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Ecclesiastes 7

29 verses

TL;DR

Ecclesiastes 7 warns that wisdom, restraint, and a good name outweigh earthly pleasures, highlighting the unpredictability of justice and the necessity of humility before God.

Summary

The chapter opens with the contrast between a good name and precious ointment, then repeatedly favors mourning, sorrow, and wisdom over feasting, laughter, and foolishness. It stresses the value of listening to wise rebuke, patience, and measured anger. The narrator reflects on how the past may seem better but cautions against excessive righteousness or wickedness, noting that even the just can die and the wicked can live. He asserts that wisdom provides true inheritance, defense, and life, while money offers only superficial protection. The passage concludes with the inscrutability of divine wisdom and the difficulty of fully understanding God's purposes.

Outline
  1. The superiority of reputation, mourning, and wisdom over earthly pleasures and foolish joy.
  2. Warnings against rashness, excessive righteousness, and pride, and the unpredictability of justice.
  3. The pursuit of wisdom as the path to inheritance, life, and understanding God's inscrutable work.
Themes
Wisdom versus follyMortality and legacyThe inscrutability of divine justice
Keywords
wisdomjusticemourningrebukeinheritancemoneymortalitygodhumility
People
PreacherGod
Places
Things
good nameprecious ointmenthouse of mourninghouse of feastingrebukewisdominheritancesundefencemoney
Key Verses
  • Ecclesiastes 7:1: establishes the primary comparison between a good name and earthly riches
  • Ecclesiastes 7:10: encourages reflection on past generations and warns against hasty judgments
  • Ecclesiastes 7:16: admonishes against excessive righteousness or wisdom that can bring harm
  • Ecclesiastes 7:23: summarises the Preacher's experience and sets the stage for the pursuit of wisdom
Questions
  • Why does the Preacher value mourning and sorrow over feasting and laughter?
  • How does the passage illustrate the relationship between wisdom and inheritance?
  • What does the author mean by saying that even the just may die and the wicked may live?
  • In what ways does the chapter warn against excessive righteousness or pride?
  • How does the Preacher describe the inscrutability of God's plans?
Sentiment

mixed
The tone oscillates between contemplative warning and resigned acceptance of divine mystery.