Ecclesiastes 7:2

b. Attendance at a funeral is better than attendance at a birthday party. Ecclesiastes 7:2

TEXT 7:2

2

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 7:2

173.

Why is it better to go to the house of mourning?

174.

What is the end of every man?

175.

If the house of mourning represents death, and the house of feasting is the opposite, what would the house of feasting refer to?

176.

From your own observations, list reasons why you think it would be of greater value to attend a funeral than a birthday party.

PARAPHRASE 7:2

Since all men must share in the experience of death, and since those who are living consider the serious nature of life when they visit the house of mourning, it is better to attend a funeral service than to go to the places of festive enjoyment.

COMMENT 7:2

In the former verse the emphasis was on the importance of one's reputation and good name. Such an attainment would assure a good memory in the minds of those who outlive you on the earth. In this verse, the emphasis is placed on the living who recall the life lived by the one who is being mourned.
Once again the lesson is taught by comparison. Human nature is such that man naturally gravitates toward festive occasions where the senses are delighted and the heart is made to laugh. However, there are few lasting values in such experiences. It is better to seek out the house of mourning. It is in this house that one is confronted with the issues of life and death. These are the issues which are grave enough to influence destinies and bring about sober reflection on one's present activities. Because man moves naturally to festive occasions, he needs to be reminded and even admonished to seek out opportunities which will lead him to consider seriously his own short sojourn on the earth.
One should not argue too strenuously that the house of feasting is a birthday party. However, since birth is the opposite of death and most births are occasions for festivity, it could be reasoned that the contrast is made between the beginning of life and the house where life has been terminated. If such is the case, the lessons are more plentiful in number and more lasting in value. At any rate, honest men admit that death is inevitable and they are sobered by looking upon the face of a friend who in this life will neither smile nor sing again.

The sobering effect is of a permanent nature because the text literally states that the individual takes the idea of death and gives it to his heart (mind). He ponders the ramifications of the death event, and allows the fact that he too will one day come to the same end, help him redesign his thinking and subsequently his life. Note the similarity in the prayer recorded in Psalms 90:12: So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.

FACT QUESTIONS 7:2

318.

Who is to benefit from going to the house of mourning?

319.

What must one do to receive benefit from such an experience?

320.

Man, by nature, gravitates toward what kind of activity?

321.

List and discuss the reasons that the house of feasting could refer to a birthday party.

322.

According to Psalms 90:12, what is the result of seriously considering the few days one has to live on this earth?