apply this to being rich or poor in faith. The one who realizes how rich he is in Christ knows himself to be in a fortress. But the believer who has no awareness of this has a poor and vulnerable life of faith. The rich believer is safe from error; he will not let his wealth be taken from him. The poor one is prey to “every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14).

A person’s reward depends on his moral character, that is, whether he is a righteous or a wicked one (Proverbs 10:16). What a righteous does promotes life; what a wicked acquires, his income, leads to sin and death. Put in New Testament language: “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). Above all, “the wages of the righteous”, Christ, is a work that gives “life”. His work has the effect that “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

If someone “heeds instruction”, listens to and accepts instruction, he will find himself on “the path to life” (Proverbs 10:17). He will also hold fast to it and thereby remain on the path of life. Thus he is an inviting example for others to also listen to instruction. Those who do not have an ear for instruction, who ignores reproof, goes astray. He also makes others go astray. How we are does not only affect ourselves. We thereby set an example that leads others to act a certain way. Good example does follow well, bad example does follow badly.

Ecclesiastes 1:17

Security and Life or Ruin

He who is rich feels himself thereby as secure as one who is in a fortress (Proverbs 10:15). He can equip himself with all kinds of means to protect himself from evil. The poor do not have that and easily fall prey to evil-doers. This is what the wise perceive in the world. A person can be rich or poor, which gives a person a certain invulnerability or vulnerability.

Spiritually, we can apply this to being rich or poor in faith. The one who realizes how rich he is in Christ knows himself to be in a fortress. But the believer who has no awareness of this has a poor and vulnerable life of faith. The rich believer is safe from error; he will not let his wealth be taken from him. The poor one is prey to “every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14).

A person’s reward depends on his moral character, that is, whether he is a righteous or a wicked one (Proverbs 10:16). What a righteous does promotes life; what a wicked acquires, his income, leads to sin and death. Put in New Testament language: “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). Above all, “the wages of the righteous”, Christ, is a work that gives “life”. His work has the effect that “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

If someone “heeds instruction”, listens to and accepts instruction, he will find himself on “the path to life” (Proverbs 10:17). He will also hold fast to it and thereby remain on the path of life. Thus he is an inviting example for others to also listen to instruction. Those who do not have an ear for instruction, who ignores reproof, goes astray. He also makes others go astray. How we are does not only affect ourselves. We thereby set an example that leads others to act a certain way. Good example does follow well, bad example does follow badly.

Ecclesiastes 1:18

Security and Life or Ruin

He who is rich feels himself thereby as secure as one who is in a fortress (Proverbs 10:15). He can equip himself with all kinds of means to protect himself from evil. The poor do not have that and easily fall prey to evil-doers. This is what the wise perceive in the world. A person can be rich or poor, which gives a person a certain invulnerability or vulnerability.

Spiritually, we can apply this to being rich or poor in faith. The one who realizes how rich he is in Christ knows himself to be in a fortress. But the believer who has no awareness of this has a poor and vulnerable life of faith. The rich believer is safe from error; he will not let his wealth be taken from him. The poor one is prey to “every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14).

A person’s reward depends on his moral character, that is, whether he is a righteous or a wicked one (Proverbs 10:16). What a righteous does promotes life; what a wicked acquires, his income, leads to sin and death. Put in New Testament language: “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). Above all, “the wages of the righteous”, Christ, is a work that gives “life”. His work has the effect that “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

If someone “heeds instruction”, listens to and accepts instruction, he will find himself on “the path to life” (Proverbs 10:17). He will also hold fast to it and thereby remain on the path of life. Thus he is an inviting example for others to also listen to instruction. Those who do not have an ear for instruction, who ignores reproof, goes astray. He also makes others go astray. How we are does not only affect ourselves. We thereby set an example that leads others to act a certain way. Good example does follow well, bad example does follow badly.