THE BETTER LIFE, LIVED UNDER THE SON

“...Amidst Three Common Adversities”
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
Bob Bonner
March 7, 1999

In Job 5:7, we read one true axiom of life. Job tells us, “Yet, man is born to trouble [adversity] as surely as sparks fly upward.” Have you ever seen sparks from a fire not have an upward trail? It’s like the law of gravity: Just as water flows downhill, so, sparks are carried upward by heat waves. Hence, the principle of life ever since the human race turned its back on God in the Garden of Eden, is that we are born to adversity.

If anyone could be a spokesperson on the subject of living life in the midst of adversity, Job would be an excellent candidate. It is true that for many of us, our adversities are self -inflicted. Many of us are living with problems we have brought upon ourselves because of foolish choices we have made. But that isn’t the case with Job. Job’s adversities were not the result of his foolish choices. Rather, Job was minding his own business living as a righteous godly businessman, father, and husband. Unbeknownst to him, because Job was a righteous man, Satan chose Job to be his pawn in a challenge with God.

If you remember his story, Satan told God that the only reason that Job was following God was because God had made Job prosperous. Job was rich, he had a loving wife and family. Everything seemed to be coming up roses for Job. As a result, Satan challenged God to allow him to remove some of Job’s prosperity and then God would see Job turn away from God and curse Him. God then gave Satan permission to prove his case. Satan was allowed to take the lives of all of Job’s kids, to destroy his business, to cause his friends to turn against Job and to turn Job’s wife into a shrew. Yet, with all of that adversity, Job still praised God even though he had no clue as to why this was happening to him.

As I have thought about Job’s life, I have often wondered: how can one live the better life, even in the midst of adversity? Is there a secret to not enjoying adversity, but yet to rising above it and still living life in a meaningful way, filled with hope? Those questions are answered in the positive in our passage of Scripture for this morning, found in Ecclesiastes 7:1-14. Yes, there are keys to successfully living a meaningful and hopeful life, even in the midst of adversity.

As we come to Ecclesiastes 7, we are entering into the second major division of the book of Ecclesiastes. It is important, therefore, that we step back to get a good look at where we have been in our study thus far and where we are going. In addition, it is necessary for us to grasp the previous major division of Ecclesiastes compared to this next one. Only then can we fully appreciate what the second half of this book is trying to convey to us, and why it is written in a different style than the first half.

Beginning with chapter 7, we are entering the second half of Ecclesiastes. As you remember, this book is part of what has been called the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Hence, the words, “wise” and “wisdom” are key terms used throughout this book. Understanding that, it is interesting to note that from here on out those two terms, “wise” and “wisdom” are used almost twice as many times in the second half of this book as they are used in the first half. I believe there is a significant reason for this. Ecclesiastes is Solomon’s personal journal about what he is learning in life as he is getting older. In the first six chapters, we noted that Solomon had turned away from God to seek after wisdom and knowledge on his own. But from now on, Solomon is like the prodigal son who is slowly but surely coming to his senses and is returning back home to God.

 Furthermore, two thirds of the times that the expression, “under the sun” is used in this book it is used in the first half of the book. The fact that this expression is used fewer times in the second half of this book also signals that as Solomon moves us toward the end of his journal, he is less and less looking at this world from this world’s perspective, “from under the sun.” Instead, he is beginning now, to look to God and to evaluate life from God’s viewpoint rather than man’s.

In addition, there is a phrase that is used quite often in the first half of the book that is not used in the second half of the book. The phrase, “Striving after the wind” is used many times in the first six chapters. It refers to the foolishness of our pursuits when we ignore or leave God out of the formula of our lives. Over and over in these first six chapters, we are warned that if we do leave out God in our pursuit of life, then in the end, all we will have to grasp is “wind.”

In the second half of the book, the common repetitive phrases are “not find out” or “who can find out?” and “do not know” or “no knowledge.” The theme that these phrases drive home is our human inability to know what’s best for us because we don’t know the future. On the other hand, we are told that God is eternal and knows the beginning and end of all things. Hence, the point of these next six chapters is that if we are going to discover what is best for our lives we must seek the Lord and submit our lives to Him, trusting that whether we find prosperity or adversity He will do what is best for us in the end.

