Ecclesiastes 10:12 Commentary and Bible Study

Solomon now brings us three sayings about speech. Christ teaches the importance of words in Matthew 12:37: ‘For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.’ The wise man and the fool both reveal what is in their hearts by their words. The fool does no good to anyone, in fact, his words bring harm even to himself. In a grotesque figure, the Preacher describes the fool’s lips as swallowing him up as his own words destroy him. His mouth is bigger than he is, but his character is much smaller. We may not think of our words affecting ourselves, but by lies the fool corrupts his own integrity; by false promises he dashes the expectation of others and binds himself before God to deliver what he does not have; by malice and evil speaking he destroys friendships and seals his doom; his words lead others to destruction where they will eternally curse his name. The fool talks about himself all the time, and his words are as shallow as he is himself. When he talks, he tells you all he knows; he believes his own words even though they are so shallow. He certainly does not know how to pray.But the wise man gives a benefit to all who hear him; his words are intended to do good, to comfort the broken hearted, to heal the wounded soul, to teach those who lack knowledge, to correct those who err, and to direct the lost back into the paths of truth. To be in the presence of the wise man is to receive instruction from God, for the wise teach us what they in turn have learned from God. The words of the wise are outgoing, constructive; all that they say upbuilds others. With spiritual wisdom, we become deeper people. You don’t meet many people like this. There is so much boasting, so much talk about great experiences which put themselves centre-stage. Do you come across many deep people? No, not many. Few people have come to the Lord in these days. You say, surely the boss is deep, but then you see how he behaves at the office social event and you change your mind: he is very trivial. Oh, to be a deep person who can help others.