Ecclesiastes 7 is the seventh chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. Avoid extremism in … New American Standard Version. Next, the Preacher considers contradictions to the law of retribution…. So, there’s a balance to be achieved here…. The praises of wisdom. Verse Thoughts. But, whatever the case, this is what the Preacher ultimately arrives at –whether speaking of men or women…. 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise [do not depend upon your righteousness or wisdom FOR YOURSELF (reflexive) to obtain long life]: why shouldest thou destroy thyself [be disappointed when you die early]? Chapter 7. When we walk through an empty house, we may see possibilities for it, but because it is empty, it is not a warm, accepting, and welcoming place. Be wise. 21 ¶ Also take no heed unto [do not give your heart to] 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. name--character; a godly mind and life; not mere reputation with man, but what a man is in the eyes of God, with whom the name and reality are one thing ( Isa 9:6). Again, the beginning of something is naturally more exciting and hopeful. It will do more good to go to a funeral than to a feast. This is just explaining that what we do with our lives here on this earth is a very serious matter. But do we ever consider how we’ve spoken of others? and the day of death [is better] than the day of one’s birth. The name of the book is Ecclesiastes and it is found in the Old Testament after the book of Proverbs and before Song of Solomon. And again, the difficult wins over the pleasant. 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. We will all die in the end. Everyone’s happy. So, you and I might want to value the former days when things were easier and more pleasant for us. And the next verses (Ecclesiastes 7:17–18) keep it all in balance. 1. I came across your site and Wow it couldn’t be a simpler, non-complex explanation. 23 ¶ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. Want a free Bible overview .pdf study tool ? He’d rather just enjoy life and forget all about the reality of death. T here is a book of the Bible that is often overlooked. And whichever of those is the case, it’s similar to the effect that a bribe has on a person – it corrupts that person’s heart. But there’s a really good chance that you’ll die earlier than usual if you live that kind of lifestyle. Click the verse number to read commentary, definitions, meanings, and notes for that particular Ecclesiastes 7 verse. Learn how your comment data is processed. But at least you don’t remember the day of your birth. The context here is the house of mourning – or a funeral. So, in light of that, If you try really, really hard to make yourself righteous and wise so that you have a long life – you’re going to be disappointed when you happen to die early. Now, when you make a mistake it can really cost you. Those actions might actually end your life prematurely. Wow this explains everything so much better, keep posting please, As I just started reading Eccles. Here are some of the praises and the precepts of wisdom.I. It’s hard to wait for the end of a matter. God has made both the day of adversity and the day of prosperity. Ecclesiastes 7 Wisdom. And the second part of that verse holds the key to understanding this. This has helped me immensely. Be ready to face this God that the Preacher keeps talking about. In Luke 11:24-26, Jesus uses the illustration of an empty house, "swept and put in order," but what fills it makes a great deal of difference in terms of it "end." 6 For as the crackling of [quick-burning] thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. 6:12 are answered in Eccl. And yet, the Preacher wants us to value this day above your birth day. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Ecclesiastes 7:9. So, now, the Preacher is going to move on – because he believes that you got the point of valuing difficult things over pleasant things. And then it seems like the next verse is a warning about the potential of a wise man becoming a fool…. And yet, you would do better to listen to the difficult rebuke of a wise man than to listen to the pleasant song of a fool. So, this is saying that either – 1) when a wise man oppresses someone else he will become a fool or 2) that the wise man can become a fool by witnessing oppression happening around him. It’s not wise for you to say “Why were the old days better than what I have now?” And this admonition aligns well with all that we’ve seen so far. Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 7:6. It seems to be the Preacher’s attempt to communicate his efforts to understand the way things are under the sun. So, don’t be quick to anger. This is another instance where we need wisdom in dealing with the unjust. Because those thoughts are the exact ones that wise men have. You can read through all of Ecclesiastes 7 below. It is good to remember that. So, don’t be evil and foolish either. But the Preacher wants you to estimate the value of the easy days of old as far less than what you’re experiencing now. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Not even you. Your parents are happy. So, Ecclesiastes 7:2 sheds more light on why the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. The righteous don't always prosper, nor do the wicked always suffer a. John Trapp Complete Commentary. Reality is, some courses of action are better than others. Rejoice when things are pleasant and abundant. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. Looking at life through better and worse. It’s good to patiently wait for the end of something. We might notice that our life seems to be filled with difficult things – difficult people, difficult situations, problems that are over our head, etc. And the reason he has made both is so that no one really knows what’s coming next – it could be prosperity or adversity. Be patient. Ecclesiastes overview / walkthrough. Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name [is] better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. While wisdom has its drawbacks (Eccl 1:18), can be nullified by a little folly (Eccl 10:1), is … And the Preacher’s not done with this theme of needing wisdom in dealing with the unjust…. The fool doesn’t consider death. We don’t want to experience death. And sometimes you just don’t remember problems in the world back then – whereas maybe now you’re keenly aware of them, and even worried about them. And lastly in this section, we’re directed to the relative value of adversity, which is difficult, and prosperity, which is pleasant…. There are things that God shows us through sorrow that teach us so much more than laughter ever can. And again since behind the Preacher is Solomon, it’s not hard to see why he might not have found any righteous women – since he got married to all those pagan wives. You don’t need to wait for it. 2 You may enjoy a party. (2 It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. And I’m sure this kind of statement is very offensive to the broader culture in which we live. And sadly almost everyone is this way. And therefore – don’t try to avoid it. The title “Ecclesiastes” comes from a Greek word indicating a person who calls an assembly, so it makes sense that the author identified himself in Ecclesiastes 1:1 by 24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning [a funeral], than to go to the house of feasting: for that [death] is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. How can my servant or buddy or whatever curse me?! The eternal benefits are greater. This gives a contextual relationship for interpretation that attempts to follow the intent of the original inspired author. Who doesn’t want a good reputation? There, you will think about the day when you will die. 20 ¶ For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Ecclesiastes 7. We may … 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? ◄ Ecclesiastes 7:1 ► A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth. Next, the Preacher goes on to consider the relative value of wisdom and money…. The vain, meaninglessness of life without God, and the vital importance of having the Lord in our lives, is summed up at the end of the book of Ecclesiastes: we are to fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. But it is better for you if you go to a funeral. 7 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. Against hastiness of spirit, Ecc 7:9. This alone is "good," while all else is "vanity" when made the chief end. ecc 7:0. He hasn’t found any righteous women. So, here’s the first piece of wisdom in dealing with the unjust – realize that no one is totally just and without sin under the sun. Yea, than great riches. Ecclesiastes 7:7. The beginning of a thing is right there immediately. But money won’t save your life. Hostility seems to be a hallmark of this church age in a similar way that road-rage is to the world.It is alright for us to be righteously indignant as long as we do not sin.There is a place for righteous indignation, but God does not permit much anger because it is difficult not to sin when angry. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Wisdom has the potential to do just that. On the other hand, the fool won’t go there. And this is the case in spite of God originally creating man upright. Avoid extremism in seeking to righteous and wise, lest you destroy yourself b. Proud member Salem Media Group. Don’t make great efforts to prolong your life through super-right living. 12 For wisdom is a defence [protection], and [like] money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth [preserves] life to them that have it. That’s where the Preacher comes back with this convicting thought – you, too, have cursed others, haven’t you? And you want to be wise, don’t you? Or at least, they should. Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. And this unfortunately is why you and I need wisdom in dealing with unjust people. Be ready for death. (Read Ecclesiastes 7:1-6) Reputation for piety and honesty is more desirable than all the wealth and pleasure in this world. It’s wise for you to consider your end and act based on what you learn. I took my time to ready it along side of my Bible. Now, in a sense, Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 are a continuation of the previous section about finding a balance in your work life. But he is saying that he couldn’t find any. Your responsibilities were probably relatively few in comparison to what you face now. 1. That’s not to say that there were no righteous women in the Preacher’s day. I had to read it twice to let me truly understand. chapter 7, it baffled me so I had to research it. All rights reserved. Aliás, também o usei em uma devocional com a equipe da minha igreja. Ecclesiastes. 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: Now, we’ve heard this kind of statement before. In that sense, it’s difficult. And let your knowledge of death lead you to consider what comes after – not merely reality under the sun – but spiritual reality. Ecclesiastes Chapter 7. Solomon had given many proofs and instances of the vanity of this world and the things of it; now, in this chapter, I.He recommends to us some good means proper to be used for the redress of these grievances and the arming of ourselves against the mischief we are in danger of from them, that we may make the best of the bad, as 1. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. Ecclesiastes 7:4 "The heart of the wise [is] in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools [is] in the house of mirth." Yes, you might prolong your life even though you’re wicked and foolish. That’s what we saw in the previous verse – that emphasis on prolonging one’s life. Plus, there’s so much hope when you’re born. And don’t be hasty – the opposite of patient – to be angry. But we’ve all sought out many evil schemes. Whereas, perfume is pleasant and it’s a good thing – but the value of the difficult in this case is greater than the value of the pleasant. 3 Frustration is better than laughter, because a … They sober you up and get you searching for God in the midst of the difficulty. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. But would you agree that it’s hard to gain a good reputation and really easy to lose it? And lastly, the Preacher turns his attention to the need for wisdom in dealing with the unjust…. You might be disappointed and there won’t be much to show for your extraordinary efforts. 19 ¶ Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. 7:1-12 and 6:12b is linked to 7:13-14 by the phrase "after him" [BDB 29]). COUNSEL FOR BALANCED LIVING (7:15-29) A. Now you have responsibilities. What offense we take at people speaking poorly of us. There’s no end to his work. Ecclesiastes 9:4 "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than … And – above all – fear God. Only fools do that. And the emphasis I think is on having a long life. 