Ecclesiastes 10:5-7 - When Reality is Upside Down

Ecclesiastes 10:5-7
⁵ There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler— ⁶ folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places. ⁷ I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.

Message: When Reality is Upside Down

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: One of the results of the Fall is how the world function in an upside down way. This passage is Solomon or the Preacher looking out on the landscape of life and seeing the people who have the duty of ruler or prince or often foolish ones while those that deserve to be in that place are serving the leaders rather than leading them. It is a reminder that sometimes people get to high status in an undeserving manner. I see this at work where people get into high positions based upon who they know not necessarily due to their expertise.

Benson Commentary: I have observed another great vanity and misdemeanor among men, an erroneous conduct coming from those who have power of conferring honor and authority. That is, foolish and unworthy persons are frequently advanced by the favor or humor of princes into places of great trust and dignity, which is at once a great reproach to the prince, and a sore calamity to his people. Wise and worthy men, rich in endowments of the mind, are neglected and despised, or removed from those places to which their merits and had raised them. I have seen men of a servile condition and disposition riding in pomp and state as princes; and then men of noble birth and qualities, fit to rule a kingdom in a state of poverty and degradation, despised and disregarded.

I like Benson's comments for it simply clarifies further what the Preacher (Solomon) is stating in these verses and that is, unfortunately, at times, people who should be servants are leaders and leaders are sometimes mere servants.

I see this also on what we in society have done with stars and sports figures. We pay these people inordinate of money, simply because they have the ability to entertain us either by making a basket, throwing a pass really well, or taking on a different character very well (acting) or singing a song and yet, many times, the manner in which these people live life can be questionable. The problem is what we see from these individuals is moments from their lives while the people we work with we see 40 to 50 hours a week or most of our awake hours of the week and so we tend to see them as they are, but for entertainers we don't see them as they are. Instead we see excerpts and then are amazed when their lives are often not that great. And yet we are paying them all this money. To me that is also an error.

Promise: Something is wrong when we see fools in power. One day it will be overturned and the world will be right side up again. Knowing that truth encourages us to serve the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for righting wrongs. Thank you for the wisdom of the Bible and how it speaks to life the way it is being lived today, despite these words being penned thousands of years ago.