The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 267

V. BLUNT TOOLS AND HEAVY BLOWS. "If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to nirect" (ver. 10). The lessons are two. 1. Every •work has its own appropriate tools. Wood-cutting requires axes, ann not merely blunt pieces of iron; pit-digging demands spades; stone-hewin"' chisels. Each occupation has its own implement. This the dictate of common sense: 2. E,•cry tool slwuld be kept in a fit condition for its work. This the te11ching of wisdom. A woonman with a blunt axe must strike oftener and heavier than he would need to do were his axe sharp. So the man who enters on any task without the requisite sharpness 0f intelligence and sagacity will find his work proportionately hindered. YI. BITING SERPENTS AND TARDY CHARMERS. "If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer;" or," Surely the serpent will bite "-ithout, or where thrre is no, enchantment" (ver. 11); which again offers two thoughts. 1. Thr,t the serpent of temptation will do its deadly work unless timeously repressed. This may be done by resisting its first approaches, if they cannot be eluded altogether (Jas. iv. 7), by crushing down the rising inclination within one to yield, by diligently considering the sinfulne$S of that to which one is solicited (Gen. xxxix. 9), by calling in the help of God against the adversary (Eph. vi. 10-18). 2. That if once the serpent of temptation has done its deadly work there is no use whatever of resorting to such means of repression. Such means are then too late. To employ them then is much the same thing as to shut the stable door when the steed has been stolen. Vers. &-11.-Good thoughts for bad times; or, words from the wise. I. THB NECESSITY OF CAUTION. Especially in difficult and dangerous works. He who digs a pit must be on his guard against falling into it; he who pulls down a stone wall must look out for serpents; he who hews stones or removes them must be careful not to hurt himself in the process; he who cleaves or splits timber must see that he is not endangered thereby. "The prudent man looketh well to his going." II. THE RECOMPENSE OF WRONG-DOING. 1. Springing out of the wrong act. As when one, having dug a pit to ensnare another, falls into. it himself. 2. Suddenly smiting the transgressor. As when a serpent bites him who pulls down a wall. 3. Swiftly following on the heels of crime. As when one who, hewing stones, injures himself with the chips, or, removing a neighbour's landmark, is punished for his offence. 4. Certainly overtaking the evil-doer. As when one cutting wood strikes himself with the axe. IIJ. THE PERIL OF REFORM. The propriety of counting the cost before entering on the arduous career of a reformer. Illustrated by the two proverbs about breaking through fences and cutting down trees. Men are not to be deterred from attempling reforms because of difficulties and dangers; only they should not be surprised when these are experienced. IV. THE SELECTION OF INSTRUMENTS. Many enterprises fail because the proper instruments have not been selected; or, if selected, have not been managed with wisdom. The man who intends to cut down a tree must first have an axe and then keep it sharp. V. THE CHOICE OF TIMES. Many good undertakings fail because uot begun at the right time. Many dangers might be avoided were precautions against them not adopted too late. To every work there is a time. Strike while the iron is hot. Beware of being too late. Vers. 16-20.-The picture of a happy land. I. A NOBLE KING. 1. Of royal blood. " Happy art thou, 0 land, when thy king is the 11On of nobles "-like Horace's " Macena.s a.ta.vis edite regibus," descended from a long line of crowned heads. If countries are to have kings, then decidedly the scion of kingly (more especially if also honourable and good) ancestors is better than the upstart who was yesterday a gentleman of the pavement, but is to-day the occupant of a throne (eh. iv. 14). 2. OJ mature manhood. "Woe to thee, 0 land, when thy king is a child." The experiment of boy-kings has seldom proved successful. Witness the case of Joash (2 Chron. xxiv. 1), who made a tolerable sovereign only so long as Jchoiada lived. When the king is a minor there is too much scope for ambition on the p:ut of the regent and of the nobles, who would like to be regents or even kings. 3. 0/ princely Oll. x. 1-20.] ECCLESIASTES ; O:R, TB:fil PREACHER. 261