Series: Ecclesiastes
Sermon #19: Wait for it!
Ecclesiastes
7:5-10
[Audio file from Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/Ecclesiastes75-10.]
5 It is better to
hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For
as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so
is the laughter of the fool: this also
is vanity. 7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift
destroyeth the heart. 8 Better
is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is
better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be
angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 10 Say not thou,
What is the cause that the former
days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
Outline:
I. There is something better than the song of fools! (7:5-6)
II. There is something better than what is going on right now!
(7:7-9)
III. There is a good reason not to ask this question! (7:10)
Transition:
There are more occurrences of “better” in this chapter of
Ecclesiastes than in any other.
The 21 occurrences of “better” in
Ecclesiastes[1]
2:24 — There is nothing better for
a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul
enjoy good in his labour. This also I
saw, that it was from the hand of God.
3:22 — Wherefore I perceive that
there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for
that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
4:3 — Yea, better is he than both
they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done
under the sun.
4:6 — Better is an handful with
quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
4:9 — Two are better than one;
because they have a good reward for their labour.
4:13 — Better is a poor and a wise
child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
5:5 — Better is it that thou
shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
6:3 — If a man beget an hundred
children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his
soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an
untimely birth is better than he.
6:9 — Better is the sight of the
eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of
spirit.
6:11 — Seeing there be many things
that increase vanity, what is man the better?[2]
7:1 — A good name is better than
precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
7:2 — It is 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 lay it to his heart.
7:3 — Sorrow is better than
laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.[3]
7:5 — It is better to hear the
rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
7:8 — Better is the end of a thing
than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud
in spirit.
7:10 — Say not thou, What is the
cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning
this.
8:15 — Then I commended mirth,
because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink,
and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his
life, which God giveth him under the sun.
9:4 — For to him that is joined to
all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
9:16 — Then said I, Wisdom is
better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his
words are not heard.
9:18 — Wisdom is better than
weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
10:11 — Surely the serpent will
bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.[4]
Remember the table of “contrasted
realities” in 7:1-4
The Contrasted Realities of Ecclesiastes 7:1-4
|
Vs
|
First
Element
|
Second
Element
|
|
1
|
A good name
|
precious ointment
|
|
|
the day of death
|
the day of one’s birth
|
|
2
|
the house of mourning
|
the house of feasting
|
|
|
the end of all men
|
the living
|
|
3
|
Sorrow
|
laughter
|
|
|
countenance
|
heart
|
|
4
|
wise
|
fools
|
|
|
the house of mourning
|
the house of mirth
|
Now in 7:1-5 we must consider the following contrasted
elements:
The
Contrasted Realities of Ecclesiastes 7:5-10
|
Vs
|
First
Element
|
Second
Element
|
|
5
|
rebuke
|
song
|
|
|
wise
|
fools
|
|
8
|
the end of a thing
|
the beginning
|
|
|
patient in spirit
|
proud in spirit
|
|
10
|
former days
|
these (days)
|
I. There is something better than the song of fools! (7:5-6)
5 It is better to
hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For
as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so
is the laughter of the fool: this also
is vanity.
1. The Recommendation of the Rebuke from Wisdom (7:5)
2. The Characterization of the Song
of Fools (7:6)
1. The Recommendation of the Rebuke from Wisdom (7:5)
1) (It is) better to hear the rebuke of the wise,
NKJV note on the word “hear”: “listen to”
Ps. 141:5 — Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness:
and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my
head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
Pr. 6:23 — For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light;
and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Pr. 25:12 — As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
2) than for a man to hear
the song of fools.
Eccl. 9:17 — The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than
the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
Pr. 13:1 — A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a
scorner heareth not rebuke.
Pr. 13:18 — Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth
instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Pr. 15:31-32 — The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth
among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he
that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
2. The Characterization of the Song of Fools (7:6)
1) For as the crackling of
thorns under a pot,
NASB note on the word “crackling”:
Lit. voice
NKJV note on the word “crackling”:
Lit. sound
Ps. 58:9 — Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take
them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.
Ps. 118:12 — They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched
as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
Joel 2:5 — Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains
shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble,
as a strong people set in battle array.
2) so (is)
the laughter of the fool:
Eccl. 2:2 — I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What
doeth it?
3) this also is vanity.
II. There is something better than what is going on right now!
(7:7-9)
7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the
heart. 8 Better is the end
of a thing than the beginning thereof:
and the patient in spirit is
better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be
angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
1. The Corruption of Bribery (7:7)
2. The Call for Patience (7:8)
3. The Caution about Anger (7:9)
1. The Corruption of Bribery (7:7)
1) Surely oppression maketh
a wise man mad;
Eccl. 4:1 — So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that
are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and
they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but
they had no comforter.
