Sunday, June 14, 2020
pm – online lesson
STUDIES IN
ECCLESIASTES (22)
Some Better Things (1)
Ecclesiastes 7:1-10
As we continue our study of the book of Ecclesiastes, we are addressing
a number of applications associated with life.
We are in the midst of a portion of this book that is similar to
the proverbs as Solomon makes general observations about life, and in so
doing how true understanding of life leads to God.
As one observed, we have greater focus on life ABOVE the sun.
But, at least for the time being, these proverbs seem to be a
little more orderly than many of the proverbs in the book so named.
Also, we find even greater focus on wisdom, according to the NKJV, the
words “wise and wisdom” were used about 19 times in chapters 1-6 (first
half of the book), and they are found some 35 times in the last 6
chapters. Thus, it is
worthy of note, that when we speak of wisdom, we are addressing one who
seeks the wisdom that is from above (James 3:17).
More on that in a latter lesson.
Tonight, we begin to notice how Solomon lists 7 things that are better,
and they will all lead us to God.
Let us briefly notice these.
a.
The importance of
reputation. Solomon says that a
good name is better than great wealth (here the example is a valuable
perfume – something Jews cherished and often viewed as a sign of
prosperity, similar to today – perfumes can be cheap or very expensive.
Those who wear expensive perfume often do so as a status symbol).
Solomon’s point is that your
name is of greater value than great wealth.
Consider Proverbs 22:1 says something similar, “A good name is
to be chose rather than great riches; loving favor rather than silver
and gold.”
We understand this today.
There are well known individuals and companies that build reputations
for reliability and integrity.
They VALUE their name and will often pass on something lucrative
because it does not have a good enough reputation.
Example: Many talk show hosts
will only endorse products they are fully comfortable with and that
express their values. Why?
Because of the amount of time they have spent developing trust from
others AND a few extra dollars is not worth the damage that might be
done to their reputation.
And WE, THE CONSUMER, accept that.
We may consider a product because we trust the one who endorses
it.
ON THE OTHER HAND, consider how there are many who gain great wealth or
power, but they have a terrible reputation for dishonesty and
corruption. What good is
their material gain if they are despised? Proverbs 10:7, The memory
of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.
b.
“Remember who you
are”.
Something that is often said by concerned parents as their
children are leaving home, or perhaps going on a date.
It is a reminder: Do not ruin the good name others have built for
you (your heritage) and don’t ruin THEIR name either.
When I act, I need to think about how it affects the name of my
family? My parents have a
good name and if I have any respect for them, I should preserve and
honor that name. And I
should do so where my children are concerned as well.
A good name is so valuable because it does not come over night.
It takes years to develop a good reputation. AND it can be ruined
in a very brief span – a single word or act.
Cf. Ecclesiastes 10:1, Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment,
And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one
respected for wisdom and honor.
c.
Do not RUIN the name
of Jesus that you are to be wearing.
-
Perhaps the most important name
we wear from an eternal perspective is the name Christian.
It means we belong to Christ.
We ought to ensure that whatever we are doing, we are not
denigrating His noble name.
Consider Romans 2:23-24, the name of God was blasphemed by their
conduct.
Titus 2:10 - am I adorning the doctrine of Christ?
a.
How is this a truth?
The day of one’s birth, an innocent child is
brought into this world. He
brings pleasure to his family and others.
But then life comes – he has his whole life ahead of him,
complete with its troubles and burdens.
For those who are not wise and responsible, it can be filled with
misery. So many things we
have addressed over and over about this fallen world demonstrate the
vanity of this life.
BUT, at one’s death – he/she ceases to have to deal with
such. Death ENDS everything
about this physical life. You
don’t have deal with your sickness anymore and broken down bodies (if
you age). You don’t have to
deal with other burdens – the ugliness of society around you, taxes and
debt, day to day chores, the vanity of worries about what is going to
happen, and perhaps some other troubles catered to your life. So in
THAT CONTEXT, we see Solomon’s point.
b.
If you are prepared.