One last observation from this book, as we move into this second major section has to do with the two different literary styles that are prominent in each section. In chapters 1-6 we notice that it is written in a narrative style. In other words, for the most part it is non-poetic. When you read it, it’s like reading any article in a newspaper. However, in chapters 7-12, Solomon uses a more proverbial style. By that, I mean that we find many brief, crisp, simple-sounding statements on how to handle life. This second section is filled with practical advice for everyday living.

Finally, I want to point out the relationship between what we looked at last week in chapter 6 and what the subject matter is this week. In chapter 6, the subject matter is prosperity. In contrast to chapter 6 is chapter 7, whose subject matter is adversity.

The point of chapter 6 is that prosperity is not necessarily good, unless God gives you the ability to enjoy what you have. We learned last time, that if you are going to enjoy what He has given you, then you need to seek Him first or make Him Lord and teacher over what He has given you. Allow Him to show you how to best use your fame, fortune and talents.

And chapter 7 conversely teaches that adversity is not necessarily bad. In fact, if you had to say which one of the two presents the greatest test in life, it is prosperity, not adversity, because when adversity strikes life gets real simple. Survival is the goal. But when prosperity comes, then life gets complicated. All kinds of subtle temptations arrive pleading for satisfaction. It is at that point that one’s character is put to the test. It was Thomas Carlyle, the Scottish essayist and historian who wrote: “Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.” [Thomas Carlyle, Familiar Quotations, ed. John Bartlett (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1955), p.599.]

Finally, chapter 6 also taught us that prosperity is not necessarily a sign of God’s favor. . While chapter 7 teaches us that adversity is not necessarily a sign of God’s disfavor.

In fact, if you put these two chapters together, I believe Solomon’s overall message to us from these two chapters is this: if we want to live the better life we must understand that sometimes adversity is often a greater good than prosperity.

Now, let’s begin our study of chapter 7, where we first want to look at three adversities that are common to all people, in verses 1-10.

In verses 1-4, the adversity described there is one of death and sorrow. Let’s read these verses as a group, and then come back and comment on them. Solomon writes: “A good name is better than a good ointment [perfume], And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for when a face is sad a heart may be happy. The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, while the mind [heart] of fools is in the house of pleasure.”

Notice that the word “heart” is repeated three times in verses 2-4. The heart is the seat of reflection and place from which moral decisions are made. It’s the key word in these verses because it tells us that when we deal with any adversity, and specifically this one--death, or life lived from the perspective of being in a funeral parlor--how you face it is a matter of the heart. It requires both a mental and moral decision. A decision that demands first some reflection because a hasty decision in the midst of adversity such as grief can lead to calamity.

As we read Solomon’s words here, he is instructing us to look at death and the sorrow that follows straight in the face and learn from it. Don’t be afraid of it, like many people I know are. Furthermore, don’t become preoccupied with it, for that’s morbid.

In verse 1, we learn that a good name is better than an expensive ointment or perfume. Perfume is the symbol of joy and prosperity that can quickly fade. Yet, perfume also has the ability to attract. But a good name is even more attractive, influential, and longer lasting. One manufacturer believed in the importance of having a good name and thus used to advertise, “The quality goes in before the name goes on.”

Even the poorest can possess a good name, even if they can’t afford expensive perfumes or colognes. Others are attracted to a good name. A business may have all of the lights and conveniences of home, but if it does not have a good name or reputation few will be attracted to it and the owner will not be in business very long.

The point of the first half of this verse is that of longevity. The point of the second half of this verse is perspective. He is telling us that “death is the horizon of human existence.” When you are confronted with death you are confronted with the questions of ultimate destination, the reasons why and reality. You are forced to consider what is most important in life. Death is the ultimate perspective getter. By the time of your own death, you’ve gained some wisdom and perspective, and now you are ready for eternity, hopefully. You realize, for example, that your good reputation is of great value.

What good is longevity if your perspective is wrong? Very little in the end. But if you have the correct perspective on life then no matter how long you live, life is great!

In verse 2, we are told that when you attend a funeral, you now start getting below the shallow surface of life. One goes from that which may be entertaining, like watching a comedy special on TV, to the realism of death, brought on by a funeral.

That’s why at a funeral is a great time to preach the gospel. Because at a funeral, people are more than ready to get rid of the superficial things of life. It’s too bad that most of us don’t need to start attending funerals until we pass 50, because most of our friends don’t start dying until then. But because of officiating at funerals and being with families at their most vulnerable time, I have been blessed with a healthier dose of perspective than most. Being around death has changed the way I live.

