Better Instructions for Better Living
Wisdom Literature for Application • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 41:41
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Ignorance is bliss?
Ignorance is bliss?
Ignorance (noun) lack of knowledge or information. Sometimes we may think it is better not to know something than to know something and be responsible for knowing it, right? Well Koheleth starts into a long section (chapters 7-9) that are some wisdom, instructions for application. So no more ignorance, more application.
Thomas Gray “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College.”
“Alas, regardless of their doom, the little victims play! No sense they have of ills to come, nor care beyond today. Yet ah! why should they know their fate? Since sorrow never comes too late, and happiness too swiftly flies. Thought would destroy their paradise. No ore; where ignorance is bliss, ‘ Tis folly to be wise.”
His conclusion was logical: for young people, college people it was better to be ignorant and happy, for soon enough there would be plenty of time to experience the sorrows that knowledge may bring.
So may we not be ignorant, may we be people with the wisdom of God that is given to us through His Word and have the enjoyment made available through God too!
Some observations seen along the way:
Koheleth has searched “under the sun” for meaning of life (Ecc1:1-2:24)
Koheleth made a conclusion (Ecc1:2) “vanity of vanities”
Koheleth showed how he concluded his thesis (Ecc3:1-6:12)
Koheleth has expanded on his conclusion; showing you his research (Ecc1:2, 1:14; 2:11 and 3:1-6:12)
Koheleth made an important couple of stops along the way too
The value of friendship (Ecc4:9-12)
The importance of enjoying God’s gifts(Ecc2:24-26; Ecc5:18-20)
Now as we draw to the next sections, 6 chapters, Koheleth, the preacher, Solomon, through a mixture of proverbs and narrative gives us some instructions for better living.
While there is the conclusion of “vanity of vanities” he also gave another conclusion about ignorance
18 Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.
But in these chapters we are starting to look at he gives another look, another observation, and some positive application.
He concluded that though wisdom cannot explain everything and all of life’s mysteries, it can makes some positive contributions to our lives
Wisdom can make life better (Ecc7:1-10)
Wisdom helps us to be able to see life clearly (Ecc7:11-18)
Wisdom helps prepare us to face life stronger (Ecc7:19-29)
Wisdom can make life better (Ecc7:1-10)
Wisdom can make life better (Ecc7:1-10)
Who does not desire better things? There are lot’s of betters you can find in the scripture, and in our passage tonight we see lot’s of better (11 times to be exact). So let’s see what better instructions for better living we can glean from this chapter. Starting with (Ecc7:1-10)
1 A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy. 4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.
5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility.
7 For oppression makes a wise man mad, And a bribe corrupts the heart. 8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.
9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. 10 Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
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Better things: Sorrow is better than laughter (Ecc7:1-4; Jm4:14; Pro10:7; Pro22:1; Mk14:1-11)
Better things: rebuke is better than praise (Ecc7:5-6; Ps141:5; Pro27:6: Pro12:1)
Better things: Long haul better than short cut (Ecc7:7-9; Rom8:28; Jm1:13-15; Php1:6; Heb12:2; Heb1:1-3 )
Better things: Today is better than yesterday (Ecc7:10;)
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Better things: Sorrow is better than laughter (Ecc7:1-4)
If we are honest we must admit we would rather go to party, a celebration then to a funeral. But in the words of wisdom from Koheleth here he says the contrary.
Sorrow can do more good for the heart than laughter can, it can have longer effect on you than laughter. While it is true that “laughter is good medicine” it can heal a broken heart; sorrow is the nourishing food that strengthens the inner man. It takes both sorrow and laughter to have a balanced life.
Better is date of death than birth (v.1)
Better is date of death than date of birth, why? First look at (v.1) again.
1 A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.
Look how it starts, what does it say? A good name is better than good ointment. a name can be lasting an ointment is only temporary. Death is eternal and life here is but a vapor (Jm4:14)
A good name, good character, good reputation can carry on long beyond this life and the grave, but laughter is but for a moment.
