ECCLESIASTES (7 - 2)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) The wisest man ever lived, Solomon, left us a legacy of written wisdom in three books (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon). In these books, he gives practical insights and guidelines for life.

b) The book of Ecclesiastes shows that certain paths in life lead to emptiness. This profound book also helps us discover true purpose in life. Such wisdom can spare us from the emptiness that results from a life without God. Solomon teaches that people will not find meaning in life in knowledge, money, pleasure, work, or popularity. True satisfaction comes from knowing that what we are doing is part of God's purpose for our lives. This is the book that can help free us from our scramble for power, approval, and money, and draw us closer to God.

c) Although the tone of Ecclesiastes is negative and pessimistic, we must not conclude that the only chapter worth reading and applying is the last one, where he draws his conclusion. In reality, the entire book is filled with practical wisdom (how to accomplish things in the world and stay out of trouble) and spiritual wisdom (how to find and know eternal values). All of his remarks relating to the futility of life are there for a purpose - to lead people to seek true happiness in God alone.

d) Read Ecclesiastes and learn about life. Hear the stern warnings and dire predictions, and commit yourself to remember your Creator now.

1. Ecclesiastes 7 (2)

a) The Value of Practical Wisdom (7:15-29; 8:1)

i) ¹⁵ I have seen everything in my days of vanity:

There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness,
And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.

¹⁶ Do not be overly righteous,

Nor be overly wise:
Why should you destroy yourself?
¹⁷ Do not be overly wicked,
Nor be foolish:
Why should you die before your time?
¹⁸ It is good that you grasp this,
And also not remove your hand from the other;
For he who fears God will escape them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom strengthens the wise

More than ten rulers of the city.

²⁰ For there is not a just man on earth who does good

And does not sin.

²¹ Also do not take to heart everything people say,

Lest you hear your servant cursing you.
²² For many times, also, your own heart has known
That even you have cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved by wisdom.

I said, “I will be wise”;
But it was far from me.
²⁴ As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep,
Who can find it out?
²⁵ I applied my heart to know,
To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things,
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,
Whose hands are fetters.
He who pleases God shall escape from her,
But the sinner shall be trapped by her.

²⁷ Here is what I have found,” says the Preacher,

“Adding one thing to the other to find out the reason,
²⁸ Which my soul still seeks but I cannot find:
One man among a thousand I have found,
But a woman among all these I have not found.
²⁹ Truly, this only I have found:
That God made man upright,
But they have sought out many schemes.” (Ecclesiastes 7:15-29 NKJV)

ii) Who is like a wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
A man’s wisdom makes his face shine,
And the sternness of his face is changed. (Ecclesiastes 8:1 NKJV)

The End ...