Eccl. 5:8 — If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent
perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for
he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
2) and a gift destroyeth the
heart.
NASB note on the word “corrupts”:
Lit. destroys
NKJV note on the word “debases”: destroys
The word for “gift” is rather a “bribe.”
In some cultures it is taken for granted as a way of doing business. Many
excuses are made for such graft and corruption by those in power. It may be
referred to as “vigorish”[5] or
“greasing the palm,”[6]
and dismissed as normal, but God thinks quite otherwise about bribery.
The
Basis for a Biblical Theology of Bribery:
In
the Law
Ex. 18:21 — Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able
men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to
be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers
of tens:
Ex. 23:8 — And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and
perverteth the words of the righteous. (cp. Dt. 16:19)
Lev. 19:15 — Ye
shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of
the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou
judge thy neighbour.
Dt. 10:17 — For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of
lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor
taketh reward:
Dt. 16:19 — Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect
persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and
pervert the words of the righteous.
(cp. Ex. 23:8)
Dt. 27:25 — Cursed
be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
In the Prophets
1 Sam. 12:3 — Behold,
here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose
ox have I taken? or whose ass have I
taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes
therewith? and I will restore
it you.
Is. 1:23 — Thy
princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and
followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause
of the widow come unto them.
Is. 5:23 — Which
justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous
from him!
Ezek. 18:8 — He
that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that
hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man
and man,
Ezek. 22:12 — In
thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase,
and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast
forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.
Mic. 3:11 — The
heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the
prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say,
Is not the LORD among us? none evil can
come upon us.
Mic. 7:3 — That
they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge
asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so
they wrap it up.
In the Writings
Job 15:34 — For
the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of
bribery.
Job 36:18-19 — Because
there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great
ransom cannot deliver thee. Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
Ps. 15:5 — He
that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the
innocent. He that doeth these things
shall never be moved.
Ps. 26:10 — In
whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
Pr. 6:35 — He
will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest
many gifts.
Pr. 15:27 — He
that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall
live.
[Pr. 17:8 — A
gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it
turneth, it prospereth.]
Pr. 17:23 — A
wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Pr. 28:8 — He
that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for
him that will pity the poor.
2. The Call for Patience (7:8)
1) Better (is) the end of a thing than
the beginning thereof:
2) (and) the patient in spirit (is)
better than the proud in spirit.
Pr. 16:32 — He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Gal. 5:22 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Eph. 4:2 — With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love;
3. The Caution about Anger (7:9)
1) Be not hasty in thy
spirit to be angry:
NASB note on the word “eager”: Lit. hasty in your spirit
Darby: “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be
vexed; for vexation resteth in the bosom of fools.” [7]
Mt. 5:22 — But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his
brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall
say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever
shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Eph. 4:26 — Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon
your wrath:
Jas. 1:19-20 — Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be
swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not
the righteousness of God.
2) for anger resteth in the
bosom of fools.
ESV note on the word “heart”: Heb. in the bosom
RSV/NRSV: “for anger
lodges in the bosom of fools” [8]
Pr. 14:17 — He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of
wicked devices is hated.
Pr. 14:29 — He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding:
but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Transition: If the points made in these three verses (7:7-9) are
understand, perhaps it will lay a foundation and prepare us for an
understanding of the next verse, the final verse in this paragraph.
III. There is a good reason not to ask this question! (7:10)
Say not thou, What is the
cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not
enquire wisely concerning this.
1. The Prohibition
2. The Question
3. The Reason
1. The Prohibition
Say not thou,
Do not say this. Do not ask this
question. Don’t go there.
2. The Question
What is (the cause) that the former days were better than these?
This is not just to speak of the
“Good Old Days” as if they were indeed the “Good Old Days,” but to ask “Why
were the “Good Old Days” the “Good Old Days?”
“Why” questions are the hardest of
all to answer, and some are better not asked at all. This is one of them!
Judg. 6:13 — And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be
with us, why then is all this befallen us?
and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did
not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but
now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the
Midianites.
Ps. 77:5 — I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient
times.
3. The Reason
for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
In other words, the opposite is true. The question, indeed, the
very asking of the question, is foolish.
[Sermon preached 28 FEB 2016 by Pastor John T. “Jack”
Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]
Complete Outline:
I. There is something better than the song of fools! (7:5-6)
1. The Recommendation of the Rebuke
from Wisdom (7:5)
2.
