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Wisdom Essay: Ecclesiastes 7:1-4
Historical Content:
Ecclesiastes- The author was probably son of David who was king in Jerusalem over Israel (1:1-12). This points to Solomon since he after David ruled both Judah and Israel. King Solomon; however he is not mentioned as the author. King Solomon was known for his wisdom and riches, and learning of the ancient world of his day. Written approximately about 935 B.C. assuming Solomon wrote the book it was likely written before his death in 930 B.C. A blend of poetry and the genre is wisdom. The overall theme of the book is that you cannot find happiness in things of this world, only in God.
Literary Context: 7:1-4 Council for living with vanity… Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 (NIV)
Wisdom
1 A good name is better than fine perfume,
and the day of death better than the day of birth.
A name given to you by God is much better than fine perfume that will in time fade away. Death to him with a Godly name better than the day of birth. You are a child named of God and death is actually new life.
2 It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of every man;
the living should take this to heart.
The house of mourning prompts us to look at death. Feasting allows us to do the opposite, not think of death and live the way of pleasures. Death is our destiny and we should be thinking ahead while living.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
because a sad face is good for the heart.
Sorrows allow us to think on things of eternity. Laughter is not thought provoking like sorrow. A sad face reflects a heart of sorrow and this is good.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
A wise man’s heart knows of things to come and a fool’s heart only seeks things of pleasure. Look beyond the things of this world and seek the father God for this is a wise man.
Grammar Content:
Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 (NIV)
Wisdom
1 A good name is better than fine perfume, Gotoreth: sweet, incense.
and the day of death better than the day of birth. Maveth: the dead, their place or state, pestilence-ruin. Yalad: Bring forth, to bear young, time of delivery, be the son of.
2 It is better to go to a house of mourning Ebel: mourning
than to go to a house of feasting, Mowed: fixed time or season, the place of meeting.
for death is the destiny of every man;
the living should take this to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter, Kaac: anger, grief, indignation. Scowq: in merriment.
because a sad face is good for the heart.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. Kcyl: stupid or silly, foolish.
Note: The words highlighted in Bold are word studies, as you can see the original word in Bold does not always translate as we would think.
Hermeneutical Interpretation: I believe the original meaning of these scriptures is conveying a very simple message. Those who think on the things to come like death and seek the reality of God are much wiser than those who choose to live a life of feasting and pleasure in the absence of God. Those who seek worldly ways will miss the things of God and they are not so wise and will miss out on a truly pleasurable life. We must come to the conclusion that there is much regarding this life we will never know. It is much better to go through life with sobriety and understanding (Wisdom) than in pleasure seeking.
References: NIV Study Bible, Strong’s Concordance, Nelson’s Compact Bible Handbook, Crosswalk commentaries.http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/references/DescriptionRead.aspx?refid=1321&l=3§ion=Commentaries&type=Commentary&title http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/gospel-of-mark.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Mark http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/default.aspx?type=library&contentid=46285&categoREF, Holman bible handbook
May 2, 2009 at 6:47 pm |
Great point! That is some good wisdom!