1. I NSIGHTS INTO THE M EANING OF L IFE E CCLESIASTES 7:1-15 W ISDOM AND F OLLY C ONTRASTED — S UFFERING & S IN

2. I NTRODUCTION Adversity and Affliction not always a sign of God’s disfavor This section deals with proverbs that deal with sin and suffering The first line states an obvious truth, the second line the truth should be obvious “ Contrastive couplets ”—proverbs that fall under this category are composed of two parts that are usually connected with the terms “but” or “nevertheless.”

3. I NTRODUCTION “Completive couplets” —this type of proverb brings two similar or parallel thoughts together with the words “and” or “so.” “Comparative couplets” —these proverbs link two ideas with the terms “better/than” or “like/so.”

4. E CCLESIASTES 7:1,2 “ A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth; 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 take it to heart."

5. W ISE C OUNSEL Good name is BETTER than precious jewels Name and reputation a lifetime in the making –Proverbs 22:1; 15:30 –Ecclesiastes 10:1 –1 Timothy 6:6

6. W ISE C OUNSEL Day of one’s death BETTER than the day of their birth Worldly people mourn death and rejoice at birth To the Christian death is: –End of all worldly struggles –Final peaceful rest –Being with God –Psalm 116:15 –Revelation 14:13

7. W ISE C OUNSEL BETTER to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting Why is a funeral better than social gathering? In house of mourning appreciate the value of life—thinking eternal House of feasting is about “here and now” Death reminds us of our own mortality and fleeting nature of life

8. W ISE C OUNSEL “ Living take it to heart ” funerals are for the living—not the dead In right frame of mind—causes one to consider sober things –Hebrews 9:27 –James 4:14 No lasting value in the house of feasting! Death encourages folks to think about what comes— AFTER …

9. E CCLESIASTES 7:3,4 “ Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. "

10. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER Sorrow is BETTER than laughter By a sad countenance the heart is made glad Repentance is implied because his sadness results in his heart being made happy –2 Corinthians 7:9,10; James 4:8-10 Sorrow brings sober thinking of what is really important Fool’s mind in the house of pleasure

11. E CCLESIASTES 7:5,6 “ It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools. For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. "

12. E CCLESIASTES 7:7,8 “ Surely oppression destroys a wise man's reason, and a bribe debases the heart. The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. "

13. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER BETTER too hear the rebuke of the wise than the songs of a fool Many do not like to be shown their sin and error Some even despise those who point it out “ Songs of fools ”—the praise and flattery of fools is senseless, useless and void of any spiritual benefit

14. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER When thorns or twigs are burned, they make a lot of noise, but give little heat Likewise, the laughter of fool is loud, meaningless and has no lasting value Emptiness of earthly pursuits Association with the wise makes us better –Psalm 141:5 –Proverbs 9:8,9; 12:1; 17:10; 27:5,6

15. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER The wise cannot understand why people oppress one another Bribery debases one’s heart Good people don’t like to receive gifts that they don’t deserve Those accepting bribes know in their hearts they are hypocrites! Bribery displays corruption Bribery and oppression bring a response

16. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER The end of a thing is BETTER than the beginning (Joseph & Job) –Better to look back on accomplishments than to a new project Patient in spirit is BETTER than the proud in spirit Good to get things done—than anxiety is gone Patience enables growth –James 1:4; 1 Peter 5:5

17. E CCLESIASTES 7:9,10 “ Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. "

18. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER Should not hasten to be angry—anger rests in the bosom of fools –James 1:19,20 One must control their emotions –Mark 3:5; Ephesians 4:26 Can be used as an advantage to combat sin and error—or to our own destruction Anger not controlled quickly can become part of one’s character!

19. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER Looking back at the “ good old days ” Every age has its bright and dark sides Tendency to forget the evils of the past and think they were better Make the best of the situation NOW Living in the past is foolish Can cause one give up on the present –Luke 9:62 –Exodus 16:3 –Philippians 3:13

20. E CCLESIASTES 7:11,12 “ Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and profitable to those who see the sun. For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. "

21. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER Wisdom is good with an inheritance Wealth misused brings unhappiness The spiritual inheritance of instruction in divine wisdom is best given or received! Endures giving the best counsel What benefit from our wisdom? –Balance —guarding one from extremes –Strength —keeping me stable –Insight —seeing what is important –Practical —everyday living

22. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER Wisdom and money as a “defense” Defense—”method of defending or resisting” Power in money—power in wisdom “Excellence of knowledge” Wisdom ( 13 times in chapter 7 ) gives “ life ” Preserves and makes better Money can build you a fortress—but wisdom can protect w/out the fortress! Wisdom from God (James 3:15-17)

23. E CCLESIASTES 7:13 “ Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked ?”

24. E CCLESIASTES 7:14 “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find out nothing that will come after him ?”

25. E CCLESIASTES 7:15 “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. ”

26. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER Considering the work of God … Who can make straight what He has made crooked? God has set the standard and man cannot alter the basic structure God’s ways should not be tampered with –Isaiah 5:20; Malachi 3:6 Man is dependent upon God –Acts 17:26-31 Serious consequences to try to bend His will!

27. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER Day of prosperity/adversity …consider God causes both bad and good as part of life’s experiences— package deal ! –Matthew 5:45 So man can find out nothing after him –Job 1:19-21 God has the key to everything Learn the lesson of contentment –Philippians 4:11-13 Both blended together for higher purpose

28. T HINGS T HAT A RE BETTER No explanation for the obvious Just man “ perishes ” in righteousness Wicked man “ prolongs ” his life in “wickedness” Danger to be envious of the wicked appearance of “good” –Psalm 37 Christians should never be discouraged — in the end all will be made right by God’s justice! Ex: Ahab, Jezebel and Naboth - 1 Kings 21

29. C ONCLUSION Need to keep things in proper perspective True wisdom can be found in placing wisdom in the hands of God Life presents us with choices and those choices can be helpful/hurtful Let us use the “experiences” in our lives to make us better people—not worse!