1. Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 This chapter hinges on the question asked in 6:12 “What is good for man in life?”

2. To understand the context of these verses, we need to look at two important words, Knowledge: Understanding facts Wisdom: Applying those facts in our life In chapter 7, Solomon’s focus is wisdom Much of the chapter is a collection of Proverbs as Solomon seeks to define a righteous man..

3. 1A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. A little word play here: Name = shem, Ointment (perfume) = shemen A good shem is better than precious shemen!! Perfume and a good name attract, which lasts longer? In context, what is Solomon saying about death?... A good name is even better after death.. Egyptians took pride in the beautiful containers that held their perfumes. These perfume bottles were also things of great beauty. The containers were made from materials such as alabaster, glass, ebony, and porcelain. Some perfume bottles were made from gold and stone. When glass first appeared in Egypt around 1558 BC, it was considered more precious than jewels.

4. 2It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart. Forest Lawn is better than Morton's??

5. There is nothing wrong with fun, fellowship or feasting But, consider this, what if you knew that you or maybe a friend was soon to die? How would your perspective on your life or on that relationship change? That’s the idea!! Solomon says that the correct outlook on life is to be aware of its inevitable end. Why?

6. Because it will change our perspective. That’s what he means by: “and the living takes it to heart” We need to treat EVERY good relationship with the precious importance it deserves remembering that it could be over at any moment..

7. Nick Adenhart Pitched 6 scoreless innings on April 8, 2009 and was killed by a drunk driver on April 9, 2009 just a few hours after the game..

8. 3Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy. Sorrow, loss, adversity and trials are great teachers. Rom. 5:3-5 James 1:2-4 What have you lost in order to understand value? He is not saying that a successful life is one that’s filled with sorrow, actually he has taught the contrary 3:12-13, 22..

9. 4The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. From verse 3 and into verse 4, he is simply stating that great knowledge comes from sorrow, loss, adversity and trials and if applied to our life it leads us to greater wisdom. Verse 4 is a warning about relationships. Seek those who understand trials and mourning and be cautious of the pleasure seeking fool..

10. 5It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. 6For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility. What do these verses address? The wisdom in the value of constructive rebuke verses empty or even complimentary advise. How many times have you NOT discuss something with a friend or advisor because you already know what they are going to say and that is NOT what you want to hear?..

11. That’s the point – listen to the advice of those who are wise in the Lord, (wise man) rather then those who are wise in the world (song of fools). Why, because “this too is futility..”

12. 7For oppression makes a wise man mad, And a bribe corrupts the heart. 8The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. 9Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. When we are being oppressed remember NOT to react in anger. In fact, DO NOT react at all, (eager). Rather, wait until the end and let a spirit of patience be in control. What is Solomon’s opinion of those who get angry? “anger resides in the bosom of fools” It only leads to saying things we may regret!!!!

13. ANGER Proverbs 19:11 A Man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression. James 1:19-20 This you know my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

14. 10Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. Many people say that they would love to return to their HS days because life was so easy then. If you research those times you may also remember the true facts: Homework – teachers – parental controls and limits – lack of cash – curfews – limits on freedoms – peer pressures – betrayals – lies etc. Enjoy this day and live it to the fullest praising God for the blessings of it..

15. 11Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun. 12For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. Can we depend on money to support us in this life?.. Yes Can we depend on money to get us into heaven?.. No It is only the knowledge of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10) that leads to true wisdom which brings salvation that carries with it the promise of eternity with God (Proverbs 8:35)..

16. 13Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent? 14In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider— God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him What is the end analysis here?.. God is in control, relax and trust Him. Enjoy the good times and learn from the bad times because BOTH come from the hand of God. And we don’t know our future but God does and what He sends us is designed to benefit!!!.

17. 15 I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. Solomon had seen it all! (He does not mean that his life is one of futility but that he has seen everything that results in futility.) His frustration here is that regardless of your righteousness, the wicked may out live you!!!

18. 16 Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? Aren’t these verses great! Don’t be to righteous and or to wicked just be moderate in both!!! Wow! so we can sin a little each day in order not to be ruined or die before our time. Isn’t that what Solomon is saying? Don’t many of us say that moderation in all things is OK? Maybe this will help..

