ECCLESIASTES LESSON 8


     We will begin this lesson in Ecclesiastes 7:1 "A good name [is]
better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of
one's birth."

     It appears, that Solomon is giving some words of wisdom on the
value of different things in life. A good name is, probably, the most
valuable thing a person can have {in the physical}. The only things
that are more important, are our relationship with God and our
families. It is a blessing to children, when they are left an
honorable name by their father and mother. They are one step ahead of
creating a good name for themselves. At least, everyone expects them
to be of good character, when their parents have a good character. It
is very nice to smell good, but more important is a person's
character. The day of death is better than the day of one's birth,
because there are a lot of problems and heartaches in this world. When
we die {if we are saved} those troubles and heartaches are over.
Revelation 14:13 "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me,
Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:
Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and
their works do follow them."

     Ecclesiastes 7:2   "[It is] 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 lay [it] to his heart."

     Actually, we have this reversed. We rejoice when someone is born,
and mourn when they die. Birth brings a lifetime of problems that we
must deal with. At death {if we are Christians} we are told there will
be no more sorrow. Revelation 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor
crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things
are passed away."

     Ecclesiastes 7:3 "Sorrow [is] better than laughter: for by the
sadness of the countenance the heart is made better."

     I have used the following expression many times: We do not learn
anything on the mountain top, we learn in the valley. Problems come to
make us strong. Psalms 119:71 "[It is] good for me that I have been
afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." James 4:8 "Draw nigh to
God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners;
and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded." James 4:9 "Be
afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to
mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness." James 4:10 "Humble yourselves
in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."  None of this is
saying that laughter is bad. It is, in fact, good. It is speaking of
sorrow for our sins causing us to repent and be renewed in our hearts.

     Ecclesiastes 7:4 "The heart of the wise [is] in the house of
mourning; but the heart of fools [is] in the house of mirth."

     This is just explaining that what we do with our lives here on
this earth, is a very serious matter. We cannot just drift through
life pleasing our flesh, and have a future. Our future lives are very
serious things. We will spend all of eternity in one of two places. If
we never get serious about our relationship with God, we will spend
eternity in hell. On the other hand, if we get serious with God,
repent of our sins, and become a new creature in Christ, we will
inherit eternal life in heaven.

     Ecclesiastes 7:5 "[It is] better to hear the rebuke of the wise,
than for a man to hear the song of fools."

     The "song of fools" is speaking of songs of revelry. This type of
song is usually accompanied with drinking or drugs. We find that
suggestions in this type of songs encourage one to sin. The present
day rock music has terrible suggestive lyrics. Some of the words
spoken are covered with the loud beat. Many young people do not even
know what the words are. The sad thing is, that they are recorded in
the subconscious mind, even when they do not realize what they are
saying. The rebuke of the wise, is to cause the person not to sin. We
can certainly see that the rebuke is better. Proverbs 15:32 "He that
refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth
reproof getteth understanding."

     Ecclesiastes 7:6 "For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so
[is] the laughter of the fool: this also [is] vanity."

     The thorns, in this instance, are being burned. The laughter of a
fool is as temporary as the thorns which burn. The fool's laughter is
soon over, and reality sets in. The most foolish thing a person could
do, is reject the Lord for earthly pleasure.

     Ecclesiastes 7:7  "Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a
gift destroyeth the heart."

     Oppression is an attack on the wise from the outside. It can be
an attack from Satan, or from some person under the influence of
Satan.  It is maddening to be attacked. It is even more terrible to be
the oppressor yourself. The truly wise will not be the oppressor.
Isaiah 33:15 "He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he
that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from
holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and
shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;" Isaiah 33:16 "He shall dwell on
high: his place of defence [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread
shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure."  Exodus 23:8 "And
thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and
perverteth the words of the righteous." The "gift that destroys the
heart" is speaking of bribery.

     Ecclesiastes 7:8 "Better [is] the end of a thing than the
beginning thereof: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the
proud in spirit."

     He that shall endure to the end shall be saved. In that
particular sense, the end is much better than the beginning. At the
beginning of a job, we are uncertain of ourselves. We have many
obstacles to overcome. At the end, we have done all of this and have
overcome. The proud in spirit do not receive instruction very well.
Those who are patient will make fewer mistakes. Luke 21:19 "In your
patience possess ye your souls."

     Ecclesiastes 7:9 "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for
anger resteth in the bosom of fools."

     A very common way of describing this person, would be to say he
was "hot tempered". Proverbs 14:29 "[He that is] slow to wrath [is] of
great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly."
Ephesians 4:26 "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon
your wrath:" Ephesians 4:27 "Neither give place to the devil."
Ephesians 4:31 "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour,
and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:"  Anger
leads to murder and hate which are both forbidden to believers.

     Ecclesiastes 7:10 "Say not thou, What is [the cause] that the
former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely
concerning this."

     Many people look back to the "good old days". They were not "good
old days", when they were living them. They are good when you look
back, because you have forgotten the problems. It seems in verse 10
above, he is discontented with things the way they are. He really has
no way of knowing that one time is better than another. God has us in
whatever circumstance is best for us at the present. We should be
content, whatever is happening. There are times when we look back,
that one particular thing was better, but every time has its problems,
as well.

     Ecclesiastes 7:11  "Wisdom [is] good with an inheritance: and [by
it there is] profit to them that see the sun."

     This is speaking of someone who has inherited money and prestige.
His wisdom will be considered quicker than someone of low estate. Men
are respecters of persons. Wealth that is used for good purposes is
good. Solomon was a good example of that, because his father David was
thought so highly of.

     Ecclesiastes 7:12 "For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a
defence: but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life
to them that have it."

     Wisdom and money are a protection for those who have them. Godly
wisdom brings eternal life. Knowledge is accumulated learning. The
more you study God's Word, the closer you are to receiving Him in His
fulness. John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know
thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."



                       Ecclesiastes 8 Questions


1.  A ______ ______ is better than precious ointment.
2.  What are the only things that are better?
3.  Why is the day of death better than the day of birth for a person?
4.  Quote Revelation chapter 14 verse 13.
5.  Quote Revelation chapter 21 verse 4.
6.  Why is sorrow better than laughter?
7.  Why do we have problems?
8.  Quote Psalms chapter 119 verse 71.
9.  What is it really saying about sorrow and laughter?
10. If we drift through life pleasing our flesh, we have no ________.
11. When we become new creatures in Christ, what do we inherit?
12. What is the "song of fools" speaking of?
13. What goes along with this type of songs?
14. Quote Proverbs chapter 15 verse 32.
15. What is happening to the thorns in verse 6?
16. What is the most foolish thing a person can do?
17. Where does oppression come from?
18. Quote Isaiah chapter 33 verses 15 and 16.
19. The "gift that destroys the heart" is ___________.
20. Quote Luke chapter 21 verse 19.
21. What kind of person is verse 9 speaking of?
22. Quote Proverbs 14 verse 29.
23. Be ye angry, and ________ not.
24. Many people look back to time they call what?
25. Why are they so good?
26. Wisdom is good with an ____________.
27. Godly wisdom brings ___________ ________.
28. Knowledge is __________ ___________.
29. Quote John chapter 17 verse 3.