Ecclesiastes 7:15-29. Chasing the Wind. The Search for Virtue.

Chasing the Wind: The Search for Virtue

Ecclesiastes 7:15-29

A Warning Against Religion (v. 15-18)

·         Solomon reflects on the trappings of religion

o   Religion: A system of beliefs and actions that are thought to make oneself more pleasing to God

·         His use of the term ‘righteous’ here refers to a self-righteousness based in our actions

o   Rather than in a right-standing granted by God by grace

o   Thus its pursuit should be avoided

·         Likewise, some wickedness is inevitable in life

o   But it should never be pursued

·         Instead, one should learn to fear God

o   Hold Him in awe and respect

o   Which leads to true righteousness

 

Coping with Evil (v. 19-22)

·         Since evil cannot be completely avoided in the world

o   One must learn to cope with it

o   Which we do through wisdom (v. 19)

·         Wisdom allows us to be honest about the state of humanity

o   We are all sinful (v. 20)

·         It also allows us to be honest about our own failings & fragile egos (v. 21-22)

o   We need to learn to deal with people as they are

o   Not as we wish they would be

 

The Search for Virtue (v. 23-29)

·         Again Solomon reflects on the Fall of humanity into sin (see Ecc. 1:17-18)

o   His examination produces the result that humans are scheming and deceptive

·         Recalling the Fall, he points out the curse of Eve (v. 26; see Gen. 3:16 & parallel in Gen. 4:7c)

·         Which is a pattern that has continued in strife in marriage

o   Solomon is not solely faulting women for this conflict*

o   He is blaming human sinfulness

·         We were created righteous

o   But we find ways to sin and hurt each other (v. 29)

§  A succinct description of the ‘total depravity’ of humans

 

So What?

·         Are we seeking to be righteous on our own; or relying on God’s grace in Jesus for our right-standing with Him?

·         Are we scheming and deceiving those we are called to love the most; or are we seeking better ways to love them as Christ loves us?

Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 7:20