19. 16 Do not be excessively righteous [in your own mind] and do not be overly wise [in your own eyes]. Why should you ruin yourself? Solomon says that the self righteous person is what?.. ruined! What was the term for a self righteous person in the NT?.. Pharisee..

20. 17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time As the self righteous person is evil, so too is the wicked person. Both are extremes, and both are ruinous Solomon wants us to take both to heart being neither wicked nor self-righteous The proper perspective is found here:

21. 18 It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them. What do the green words mean?.. “live in the world but do not be of the world” That is exactly what Solomon is saying, grasp the good things of the world (we need most for life anyway) and develop good relationships with the people of the world It is OK to hold on to the things of the world as long as you cling to the righteousness of God..

22. How then are we to live in the world? As mentioned in verse 12, in the fear of God The hand of righteousness must control the hand filled with the things of the world!! Because the healthy fear of God brings a balanced and righteous lifestyle that pleases both God as well as the world..

23. 19 Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. Learn, understand and apply wisdom for it serves you better then many people in high places providing favors and protection.

24. 20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. Where have you read this before? Romans (3:10 – 23) There is none righteous, no, not one;…

25. 21 Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, lest you hear your servant cursing you. 22 For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others. What is the gist here? It is some practical advice that at the same time teaches us about self-righteousness. Two things: 1. Don’t overreact to what other say. Remember, like you they too live in a fallen world. 2. Remember, you also sin so deal with their sin the same way you would have them deal with yours..

26. 23 I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. 24 What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it? 25 I directed my mind to know, to investigate and to seek wisdom and an explanation, and to know the evil of folly and the foolishness of madness. What do you think Solomon means?… He decides that wisdom is the way to go so he is going to get more! What is it he discovers?... some things are just not knowable especially the evil folly of man..

27. The following verses represent the sharing of the heart of a man who was sexually involved with potentially 1000 women. It represents the shallow emptiness of sexual satisfaction without life bonding love

28. 26 And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her. 27 “Behold, I have discovered this,” says the Preacher, “adding one thing to another to find an explanation, 28 which I am still seeking but have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all these.

29. The experience here is one of deceit and entrapment. He appears to blame the women. But, what is actually the true cause of his folly?.. Sin (26). Sin snares and entraps us but the one who walks with the Lord will be looking for the right relationship And that is one that emulates the relationship of Jesus and the church..

30. In the case of Solomon he admits that sin was the problem in his inability to find a righteous woman. Simply stated, he could not get past the sex! A lasting and meaningful relationship CANNOT be centered on sex. Sex is meant to be the icing on the marriage cake It is the relationship, that is a marriage. Why do you think so many marriages are ending in divorce today? (Alert, the following is an HB opinion only) It is because that the old-fashioned method of courting that leads to a deep and thorough understanding of each other has been abandoned and replaced with the new method that stresses sexual compatibility over everything else..

31. What makes a marriage work is a common devotion to the Lord and an intense desire to please your mate. If all men would follow the Biblical guidelines that require him to be a servant leader then the women would have no problem and for that matter would willingly be the helper, follower that God intended them to be. When your focus in life is to please God and to please your mate then and only then will you get from marriage all that God intended for you receive..

32. GOD HUSBANDWIFE GOD’S PLAN FOR MARRIAGE

33. 29 “Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.” Solomon concurs. He knows that God has a plan for marriage. He wasn’t stupid. He knew that his sexual lust was a snare and a sinful trap. In essence, we have taken a beautiful gift from a loving God and have twisted and distorted it..

34. In his quest in chapter seven Solomon says of the righteous man: He has a good name Knows how to value relationships Understands the importance of trials Appreciates good advice and or rebuke Knows that anger is foolish Appreciates today Appreciates wisdom Understands that God is in control

35. In his quest in chapter seven Solomon says of the righteous man: Knows that self-righteousness leads to ruin Understands that wickedness leads to death Knows that worldly things need to be controlled with righteousness Trusts wisdom over people in high places Doesn’t overreact to spoken words Knows the way to a successful marriage

36. And how many such people did he find?... None (verse 20) Let’s remember everyday to praise and thank God for the cross because without His sacrifice we would face nothing less than judgment and punishment!!!

37. What Do We Take Home? 1.Seek Godly relationships and value them 2.Don’t be angry under repression remember God blesses and God brings trials 3.Trust God and enjoy the blessings of each day 4.For a successful marriage: Serve God Serve your spouse