Change of Perspective vs. 1-14

• 1^st – The End… vs. 1-6
  • Looking forward… vs. 1
    • A good name is better than precious ointment – and the day of death than the day of birth!
    • As Solomon continued to seek MEANING in life – he decided to change his PERSPECTIVE…
    • Rather than looking at where we came from – he looked at where he was going…
    • He noted that a GOOD [טֽוֹב] name – is better than having GOOD [טֽוֹב] oil…
    • Because OIL can only be used ONCE – while a NAME lasts FOREVER…
    • In the same way – if we focus at the day of our BIRTH – we only see a DAY…
    • But if we focus on the day of our DEATH – we are looking at ETERNITY!
    • When we drive in a car – we do NOT keep looking back…
    • Because what is behind us is NOT what we need to see….
    • We need to keep our eyes in FRONT of us – so we know what is ahead of us!
    • If we ONLY look back – where we came from…
    • Then we are NOT going to see what is far more important – where are we GOING!
  • Mourning is better… vs. 2
    • Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting.
    • For that is the end of all men. And the living will take it to heart!
    • In fact it is BETTER [טֽוֹב] to go to a FUNERAL than a BIRTHDAY party…
    • Because DEATH is where ALL [כָּל] men [אָדָם] will one day end up…
    • Therefore – while we are still ALIVE – we are wise to think [imperfect] about the END!
    • I have been blessed to do a LOT of funerals over the years…
    • They are NOT fun events – but they do provide a powerful opportunity…
    • Because people do NOT like to think about DEATH…
    • And funerals force them to face their mortality – ALL of us are going to DIE!
  • Bitter medicine… vs. 3
    • Sorrow is better than laughter for by a sad countenance the heart is made better!
    • In the same way TEARS are better [טֽוֹב] than LAUGHTER…
    • Because when we face the EVIL [רֹעַ] that is coming – it makes our HEART good [טֽוֹב]!
    • When we purchase food – it comes with an EXPIRATION date…
    • As we get OLDER we CHANGE – the body wear out telling us we have an EXPIRATION date!
    • No one likes getting OLD – there are a lot more TEARS than LAUGHTER…
    • But God makes us AGE – to remind us we do NOT have much time…
    • It makes us think about DEATH – and WHAT happens afterwards!
  • Heart of wisdom… vs. 4
    • The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning – the heart of fools is in the house of mirth!
    • The heart [לֵב] of the WISE [חָכָם] – is found in the FUNERAL home [בַּיִת]
    • But the heart [לֵב] of the FOOL [כְּסִיל] – is lost in the house [בַּיִת] of the BIRTHDAY party!
    • The question we need to ask ourselves – are we WISE [חָכָם] or FOOLISH [כְּסִיל]
    • Do we spend our time thinking about how to have FUN – attend PARTIES…
    • Or do we stop and consider that those PARTIES do NOT last…
    • Do we take the time to ask – what happens in the END – what comes AFTER death!
  • Wise Rebuke… vs. 5-6
    • It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.
    • For like the crackling of thorns under a pot – so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity!
    • BETTER [טֽוֹב] to listen to the CORRECTION of the wise [חָכָם] – than [מ] a SONG of a fool [כְּסִיל]
    • BECAUSE [כִּי] the laugher of a FOOL – [כ] last about as long as thorns on a fire [not long]
    • Which makes their SONG and PARTY – EMPTY [vanity]!
    • When we go to a PARTY – the song of choice is always HAPPY birthday…
    • While it is a FUN song to sing – it has NO depth or lasting meaning…
    • But when we go to a FUNERAL – the song of choice is AMAZING grace…
    • Which has great depth – and points to our ETERNAL hope!
    • If we want to find meaning in LIFE – then we need a change of PERSPECTIVE…
    • Knowing one day ALL of us are going to DIE [if we are not raptured]
    • We should NOT get distracted by the things of this life – but have an eternal FOCUS…
    • Looking to what comes after DEATH – where the meaning of life can be found!
• 2^nd – Practical advice… vs. 7-14
  • Finish line… vs. 7-8
    • Surely oppression destroys a wise man’ reason – and a bribe debases the heart.
    • The end of a thing is better than its beginning.
    • The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit!