The Characterization of the Song of Fools (7:6)
II. There is something better than what is going on right now!
(7:7-9)
1. The Corruption of Bribery (7:7)
2. The
Call for Patience (7:8)
3. The Caution about Anger (7:9)
III. There is a good reason not to ask this question! (7:10)
1. The Prohibition
2.
The Question
3.
The Reason
Select Sources on Ecclesiastes:
J. Sidlow Baxter,
Explore The Book: A Basic and Broadly
Interpretive Course of Bible Study from Genesis to Revelation, 6 vols. in 1
ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, n.d., 1960 printing).
William D.
Barrick, Ecclesiastes: The Philippians of
the Old Testament, Focus on the Bible series (Fearn, Ross-Shire, Scotland:
Christian Focus, 2012).
C. Hassell
Bullock, An Introduction to the Old
Testament Poetic Books: The Wisdom and Songs of Israel (Chicago: Moody
Press, 1979)/
Michael A. Eaton,
Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and
Commentary, Vol. 16, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL:
Inter-Varsity, 1983).
F. Delitzsch,
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon,
trans. M. G. Easton, Vol. VI in C. F. Kiel and F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten
Volumes, trans. James Martin (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, n.d., 1975 reprint).
Duane A. Garrett,
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs,
Vol. 14, New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman, 1993).
Donald R. Glenn,
“Ecclesiastes,” in The Bible Knowledge
Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. J. F. Walvoord, and R. B.
Zuck (Wheaton, IL: Victor, 1985).
William Henry
Green, “Scope and Plan of the Book of Ecclesiastes,” Biblical Reparatory and Princeton Review 29 (1857), pp. 419-40; on Gordon Faculty Online at http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/OTeSources/21-Ecclesiastes/Text/Articles/Green-ScopeofEccl-1857.pdf [accessed 7 NOV 2015].
Walter C. Kaiser,
Jr., Ecclesiastes: Total Life, in
Everyman’s Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1979).
Walter C. Kaiser,
Jr., Coping With Change: Ecclesiastes
(Fearn, Roth-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus, 2013).
H. C. Leupold, Exposition of Ecclesiastes (Grand
Rapids: Baker, 1952).
Tremper Longman
III, The Book of Ecclesiastes, New
International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).
John MacArthur, MacArthur Study Bible, rev. ed.
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997).
Roland Edmund
Murphy, Ecclesiastes, Vol. 23A, Word
Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, 1992).
Philip Graham
Ryken, Ecclesiastes: Why Everything
Matters, in Preaching the Word, gen. ed. R. Kent Hughes (Wheaton: Crossway,
2010).
Philip G. Ryken, Why Everything Matters: The Gospel in
Ecclesiastes (Fearn, Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications,
Ltd., 2015).
J. Stafford Wright, “Ecclesiastes,” in Psalms-Song of Songs, Vol. 5,
Expositor's Bible Commentary, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein (Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Publishing House, 1991).
Notes:
[1]
None in chapters 1, 11 and 12. Chapter 7 has the most (6), next is chapter 4
(4), 6 (3), and 9 (3). More in Ecclesiastes than in any other Old Testament
book. Proverbs has 20. However, every usage in Proverbs translates the same
Hebrew word (Strong’s #2896 - towb),
while three of the words translated “better” in Ecclesiastes are not the same.
See notes on 6:11; 7:12; and 10:11.
[2]
Strong’s #3148 - yowther — prop. redundant, hence over and above; from same root as #3504; see 10:11 note.
[3]
Strong’s #3190 - yatab — a prim.
root.; to be (causat.) make well, lit. (sound, beautiful) or fig. (happy,
successful, right).
[4]
Strong’s #3504, yithrown —
preeminence, gain; only other usages trans. excellency
in Eccl. 7:12, and excelleth in Eccl.
2:13 twice. From the prim. root #3498 - yathar
— to jut over or exceed; by impl. to excel.
Examples of related words based on this Heb. root are in Eccl. 6:11; Gen.
49:3-4; and Job. 4:21.
[5] “Vigorish, or simply
the vig, also known as juice, under-juice,
the cut or the take,
is the amount charged by a bookmaker,
or bookie, for taking a bet from a
gambler.”
[6]
See, e.g., “palm-greasing” on Oxford Dictionaries at http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/palm-greasing
[accessed 28 FEB 2016].
[7] Darby, J. N. (1996). The Holy Scriptures: a new translation from the original languages
(Ec 7:9–10). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.
[8] The Holy Bible:
New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ec 7:9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson
Publishers.
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