Ecclesiastes 7:10 – Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these?  For thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

 

Thought:  When individuals look back upon the past, they have a tendency to misinterpret it.  They forget the hard times and the evil of the former days.  They summarize the past as being better than the present.  This, however, is not true.  Every generation has easy and hard times.  Every generation has good and evil within it.  Since we are living in the present, we need to labor to make it the best it can be.  The past has passed.

 

Genesis 6:11-12

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Man has a tendency to see the past as being better than the present.

1.       After Israel exited the land of Egypt, they were constantly looking back to their former

days in Egypt (Exo. 14:12; 16:2-3; Num. 14:3, 4).

 

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:  and the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

 

2.       We often refer to the past as “the good ole days.”

a..  Focus on the family

b..  Less crime

c..  Simpler lifestyles

d..  Religion was important

e.   Neighbors cared for each other

f..  Respect for the elderly

g..  Respect for authority

 

B.      “For thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.”

1.       The basics of life were difficult to obtain.

2.       Life expectancy was short.

3.       There was multitude of large-scale wars.

4.       Many groups in society struggled for their rights.

5.       We did not have the medical advances of today.

6.       We did not have the technological advances of our day.

7.       We did not have the conveniences of our day.

8.       In some homes, there was verbal and physical abuse.

9.       There was less ability to travel.

10.   There were fewer opportunities to advance in life.

 

C.     Every generation has had good times and bad times.  Every generation has experienced its share of evil and of good.  Since we are living in the present, we need to labor to make it the best it can be.  The past has passed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 7:11 – Wisdom is good with an inheritance:  and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

 

Thought:  As Solomon experiments with life, he sees many things as vanity.  Work and wisdom are two of these.  But, He is also reasonable.  He understands that both have some advantages in this life.  A man can enjoy the fruit of his labors.  Here, wisdom is good with an inheritance.  The man who receives an inheritance is benefited if he has the wisdom to use it wisely.  Those that see the sun, that is, the living, profit because of this wisdom.  But, if this is all there is to wisdom, there is little profit.

 

Proverbs 4:5

 

Commentary: 

 

A.     Solomon often looks at two sides of the same issue.  Previously, he discussed how man often leaves everything behind to others who do not care for those things or who will waste them.

 

B.      Now, Solomon looks at the positive side of an inheritance. 

 

C.     Wisdom is good with an inheritance.

1.       Wisdom is the ability to put knowledge and experience into action for good.

2.       Wisdom understands such things as

a.       Wasteful spending

b.      The definition of wealth, that is, how much money constitutes one’s being wealthy

c.       The need to see the future

d.      Delayed gratification

e.       Needs versus wants

 

D.     There is profit to them that see the sun, that is, those who continue to live after the death of a loved one.  An inheritance can bless a person’s life if it is used wisely.

1.       Proper purchases

2.       Investments

3.       Donations to charities

4.       Getting out of debt

5.       Pursing an education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 7:12 – For wisdom is defense, and money is defense:  but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

 

Thought:  Two things in life can help defend a man from error and misfortune.  They are wisdom and money.  Both put a wall of protection around an individual.  Money, however, only protects the outer man.  Wisdom involves the inner man.  It involves a person’s spiritual life.  It gives life to them that have it.  Thus, wisdom is the superior of the two.  If one had to choose only one, wisdom should be the person’s selection.

 

Proverbs 16:16

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Solomon notes that two things are a defense, a shade or protection, for man.

1.       Wisdom is defense.

2.       Money is defense.

 

B.      All would agree that money has its benefits.

1.       Money gives you options and choices in life.

2.       Money promotes savings, specialization, productivity, and efficiency.

3.       Money facilitates planning of both production and consumption.

4.       Money gives you security and peace of mind.

5.       Money can be used to revive the economy from depression.

6.       Money can create more life experiences and can help you give to others.

7.       Money allows one to bounce back from setbacks easier.

8.       Money enables one to have stronger personal relationships.

9.       Money allows one to live a healthier life in general:  food, exercise, doctor visits, meds, safety, etc.

10.   Money gives a person a comfortable retirement.

 

C.     Wisdom is also a defense.  One has said that “knowledge is power.”

 

D.     Which of the two would most people rather have:  the defense of money?  Or, the defense of wisdom?

 

E.      Solomon tells us:  “…but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.”

1.       Notice Solomon says:  “Wisdom giveth life.”

2.       Undoubtedly, he is referring to divine wisdom giving spiritual life to those who possess it.

3.       This is the most important blessing man can obtain.

4.       And, money CANNOT provide life.