Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven
Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth.
This verse is tied closely with Ecclesiastes 6:12. Is it in this life that we find that our life has been productive? We may think so – but one can do something near the end of his life that ruins his reputation. Many a men have done great things only to find that at the end of life they do something that is horrendous by which they are then known for. One great sin – if done at the end of one’s life is what their legacy will be. A good name must be carried throughout life.
The day of death reveals the sum total.
The day of a person’s death is better than day of birth – but only if that person has been born again. Let us never forget: “…it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) It would be a frightening thing to go to the judgment without knowing Christ.
Kretzmann has said: “At birth a person’s fate is as yet unknown, while on the day of death life with all its vanities lies behind. To the believer particularly death means a deliverance from all evil, (see Philippians 1:23).”
Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart.
Many people avoid thinking or talking about death. They refuse to face death head on and are reluctant to attend funerals. Solomon is not encouraging us to dwell on morbid thoughts – but he knows that it is helpful to think clearly about death. Death reminds us that we still have time to live the rest of our lives for God. We have time to examine the direction of our lives and time to confess our faults and sins. We have time to repent and find forgiveness from God. Because everyone will eventually die – it makes sense to plan ahead to experience God's mercy rather than God’s justice.
Ecclesiastes 7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.
That which truly makes us sad can be a good thing although we may not see it at the time. Are there not times when pain and sorrow can cause us to draw closer to God? The conviction of our sin can cause us to seek a savior. That is a good thing.
Utley has said of this verse: “The author is not condemning happiness. Just the opposite, he is advocating an appropriate peace and contentment that is not based on temporal circumstances alone.”
Jesus said: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
If we mourn over our sinful condition – it is a good thing.
Ecclesiastes 7:4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.
The grave can be a great teacher. In a culture that seeks pleasure in the present we must remember there is a world beyond this world. It is appointed for all to die once and then there is a judgment. We must never forget this. It is not that we should live lives that are morbid – but the reality is that we all are destined to stand before a judgment seat. We cannot afford to live a life that ignores the day which is to come – no matter how much pleasure we have in the present.
Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools.
The World English Bible says it this way: “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.” To hear the words of rebuke may be painful for the moment but the song of fools can have eternal consequences.
Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” I do not know anyone who cannot use correction from time to time. A wise person can see beyond the superficial issues and get to the heart of the matter. Almost any one will give you advice – the first question to ask is: “Is this person speaking words of wisdom?” The second question to ask is: “How do the words line up with scripture?”
Listening to the song of the fools does not help us when we deal with grief and death. The fool does not talk about the judgment and the world beyond, and if he does, it is to make fun of them.
Ecclesiastes 7:6 For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility.
What fools have to offer is like thorn bushes that burn – you hear a momentary crackling noise, you see fire flare up for a moment and you feel a gust of heat. But it is all extremely short-lived. The crackling of the thorn bushes has no long lasting effect on the cooking pot hanging above it. It is foolish to think that the pot will come to the boil with a short lived flame.
Ecclesiastes 7:7 For oppression makes a wise man mad, And a bribe corrupts the heart.
A wise man believes in purity and not corruption. In fact corruption makes them angry.
We have all heard that money talks and it can confuse those who would otherwise judge fairly. We hear about bribes given to judges, police officers, and witnesses. Bribes are given to hurt those who tell the truth and help those who oppose it. People who are involved in extortion or take bribes are indeed fools, no matter how wise they thought they were beforehand. It is said that everyone has a price, but those who are truly wise cannot be bought at any price.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.
It takes endurance to finish a project, job, race, etc. There are things which take time and that cannot be avoided. To finish what we start takes hard work, wisdom, self-discipline, and patience. Anyone with vision can start a big project. But vision without wisdom will result in unfinished projects and goals.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.
The Message Bible says it this way: “Don't be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.”
We can’t live life by being angry all the time. Neither can we live our lives seeking things to be angry about. The Scripture tells us that the bosom of fools is the residence of anger. He who allows anger to be the emotion that guides his life – becomes a fool. Yes, we all get angry at times but remember the Bible tells us: “BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” (Eph. 4:26)
Ecclesiastes 7:10 Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.
When things don’t seem to be going very well – we can live in the land of nostalgia. We can talk about the “good old days.” In reality the “good old days” may not have been so good. Wiersbe has said, "It has been said that 'the good old days' are the combination of a bad memory and a good imagination, and often this is true."
Utley has said: “Humans without a sense of God's presence and purpose in their daily lives often seek peace by reflecting on positive circumstances from the past! (i.e. the “good old days”)! However, they
1. cannot be reclaimed
2. were not that “good” to begin with
3. often reflect a fallen view of “good”
Scripture here tells us that it is not a good thing to try to live in the past.
Ecclesiastes 7:11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun.
Here we are told that wisdom along with money (an inheritance) is a good thing for those who live in this world. The next verse continues this thought.
Ecclesiastes 7:12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.
The word used here for “protection” actually means shade. The picture that this word paints is that on a scorching hot day – we need some shade – some protection from the sun. Wisdom and money provide us with some sense of security and protection from the dangers of this world. But we as followers of Christ must realize that wisdom along finances will not supply the protection that we need. We must seek the protection and security that only Jesus can provide.
Ecclesiastes 7:13 Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
Trapp has said of this verse: “…it was in vain for him to seek to make that straight which God had made crooked. There is no standing before a lion, no hoisting up sail in a tempest, no contending with the Almighty.”
Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider-- God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.
