OceanSide church of Christ
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Chapter 7
Ecclesiastes 7:1 – A good name is better than precious ointment: and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
Thought: A good name is something that takes years to cultivate. It also takes a lot of effort to maintain. The cost of a good name is underestimated until it is lost. Then one understands its value. It is truly more valuable than any costly ointment. The writer also affirms that the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. Birth brings us into a cruel world. Death releases us from it. Birth is the beginning of a life that must labor for its ultimate rest. Death is that rest from one’s labors. Even though this is true, man still has difficulties with death. It is not something for which we yearn.
Proverbs 22:1
Commentary:
A. Solomon notes two “better” things.
1. If something is better, we usually desire that.
2. If something is better, we seek to acquire it.
B. In this verse Solomon compares two things that are good and affirms the one that is better.
1. A good name is better than precious ointment (Eccl. 7:1a).
2. The day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth (Eccl. 7:1b).
a. This second comparison is not as easily accepted as the first.
b. In fact, most of us believe the opposite to be true: the day of one’s birth is better than the
day of one’s death.
c. We have allowed our feelings and the world to influence our view of death.
d. Death has plenty of benefits for the child of God.
1) We cease from our labors.
2) We put off our frail, tired, and hurting body.
3) We enter into a place of comfort.
4) We no longer have to battle temptation and sin.
5) We make a step toward our eternal reward.
6) We reunite with loved ones who have gone before us.
7) We make a step toward our eternal fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
e. Two verses:
1) Luke 16:22, 25
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom…but now he is comforted…
2) Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
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.
Thought: Most of us do not appreciate the truth of this verse. We would much rather go to a party than to a funeral. The truth is, however, that a funeral does us much more good. We are reminded of the brevity of life. We are reminded that death is coming. We are reminded that we need to be preparing for that day. Yes, the house of mourning is the end of all men. At least while we are there, the fact of death is laid upon our hearts.
Haggai 1:5
Commentary:
A. Solomon makes another affirmation that is not believed by very many individuals.
1. The house of mourning is like unto our funeral home.
2. The house of feasting would be like attending a wedding, birthday party, or anniversary party.
B. Most would rather attend a party than a funeral any day of the week.
C. Even though this is true, Solomon says that it is better to attend a funeral. He gives two reasons for this.
1. This is the end of all men.
a. All will die.
b. I will die.
c. Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.
2. The living will take it to heart.
a. Death is coming to take you.
b. Death is inescapable.
c. Death plays no favorites.
d. There needs to be preparation made for one’s death.
e. Death comes to some knowingly and to others unknowingly.
f. Once a person is dead, there is no returning to the land of the living.
3. LESSON: There are some places in life wherein things get very, very serious. It is good for men and women to frequent those places. Life is serious. So is death.
Ecclesiastes 7:3 – Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Thought: There is no evil in laughter. In fact, laughter can be a good medicine at times. Laughter, however, does not always focus us upon the important things of life, the realities of life. Sorrow causes us to do that. We learn we are frail. We learn we are not always in control. We learn that we need assistance, especially from God. We learn the power of prayer. We learn patience. We learn that life is short. We learn that we must prepare for the end of life. Yes, sorrow is a teacher of sobering lessons.
Psalm 119:71
Commentary:
A. How many of us prefer to have sorrow over laughter?
B. NOTE: Solomon does not say that laughter is evil. The Bible teaches that a merry heart doeth good like a medicine (Prov. 17:22).
C. The question is: “What does laughter and pleasure and merriment really teach us?” How do these things cause us to grow? Do these things cause us to be serious about life?
D. Sorrow is better: “for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”
1. Sorrow is usually laser focused on a problem, weakness, difficulty, or sin.
2. Sorrow makes us stop and contemplate matters of gravity.
3. Sorrow often causes one to take personal inventory of his life.
4. Sorrow causes us to become more agreeable to change our hearts and lives.
5. Sorrow teaches us the realities of life.
a. We are not as strong as we think we are.
b. We are not always in control.
c. We do not have all the answers.
d. We need assistance from time to time. It’s in sorrow that many turn to God.
e. We learn life is short and that we need to prepare for its end.
f. We find out who we can and cannot trust. NOTE: We can always trust God.
g. We learn our limits. In fact, we often learn we can push past our limits.
h. We learn God is merciful and willing to forgive us our trespasses.