Bribery, Anger and Nostalgia

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

When I looked at the Hebrew, I felt like the NIV expressed this truth best: Extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

This truth directly connects to the definition of a fool as stated in the previous verse. I’m sad to note that it’s a truth that is in evidence in our justice system today.

God had specifically instructed His people to make righteous judgments and avoid taking bribes, and that command is still valid today.

Deuteronomy 16:19 “Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.”

Eccl. 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.

I agree with Solomon; it is always fun and energizing to start a project, but it is even better to complete that project and enjoy the benefits of the finished product. As I continued to think on this verse, it occurred to me that the last half is being stated in direct reference to the first half. One who is willing to work with patience and perseverance will achieve a better result than one who is overconfident and presumptuous or rash (from Webster’s definition of proud).

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

This is another very powerful truth in light of the culture in America today. We live in a time when the mantra of the day is, “It’s all about me.” Road rage is not uncommon, and the fear of someone going “postal” at the workplace is legitimate. Anger is poison to the spirit and will manifest itself in evil action if allowed to fester.

Psalms 37:8 “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”

Proverbs 29:22 “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.”

Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.”

Eccl. 7:10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

Solomon is basically stating his opinion that it is not wise to spend much time reflecting on the good old days in light of today. Why would he say that? I think because the past cannot be changed, and our focus should be on the present and what we can do to make it and ourselves better.

Hebrews 3:13 “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

The Apostle Paul states it this way: Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”