Dr Tom Hover
January 21, 2024
Ecclesiastes 7:1–29 and 8:1
WISE OR OTHERWISE?
WISE OR OTHERWISE?
Ecclesiastes 7:1–29 and 8:1
Wise or Otherwise? To be old and wise you must be young and stupid! Here Solomon known as the Preacher sets forth Wise sayings and proverbs. Proverbs are commonly used among the wise and so are normally seen as illustrative of the instruction of wisdom. However, it will become clear that many of the proverbs in this chapter are shocking and go against normal expectations. This Chapter is full of wise advice gleaned from Solomon the Preacher’s observations of life. He moves from the negative to the positive by listing things that are worthwhile. His advice is conveyed in different ways: comparisons, warnings, and considerations.
I. NOTICE THE COMPARISONS THAT ARE MADE!
1.) Honour Is Better Than Luxury! Ecclesiastes 7:1, Proverbs 22:1
2.) Death Is Better Than Birth! Ecclesiastes 7:1, Phil. 1:21
3.) Mourning Is Better Than Feasting! Ecc. 7:2, Psalm 90:12, Matthew 5:4
4.) Sorrow Is Better Than Laughter Ecc. 7:3-4, 5:17, II Corinthians 7:9–10
5.) Rebuke Is Better Than Praise! Ecclesiastes 7:5-6, Proverbs 27:6,
6.) Patience Is Better Than Pride Ecclesiastes 7:7-8
7.) Wisdom Is Better Than Wealth Ecclesiastes 7:11-12
II. NOTICE THE WARNINGS THAT SHOULD BE HEEDED!
1.) Do Not React When You Can Respond Ecclesiastes 7:9,
Proverbs 29:20, 19:3, 21:5, Acts 19:36
2.) Do Not Dwell on The Past Ecclesiastes 7:10, Isaiah 46:8–9,
I Corinthians 11:24–25, Philippians 3:13–14
3.) Do Not Be Extreme Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 There is a danger of making sweeping generalizations about things.
4.) Do Not Be Oversensitive Ecclesiastes 7:21-22, Psalm 119:165
III. NOTICE THE CONSIDERATIONS THAT ARE GIVEN!
1.) Consider What God Has Done Ecclesiastes 7:13-15
2.) Consider What Wisdom Can Do!
A. The Power It Brings Ecclesiastes 7:19
B. The Peccability That Is Realized Ecclesiastes 7:20
C. The Perspective That Is Understood Ecclesiastes 7:21-22
CONCLUSIONS: Ecclesiastes 7:23–29 Solomon’s concluding remarks in this chapter concern wisdom.
A.) The Pursuit of Wisdom Ecclesiastes 7:23-25
1. The Prompting of The Pursuit. Two good reasons are advanced for why Solomon pursues wisdom.
First, The Proving from Wisdom. Ecclesiastes 7:23
Second, The Perplexity for Wisdom. Ecclesiastes 7:24
2. The Passion in The Pursuit Ecclesiastes 7:25
3. The Purpose of The Pursuit Ecclesiastes 7:25
B.) The Product of Wisdom Ecclesiastes 7:26–29
Several items are noted here which are the product of learning through wisdom.
1. The Perversion of The Harlot.
First, The Equating of The Harlot. “I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets” (Ecclesiastes 7:26).
The Evil of The Harlot. “Who heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands” (Ecclesiastes 7:26).
Third, The Escape from The Harlot. “Whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26).
Godly people will have nothing to do with the immoral woman and, therefore, will escape from her deceitful and deadly ways. “But the sinner shall be taken by her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26).
C.) The Practice of Humans.
Solomon did some investigating of humanity to learn they were a bad bunch.
First, The Fewness with Character. Ecclesiastes 7:27, 28, Matthew 7:13, 14
Second, The Foulness of Conduct. Ecclesiastes 7:29
Sum It Up! Ecclesiastes 8:1 All this is to be found in the one who is the personification of wisdom—Jesus Christ Proverbs 8:22–27, John 1:1–14
