Ecclesiastes 7:21-22

c. Wisdom protects against false accusations and self-righteousness. Ecclesiastes 7:21-22

TEXT 7:21-22

21

Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, lest you hear your servant cursing you.

22

For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 7:21-22

210.

Wisdom will keep one from falling into what danger?

211.

Identify the reason given why one should not busy himself with taking seriously all that he hears.

212.

Why would a servant know about his master's faults and deficiencies?

PARAPHRASE 7:21-22

Do not give your heart to ascribe too much value to what men say concerning you. If you do, you will soon hear your own servant cursing you. If you stop and consider your own past behavior, you will have to admit that you have many times reviled others.

COMMENT 7:21-22

There is yet another benefit wisdom will bring to the one who turns to it for strength. In this instance, it is a two-fold blessing. First of all, it will keep one from prying into every bit of gossip or information circulating in the area; secondly, it will safeguard against a self-righteous attitude.
It is indeed the mark of a foolish man to pursue every tidbit of information that may be spoken concerning himself or others. So much of what is said is best unheard, and if heard soon forgotten. Wisdom will lead one to correct behavior and thus eliminate many sorrowful experiences because information gained was weighed and dismissed on the basis of lack of merit. How many heartaches in life would have been avoided if the whole matter would simply have been dropped. Solomon does not have reference here to information which will benefit the hearer. If in the sharing of truth, there will be benefit, then the one who possesses such knowledge has a moral obligation to speak. However, the idea here is that it is gossip or unprotected words which wend their way into the communicative fabric of every culture and society.

The servant is mentioned for two reasons. Since he is a servant, he will most likely know the weaknesses of his master, or at least be near when his master loses control of his tongue. On the other hand, the master would be nearby and would overhear the conversation of the servant.
The idea of cursing in this context suggests more of a reviling than what one normally considers either to curse or to swear. Base men curse and swear, but all men, whether of high or low estate, have difficulty controlling their tongues. The master is reminded that he has often reviled others. He must admit that he, too, has spoken words in a moment of weakness or heated discussion which he would like to recall. He confesses that he would like such words to be forgotten.

FACT QUESTIONS 7:21-22

381.

What two-fold blessing does wisdom offer?

382.

When should information be withheld?

383.

When is one obligated to share information?

384.

Give two reasons why the servant is mentioned here.

385.

What prompts the cursing (reviling) which comes forth from the master of the house?