1. WISDOM (Ecclesiastes) THOUGHTS: 7:10, “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.” {wisely: Heb. out of wisdom} THOUGHTS: 7:10, “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.” {wisely: Heb. out of wisdom} JUDGMENT: 9:15, “Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.” JUDGMENT: 9:15, “Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.” ACTION: 2:21, “For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom…” ACTION: 2:21, “For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom…” WISDOM (Ecclesiastes) THOUGHTS: 7:10, “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.” {wisely: Heb. out of wisdom} THOUGHTS: 7:10, “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.” {wisely: Heb. out of wisdom} JUDGMENT: 9:15, “Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.” JUDGMENT: 9:15, “Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.” ACTION: 2:21, “For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom…” ACTION: 2:21, “For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom…”

2. FOLLY

3. Folly: “…Folly in the biblical sense of the word, according to which it is not so much stupidity as wilful perverseness, light-hearted but depraved.” (W.J. Deane, Pulpit Commentary, p. 504) “Wisdom is the way of the moral and spiritual man while foly is the way of a man with twisted values.” (Louis Goldberg, Theological Wordbook of the Ol Testament, p. 625) Folly: “…Folly in the biblical sense of the word, according to which it is not so much stupidity as wilful perverseness, light-hearted but depraved.” (W.J. Deane, Pulpit Commentary, p. 504) “Wisdom is the way of the moral and spiritual man while foly is the way of a man with twisted values.” (Louis Goldberg, Theological Wordbook of the Ol Testament, p. 625)

4. FOLLY I. UNDERSTANDING FOLLY Some Bible examples of folly: Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32

5. FOLLY I. UNDERSTANDING FOLLY II. WHY DO PEOPLE ENGAGE IN FOLLY? A. Folly results from erring in the heart, Prov. 4:23 A. Folly results from erring in the heart, Prov. 4:23

6. Folly in the life comes from folly in the heart. Deut. 29:18-19, “Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart…” Folly in the life comes from folly in the heart. Deut. 29:18-19, “Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart…”

7. Folly in the life comes from folly in the heart. Est. 6:6, “So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?” Ps. 10:6, “He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.” Ps. 10:11, “He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.” Ps. 10:13, “Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.” Folly in the life comes from folly in the heart. Est. 6:6, “So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?” Ps. 10:6, “He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.” Ps. 10:11, “He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.” Ps. 10:13, “Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.”

8. Folly in the life comes from folly in the heart. Ps 14:1, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” Matt. 5:28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matt. 24:48, “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming.” Folly in the life comes from folly in the heart. Ps 14:1, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” Matt. 5:28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matt. 24:48, “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming.”

9. FOLLY I. UNDERSTANDING FOLLY II. WHY DO PEOPLE ENGAGE IN FOLLY? A. Folly results from erring in the heart, Prov. 4:23; 14:8 A. Folly results from erring in the heart, Prov. 4:23; 14:8 B. Because they are hasty of spirit, Prov. 14:8 B. Because they are hasty of spirit, Prov. 14:8 C. Because they reject the Lord’s ways, 1 Cor. 1:18- 23 C. Because they reject the Lord’s ways, 1 Cor. 1:18- 23 D. Circumstances reveal one’s folly, Heb. 11:17 D. Circumstances reveal one’s folly, Heb. 11:17 B. Because they are hasty of spirit, Prov. 14:8 B. Because they are hasty of spirit, Prov. 14:8 C. Because they reject the Lord’s ways, 1 Cor. 1:18- 23 C. Because they reject the Lord’s ways, 1 Cor. 1:18- 23 D. Circumstances reveal one’s folly, Heb. 11:17 D. Circumstances reveal one’s folly, Heb. 11:17

10. FOLLY I. UNDERSTANDING FOLLY Some Bible examples of folly: Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32

11. FOLLY I. UNDERSTANDING FOLLY II. WHY DO PEOPLE ENGAGE IN FOLLY? III. AVOIDING FOLLY III. AVOIDING FOLLY A. Develop a fear of folly, Eccl. 10:1; Prov. 17:12 A. Develop a fear of folly, Eccl. 10:1; Prov. 17:12

12. FOLLY I. UNDERSTANDING FOLLY Some Bible examples of folly: Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32

13. FOLLY I. UNDERSTANDING FOLLY II. WHY DO PEOPLE ENGAGE IN FOLLY? III. AVOIDING FOLLY III. AVOIDING FOLLY A. Develop a fear of folly, Eccl. 10:1; Prov. 17:12 A. Develop a fear of folly, Eccl. 10:1; Prov. 17:12 B. Develop a healthy respect for wisdom, Eccl. 2:13; Prov. 22:3 B. Develop a healthy respect for wisdom, Eccl. 2:13; Prov. 22:3

