Ecclesiastes 7, Chasing the Wind, What is Better

Chasing the Wind: What is Better

Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

Death & Rebuke (V. 1-6)

·        Solomon reflects on the importance of understanding our mortality (v. 1-4)

o   Wisdom is gained by confronting life as it is

§  More insight is gained through suffering than pleasure

·        Likewise, wisdom is gained from good correction (v. 5-7)

o   Rather than from empty platitudes

 

Patience (v. 7-10)

·        Solomon reflects on the wisdom of patience

·        Patience means:

o   Not taking short-cuts (. 7)

§  Like oppression & bribery

o   Having a long-term view of things (v. 8)

§  Thinking through the outcome from the onset

o   Being slow to anger (v. 9)

§  Having a command over our emotions

o   Not being stuck in the past (. 10)

§  Because it may blind us to God’s work in the present

 

Wisdom & Wealth (v. 11-14)

·        Wealth is of benefit, but is fleeting (v. 11)

o   Vanishing during hard times

·        Wisdom is of greater benefit (v. 12)

o   Because it shelters us in times of trouble

o   It actually increases during hardships

·        Wisdom produces the knowledge that God is in control (v. 13-14)

o   Thus, prosperity has a purpose

o   And hardships are for a reason

§  God uses both to teach us lessons

§  Often, how to rely on Him

 

So What?

·        Do we seek wisdom?

o   God often teaches us through suffering and hardship

·        Can we see His hand in the storms and trials?

o   As well as through the blessings of life

 

Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 7:3