Ecclesiastes 7

7:1-4 These proverbs are similar to the sayings in the book of Proverbs.7:1 The effort to pursue luxuries such as costly perfume is better spent seeking a good reputation for wisdom and righteousness (Prov 22:1; 28:6). • the day you die is better than the day you are born: There is a sense of relief when the troubles of life are over. The difficulties of life can make one look forward to the peace of death (Eccl 1:18; 2:22; 4:2-3; 12:1).

7:2-6 Frivolous merry-making is foolish when wisdom demands sobriety about death (see also 2:12-13).

7:3-4 refining influence: Thinking soberly about death leads us to see the severity of God’s curse on sin and convinces us of the need to enjoy life wisely (9:10).

7:5-6 Being praised by a fool and enjoying a fool’s laughter are short-lived and worthless. Being criticized by a wise person can lead to real gain (Prov 17:10).

7:8 Finishing a project by exercising patience is better than starting a project with the pride of boastful words.

7:9 anger labels you a fool: Cp. Prov 14:29; 29:11; see “Anger” Theme Note.

7:11-12 Wisdom and money are powerful means to bring us benefit. • but only wisdom can save your life: See 7:17; Prov 10:2; 11:4.

7:13 God’s sovereign acts are irresistible; it is useless to counter or avoid his purposes.

7:14 Enjoying prosperity is beneficial, but such gifts are fleeting. The wise person accepts God’s sovereign hand in everything (cp. Phil 4:11-13).

7:16 However hard we work, we could always do more, and we can destroy ourselves in the process.

7:17 don’t be too wicked either: Wicked foolishness can lead to an early death (e.g., 1 Sam 25).

7:19 One wise person: E.g., see 9:14-15; 2 Sam 20:15-22.

7:20 Not a single person . . . always good and never sins: Cp. 1 Kgs 8:46; Prov 20:9; Rom 3:23.

7:22 It is right to forgive and be gracious toward others’ indiscretions or slips of the tongue.

7:23-25 it didn’t work: The Teacher was not able to find the wisdom that he sought or the reason for things. Such reasons are hidden in the mind of God (3:11; 8:17).

7:26 a seductive woman: Cp. Prov 5; 6:20–7:27.

7:28 The NLT adds the phrase is virtuous (based on 7:29) to give the sense of the verse. Virtue is extremely rare: In his own experience, the Teacher found only a few men, and no women, with that quality.

7:29 After much searching, the Teacher did find that humanity’s downward path from God’s created order (Gen 1:27-28; 2:23-25; 3:1-19) was repeated by Adam and Eve’s descendants (cp. Rom 3:10-18, 23).