Verse 3 is really very interesting, especially the last half. It literally says, “the sad face makes a good heart.” Solomon’s point is that when a person faces sorrow or grief, it does a job on one’s heart. It causes us to reflect and change the way we make decisions. In the end, our hearts become more satisfied and fulfilled. Death will make us sad for awhile, but if we allow reality to set in, and we change our perspective on life for the better and really invest our lives in things that are worthwhile, long lasting and not fleeting, then our hearts turn happy.

I think of the songwriter Fanny Crosby. She went through her own death of sorts at the age of six weeks old. She went blind. As she suffered from a common cold and inflamed eyes, a family friend urged the use of hot compresses on her eyes to reduce the swelling. This ultimately destroyed her sight.

Crosby later wrote about that painful loss, “When this sad misfortune became known throughout our neighborhood, the unfortunate man thought it best to leave; and we never heard of him again. But I have not for a moment, in more than 85 years, felt a spark of resentment against him because I have always believed from my youth to this very moment that the good Lord, in His infinite mercy, by this means consecrated me to the work that I am still permitted to do.”

While other 8-and 9-year-olds were jumping rope and playing tag, Fanny penned this poem:

 Oh, what a happy soul I am, Although I cannot see, I am resolved that in this world Consecrated I will be. How many blessings I enjoy That other people don’t,

To weep and sigh because I’m blind I cannot nor I won’t.

Fanny used her sorrowful loss, not to whimper and whine about being cheated of her sight. Instead, she took this event as a special gift from her all-loving and all-powerful, sovereign God, that He had a unique purpose for her life. She believed that her God did not make any mistakes, therefore, He only had a good purpose for this event. He was going to do something special through her life. And God did! 

The second form of adversity common to all is that of being rebuked, which is written about, in verses 5-6. Nobody looks forward to or honestly enjoys the pain of a rebuke or being told things about themselves that need to be changed. Man, that kind of adversity is painful. However, painful as it is, it is also profitable. We read, “It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man than for one to listen to the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool, and this too is futility.”

As death brings us face to face with reality, so does a rebuke from someone wise and trusted. It turns a spotlight on our souls. In comparison, to sit around and listen to people tell jokes, which may be absolutely hilarious...those jokes may explode loudly with laughter, but like a crackling dried up thorns, they burn fast, produce little heat or anything good and then quickly disappear or are forgotten.

He is not saying that we can’t enjoy laughter or comedy. He is simply saying that of the two, a correction or instruction from a wise person is a better thing, it is a good thing if it is listened to. It can produce something good and long lasting. For in the end, it will bear good fruit in your life. It will force you to see reality, to see you for who you really are.

The third common adversity known to us all, is that of being treated unjustly. We read about this in verses 7-9.  Solomon writes, “For oppression [living under extortion] makes a wise man mad, [that hurts and you want to strike back] and a bribe corrupts [destroys] the heart. [that’s what happens to the wise man’s heart when he is being treating unjustly. He’s angry and his heart is being torn out. In the beginning, he wants to get revenge. But that’s not the wise man’s way. Solomon says,] The end of a matter is better than its beginning; [or the end of a struggle with an injustice is better than the beginning, because in the end, it has produced something purposeful in your life.] Patience [therefore] of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, [don’t allow your pride trick you into seeking revenge] for anger [this kind of anger, filled with pride and seeking revenge] resides in the bosom of fools.” When we allow anger to control us it “resides in our bosom,” meaning, it makes its permanent home in our personality. We become a slave to it.

Verse 10 I believe, is a verse that concludes or summarizes where we have been so far, and makes a transition to the next section in this chapter. Solomon is saying, “Look, when adversity comes, do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" “Man, life is really hard today, because of all of these adversities! Boy, I remember the good ol’ days.” Solomon adds, “For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”  All of us have short memories! How quickly we forget the problems we had yesterday. Someone else once said that the “good ol’ days are the combination of a bad memory and a good imagination.” 

If our memories weren’t so faulty, we would realize that in earlier years, we had good times and bad times just like today. If we stopped to think about it, if we had good times and bad times back then, then we should wake up to the fact, that today, if we are having a bad time, then the good times have to be just around the corner. It’s only logical. Life is not filled with one and not the other, just bad times or good times. Life is continually made up of both. 

