Ecclesiastes 7:1

II. A MAN OF WISDOM WHO WORKS IN HARMONY WITH GOD REAPS EARTHLY BENEFITS REGARDLESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES. 7:112:8

A. ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES TEACH WORTHWHILE LESSONS BUT IF IMPROPERLY INTERPRETED COULD LEAD TO DESPAIR. Ecclesiastes 7:1-22

1. This lesson taught by comparisons Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

a. A good name is better than precious ointment. Ecclesiastes 7:1

TEXT 7:1

1

A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 7:1

171.

What must one possess to assure that his death is better than his birth?

172.

Read Proverbs 22:1 and list the three valuable things which are not as desirable as a good name and the favor of others.

PARAPHRASE 7:1

To have a good name or reputation is of greater value than possessing fine perfumed oil. So, too, is the day of death better than the day of one's birth.

COMMENT 7:1

This is the beginning of a rather long section of lessons taught through contrasts or comparisons. The technique is not new to Solomon. On the same subject he had previously written: A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold (Proverbs 22:1). Undoubtedly the primary emphasis here is on one's character and integrity. To be honest and to have the respect of one's peers is the objective. Moral purity should receive the highest priority. The second part of the verse has been discarded by many as incidental to the lessons to be learned and has no particular contribution to make to the meaning here. It is argued that it is employed to simply show that one thing is better than another. However, there is purpose in the contrast between life and death that speaks to the lesson in point. The same theme of birth and death is carried through verse eight. The correlation is that one's reputation is often determined by serious consideration of the inevitable time of death which comes to every person. There is a real sense in which the honest facing up to the reality of death, whether your own or the death of another, has a sobering effect on decisions which may determine character and ultimately one's destiny.

To the Christian death is not the worst thing that can happen. On occasion it is welcomed as a sweet release from suffering or escape from a disease-ridden body which no longer should be joined with the spirit. To the Christian death is often viewed as a victory, a triumph. Especially is this true when it can be said, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord (Revelation 14:13).

It appears that a good man with a good name dies and leaves behind a good reputation. Such an experience would elicit the observation that, in this case at least, the day of one's death is better than the day of his birth for he has lived his life successfully. He now has the assurance that he shall be remembered. (Cf. Ecclesiastes 2:16; Ecclesiastes 8:10; Ecclesiastes 9:15) It has been noted that to be forgotten was cause for despair.

FACT QUESTIONS 7:1

312.

What method is employed in this section to teach numerous lessons?

313.

What primary lesson is taught in this verse?

314.

In what way can the observation concerning death relate to the lesson of the good name?

315.

List the reasons that death could be considered blessed to the Christian.

316.

Why is the death day better than the birthday for a good man?

317.

Give evidence from Ecclesiastes that to be forgotten was cause for despair.