In chapter 7, Solomon begins to lay out some hard truths about wisdom. First, wisdom is split in two different practices: human wisdom and spiritual wisdom. Human wisdom is the type of wisdom that helps us in life, but doesn’t really offer any truths about eternity. For instance, changing your car’s tires is a wise thing to do. It prevents problems on the road, ensures your safety, etc. It is a wise thing to do, and makes life better, but doesn’t answer any of our eternal questions. Spiritual wisdom, on the other hand, is that understanding to deal with issues in life with a Godly foundation. It is normally seen through discernment, which is the proper way a Christian should understand and implement topics in life.
So, moving forward, we have to remember that Solomon is still distilling life through the temporal mindset. The wisdom he calls to attention is based on the “birth to death” scenario to test its meaningfulness.
1 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. 3 Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
Each section that we will explore in this chapter has a theme to it. Verses 1-3 are primarily about death. First, Solomon tells us that a good name, a reputation, your character, is more important than the things you have, or what the world values. But he launches into this business about the day of death being better than the day of birth. What’s that about? What Solomon is setting up is this idea, articulated in verse 2, that there is some value to reverse engineering life. Let me explain: If we understand that we are going to die, we can learn from this fact to change and better our life. This is a wise platitude in Solomon’s opinion, because if there is a finite end to it all, then what are we going to do with the time we have? That is what the “House of Mourning” means. It is better to have this concept rather than a “House of Feasting” mentality. When we are feasting, are we learning? Do we typically learn from the good times? Good times are really a respite from the bad, which happen far too frequently than the good.
Under the sun thinking: Understand that death is coming, so try to learn from this truth.
Of course, this is wise human thinking. But as in most of the human wisdom Solomon will impart, there is an eternal component. Psalm 90:12 helps us understand:
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
We need to understand our finite nature, for the ending of our days can be a benefit to us. What will we do with the time we have? Scripture tells us to act with immediacy.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. 5 It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools. 6 Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.
The house of the wise is in the house of mourning. This is contrasted in the other house, pleasure, where a fool’s heart resides. The house of mourning is really about adversity, and that is how we learn in this world. Do we really learn in the good times? No, our lessons come through hardship and overcoming obstacles. If we reside in this “house”, of understanding that the foibles in life contain the best life lessons, then we can learn and grow. If our heart is in pleasure, entertainment, going from one party to another, do we really learn? It is a life of perhaps avoiding the question of death and hardship, and no growth will occur.
We find wisdom in adversity rather than in comfort and ease. This is Solomon’s contention and it works well for the eternally-minded as well. Bad times teach us. But why? Why are we wired that way? James has the answer (James 1:2-5):
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
James tells us that the adverse times are there for a specific reason: it is to build us up. It is to help us to persevere. But why? To make you mature and complete. God is building us into the person we need to be, and He does this through trials. We become stronger so that we can face the obstacles, when they come again, with a stronger will. It teaches us to lean on God during those hard times. It guides us towards what God wants for us. And if we don’t know what to do, we pray for the ability to understand and deal with the issue. Bad times build us up, strengthen us.
Think about this: ten years ago, were you as strong as you are today? If you think about the things that derailed you so easily back then, do they still derail you today? Probably not, as you have grown stronger over time.
10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. 11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. 12 Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.
We romanticize the past. It is a common human practice. Our memories are gold-tinged and lovely, but there is an army of ugliness around them that we don’t remember. When I was newly married, I remember how wonderful it was to go to the store and get about a hundred dollars worth of food that could feed us for a few weeks. It was like hitting the jackpot. We’d go home and cook a big meal and relax and it was wonderful. But if I remember the reality, we had no money, were buried in debt, lived in a sketchy part of town, didn’t have a lot of hope in the future. My romantic memory was in a sea of pain.
Solomon’s under the sun thinking is this: former times were no better, so prepare for the present. He presents it like this: money and wisdom is the best life one can achieve. This is a very human wisdom thing, but we can certainly relate. We like our creature comforts, we like money more than poverty. But is it the right way? Let’s go to Proverbs 3:7:
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
Solomon himself tells us that spiritual wisdom, God’s view, is more important than human wisdom. Although it seems wise that we build up our portfolios, we invest and create wealth, and this seems very practical and necessary, God says not to rely on human wisdom. Why? Because, human wisdom isn’t rooted in God. It is rooted in making life easier for us.
