Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes Chapter 7

The Contrast of Wisdom and Folly

Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

It is hard for us to understand how the day of our death could be better than the day of our birth. Having a good reputation though is a good thing and happy are those that only good can be said of them. If one is right with God, the day of death is to leave all pain and sorrow. However for those that do not know God, it is a fearful thing to face the judgment for one's sins if we didn't get right with God while we were alive.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Tears and sorrow many times brings us to repentance and kind of opens our minds up to the spirit of God. Being around celebrations and laughter is just the opposite. It hides our innermost need for God. An exception to this though is when our rejoicing is in the worship of God and enjoying His presence. God can bring us joy through His Holy Spirit that surpasses anything temporary joy from partying or watching a comedy movie can bring. How do I know? I've experienced the presence of God and the joy it brings many times throughout the years.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

The laughter of fools is like a fire buring and making a crackling noise but it will be turned into ashes. It is burned and than we forget about it. When we hear the wise words and correction from a preacher called of God, it is much better and something worth remembering.

Ecclesiastes 7:7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Pride surely goes before a fall. To be lifted up in pride is not a good thing. Better to be humble. It opens up our hearts toward God. Concerning doing things in haste and in anger, it has caused more trouble than anything else. I read news items every day of a child being killed by the anger of someone who is caring for them, even family members. Anger at a child is so harmful. They need love and gentleness. However, bad results from anger is not limited to children but to anyone. Think first, consider the end result and hold back anger. If even we just say words in anger, it causes more harm than good. Kindness works a lot better.

Ecclesiastes 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.

I use to think the good old days were better until I get to thinking seriously on that and read about things that showed that it wasn't better, especially before the first coming of Jesus. For women, it was horrible. Jesus elevated women and gave them the same gifts of the Holy Spirit that was poured out upon men as well.

Ecclesiastes 7:11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Good and bad happens to everyone rich or poor. If one has riches and wisdom in his use of money it can be a good thing but our trust must be in God for this life is vanity and vexation unless the Lord guides our steps.

Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

Both righteous men and wicked men die young or live long lives. God is the only one that knows why it works out that way.

Ecclesiastes 7:16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

Some die before their time by their own works that cause this. Avoid self righteousness and trusting in our own works to save. In God should be our trust.

Ecclesiastes 7:18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Walking in wisdom and following God is greater than anything. None of us are without sin. We need God walking with us all the time.

Ecclesiastes 7:21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

I guess we should avoid listening to idle words, opinions of others and gossip. We might hear something bad said about ourselves. We've probably said things we shouldn't about others.
One verse comes to my mind here:

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

I quote Psalm 19:14 very often.

Ecclesiastes 7:25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
28 Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

In all of Solomon's wives and he had many. Around 1000 and not one was righteous. Well, he should have just sought the Lord for just one.

The law God gave by Moses would have solved this problem.

Deuteronomy 17:15 Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.
16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

I for one hope that Solomon got right with God in the end. God meant for marriages to be between one man and one woman. He allowed man to make his own choices in this but originally He didn't ordain multiple wives. It really causes heartache, jealousy and trouble. I notice that in the New Testament no mention is made of Solomon's sin and in the church, the called out believers in Jesus was only called to have one wife and one husband. -DC

Ecclesiastes Chapter 8