    • In light of having an eternal PERSPECTIVE – Solomon had some practical advice…
    • FIRST – just as [כִּי] extortion [threats] cause the WISE [חָכָם] to go MAD [poel]
    • AND [וִ] – BRIBES will RUIN [piel] the heart [לֵב] of those who receive them…
    • The END of our life [דָּבָר] means more [טֽוֹב] than the BEGINNING…
    • Therefore it is better to have a PATIENT spirit [רוּחַ] – than a PROUD one!
    • If you have ever seen a MARATHON – they are grueling FORTY TWO kilometer RUN…
    • It is EASY to start that kind of a RACE – but it is NOT easy to FINISH!
    • Our walk in Christ is like a MARATHON – I Corinthians 9:24
    • It begins the day we are SAVED – and the FINISH line is HEAVEN…
    • But we need PATIENCE to be able to RUN the demanding RACE!
    • Hebrews 12:2 – “Run with [patience] the race that is set before us [by] looking unto Jesus.”
  • Better days… vs. 9-10
    • Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry – for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
    • Do not say: Why were the former days better than these?
    • For you do not inquire wisely concerning this!
    • SECOND – PLEASE [jussive] do NOT let your SPIRIT [רוּחַ] get ANGRY easily …
    • BECAUSE [כִּי] – those who are EASILY upset – are revealed to be FOOLS [כְּסִיל]
    • In the same way PLEASE [jussive] do NOT say…
    • WHY [מָה] did life used to be BETTER [טֽוֹב] – because [כִּי] this also is NOT [לֹא] wise!
    • We have a VERY bad memory – we tend to be nostalgic…
    • When we think back on how things USED to be – we remember the good and forget the bad…
    • The problem is when we do that – we focus on the PAST – and miss the FUTURE!
  • Better Protection… vs. 11-12
    • Wisdom is good with an inheritance – and profitable to those who see the sun.
    • For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense.
    • But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it!
    • THIRD – it is GOOD [טֽוֹב] to have both WISDOM and MONEY [inheritance]
    • BECAUSE [כִּי] – just like SHADE on a HOT sunny day…
    • Both WISDOM and MONEY can PROTECT us from harmful things in life…
    • BUT [וִ] – only knowing the [הַ] WISDOM of God can give [piel] us ETERNAL life!
    • People look to MONEY – because it is an answer to the PROBLEMS they see…
    • There is no questioning that MONEY does solve MOST problems…
    • But the ONE problem that it cannot help us with – is what happens AFTER death…
    • There is NO amount of MONEY that will get us into HEAVEN!
  • Good and Bad… vs. 13-14
    • Consider the work of God. For who can make straight what He has made crooked?
    • In the day of prosperity be joyful – but in the day of adversity consider.
    • Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other.
    • So that man can find out nothing that will come after him!
    • FOURTH – make sure to SEE [imperative] what God does…
    • BECAUSE [כִּי] – who [מִי] can straighten what He has BENT [piel] – He is SOVEREIGN…
    • When we have GOOD [טֽוֹב] days – we should ENJOY [טֽוֹב] them…
    • BUT [וִ] – when we have BAD [רַע] days – we need to SEE [imperative]
    • God [אֱלֹהִים] is the one who has allowed them BOTH…
    • He does it so that men [אָדָם] do NOT live for this life [nothing]!
    • If this life were EASY – if we had NO problems – if we were always HAPPY…
    • Then we would NEVER stop to consider what comes NEXT…
    • It is the HARDSHIPS of this life – that make us long for HEAVEN…
    • We live in a FALLEN world – making us look forward to the NEW one God has waiting for us!
    • Revelation 21:4 – “There shall be no more death – nor sorrow – nor crying – there shall be no more pain. The former things have passed away!”

• 2^nd – Limited Wisdom… vs. 15-29
  • 1^st – Seen it all… vs. 15-18
    • Backwards… vs. 15
      • I have seen everything in my days of vanity:
      • There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness.
      • And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness!
      • Solomon had seen in ALL [כָּל] – and he did NOT like what he saw [vanity]
      • He had seen GODLY [צַדִּיק] men who died – doing GOOD [צַדִּיק] things…
      • He also saw WICKED [רָשָׁע] men who lived long lives – doing WICKED [רָשָׁע] things!
      • Asaph had a PROBLEM – he did NOT understand why the WICKED prospered…
      • He wrote that he almost STUMBLED – it appeared living for God was all in VAIN!
