EGW WritingsEcclesiastes 10

To Be Like Jesus

Reveal Love While Doing God’s Business, June 21

BLJ 184.1

Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. Ecclesiastes 10:1, NKJV.

From Splendor to Shadow

The Effects of Solomon’s Apostasy

SS 44.2

In the anguish of bitter reflection on his course Solomon declared, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.” “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.” Ecclesiastes 9:18; 10:1.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 28a, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 28a, 1893, par. 3

I thought best to write this to you. Although he may not do harm every place he goes, yet all should understand in reference to his case so as not to be deceived. Why I write to you now is because he will have representations to make to you which I hope you will not heed, but just wait until the truth is made plain. He leaves Napier with a debt of several pounds and no means to pay the same. I am sorry for this poor, self-deceived, misguided young man. If he would only get the truth into his heart, and obtain such views of Jesus Christ and His purity and holiness, his entrusted talents might be improved; but all his good qualities are spoiled, for “there is a dead fly in the ointment.” [Ecclesiastes 10:1.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 66, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 66, 1894, par. 19

I want to say just as little as possible in regard to Anna Phillips. The less this matter is talked over and agitated, the better. There is a “dead fly in the ointment.” [Ecclesiastes 10:1.] Before this reaches you, you will have received a letter giving a more complete statement in regard to what we may expect in the case. I am more sorry than I can express to you the matter has been handled unwisely. We shall have scores of just such developments, and if our leading brethren shall catch up things of this character and endorse them as they have done in this case, we shall have one of the most sweeping tidal waves of fanaticism that has been seen in our experience. There will be the wildest performances. Satan has already begun his work. To give ready credence to these things, and make loose, unguarded statements endorsing them without sufficient evidence of their genuine character, is one of Satan’s devices. The Lord Jesus has certainly given cautions sufficient in regard to this matter, so that none need be deceived.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 5—Solomon’s Repentance

PK 85.2

“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.” Ecclesiastes 9:18; 10:5, 6, 1.

Conflict and Courage

A Late Awakening, July 9

CC 196.1

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11.

CC 196.2

By his own bitter experience, Solomon learned the emptiness of a life that seeks in earthly things its highest good. He erected altars to heathen gods, only to learn how vain is their promise of rest to the spirit. Gloomy and soul-harassing thoughts troubled him night and day. For him there was no longer any joy of life or peace of mind, and the future was dark with despair.

CC 196.3

Yet the Lord forsook him not. By messages of reproof and by severe judgments, He sought to arouse the king to a realization of the sinfulness of his course.... At last the Lord, through a prophet, delivered to Solomon the startling message: ... “I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.”

CC 196.4

Awakened as from a dream by this sentence of judgment pronounced against him and his house, Solomon with quickened conscience began to see his folly in its true light. Chastened in spirit, with mind and body enfeebled, he turned wearied and thirsting from earth’s broken cisterns, to drink once more at the fountain of life.... He could never hope to escape the blasting results of sin; he could never free his mind from all remembrance of the self-indulgent course he had been pursuing; but he would endeavor earnestly to dissuade others from following after folly....

CC 196.5

The true penitent does not put his past sins from his remembrance. He does not, as soon as he has obtained peace, grow unconcerned in regard to the mistakes he has made. He thinks of those who have been led into evil by his course, and tries in every possible way to lead them back into the true path. The clearer the light that he has entered into, the stronger is his desire to set the feet of others in the right way.22Prophets and Kings, 76-78.

Conflict and Courage

Disgraceful Monuments, July 13

CC 200.1

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: folly is set in great dignity. Ecclesiastes 10:5, 6.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 27—Ahaz

PK 323.2

Solomon had written, “Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child!” Ecclesiastes 10:16. Thus it was with the land of Judah. Through continued transgression her rulers had become as children. Isaiah called the attention of the people to the weakness of their position among the nations of earth, and he showed that this was the result of wickedness in high places. “Behold,” he said, “the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, the mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, the captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the counselor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.” “For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord.” Isaiah 3:1-4, 8.

