Walking Thru Ecclesiastes

Solomon’s practical counsel

Spotlight on Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 

 

“A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.”- Ecclesiastes 7:4

 

            In verse 4 Solomon continues with thoughts about death and how we should face the death of others. Although it sounds a bit morbid, in reality from the day we are born we start down the road to death. Everyone shall pass on from this life eventually. Some have many years; some have their life cut short. I’ve experienced this personally because my mother passed away at 53 years of age from pancreatic cancer. That was an untimely death to be sure and I had to deal with it without God because I wasn’t yet a Christian. I have made my peace with that situation and believe in my heart that she is in heaven. Did it make me wiser? Frankly, without the Holy Spirit to temper my reaction I was very angry. I cried bitter tears then, but tears of joy now at the wonderful memories I will always have.

            A person who thinks a lot about death is not to be preoccupied with it, but rather it resides in the deep recesses of his mind for the purpose of him taking life just a little more seriously than he might normally. This is certainly not taking a shot at having fun or being happy, there just needs to be a healthy balance. It’s just that when a person is confronted by their own mortality it can be a sobering thing which should make them wiser since we all eventually die.

            I’d like to end this posting with the following quote regarding verse 4 from the Believer’s Bible Commentary, which I think is worth sharing: “The mind of a wise person maintains poise and serenity in the presence of death. He can cope with sorrow and pressure because his roots are deep. Fools can’t stand to face serious crises. They try to drown out the sounds of life as it is with laughter and gaiety. They avoid contact with hospitals and mortuaries because their shallow resources do not equip them to stand up under the pressures of life.” ^[1] Choose when to be fun-loving and exuberant and when to be sober and serene wisely, because it is a direct reference to the depth of your soul.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: Reformation Study Bible (Published by Ligonier Ministries); New Spirit-Filled Life Bible (Copyright © 2002 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.) and The Wiersbe Study Bible (Copyright © 2021 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.)

^[1] Believer’s Bible Commentary (Copyright © 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2016 by William MacDonald.)