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? That’s Ecclesiastes 6-7. Fui edificado com o comentário que você postou. Choose a verse from 'Ecclesiastes 7' to begin your 'Verse-by-Verse' study of God's Word using the more than 100 commentaries available on StudyLight.org StudyLıght .org . And yet strangely he’s not satisfied with all that work and what it produces – riches. Obrigado. Required fields are marked *. 1. In those senses it’s a pleasant thing. Ecclesiastes 6 Commentary Summary Meaning Explained. Ver. It would seem that in a perfect world, a man who does right would have a prolonged life and one who is evil would have a very short life. We should be careful about making great promises to God because we do not know if our circumstances tomorrow will be what they are today. Solomon, in these verses, recommends wisdom to us as the best antidote against those distempers of mind which we are liable to, by reason of the vanity and vexation of spirit that there are in the things of this world. He’d rather be in the house of mirth. Ecclesiastes 7 He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. Obey both commands. So, pay attention to both of these warnings. That laughter and mirth enjoyed by a fool is vanity. But also when you’re experiencing difficulty – just remember that God has made both. Your email address will not be published. But the day when you die will be better. So, too, does oppression turn a wise man into a fool. And again, we have money here – which is pleasant and wisdom which is difficult to obtain. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Sorrow can therefore be better than laughter. of It will ultimately end. We might notice that our life seems to be filled with difficult things – difficult people, difficult situations, problems that are over our head, etc. And at the same time, who likes rebuke? 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:5. Enduring Word Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes Chapter 7 Ecclesiastes 7 – Trying to Find a Better Way A. This is obviously not talking about the righteousness that’s imputed or credited to a person when he believes God’s promise – like Abraham did regarding God’s promise of a descendant or like New Testament Christians do regarding God’s promise of forgiveness and eternal life in Christ. But then the day of your death. So, enjoy the good things that God has given, submit to his sovereignty in your life, value difficult things over pleasant things, remember these contradictions to the law of retribution, and deal wisely with the unjust. No one. I mean, really, the only pleasantness that we can derive from it is if we’re believers and if death is simply our entrance into life. And it’s when life is filled with these kinds of things that we’re most likely to bitterly contend with God. If your heart is in the house of mourning – if you consider the end of your life and let that sober reality sink in and act on that reality – then you’re in good company. You need wisdom precisely because of the absence of just men who do right and don’t sin. But it’s in Ecclesiastes 7:26 that he gets to his latest findings regarding life under the sun…. They’re ultimately much better than easy and pleasant things. Ecclesiastes 7, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the Church of Christ, presents a verse level look at the Bible. That the honour of virtue is really more valuable and desirable than all the wealth and pleasure in this world (, Solomon had often complained before of the. You need to be patient to accept this. Be slow to anger, slow to speak, and quick to hear – as James says in the New Testament. 17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility. And, so, I think that statement is easy to accept, but what do you think about the second part of Ecclesiastes 7:1?…. for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this [asking this question is not wise]. So it is good if people know that. Now, when you think of it, both of these days are difficult. Songs are lovely. And don’t be a fool or you might die prematurely. Of oppression, Ecc 7:7. So, don’t waste your time trying to prolong your life by those means. Commentary on the Bible, by Adam Clarke, [1831], at sacred-texts.com. DO THINGS IN MODERATION (15-22) 1. And because of that, don’t listen too carefully to people or you’ll likely hear your servant or your friend or whomever else curse you! Solomon had given many proofs and instances of the vanity of this world and the things of it; now, in this chapter, In these verses Solomon lays down some great truths which seem paradoxes to the unthinking part, that is, the far greatest part, of mankind.I. Next, the Preacher moves from the value of the difficult task of considering one’s death to hearing rebuke…. Ecclesiastes 7:9(NASB) Picture courtesy of WenPhotos-Pixabay. 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this [one warning]; yea, also from this [other warning] withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all [go forth in both, obey both]. So, this is speaking of the evil, adulterous, seductive woman. Please watch: "The ONE Thing Every Christian Should Be Doing But Most Are NOT!" 7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad [into a fool]; and a gift destroyeth [bribe corrupts] the heart. The value of a good name, Ecc 7:1. The book contains philosophical speeches by a character called '(the) Qoheleth' (="the Teacher"), composed probably between 5th to 2nd century BCE. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. Who doesn’t like music? The Preacher said that he’s seen that happen. The man who does right dies young and the man who is evil lives a long time. It might not work. We may lawfully go to both, as there is occasion; our Saviour both feasted at the wedding of his friend in Cana, and wept at the grave of his friend in Bethany. Ecclesiastes 7:19 says, “Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful / than ten rulers in a city.” While laughter can offer many positives, it does not have the same impact as sorrow to cause a person to consider life and grow in wisdom. Ecclesiastes 7:8-10. Who wants to read God’s word without really understanding it.Kathy. Ecclesiastes; or the Preacher Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET CHAPTER 7 Ecc 7:1-29. ◄Ecclesiastes 7:7 ► Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. You’re in the real world now. And so, for the person who is going to try to achieve long life by doing right, the Preacher has a message in Ecclesiastes 7:16 and following…. A good name is better than precious ointment.] And he’s going to be completely unprepared. 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