In these next two verses, Solomon reveals an important key that will open the doors to living the better life, even in the midst of adversity. He says, “Wisdom along with an inheritance is good [or maybe a better translation would be, “Wisdom is good, along with an inheritance or money”] and an advantage to those who see the sun. For wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of [literally, “gives life to”] its possessors.”

Wisdom and money are two great things. But if you had to choose one, wisdom is better. Why? Because wisdom will give you two things: 1. Protection. For some people use their money to protect them, and that isn’t a bad thing. But not all of us have that kind of money. So, where do we get protection? From becoming wise. Wisdom and planning can also protect you. 

But there is something money can’t do and only wisdom can do, which leads us to the second thing wisdom can give you, 2. Preservation. Wisdom is applied knowledge. If a person applies wisdom to his everyday adversities, whether rich or poor, he will find life, meaning, purpose. But a fool with money will never find life, especially in the midst of adversity. Hence, Solomon’s point of these verses, Amidst adversity, a major key to “Living The Better Life” is possessing wisdom.

After speaking about how adversity is common to all of us and that the key to living life in the midst of adversity is to possess wisdom, Solomon, in these last two verses reminds us where the pathway to wisdom begins. He states, “Consider the work of God, for who is able to straighten what He has bent? In the day of prosperity be happy, [that’s not a tough assignment, is it?] but in the day of adversity consider [don’t start feeling sorry for yourself or go out and get drunk at a party or don’t go seek revenge from those who have taken advantage of you. Instead, stop right where you are and consider this. The word means “to examine for the purpose of evaluating”]---God has made the one [the day of adversity] as well as the other [the day of prosperity] so that man may not discover anything that will be after him.” 

This last part of this verse is hard to understand when translated this way. But one modern Hebrew scholar has discovered how “discover anything after” is used elsewhere, but translated differently. The alternate translation makes more sense here. It reads, “God has made one day as well as the other so that man can find no occasion for complaint against God.” In other words, first of all, realize that circumstances in your life that bring adversity more often than not are out of your control. Secondly, when you face adversity, realize that the same loving God that brought the good times has also seen fit to bring the difficult times for your benefit. So don’t praise God for the good times and knock Him for the bad.

James 1:6-8, are verses that say the very same thing, but few people realize it. The context is asking God for wisdom during trials. But he warns us this way. “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” What does this guy bobbing around in the waves tossed to and fro represent in this context? It refers to a person who says, “Praise God for my wealth and good times. Those are good gifts.” But when those good times stop or the wealth disappears, this man doubts that God knows what He’s doing and wants to curse God rather than realizing that these trials are a “perfect gift from God,” according to verse 17. If a person is only going to praise God for the good times, and is going to curse God or doubt Him during times of adversity, James adds, “That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

God is not going to bless that person. He will not allow him to grow through that tough time. In fact, God will probably repeat the lesson of difficult times until his student gets the problem right, or responds to the problem right. Hence, the pathway to wisdom begins with considering God

Let’s take away from our study two truths that we can apply to our lives. First, adversity is good. It causes us to stop for the purpose of considering and depending upon God. When we go through sorrowful times they can bring us back to God, or we can choose to rebel and run away from God. God has designed them to bring us to Him and to depend upon Him.

Secondly, Solomon learned that God uses adversity to grow us up. Adversity is good. It is one of God’s methods for encouraging learning and growth. He uses adversity to teach us about what’s most important in life. God uses adversity to help us maintain a proper perspective and balance in life. It is through adversity that we mature. A basic axiom in weight lifting is true in life as well: When there is no pain, there is no gain.

The following was written by an unknown poet. I’ll close with it:

 When God wants to drill a man, And thrill a man, and skill a man; When God wants to mold a man To play the noblest part, When he yearns with all his heart To create so great and bold a man That all the world shall be amazed, Watch his methods, watch his ways--- How he ruthlessly perfects Whom he royally elects. How he hammers him and hurts him, And with mighty blows, converts him Into trial shapes of clay Which only God understands. While his tortured heart is crying, And he lifts beseeching hands. How he bends but never breaks When his good he undertakes. How he uses whom he chooses, And with every purpose, fuses him, By every act, induces him To try his splendor out, God knows what he’s about!

back to top