The Great Controversy

Chapter 8—Luther Before the Diet

GC 164.3

Rumors of the designs against Luther were widely circulated, causing great excitement throughout the city. The Reformer had made many friends, who, knowing the treacherous cruelty of Rome toward all who dared expose her corruptions, resolved that he should not be sacrificed. Hundreds of nobles pledged themselves to protect him. Not a few openly denounced the royal message of evincing a weak submission to the controlling power of Rome. On the gates of houses and in public places, placards were posted, some condemning and others sustaining Luther. On one of these were written merely the significant words of the wise man: “Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child.” Ecclesiastes 10:16. The popular enthusiasm in Luther’s favor throughout all Germany convinced both the emperor and the Diet that any injustice shown him would endanger the peace of the empire and even the stability of the throne.

The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

Chapter 8—Luther Before the Diet

GC88 165.1

Rumors of the designs against Luther were widely circulated, causing great excitement throughout the city. The reformer had made many friends, who, knowing the treacherous cruelty of Rome toward all that dared expose her corruptions, resolved that he should not be sacrificed. Hundreds of nobles pledged themselves to protect him. Not a few openly denounced the royal message as evincing a weak submission to the controlling power of Rome. On the gates of houses and in public places, placards were posted, some condemning and others sustaining Luther. On one of these were written merely the significant words of the wise man, “Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child.” [Ecclesiastes 10:16.] The popular enthusiasm in Luther’s favor throughout all Germany convinced both the emperor and the Diet that any injustice shown him would endanger the peace of the empire, and even the stability of the throne.

The Review and Herald

April 1, 1915

RH April 1, 1915, par. 5

Solomon had written, “Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child!” Ecclesiastes 10:16. Thus it was with the land of Judah. Through continued transgression, her rulers had become as children. Isaiah called the attention of the people to the weakness of their position among the nations of earth; and he showed that this was the result of wickedness in high places. “Behold,” he said, “the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, the mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, the captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the counselor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.... For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory.” Isaiah 3:1-8.

From Here to Forever

Luther’s Safe-conduct in Jeopardy

HF 104.2

The designs against Luther were widely circulated, causing excitement throughout the city. Many friends, knowing the treacherous cruelty of Rome, resolved that the Reformer should not be sacrificed. Hundreds of nobles pledged to protect him. On the gates of houses and in public places placards were posted, some condemning and others sustaining Luther. On one were written the significant words, “Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child.” Ecclesiastes 10:16. Popular enthusiasm in Luther’s favor convinced the emperor and the diet that any injustice shown him would endanger the peace of the empire and stability of the throne.

Education

Diet and Mental Development

Ed 206.4

Wisdom’s “ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 3:17. Let every youth in our land, with the possibilities before him of a destiny higher than that of crowned kings, ponder the lesson conveyed in the words of the wise man, “Blessed art thou, O land, when ... thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” Ecclesiastes 10:17.

My Life Today

I Will Use Self-control in Eating, March 19

ML 82.1

Blessed art thou, O land, when ... thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! Ecclesiastes 10:17.

Reflecting Christ

The Importance of Strict Temperance, May 8

RC 142.1

Blessed art thou, O land, when ... thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! Ecclesiastes 10:17.

Reflecting Christ

Each Youth Must Decide for Himself, May 12

RC 146.5

Wisdom’s “ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17). Let every youth in our land, with the possibilities before him of a destiny higher than that of crowned kings, ponder the lesson conveyed in the words of the wise man, “Blessed art thou, O land, when ... thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” (Ecclesiastes 10:17).—Education, 206.

This Day With God

Eat for Strength, July 20

TDG 210.1

Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! Ecclesiastes 10:17.

This Day With God

Recipe for Health, November 27

TDG 340.1

Eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! Ecclesiastes 10:17.

The Health Food Ministry

Health Foods

“Eat ... for strength and not for drunkenness!” Ecclesiastes 10:17.

Homeward Bound

Be Consistent, July 25

HB 230.7

Wisdom’s “ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” (Proverbs 3:17.) Let all the youth in our land, with the possibilities before them of a destiny higher than that of crowned kings, ponder the lesson conveyed in the words of the wise man, “Blessed art thou, O land, when . . . thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” (Ecclesiastes 10:17.)—Education, 205, 206.