Beginnings and Endings

I finally completed another chapter in Ecclesiastes. Since I am assisting my daughter in homeschooling this year, my progress may be slower than I would like.

Eccl. 7:1 ¶ A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

As I read through this chapter, it seems to take on more of the flavor of the book of Proverbs. Solomon seems to be thinking about the better things associated with life on this earth. He begins by making a comparison of things that are both good, but then determines that one is better than the other—a good name and precious ointment.

His conclusion is that a good name or reputation is a very valuable asset. When he referenced it as better than precious ointment, I couldn’t help but think of the story of Mary using the expensive ointment of spikenard to anoint Jesus’ feet (see John 12). Why would Solomon conclude that a good reputation is more valuable than the ointment/perfume? I think the most obvious reason is that the one only gives temporary benefit, while the other is of long-lasting benefit. Also of note is the truth that a good name is something to which every person—rich or poor—can aspire.

His next observation is that the day you die is better than the day of your birth. This conclusion fits right in with his observations made in the previous chapters regarding the vanity of life. At birth your life is a clean slate—unmarred by experience either good or bad. As one grows, he experiences life and its frustrations. When you die, you are relieved of those frustrations. This is obviously reasoning from a physical perspective of life.

As a Christian, I agree with Solomon’s conclusion; but that is because I know that death will usher in an even better life full of blessings beyond my ability to even imagine.

Isaiah 64:4 “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.”

Eccl. 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.

Why would Solomon conclude that it is more beneficial for one to spend time with mourners rather than those who are partying? The man confronted with death is more focused on the serious realities of life than the man who is making merry and enjoying an escape from the cares of life. He realizes the importance of living life in light of coming death. From that perspective one is more likely to make wiser decisions in life. Maybe he was actually thinking with a spiritual perspective with this statement, since only the idea that there is spiritual accountability after death is an effective motivation for choosing to temper one’s lifestyle and live within godly parameters.

Eccl. 7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

This proverb is closely related to the previous one. Experiencing sorrow causes one to think soberly and seriously about life. Again I think that Solomon is probably thinking from a spiritual perspective; if death is just annihilation, there is no motivation to choosing temperance. Scripture is clear in stating that godly sorrow is to our benefit.

2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory….”

Romans 5:3-5 “…but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

I think it is important to note that laughter is not bad; it is good.

Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine….”

It’s just that the eternal spiritual benefits produced by sorrow are far greater.

Eccl. 7:4-6 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

These verses give further commentary on the previous two verses. A wise person is one who looks at life seriously and realistically. He understands that rebuke or reproof from another wise person is of great benefit. This time the comparison is made in direct contrast. In other words, there is no benefit to listening to entertainment that is brainless, imprudent, indiscreet or contemptible (all synonyms of foolish); in fact, Webster defines a fool as one who “acts contrary to moral and religious wisdom; a wicked person.” The point being made in verse 6 is that the laughter of the fool is as short-lived as thorns in the fire heating a pot.

This truth will not be well embraced in the culture of America today. There is very little in the area of entertainment that does not fall in the category of foolish.