Ultimately, to whom is it true that one’s death is better than
his birth? It is the one
prepared to stand before God as he leaves this life.
It is those like Paul who could say he was ready (2 Timothy
4:6-8); Earlier he said in Philippians 1:21-23 – where Paul said to “die
is gain” and then he had a desire to “depart and be with the Lord which
is far better.”
OR Stephen who died the martyr’s death (Acts 7:59-60).
Consider again Revelation 14:13,
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write:
‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says
the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works
follow them.”
c.
Could this relate to
the previous phrase
(about reputation)? Some
have observed that one’s reputation is not complete until he completes
this life. Then you finally
see the totality of who one was.
Was he godly or hypocritical? (How many have their true secrets
and skeletons revealed only after their death?)
Did he start out with integrity but end in failure – as did King Solomon
(what we have recorded), King Saul (who for a short while – about 2
years – was humble as king, but failure after that) and others who quit
being honorable.
The point is, who you are in NOT sealed until this life is over.
a.
In modern vernacular,
Solomon observes that it is better to go to a funeral than to a party.
b.
Why is that true?
As He notes, For that is the end of all men – throughout the book of
Ecclesiastes we have discussed the subject of death (and will continue
to do so) – what it means and how to prepare for it.
The fact that we are going to die MUST always be in the back of
our minds – Hebrews 9:27 – it is appointed for men to die, but after
that the judgment.
NONE are exempt (cf. Ecclesiastes 3:20, etc.), unless you are alive when
the Lord returns – but even then, the end result is the same – your
material life is over. See
also Romans 5:12, Genesis 3:19, etc.
c.
And the living will
take it to heart
– most do not want to die (at least right now), and when faced with a
funeral of a loved one, you are reminded that it could happen to you as
well.
There are many who live their lives as if they have all the time in the
world – especially youth and those in the prime of their life.
They get caught up in reckless behaviors and “partying” all the
time. Some do foolish and
dangerous things thinking they are invincible.
A funeral brings mortality into reality and makes you take a
spiritual inventory.
RARELY does one leave a party thinking to himself, “You know, I
need to get my life in order.”
There is nothing more sobering than an untimely death –
especially that of youth.
Sometimes it is the ONLY thing that will wake up one who is living an
unrestrained life.
a.
This verse is a
continuation of vs. 2, but I believe it takes the thought of mourning
further.
b.
First let us note,
that laughter, like so many other things is NOT wrong within
itself. In fact, it
is good medicine (though that is NOT a Biblical proverb).
Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us there is a time to laugh.
It can do much good to lift up the soul.
But it is NOT an escape from life!
Yet many turn to laughter and merry thinking that funniness will
cause their problems to go away.
They don’t!
c.
It is SORROW that
leads to real and lasting change.
That is what repentance is about!
It is a realization of your sinfulness and the determination to
change. 2 Corinthians
7:10-11.
Be reminded of how Jesus started the “Sermon on the Mount” – Matthew
5:3-4 – Blessed are the poor in spirit…Blessed are those who mourn…”
That is what leads to meekness, craving righteousness, and so
forth.
d.
Thus, The heart
of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in
the house of mirth (vs. 4) – again, we return to the funeral
home over the party.
BUT, I believe this goes further.
NOTE that this is where the wise man is.
It seems as if this one CHOOSES to go there.
I would add to that there are other houses of mourning – churches where
your sin has been exposed and where you turn to your brethren for help
and strength (cf. James 5:13-16);
Homes where you come to see your problems and that of others and the
need to fix things;
Hospitals where you see the sick struggling to get better, etc. – a you
resolve to pray for them and help them as they recover
Places where you see the sinfully broken people of this world and you
GRIEVE because of where they are headed (much like Jesus mourning and
weeping over the fate of Jerusalem - Luke 19:41-44).
YET in this place you find the heart of the fool that refuses to change
his standing.
So what about you? Where is your heart found?
If it is not in the place God wants it to be, let me encourage
you to make whatever changes are needed right now and let me help you if
that is your need. Think
about it!