Dead Flies and Fallen Kings by Michael Rowntree (Ecclesiastes 10:1–20)

Have you ever spent years building something—a reputation, a career, or a legacy—only to watch one small, foolish mistake spoil the whole "fragrance"?

In this message on Ecclesiastes 10:1–20, Michael Rowntree unpacks Solomon’s observations of wisdom and folly in both the palace and the workplace, showing that wisdom is incredibly valuable yet remarkably vulnerable to the "dead flies" of sin and bad leadership.

Yet, he reminds us that true stability is found in cultivating a heart that "inclines toward the right," training ourselves to lean into righteousness rather than the quick fix of folly. This invites us to navigate a disordered world with pragmatism, guarding our tongues in times of crisis and receiving every meal, every glass joy, and every day of work as a blessing from God’s hand.