PM Home Bible Study Group; February 24, 2010
Ecclesiastes 7:1-10

Theme: As viewed from the imperfect and unjust state of life ‘under the sun’, some things are better than others.

This evening’s passage begins a new section in Solomon’s book. In the first six chapters of the book he has developed his thesis that “all is vanity under the sun”. And now—after having chronicled his search for meaning under the sun (that is, apart from God)—he deals with various, practical implications of his conclusion.

He begins with a set of couplets—given in the form of one thing being “better” than another, “under the sun”. These conclusions have a cynical feel to them; and yet, in some ways, these couplets express much “common sense”. Even so, they leave the reader wanting “more”—which, in the end, we can only obtain from looking “above the sun” and by living in reverent trust in God.

I. A GOOD NAME IS “BETTER” THAN EXPENSIVE COLOGNE (v. 1a).

A man’s “name” is his reputation. Some men have so ruined their reputations—through some foolish act or some thoughtless word—that there’s no amount of cologne that could ever cover the stench. To be frank, a man’s reputation lingers long after his body-odor has wafted away (see Genesis 34:30). Proverbs 22:1 speaks of how valuable a good reputation is when it says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” A wise man, living under the oppressiveness and injustice that characterizes life “under the sun” will seek to protect his name! It’s the only thing of value that outlasts him!

II. A FUNERAL IS “BETTER” THAN A BIRTHDAY PARTY (v. 1b).

This may be an extension of Solomon’s thought in the first half of the verse—as if he was saying that it’s better to protect one’s name, and to then get to the end of things quickly before that name can be ruined. But it’s better to see Solomon’s point here as similar to that of 4:1-3 and 6:3-6. If a man is born into this ‘vale of tears’—and the injustice of this life is all that there is to be had from it—better the last day of it than the first! It’s not an attitude of someone who reverences God, of course; but it is the reasonable attitude to have for the man who must spend his meaningless years “under the sun”. Paul expressed the high view of the believer in saying almost the same thing—but in the light of hope in God: “For I am hard-pressed between the two [i.e., living on in service the body, or leaving it in the grave and going on to be with the Lord], having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23).

III. A CEMETERY IS “BETTER” THAN A NIGHTCLUB (v. 2).

Death is certain—even though people don’t like to be reminded of its certainty. All of one’s joys and celebrations “under the sun” will one day come to an end. The dinner will be eaten, and then will come the bill. Solomon is saying that, “under the sun”, the funeral home hits us in the face with far more realism than the banquet hall. Feasting is only ‘temporary’; while the grave is ‘for good’. It truly is better, then, for people to attend funerals; because they’re then reminded of their own end, and will take it to heart. Again, the Christian can say the same sort of thing but in a much higher way because of the hope of eternal reward: “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Visiting the cemetery has the ‘clarifying power’ of making people evaluate what it is they’re living for.

IV. SORROW IS “BETTER” THAN LAUGHTER (vv. 3-4).

Some say that laughter is the best medicine; but it can also be a pretty dangerous opiate! It often offers diminishing returns; and a constant diet of chuckles keeps people from facing the pain of an empty life. Pain can, by contrast, lead to the kind of serious reflection that is good for the soul. Sorrow can bring about spiritual depth (Psalm 38:18; Isaiah 57:15; 1 Peter 5:6). Paul advocated the kind of sorrow that produces repentance that leads to salvation, “not to be repented of” (2 Corinthians 7:10). James, likewise, said, “Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:9-10). A prudent man—even one living “under the sun”—spends more time preparing his soul for death than the fool spends watching the ‘comedy channel’. Therefore, Solomon affirms “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth” (v. 4). Jesus gives us the perspective His followers are to have when He says, in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

V. A REBUKE IS “BETTER” THAN FLATTERY (vv. 5-7).

Everyone loves a good compliment—sometimes too much! And therein lies the danger! “Under the sun”, flattery clouds the eyes to reality. Therefore, Solomon asserts, “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools” (v. 5). The “song” being sung—it needs to be pointed out—is not the song of the wise, but rather the flattery of foolish men: “For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool” (v. 6). Such “laughter” is short lived, rather noisy, and little more in the end than mockery. And the “rebuke”, it must equally be stressed, is not the rebuke of a fool, but of wise men giving instruction (see Proverbs 17:10; 27:5-6). Those things that flatter our attention away from a true view of our condition and of our real need have the end result of destroying our souls. The man who becomes addicted to it will never get enough of it. “Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, and a bribe debases the heart” (v. 7). The Christian way is to speak the truth in love so that we can all grow together (see Ephesians 4:15).

VI. THE END IS “BETTER” THAN THE BEGINNING (v. 8a).

As the popular poster has it, “The Journey of a thousand miles sometimes ends very, very badly.” And as is so often the case in life, it’s not how someone begins, but rather how one ends that counts. Many have started off badly in life who—by God’s grace—ended well; and many have begun well who—by their own doing—ended badly. An “under the sun” view of this will leave someone with a sense of skepticism about the “new” in life. A Christian view of things, however, leaves one with an attitude of reverent restraint—waiting for the end that God brings about (1 Corinthians 4:5).

VII. PATIENCE IS “BETTER” THAN PASSION (vv. 8b-10).

It is only by an arrogant and prideful spirit that we become perpetual complainers about the times—as if we had the wisdom to know how things really ‘ought’ to be! Therefore, Solomon asserts, “The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (v. 8b). The man who has a patient attitude “under the sun” certainly has the advantage over the man who is constantly wound-up tightly. Patience is a virtue—”under the sun”, and above it as well (Proverbs 14:29). By contrast, the man who is easily angry and impatient is a loose cannon (Proverbs 14:17). Such anger sometimes gives men the impression of themselves that they are important, or that they are truly “change-agents” in this world; but in reality, they are proving themselves to be characterized by foolishness: “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools” (v. 9). Better by far to be “slow to wrath” (James 1:19-20). A ready example of this is the way people often complain about how bad things are in their own times in contrast to “the good ol’ days”. “Do not say,” Solomon warns, “‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely concerning this” (v. 10). “Under the sun”, there’s no such thing as “better” days or “worse” days—they’re all “vanity”. And besides; we easily forget how bad the “good ol’ days” very often were!

* * * * * * * * * *

The Christian’s viewpoint is above all these things. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. for you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, the you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).

That’s where the “better” is truly found!