Solomon is not a bummer, remember he wrote Proverbs, wrote Song of Songs so he is not morose.
He is contrasting two undeniable facts, birth and death, and the life experience between the two. How we live our life between the dashes is going to determine if we leave a fragrant aroma or a foul stench.
Speaking of a good name, look at what more scripture says about it.
7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.
and add to that
1 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.
Then look at the New Testament illustration of a good name from Mk14:1-11, but will give just a couple of verses from it
9 “Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them.
You have Mary who will always be remembered for a good name; and then there is Judas (whose name means praise) who is forever remembered for evil not good.
Better is house of mourning then house of feasting (v.2)
Koheleth is saying in (vv.2-4) to look death in the face; you cannot stay away from morning, we need to have the balance in our lives
Sorrow is better than laughter (v.3)
Then mentions the mind of the wise and the fool (v.4)
While humor, laughter is good, it is healthy we need to beware of frivolous laughter for that can lead to the mind of fools and the house of pleasure or mirth as it says in other versions.
Better things: Sorrow is better than laughter (Ecc7:1-4)
Better things: rebuke is better than praise (Ecc7:5-6)
Throw a thorn bush into a fire and it is gone instantly; burns up and avails nothing but flash. The praise of man, praise of the fool has no lasting effect
A wise rebuke will accomplish far more than the flattery of fools. Check out some of these truths
5 Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; It is oil upon the head; Do not let my head refuse it, For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
and one ore
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.
Don’t be a fool, don’t be stupid, for it is better to have correction, a rebuke than the flattery words of a fool.
Better things: Sorrow is better than laughter (Ecc7:1-4)
Better things: rebuke is better than praise (Ecc7:5-6)
Better things: Long haul better than short cut (Ecc7:7-9)
Have you ever plugged-in a location into your GPS maybe into Google maps or ON-Star etc and you pick my direct path and you end up on dirt roads etc? The easy way, most direct way may not be the best way and that is what Koheleth is giving us in these verses.
He mentions bribery, or some may say “greasing the wheels of justice” is the way to get things done, but in reality it just further encourages corruption of an already corruptible human heart.
The truth of the matter is found in (v.8)
8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.
It is better for us to wait for the Lord and the Lords timing for we know.
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
For we can also know, when we are tempted on our own, by our own devices it can bring sinful death.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
But if God is in it, if we wait for Him and His timing and His way it is eternally worth it for we know He will complete it.
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Not only complete it, but perfect it
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Some biblical example
Prodigal son, was in a hurry and it cost him dearly
Joseph was in a bind but ended being exalted
God always saves the best for last (see Jn2:10; Heb1:3), so the end is better than the beginning.
1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Better things: Sorrow is better than laughter
Better things: rebuke is better than praise
Better things: Long haul better than short cut
Better things: Today is better than yesterday
All to often we look back, think back and think “oh the good old days.” especially when we are frustrated with something in the today,something we don’t like, something we don’t agree with or we are impatiently waiting on God to move in.
In the days of Ezra the 2nd temple was rebuilt and many wept because of the old days the old temple, while others shouted for joy at what the Lord had done that day. It was so hard a time right then others could not distinguish between the joy and the sorrow. You can read about this in Ezr3:8-13
You may have heard this saying “Carpe Diem!” which means to seize the day. This means make the most of today for you cannot change yesterday and you are not yet in tomorrow, so seize today and make the best of it today.
Essayist Hilaire Belloc wrote
“While you are dreaming of the future or regretting the past, the present, which is all you have, slips from you and is gone.”
Wisdom helps us see life clearly (Ecc7:11-18)
Wisdom helps us see life clearly (Ecc7:11-18)
Early in the morning there is often a fog that covers the group and can obscure your view but as the morning progresses it lifts and you are able to see clearly. Wisdom does that for us too, helps us see clearly.