13 Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? 14 When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
As we dipped into the past in verses 10-12, we push into the future in 13-14. First, Solomon starts on a hopeless note. If God has made things crooked, then what hope do we have in figuring it out? So, his advice is this: when times are good, be happy. But when times are bad, consider the important point that God has made those times too. Because God is in control of all of this, we can’t hope to avoid those times, have to endure them. So we can’t know our future because God is controlling it all.
If you really think about this, you will see the hopelessness in it. There is no control you can exert over things. In the temporal, pretty depressing. But in the eternal, we have a different perspective.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 shows us there is a future. Although the specifics aren’t clear, there is a future for the followers of God. A good future, meant to help us. Those who have a temporal mindset cannot understand this.
15 In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness. 16 Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise-- why destroy yourself? 17 Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool-- why die before your time? 18 It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.
In this set of scripture, Solomon addresses moderation. First, he begins on another sour note: life is unfair. We know this. But he also contends, since there is an obvious unfairness to life, we need to moderate it. In Solomon’s contention, moderation is key. Don’t be too over righteous, overwise, overwicked.
First, let’s understand the two components of moderation. First, in life, moderation is good. If we eat too much sugar, we will eventually get sick. If we spend too much money, we will go into debt. If we overeat, we will get unhealthy. Moderation, in life, is good. But, let’s look at it from a spiritual set of eyes.
Number one, Solomon says “don’t be overrighteous. In other words, don’t be self-righteous. Don’t lord wisdom over people. Don’t be legalistic. But what about the overwicked? What does that mean?
Solomon is contending that we should pick the middle of the road. Don’t be too righteous, too wise, too wicked. What’s the flip side? Tone down your righteousness. In other words, don’t be too wise, too righteous, too wicked. Just tone it down, pick the middle lane.
This may be a wise human practice, but it certainly isn’t what God wants of us in our walk. God doesn’t want us lukewarm.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 puts it best. This is on the heels of a great verse on managing worry and trusting God with your provision. Our walk must be one in trust and fearlessness. He doesn’t want us to pick the middle of the road, or else this could happen:
16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. -Revelation 3:16-18
God will refine us, if we are willing to accept the correction. He wants us to be useful to his kingdom. We can’t do that by taking the middle of the road.
Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city. 20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. 21 Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you-- 22 for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
A wise man understands the value of wisdom. Wisdom makes us strong. But a wise man also understands the sinfulness of others/himself. In dealing with others, we often take others words too harshly. The value of wisdom is on display here, and dealing with others in this world is important. We must understand that wisdom in dealing with others is necessary.
But what if all we have is human wisdom? Can that really guide us properly? If our wisdom is only rooted in what can improve our life, is there any depth to our being?
2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. -Colossians 2:2
True wisdom is rooted in something deeper than improving our life. It is rooted in the deep understanding of God. In spiritual wisdom the true treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found.
23 All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise”-- but this was beyond me. 24 Whatever exists is far off and most profound-- who can discover it? 25 So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.
Here is Solomon’s conclusion: first, even though someone wants to be wise, it isn’t always attainable. But as we finish out the scripture, we see the confoundedness that Solomon finally arrives at: wisdom does not add to meaningfulness. In other words, wisdom is good, it improves our life, but does not add to any eternal meaningfulness. But what does?
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 gives us a glimpse into our power. As a follower of Christ, you are part of a royal priesthood. That does not mean you should run out to join a monastery. What it means is that you have a duty in this world, placed in the circumstances you are in, with the abilities, talents and gifts you have, to be that shining light to others. When we begin to understand the depth of our duty, then we can move from simply existing to truly leading and living.
26 I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare. 27 “Look,” says the Teacher, “this is what I have discovered: “Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things-- 28 while I was still searching but not finding-- I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all. 29 This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.”
Solomon has one last thought and it is an important one. First, he gives us a great allegory of sin. He disguises it in the skin of a woman who snares a man. Remembering what Solomon went through in his life, and how women ultimately untied his relationship with God. The sinner will be trapped, and that is a powerful reality. Proverbs 5 gives a great illustration of what sin is like and how easily ensnared in it we become. Solomon contends that man was made upright, without sin (Adam) but ultimately, because of the fall of man, man chases after sin.
In the under the sun scenario, mankind is doomed by his own hand. There is no hope in it. But in the eternal viewpoint, we find a much better deal:
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
Through Christ’s sacrifice we have the ability to repent and move into an authentic relationship with God. We are not doomed, but can enter into a relationship that has the power to improve our life and guarantee the eternity of it.