Tag: Ecclesiastes 7

The modern terms toxic relationship and codependence are similar to verse 26. Codependence in sociology is a theory that attempts to explain imbalanced relationships where one person enables another person’s self-destructive tendencies and/or undermines the other person’s relationship. Solomon called such a person, “a snare whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. […]

Even the person who masters a subject will admit to themselves (and perhaps another) that they are not the master of the subject. Rather the subject is their master. The painter who with persistence seeks to perfect technique, dedicating every aspect of self to stroke and media, will look at the skill of another devoted […]

“There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.” (20) A fundamental truth that is repeated elsewhere in the Bible. Responses to this vary depending on the mood and situation we are in. First, we completely deny the truth that we are not righteous. We believe we never […]

The sum of these verses is, “The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.” Moderation was a common life practice of past generations. Solomon and I witnessed that some righteous and some wicked go to extremes to their ruin (15-17). He and I also witnessed that some wise people become so book-headed that they […]

God’s work cannot be undone or changed (13). Consider God’s work carefully. Solomon was not fatalistic when he states, “Who can straighten what God has made crooked?” Rather, he wants me to consider what God has done. Human nature considered God weak and unproductive in the world until something happens that we do not like. […]

“Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.” Simple enough verse that leaves many questions to consider. Why do people ask open-ended questions? No one expects this question to be answered. Even when they receive an exact answer it is not what they […]

The Teacher of Ecclesiastes has repeatedly stated, “Everyone can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work (toilsome labor) under the sun during the few days of life God has given him. This is from the hand of God, a gift. Then joy will accompany him in his work. […]

Knowing and accepting that the life I now live under the sun is just the beginning. Knowing and accepting now that the choices I make now will affect how I live the next stage of life under eternity. Knowing these makes verses like these completely understandable and wise. Why makes my face sad (3)? Why […]

A good name is better than a fine perfume (1). A good name is when people speak well about you when you are not around to hear them. Two ways exist for a person to have a good name. One is to advertise causing others to speak about someone they really don’t know. The second […]