We have in our day “prosperity preachers” who claim that God only wants to give you blessing – money, good health, popularity. I agree that God is out to draw us closer to Him and have us grow spiritually – but sometimes my most beneficial spiritual growth has taken place in the furnace rather than sitting on a pillow. Not everything that we consider good is good for us. It is the storms of life that cause the flowers to grow.
Ecclesiastes 7:15 I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness.
The writer tells us what he has seen. He has seen good men (righteous) die young. He has also seen bad men (wicked) live to a ripe old age. Does this seem fair? Does this seem right? It is a fact of life – under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 7:16 Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?
Here seems to be some very bad advice. Don’t be overly good (righteous) or wise and don’t be overly bad (wicked). Stick to the middle of the road. Why should you ruin yourself by being good all the time? Why don’t you just live a life of moderation? You don’t want to ruin yourself.
Ecclesiastes 7:17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
Many a bad person’s life can come to an early grave or a lifetime of imprisonment. We have all done stupid stuff and perhaps some things that could have ended our lives – but is that the consistent lifestyle we want to live? Is that our goal?
Ecclesiastes 7:18 It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.
Balance is important. God created us to be whole people who are seek his righteousness and goodness. But we still are sinful and have sinful desires. We fall sometimes and that is unavoidable. But God has called us to live holy lives even while we live in this fleshly body. That is why Paul said: “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?”
He goes on to say: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:24
It is the flesh in which we live that should keep us humble. It is only by the grace of God that any of us are saved.
Ecclesiastes 7:19 Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
It is wisdom that makes the wise man wise. It gives him strength. It is of great benefit – but it cannot shield the believers from pain, injustice, and bad circumstances.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.
There are “nice” people in this world but we must remember that every one of them is a sinner. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Also, in this world there is no such thing as total sanctification. We strive to be holy. We strive to be pure – but we always fall short. Jesus himself is our righteousness. It is His righteousness that is credited to our account that will insure our salvation. Jesus did not come to earth to make us righteous but to be our righteousness.
Ecclesiastes 7:21 Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you.
Some of the words which have been spoken to you – were never intended to hurt you. Some of the words that you have heard were never intended to be spoken at all. We all have said things that now we wish we could take back – but we can’t. People say all kinds of things and most of us have complained about our boss at one time or another. People complain and talk about you too. Leave room for forgiveness.
James has said: “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.” (James 3:2)
Ecclesiastes 7:22 For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others.
Yes, we are not without our faults. We have all spoken hurtful words – sometimes intentional and sometimes unintentional.
Ecclesiastes 7:23 I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me.
I think that most of us would want to be “wise” – but as the preacher says: “..it was far from me.”
Solomon is wise and has searched for wisdom, but he has not found it either. Wisdom lies far beyond the knowledge of man.
Solomon, the wisest man in the world, confesses how difficult it has been to act and think wisely. He emphasizes that no matter how much we know, some mysteries we will never understand. So thinking you have wisdom is a sure sign that you don't.
Ecclesiastes 7:24 What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it?
The mysteries of God are unknown – that is why they are mysteries.
Poole has said: “No human wit can attain to perfect wisdom, or to the exact knowledge of God’s counsels and-works, and the reasons of them, because they are unsearchably deep, and far above our sight; some of them being long since past, and therefore, utterly unknown to us, and others yet to come, which we cannot foreknow.”
Ecclesiastes 7:25 I directed my mind to know, to investigate and to seek wisdom and an explanation, and to know the evil of folly and the foolishness of madness.
KJ3 translation says: And I turned my heart about, to know, and to search out, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, and the foolishness of madness:
Two things are listed here that Solomon seeks:
1. The wisdom of God
2. The folly of men
Why do people do what they do? What is their motive? What were they thinking? There are times when all we can do is to stand back and shake our heads. To completely figure out what was going on in a person’s head is impossible. And do we think that we can understand the mind of God?
Ecclesiastes 7:26 And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her.
In his searching Solomon found a woman of death. She lays traps for a man and will imprison him. Solomon is not speaking of all women – but about “the woman whose heart is snares” and who seeks to tempt to unfaithfulness. The temptation of illicit sexual intercourse is a great temptation ever for Christian men. That is why Paul warns us: “Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.” (1 Cor. 6:18)
Ecclesiastes 7:27 "Behold, I have discovered this," says the Preacher, "adding one thing to another to find an explanation,
Solomon says that he has discovered one thing – but that he is not finished searching. What he is seeking for is very rare. He has only found one man out of a thousand and has not found a woman yet. That does not mean that there aren’t any – he just has not found any yet. How many “wise” people have you found in your life?
Kidner has said: “His fruitless search for a woman he could trust may tell us as much about him and his approach, as about any of his acquaintances.”
Ecclesiastes 7:28 which I am still seeking but have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all these.
The Targum (a Jewish Aramaic commentary) gives this a curious turn: “There is another thing which my soul has sought, but could not find: a man perfect and innocent, and without corruption, from the days of Adam until Abraham the just was born; who was found faithful and upright among the thousand kings who came together to construct the tower of Babel: but a woman like to Sarah among the wives of all those kings I have not found.”
Ecclesiastes 7:29 "Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices."
Here is the one thing that Solomon found. God made men upright – but man now seeks out many sins.
God’s Word translation says it this way: “I have found only this: God made people decent, but they looked for many ways to avoid being decent.”
In the beginning God made Adam and Eve without sin – but that quickly changed when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. Now our fallen human nature seeks to sin continually.