14. WISDOM (Ecclesiastes) THOUGHTS: 7:10, “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.” {wisely: Heb. out of wisdom} THOUGHTS: 7:10, “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.” {wisely: Heb. out of wisdom} JUDGMENT: 9:15, “Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.” JUDGMENT: 9:15, “Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.” ACTION: 2:21, “For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom…” ACTION: 2:21, “For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom…” WISDOM (Ecclesiastes) THOUGHTS: 7:10, “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.” {wisely: Heb. out of wisdom} THOUGHTS: 7:10, “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.” {wisely: Heb. out of wisdom} JUDGMENT: 9:15, “Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.” JUDGMENT: 9:15, “Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city.” ACTION: 2:21, “For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom…” ACTION: 2:21, “For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom…”

15. FOLLY I. UNDERSTANDING FOLLY II. WHY DO PEOPLE ENGAGE IN FOLLY? III. AVOIDING FOLLY III. AVOIDING FOLLY A. Develop a fear of folly, Eccl. 10:1; Prov. 17:12 A. Develop a fear of folly, Eccl. 10:1; Prov. 17:12 B. Develop a healthy respect for wisdom, Eccl. 2:13; Prov. 22:3 B. Develop a healthy respect for wisdom, Eccl. 2:13; Prov. 22:3 C. Discipline yourself to drive folly from your heart, Prov. 22:15 C. Discipline yourself to drive folly from your heart, Prov. 22:15 D. Do not be a companion of fools, Prov. 17:12; 13:20 D. Do not be a companion of fools, Prov. 17:12; 13:20 C. Discipline yourself to drive folly from your heart, Prov. 22:15 C. Discipline yourself to drive folly from your heart, Prov. 22:15 D. Do not be a companion of fools, Prov. 17:12; 13:20 D. Do not be a companion of fools, Prov. 17:12; 13:20

16. FOLLY I. UNDERSTANDING FOLLY Some Bible examples of folly: Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Immorality, Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:12 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Unrestricted acquaintance with pleasure and accumulation of things, Eccl. 2:1-11; Ps. 49:11- 13 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Easily becoming angry, Prov. 14:17, 29; Eph. 4:26 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Teaching error, Jer. 23:13-14; Lam. 2:14; Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:3-4 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Falsely accusing the righteous, Job 42:8 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32 Refusing instruction, Prov. 16:22; 13:18; 15:32

17. FOLLY I. UNDERSTANDING FOLLY II. WHY DO PEOPLE ENGAGE IN FOLLY? A. Folly results from erring in the heart, Prov. 4:23; 14:8 A. Folly results from erring in the heart, Prov. 4:23; 14:8 B. Because they are hasty of spirit, Prov. 14:8 B. Because they are hasty of spirit, Prov. 14:8 C. Because they reject the Lord’s ways, 1 Cor. 1:18- 23 C. Because they reject the Lord’s ways, 1 Cor. 1:18- 23 D. Circumstances reveal one’s folly, Heb. 11:17 D. Circumstances reveal one’s folly, Heb. 11:17 B. Because they are hasty of spirit, Prov. 14:8 B. Because they are hasty of spirit, Prov. 14:8 C. Because they reject the Lord’s ways, 1 Cor. 1:18- 23 C. Because they reject the Lord’s ways, 1 Cor. 1:18- 23 D. Circumstances reveal one’s folly, Heb. 11:17 D. Circumstances reveal one’s folly, Heb. 11:17

18. FOLLY I. UNDERSTANDING FOLLY II. WHY DO PEOPLE ENGAGE IN FOLLY? III. AVOIDING FOLLY III. AVOIDING FOLLY A. Develop a fear of folly, Eccl. 10:1; Prov. 17:12 A. Develop a fear of folly, Eccl. 10:1; Prov. 17:12 B. Develop a healthy respect for wisdom, Eccl. 2:13; Prov. 22:3 B. Develop a healthy respect for wisdom, Eccl. 2:13; Prov. 22:3 C. Discipline yourself to drive folly from your heart, Prov. 22:15 C. Discipline yourself to drive folly from your heart, Prov. 22:15 D. Do not be a companion of fools, Prov. 17:12; 13:20 D. Do not be a companion of fools, Prov. 17:12; 13:20 C. Discipline yourself to drive folly from your heart, Prov. 22:15 C. Discipline yourself to drive folly from your heart, Prov. 22:15 D. Do not be a companion of fools, Prov. 17:12; 13:20 D. Do not be a companion of fools, Prov. 17:12; 13:20