Ecclesiastes Chapter 7, Part One

The writer of most of the Book of Proverbs is also the writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes: King Solomon. Chapter seven of Ecclesiastes reads very much like the format of Proverbs. And since I sometimes like to broaden my writing horizons by utilizing different styles and methods, I will do so here. Instead of a paragraph form or expository analysis, I will list the verse numbers and share with you what I believe Solomon is trying to convey to us. In this moment of mental and spiritual clarity, Solomon asserts some very valid and pertinent observations from which we can gain substantial benefit. So, let’s get to it. This is Part One. Part Two will be posted next week.

Verse 1 – No matter how much we “have” in this world, the only thing we can really call our own is our reputation. We rejoice when someone is born, but when a good and righteous person dies, we rejoice in the completion of their journey and the testimony they leave behind. We only have one life. We must use it well, for all we have and all we are is just our reputation.

Verses 2-6 – We need to be aware of the brief nature of life here on this earth, because all of us will meet our end. To take life for granted, to avoid the challenges or to merely sit back and enjoy the foolishness of this world is the worst thing we could do. No one likes the hard times, but it’s the hard times which shape us into who we are, and which make us stronger. The wise know this. The foolish do not. We learn more through the trials, through the mistakes of life, and through the corrections of wise, than we do pats on the back and easy times.

Verses 7-12 – These verses tie in directly with Solomon’s discussion of possessions and power, as well as the use of wisdom. Knowing his history we can see that he definitely knows what he’s talking about. The analysis of life and its condition is apparent in these verses, but I want to mention some in particular. Verses 7-9 tell us to be patient, to take our time, to be slow to anger, for anything else serves to destroy us rather than help us. Verses 10-12 tell us not to live in the glories of the past or in the security of our possessions. What’s important is our future. Are we ready to meet our earthly end? What legacy are we leaving behind: pride and arrogance, or hope and peace?

Verses 13-14 – Here we see an acknowledgment of pure truth: God is in control of all things. This is not to say that the Lord causes pain and heartache and adversity. It does, however, give us the assurance that even when life’s seems to go from straight and smooth to crooked and rough, God is still watching over us. If He has brought us to this place, He will use it to help us learn and grow. We should enjoy the good times, but never forget that the deeper the valley, the higher the mountaintop. We don’t know how things will turn out. Good times might end tragically, and the worst times might bring the greatest blessings. A wise person will live in the truth that, come what may, God loves us and is ultimately in control. What better news is there?

Next time we will address the remainder of this chapter. I didn’t want to get too in-depth this time, because what we need to do, above all else, is find out what God is saying to us directly. Commentaries are good, opinions and blogs like these are beneficial. But all of us need to get into the Bible and let the Lord speak to us through it. What I get out of a verse of Scripture might be a bit different that what you get. But I assure you that if you will allow Him, God will give you exactly what you need to meet your challenges. Give it a try. See you next week for Part Two. But don’t forget to stop by Thursday and Monday, too!

© 2007, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by leaving a comment (with your request) which will be forwarded to Chris Keeton. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.