2. Righteousness and wickedness 7:15-29Even though the righteous sometimes do not receive a reward in this life and the wicked prosper, it is still better to live righteously."Proper evaluation of a man’s character helps to explain the apparent inequalities in divine providence." [Note: Kaiser, Ecclesiastes . . ., p. 78.] read more
Practical Aphorisms1-6. Things useful to remember in life. The writer has just warned as that we cannot rely on either the present or the future. We can, however, guide ourselves in the conduct of life by bearing in mind useful truths. These he now proceeds to give.1. Precious ointment] This was a much-prized luxury in the East (cp. Psalms 45:8; Amos 6:6; Matthew 26:7; Luke 7:37), but to be held in esteem is still better. There is a play on words in the Heb. (Shem, ’a name,’ and Shemen,... read more
Ecclesiastes 7:2 We are apt to blame society for being constrained and artificial, but its conventionalities are only the result of the limitations of man's own nature. How much, for instance, of what is called 'reserve' belongs to this life, and passes away with its waning, and the waxing of the new life! We can say to the dying, and hear from them things that, in the fullness of health and vigour, could not be imparted without violence to some inward instinct. And this is one reason, among... read more
; Ecclesiastes 8:1-17The Quest in the Golden Mean.Ecclesiastes 7:1-29; Ecclesiastes 8:1-15There be many that say, "Who will show us any gold?" mistaking gold for their god or good. For though there can be few in any age to whom great wealth is possible, there are many who crave it and believe that to have it is to possess the supreme felicity. It is not only the rich who "trust in riches." As a rule, perhaps, they trust in them less than the poor, since they have tried them, and know pretty... read more
PART II. CHAPTERS 7-12 1. The Good Advice of the Natural Man, Discouragement and Failure CHAPTER 7 1. The better things (Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 ) 2. The anomalies (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 ) 3. The strength of wisdom, yet none perfect (Ecclesiastes 7:19-22 ) 4. The worst thing he found (Ecclesiastes 7:23-29 ) Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 . All had been tested by the royal searcher; all was found out to be vanity and vexation of spirit. Darkness, discouragement, uncertainty and despair were the... read more
7:17 Be not {n} over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?(n) Do not tarry long when you are admonished to come out of the way of wickedness. read more
The interval between this chapter and the preceding represents a pause in the writer’s thought, and now he seems to set out on a new quest for the chief good in life. He will seek it in wise conduct. He will renounce feasting and trying the opposite (Ecclesiastes 7:1-6 ); he will avoid extremes (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 ); no one is perfectly righteous (Ecclesiastes 7:19-22 ); the worst thing he has found is woman (Ecclesiastes 7:23-26 ); and the conclusion is that man is indeed a fallen creature... read more
Some Striking Views of Human Nature Ecclesiastes 7-8 We are still in Coheleth's memorandum-book. There is little or no connection between these scattered sentences. To read them is like stepping upon stones that have been laid in a brook, rather than crossing a well-built bridge. There is a mournful tone in this seventh chapter. It is full of dyspeptic and disagreeable remarks. Cypress shadows lie over it, with hardly a breeze to disturb them and to let the light twinkle and sparkle between... read more
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? Here the wise man takes the reverse of the proposition, and cautions against overmuch wickedness. But here again, common sense must see that, as all wickedness is prohibited, the smallest transgression is overmuch, if in the general acceptation of the word wickedness, the wise man directed this precept to guard from. But if by the former, self-righteousness was aimed at, by which souls too often presume,... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
Solomon had observed many exceptions to the dogma of retribution (i.e., the belief that God always punishes the wicked with adversity and blesses the righteous with prosperity in this lifetime; Ecclesiastes 7:15; cf. Job). Therefore we should not conclude that by being righteous we can escape adversity (Ecclesiastes 7:16). The righteousness in view here seems to be self-righteousness (cf. Matthew 5:20; Matthew 23:1-36). [Note: R. N. Whybray, "Qoheleth the Immoralist? (Qoh 7:16-17)," in... read more