      • This is an understandable CONFUSION – if we just look at the RESULTS…
      • WICKED people PROSPER – and they have a LONG and blessed life…
      • Living for Jesus means we SUFFER – and might DIE sooner – John 16:33
      • No wonder some assume – it is better NOT to live for God…
      • Unless we look at the END – what happens AFTER this life!
      • Psalm 74:17 – “Until I went into the sanctuary of God. Then I understood their end!”
    • Avoid suffering… vs. 16-17
      • Do not be overly righteous – nor be overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
      • Do not be overly wicked – nor be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
      • Having seen the RIGHTEOUS suffer for doing what is right…
      • But knowing the WICKED – even if they have a LONG life – will suffer in the end…
      • Solomon offers his ADVICE – to avoid SUFFERING – find a balance…
      • PLEASE [jussive] do NOT be [hiphil] too [רָבָה] RIGHTEOUS [צַדִּיק] or WISE [חָכַם]
      • Why [מָה] would you want to [hithpolel] RUIN [שָׁמֵם] your life…
      • PLEASE [jussive] do NOT be [hiphil] too [רָבָה] WICKED [רָשַׁע]
      • Why [מָה] would you want to DIE when it is NOT your time!
      • We are NOT going to avoid SUFFERING – we just get to choose WHEN…
      • Either we will SUFFER in this life – for the sake of Jesus – John 15:18
      • Or we will SUFFER in eternal life – for rejecting Jesus!
    • Fear God… vs. 18
      • It is good that you grasp this – and also not remove your hand from the other.
      • For he who fears God will escape them all!
      • The conclusion that Solomon came to – was to FEAR [יָרֵא] God…
      • It is GOOD [טֽוֹב] for us to HOLD onto this – and PLEASE [jussive] do NOT let go…
      • BECAUSE [כִּי] – the man who FEARS God – will ESCAPE all [כָּל] the SUFFERING!
      • The SUFFERING that we want to make sure we ESCAPE – is hell…
      • The TROUBLES we face in this life – are NOTHING compared to the GLORY of heaven…
      • Therefore – no matter what we are going through – do NOT forget to FEAR the LORD!
      • Romans 8:18 – “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed.”
  • 2^nd – In Government… vs. 19-20
    • Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers of the city.
    • For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin!
    • Having seen how BACKWARDS the world is – suffering for doing what is RIGHT…
    • Solomon went on to try and find WISDOM anywhere in the WORLD…
    • FIRST – Solomon looked to see if he could find WISDOM in the GOVERNMENT…
    • But the [הַ] WISDOM [חָכַם] of God – is more helpful than [מֵ] TEN leaders in the City…
    • BECAUSE [כִּי] – there is NOT [אִין] one man [אָדָם] who always [imperfect] does GOOD [טֽוֹב]
    • AND [וִ] – NOT [אִין] one man [אָדָם] – does NOT [לֹא] constantly [imperfect] sin [חָטָא]!
    • Psalm 14:3 – “There is none who does good. No not one!”
    • The problem with looking to the GOVERNMENT for answers – ANY government…
    • Is that they are all made up of MEN – and ALL men are SINNERS…
    • It should come as NO surprise that SINFUL men who need help – CANNOT help us!
  • 3^rd – In Business… vs. 21-22
    • Also do not take to heart everything people say lest you hear your servant cursing you.
    • For many times – also your own heart has known – that even you have cursed others!
    • SECOND – Solomon looked to see if he could find WISDOM in the workplace…
    • But – since they are ALSO [גַּם] filled with MEN – who are sinners…
    • PLEASE [jussive] do NOT to take to heart [לֵב] anything [כָּל] that they say [piel]
    • We might hear an EMPLOYEE [עֶבֶד] who says BAD things about us…
    • YET [כִּי] – we KNOW [יָדַע] we have ALSO [גַּם] had bad THOUGHTS in our heart [לֵב] about others!
    • It is easy to POINT a finger when we see people make MISTAKES…
    • But the truth is – that we have likely made those same MISTAKES…
    • Even if we have NOT done it – we are just as guilty if we THOUGHT it!
    • Romans 2:1 – “You are who judge… condemn yourself. For you… practice the same things.”
  • 4^th – In Ourselves… vs. 23-25
    • Looking for the answer… vs. 23
      • All this I have proved by wisdom. I said: I will be wise. But it was far from me!
      • THIRD – Solomon looked to see if he could find WISDOM in himself…
      • He tried to TEST [piel] everything [כָּל] in the [חָ] WISDOM [חָכַם] of God…
      • He REALLY [cohortative] wanted to be WISE – but [וְ] it was FAR from him…
      • The problem was Solomon was ALSO a man – and therefore a SINNER!