One of the marks of spiritual maturity is the ability for one to look at life in the right perspective (God’s perspective as best we can understand it). When we have God’s wisdom, to get God’s perspective we are able to accept and deal with the changing experiences of life. Or as my wife would say, “bounce.”
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Seeing clearly regarding wealth (Ecc7:11-12)
Seeing clearly regarding providence (Ecc7:13)
Seeing clearly regarding adversity and prosperity (Ecc7:14; Php4:10-13; Job2:10)
Seeing clearly regarding righteousness and sin (Ecc7:15-18)
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Seeing clearly regarding wealth (Ecc7:11-12)
11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun. 12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.
Wisdom cannot be stolen, lost, lose its value, where money can, well unless we abandon wisdom, so wisdom is better than wealth.
The person who has wealth and no wisdom wastes his fortune; but the one who has wisdom knows how to get and use wealth.
Where money might buy you a temporary shelter, the one with wisdom that is applied has an eternal one, and great protection from the storms of life.
Seeing clearly regarding wealth (Ecc7:11-12)
Seeing clearly regarding providence (Ecc7:13)
13 Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
The living bible, a paraphrase version, says this
“See the way God does things and fall into line. Don’t fight the facts of nature.”
Want to have everything that God has for you? Then submit, surrender to God not just your life one time, but your will daily.
We may not fully understand all the works of God (Ecc11:5) but we can know He makes everything beautiful in its time (Ecc3:11).
God will always provide our needs for he knows our needs even before we ask for them to be met.
Seeing clearly regarding wealth (Ecc7:11-12)
Seeing clearly regarding providence (Ecc7:13)
Seeing clearly regarding adversity and prosperity (Ecc7:14)
14 In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider— God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.
Wisdom gives us the right perspective so we are not discouraged when in the midst of difficult, hard times nor get arrogant when things are going well. For prosperity oftentimes can do more harm (you can check out Php4:10-13) but you have to love what Job said to his wife (Job2:10)
10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
I love this saying i recently read.
“God balances our lives by giving enough blessings to keep us happy and enough burdens to keep us humble.”
No matter how much we study, how much we read, how much experience we may have, as a christian we are still called to “walk by faith” and that is what we do in adversity and prosperity.
Seeing clearly regarding wealth (Ecc7:11-12)
Seeing clearly regarding providence (Ecc7:13)
Seeing clearly regarding adversity and prosperity (Ecc7:14)
Seeing clearly regarding righteousness and sin (Ecc7:15-18)
Wisdom; and many seek it and want to know the answer to “why does God allow the righteous to suffer and the wicked to prosper.” And that seems to be contrary to what God promises in the Old Testament where He promises that the obedient would live long lives (Exo20:12)
Francis Bacon (Philosopher, Statesman; 16th Century) said.
“Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New.”
Something else to consider is that wicked does not have victory, we know in the long run, the long haul victory is in Jesus and our victory is in Him. For the wicked have their reward now, but loose their soul.
and there is so much more to say and limited time to say it, may I just do an overview of the last point.
Wisdom helps prepare us to face life stronger (Ecc7:19-29)
Wisdom helps prepare us to face life stronger (Ecc7:19-29)
We don’t have a choice but to accept life and endure life or enjoy life. Life is life, it has ups and has downs it has victories and has failures, it has joys and it has sorrows, but how we face life matters and Koheleth gives some instructions for better living in facing life stronger.
Wisdom makes the wise man stronger (Ecc7:19)
Wisdom is to know we fall short; in our eyes and in the eyes of others (Ecc7:20-22)
Wisdom is to know we cannot know it all, understand it all, grasp it all (Ecc7:23-25)
Wisdom knows we must face the sinfulness of humanity we cannot avoid it (Ecc7:26-29)
In this life, we need better instructions for better living for there are many snares, stumbling blocks and temptations that are out there. But when we have godly wisdom it reminds us that we are more than overcomers/conquerors (Rom8:37)
(encouragement slide - use a picture slide of Rom8:37) brief encouragement, (encouragement slide 2) prayer (exit slide)