The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 275

Vers. 17, 18.-Ruin--its forms and its sources. A material" ruin" may be a very picture~que and even pleasant sight, when that which has answered its end loses its form and does well to disappear. But otherwise a ruin is a pitiable spectacle. I. 'l'HREE FORMS OF RUIN. 1. Health. When a man should be in his prime, with all his physical and mental forces at their best; when he should be able to work effectively and continuously, and should be the stay of his home and a strength to his Church and to his friends; and when, instead of this, he is worn, feeble, incapable, obviously declining, and clearly drawing towards the end,-we have a melancholy ruin. 2. Circumstance. The once wealthy merchant, or the once powerful family, or the once strong and influential state, is brought down to poverty, helplessness, and [!encra.l disregard; this also is a. pitiful sight. But the worst of a.II is that which relates to: 3. Character. When a man once upright, pure, godly, respecting himself and living in the enjoyment of genera.I esteem, is brought down to moral ruin and becomes a. human wreck, then we see the saddest sight beneath the sun. What was once the fairest and noblest thing in the world-a sound, strong, beautiful human character- has lost all its excellency and become foul and ugly. How does this happen? Here are- II. Two SOURCES OF RUIN. 1. Self-indulgence. To "eat for strength and not for revelry" (drunkenness) is the right and the becoming thing; "to eat (feast) in the morning," when the precious hours should be given to duty,-this is a shameful fl.nd a fatal thing. Self-indulgence, which constantly tends to become greater and grosser, leads down fast to feebleness, to poverty, to demoralization, to shame, to death. 2. Idleness, or carelessness. (1) The man who does not think it worth bis while to study the laws of health, and to take pains to keep them, need not wonder if he becomes weak and sickly, if his life is threatened. (2) The man who pursues his pleasure when he should be doing his work will certainly find his business "decaying," his credit failing, his prospects of succe8s "dropping through." So.also the housewife, the student, the minister, the secretary, the statesman. (3) 'l'he man who treats his own spirit as something of secondary importance, who does not read that he may be enlightened, who does not worship that he may be edified, who does not pray that he may be guarded and sustained, who does not seek the companionship of the good and tellowsbip with Christ, who leaves his spiritual nature at the mercy of all the adverse forces that are circling round him and acting on him, may expect that his soul will bo impaired, that his character will decay, that the most precious "house" which man can build will fall, and great and sad will be the fall of it (Matt. vii. 27).-C. Ver. 1.-Dead flies. Among the Jews oil rendered fragrant by being mixed wiLh precious drugs was used for many different purposes, With it priests and kings were anointed when they entered upon their offices; guests at the tables of the rich were treated to it as a luxury. It was used medicinally for outward application to the bodies of the sick, and with it corpses and the clothes in which they were wrapped were besprinkled beforo burial. Very great care was needed in the prepamtion of the material used for such special purposes. Elaborately confected as the ointment was, it was easily spoiled and rendered worthless. It was, nccordingly, necessary not only to take great pains in making it, but also in preserving it from contamination when rue.de. If the vase or bottle in which it was put were accidentally or carelessly left open, its contents might soon be destroyed. A dead fly would soon corrupt the ointment, and turn it into a pestilent odour. So, says the Preacher, a noble and attractive character may be corrupted and destroyed by a little folly-an insignificant-looking fault or weakness may outweigh great gifts and attainments. It is not a case of the unthinking multitude taking advantage of a foiblo, or inconsistency, or little slip, to depreciate the  270 ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACHER. [ou. x. 1-20.