    • Far off… vs. 24-25
      • As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep – who can find it out?
      • I applied my heart to know – to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things.
      • To know the wickedness of folly – even of foolishness and madness!
      • Since what [מָה] he wanted was FAR away – and VERY deep – who could find it…
      • Solomon turned his heart [לֵב] to KNOW [יָדַע] – SEEK [piel] wisdom [חָכַם]
      • He wanted to understand the PLAN [חֶשְׁבּוֹן] of God for this life…
      • He wanted to KNOW that to SIN [רֶשַׁע] was foolish [כֶּסֶל]
      • And to reject God [fool] – is complete MADNESS [הוֹלֵלָה]
      • But his own SIN – kept him from being able to grasp the WISDOM of God!
      • The WISDOM of God is NOT hard to understand…
      • God made it VERY easy for us to be SAVED – get to heaven – Romans 10:9-10
      • All we have to do is BELIEVE Jesus died for our sins – and CONFESS He is Lord…
      • Why then are MOST people NOT saved – Matthew 7:13
      • Because they are BLINDED by their SIN – they CHOOSE their SIN over SALVATION!
  • 5^th – The Sin… vs. 26-29
    • The trap… vs. 26
      • I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets.
      • Whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her.
      • But the sinner shall be trapped by her!
      • Solomon was BITTER [more than death] because of the WIFE [הָאִשָּׁה]
      • The WOMAN who had TRAPPED his [masculine] heart [לֵב] – with her CHAIN like hands…
      • Those who are GOOD [טֽוֹב] before God [אֱלֹהִים] – could be delivered [niphal]
      • BUT [וִ] – the sinner [חָטָא] will be captured [niphal] in her [בָּהּ]!
      • We FINALLY come to the reason for the BLINDNESS of Solomon…
      • The wisest man ever – who devoted himself to looking for the MEANING of life…
      • But was UNABLE to come to an answer – and concluded life is VANITY…
      • Because of SIN in his heart – that kept him from looking up and seeing the LORD!
      • I Kings 11:4 – “His wives turned his heart after other gods.”
    • The Preacher… vs. 27
      • Here is what I have found – says the Preacher:
      • We MUST [imperative] see what the PREACHER found…
      • PREACHER [קֹהֶלֶת] – 7x in OT – all of them in the book of Ecclesiastes…
      • Solomon opened the book by introducing himself with this TITLE [three times]
      • He uses it ONCE here – as he reveals the SIN that blinded him…
      • And he will use it again in the last chapter when he makes his conclusion [three times]
    • Not the answer… 27-28
      • Adding one thing to the other to find out the reason.
      • Which my soul still seeks but I cannot find. 
      • One man among a thousand I have found – but a woman among all these I have not found!
      • Solomon had been search ONE by ONE to find the MEANING of life…
      • And his SOUL [נֶפֶשׁ] was still SEEKING [piel] – but [וְ] he could NOT [לֹא] find it…
      • Out of a THOUSAND men – he did find ONE who was good…
      • BUT [וְ] – in ALL [כָּל] his searching – he did NOT [לֹא] find one [singular] good WIFE [אִשָּׁה]!
      • The number is NOT coincidental – SOLOMON had a THOUSAND women – I Kings 11:3
      • Solomon kept adding WIVES – looking for happiness and PURPOSE…
      • But he should have KNOWN that was NOT the answer – because God told him!
      • Deuteronomy 17:17 – “The king must not take many wives for himself – because they will turn his heart away from the LORD.” [NLT]
    • Stubborn heart… vs. 29
      • Truly this only I have found: That God made man upright.
      • But they have sought out many schemes!
      • This ONE thing Solomon did FIND – and we NEED [imperative] to see it…
      • God [אֱלֹהִים] made [עָשָׂה] man [אָדָם] to go the RIGHT way…
      • BUT [וְ] – men are STUBBORN – and always seek [piel] to go their own way!
      • God has given us ALL the answers – the meaning of life is NOT a mystery…
      • The problem is we do NOT want to listen to what He said [His Word]
      • We stubbornly insist on taking our own PATH – going our own WAY…
      • So when life falls apart – and we have NO peace…
      • Remember it is because we CHOSE to ignore what His Word…
      • And the only thing we have to do – is repent and come back to the Lord!