Education of Life

Introduction: Acquiring more information and insights does not naturally guarantee satisfaction and fullness in life. It is not until we learn to recognize the God of heaven that we may begin growing in knowledge. We first learn that is the power who has made everything and controls everything according to His divine purpose and will.

Illustration: A young boy once approached his father to ask, "Dad, why does the wind blow?", to which the father responded, "I don't know, son." "Dad, where do the clouds come from?" "I'm not sure, son." "Dad, what makes a rainbow?" "No idea, son." "Dad, do you mind me asking you all these questions.?" "Not at all, son. How else are you going to learn?”

Solomon is engaging the questions and answers of life in Ecclesiastes, and through his teaching we are discovering the true essence of life.

Start with the End in Mind (7:1-2)

Learn the Value of Life (7:1-2) - “1 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of one's death 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, since that is the end of all mankind, and the living should take it to heart.”

Note: The Hebrew word for name (shem) meant more than just the word by which someone is called, it was tied to their character and reputation.

The Hebrew word for ointment (shemen) was for a costly fragrance that was used for lavish banquets. The scent would fill the room of wherever it was opened and applied.

Names and reputation are so significant in the Bible that God changed the name of Abram, Jacob, and Paul. He has also established new names for you and I that are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 13:8). So this phrase suggests that having a good name is costly, and carries impact, and will be easily noticed.

Proverbs 22:1 (HCSB) - “1 A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.”

Isaiah 57:2 (HCSB) - “2 He will enter into peace-they will rest on their beds-everyone who lives uprightly.”

Philippians 1:21-23 (HCSB) - “21 For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don't know which one I should choose. 23 I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ-which is far better”

1 Peter 4:3-4 (NLT) - “3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. 4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.”

Learn from the Pains of Life (7:3-4) - “3 Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad. 4 The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in a house of pleasure.

Psalm 119:66-67 (HCSB) - “66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.”

2 Corinthians 7:9-11 (HCSB) - “9 Now I am rejoicing, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn't experience any loss from us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death. 11 For consider how much diligence this very thing-this grieving as God wills-has produced in you: what a desire to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what deep longing, what zeal, what justice! In every way you have commended yourselves to be pure in this matter.”

James 4:8-10 (HCSB) - “8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people! 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

Stay Clear of Empty Matches (7:5-7)

Empty Praise (7:5-6) - “5 It is better to listen to rebuke from a wise person than to listen to the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of [burning] thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile.

Psalm 141:5 (HCSB) - “5 Let the righteous one strike me- it is [an act of] faithful love; let him rebuke me- it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. Even now my prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked.”

Proverbs 13:13 (NLT) - “13 People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.”

Revelation 3:19 (HCSB) - “19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent.”

Empty Practices (7:7) - “7 Surely, the practice of extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe destroys the mind.”

Deuteronomy 28:33 (NIV) - “33 A people that you do not know will eat what your land and labor produce, and you will have nothing but cruel oppression all your days. The sights you see will drive you mad.”

1 Samuel 8:1-3 (HCSB) - “1 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. 2 His firstborn son's name was Joel and his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba. 3 However, his sons did not walk in his ways-they turned toward dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.”

Sustain an Even-Temper (7:8-10)

Illustration: Many years ago during a Knicks-Bullets playoff game, one of the Bullets came up from behind the great Walt Frazier and punched him in the face. Strangely, the referee called a foul on Frazier. Frazier didn't complain. His expression never changed. He simply called for the ball and put in seven straight shots to win the game, an amazing display of productive anger. If you want to get huffy about it, it was a great moral lesson as well.

Continue to the End (7:8) - “8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit.

Isaiah 10:24-25 (HCSB) - “24 Therefore, the Lord God of Hosts says this: "My people who dwell in Zion, do not fear Assyria, though he strikes you with a rod and raises his staff over you as the Egyptians did. 25 In just a little while My wrath will be spent and My anger will turn to their destruction.”

Luke 16:25 (HCSB) - “25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.”

James 5:11 (HCSB) - “11 See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job's endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord: the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

Control Your Emotions (7:9-10) - “9 Don't let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools. 10 Don't say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not wise of you to ask this.”

Illustration: A lady once came to Billy Sunday and tried to rationalize her angry outbursts. “There’s nothing wrong with losing my temper,” she said. “I blow up, and then it’s all over.”

Rev. Sunday Replied: “So does a shotgun, and look at the damage it leaves behind!”

Proverbs 14:17 (HCSB) - “17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man who schemes is hated.”

Ephesians 4:26-27 (HCSB) - “26 Be angry and do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don't give the Devil an opportunity.”

James 1:19 - “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) - “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”