Wow this explains everything so much better, keep posting please, As I just started reading Eccles. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. Reality is, some courses of action are better than others. 15 ¶ All [the following two] things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in [despite] his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in [despite] his wickedness. COUNSEL FOR BALANCED LIVING (7:15-29) A. 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 . 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 [righteous] man among a thousand have I found [which isn’t saying much]; but a woman among all those have I not found [which is saying even less]. 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. Ecclesiastes’ authorship is usually attributed to Solomon based on the first verse of the book which reads, “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1 ESV). But do we ever consider how we’ve spoken of others? 24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? 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." Ecclesiastes 7 He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. DO THINGS IN MODERATION (15-22) 1. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this [asking this question is not wise]. So, this is speaking of the evil, adulterous, seductive woman. 6:12 are answered in Eccl. And, so, I think that statement is easy to accept, but what do you think about the second part of Ecclesiastes 7:1?…. It’s fleeting. Looking at life through better and worse. But the Preacher sees that the value of the end of that thing is higher. 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. The praises of wisdom. And the emphasis I think is on having a long life. And yet, even then, can’t you wish for some other way to enter into glory? Now, when you make a mistake it can really cost you. Or at least, they should. Enduring Word Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes Chapter 7 Ecclesiastes 7 – Trying to Find a Better Way A. So, don’t be evil and foolish either. 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 need wisdom precisely because of the absence of just men who do right and don’t sin. Sadness of face is good for the heart. 1 Wisdom is necessary to the right managing and improving of our worldly possessions: Solomon had hitherto been proving the vanity of the world and its utter insufficiency to make men happy; now here he comes to show the vileness of sin, and its certain tendency to make men miserable; and this, as the former, he proves from his own experience, and it was a dear-bought experience. There, you will think about the day when you will die. And lastly, the Preacher turns his attention to the need for wisdom in dealing with the unjust…. There was a day when you were born. You might be disappointed and there won’t be much to show for your extraordinary efforts. 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). In that sense, it’s difficult. 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. The day of one’s death is difficult. The UBS Translator's Handbook on Ecclesiastes (p. 214) asserts that the last two rhetorical questions of Eccl. This gives a contextual relationship for interpretation that attempts to follow the intent of the original inspired author. And it’s when life is filled with these kinds of things that we’re most likely to bitterly contend with God. Then the Preacher pictures the fool’s song-producing voice as something fleeting that will quickly vanish in light of eternity. 20 ¶ For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. So, now, the Preacher is going to move on – because he believes that you got the point of valuing difficult things over pleasant things. This is another instance where we need wisdom in dealing with the unjust. ecc 7:0. We may … The guy in this new section is working so hard. 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]? I think this is more like right and wise living. Ecclesiastes 7 is the seventh chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. New American Standard Version. of Ver. 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. Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. And, there is an overriding theme: What Is Better. What’s pleasant about that? The book contains philosophical speeches by a character called '(the) Qoheleth' (="the Teacher"), composed probably between 5th to 2nd century BCE. So, in Ecclesiastes 7:1-14, the Preacher talks to us about the value of difficult things over pleasant things. Salem Media Group. Plus, there’s so much hope when you’re born. 7 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. I took my time to ready it along side of my Bible. Vexation is better than laughter, for with a stern countenance the heart will rejoice. 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. Though these themes are only mentioned briefly in Ecclesiastes, Solomon and others speak at length regarding true righteousness and wisdom in the book of Proverbs. Ecclesiastes 7:5. ◄ Ecclesiastes 7:1 ► A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth. While wisdom has its drawbacks (Eccl 1:18), can be nullified by a little folly (Eccl 10:1), is … The fool doesn’t consider death. Ecclesiastes 7 Wisdom. Consider this truth and learn. 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. On the other hand, the fool won’t go there. And therefore – don’t try to avoid it. God has made both the day of adversity and the day of prosperity. When you were a child, you were taken care of – or you should have been, at least. And again, the difficult wins over the pleasant. And this is the case in spite of God originally creating man upright. They sober you up and get you searching for God in the midst of the difficulty. Moving on, I’m thinking that most of us who are a little farther along in life have been caught thinking the way that the Preacher criticizes next in Ecclesiastes 7:10…. Be ready to face this God that the Preacher keeps talking about. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Who doesn’t want a good reputation? Ecclesiastes 7:9. And I think the idea is that since you don’t know what’s next you need to get out of your mindset of life lived merely under the sun and start trusting the God who knows what’s coming next – indeed, who has foreordained what’s coming next and who can help you through it and whose work is unchangeable – you can’t straighten what he’s made crooked and vice versa. And he’ll be unprepared for what’s to come. Ecclesiastes 7. We don’t want to experience death. So, don’t waste your time trying to prolong your life by those means. Hard and difficult things are good for you and me. T here is a book of the Bible that is often overlooked. Be patient. But we’ve all sought out many evil schemes. The eternal benefits are greater. There’s no end to his work. Thank you for this! Yes, you might prolong your life even though you’re wicked and foolish. And let your knowledge of death lead you to consider what comes after – not merely reality under the sun – but spiritual reality. Patience is a good thing. Fui edificado com o comentário que você postou. So, there’s a balance to be achieved here…. So, you and I might want to value the former days when things were easier and more pleasant for us. Again, the beginning of something is naturally more exciting and hopeful. 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. And the Preacher’s not done with this theme of needing wisdom in dealing with the unjust…. 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. 23 ¶ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 7:6. Proud member He asserts that they’re more valuable than the pleasant things that you and I prefer to experience. Next, the Preacher goes on to consider the relative value of wisdom and money…. 17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 1 You may be a nice person. Yea, than great riches. But the day when you die will be better. How can my servant or buddy or whatever curse me?! 29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions [evil schemes, devices]. Commentary on the Bible, by Adam Clarke, [1831], at sacred-texts.com. Peshitta, Targum, and Talmud attribute the authorship of the book to King Solomon. That’s what we saw in the previous verse – that emphasis on prolonging one’s life. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better [in sadness of face (sober reflection) there is good for the heart]. Many things are here said in its commendation, to engage us to get and retain wisdom. 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. Those thorns under a pot will burn and crackle quickly and will be no more. This is just explaining that what we do with our lives here on this earth is a very serious matter. 2 You may enjoy a party. גט֥וֹב כַּ֖עַס מִשְּׂח֑וֹק … 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? It will ultimately end. 19 ¶ Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. 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." 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. Ecclesiastes; or the Preacher Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET CHAPTER 7 Ecc 7:1-29. Ecclesiastes 7:7. The end better than the beginning, Ecc 7:8. Ecclesiastes. 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. 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. And he’s going to be completely unprepared. 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. 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. 1. An honest autobiography of the vapid life of the man who had everything. Obrigado. The value of a good name, Ecc 7:1. Of oppression, Ecc 7:7. Because those thoughts are the exact ones that wise men have. They’re ultimately much better than easy and pleasant things. 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. Against hastiness of spirit, Ecc 7:9. But it’s in Ecclesiastes 7:26 that he gets to his latest findings regarding life under the sun…. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. (Read Ecclesiastes 7:1-6) Reputation for piety and honesty is more desirable than all the wealth and pleasure in this world. And the next verses (Ecclesiastes 7:17–18) keep it all in balance. Don’t make great efforts to prolong your life through super-right living. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. And in the Preacher’s mind, that’s a good thing. Ecclesiastes Chapter 7. We will all die in the end. 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