Tyndale Open Study NotesEcclesiastes 7

God's control over everything is serious, but it gives us hope.

These proverbs are like the sayings in the Book of Proverbs.

• It is better to seek a good reputation for wisdom and righteousness than to pursue luxuries like expensive perfume (Proverbs 22:1; 28:6).

• one’s day of death is better than his day of birth: There is relief when life's troubles end. Life's difficulties can make one look forward to the peace of death (Ecclesiastes 1:18; 2:22; 4:2–3; 12:1).

It is unwise to engage in carefree fun when wisdom calls for serious reflection on death (see also Ecclesiastes 2:12–13).

good for the heart: Thinking clearly about death helps us understand the seriousness of God's curse on sin and shows us the importance of enjoying life wisely (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Praise from a fool and enjoying a fool’s laughter are temporary and worthless. Criticism from a wise person can lead to real benefits (Proverbs 17:10).

It is better to finish a project with patience than to start it with boastful words.

anger settles in the lap of a fool: Compare Proverbs 14:29 and 29:11. See the “Anger” Theme Note.

• Wisdom and money are powerful tools for gaining benefits.

• wisdom preserves the life of its owner: See Ecclesiastes 7:17; Proverbs 10:2; 11:4.

God's powerful actions cannot be resisted; trying to oppose or escape his plans is pointless.

Enjoying prosperity is good, but these gifts do not last. A wise person accepts God's control in everything (see Philippians 4:11–13).

No matter how hard we work, there is always more to do, and we might harm ourselves in the process.

Do not be excessively wicked: Foolish wickedness can lead to an early death (for example, 1 Samuel 25).

the wise man: For example, see Ecclesiastes 9:14–15; 2 Samuel 20:15–22.

no righteous man...never sins: See 1 Kings 8:46; Proverbs 20:9; Romans 3:23.

It is good to forgive and be kind when others make mistakes or say something wrong.

it was beyond me: The Teacher could not find the wisdom or reasons he sought. Such reasons are hidden in God's mind (Ecclesiastes 3:11; 8:17).

a woman who is a snare: Compare Proverbs 5; 6:20–7:27.

The New Living Translation adds the phrase "is virtuous" (based on Ecclesiastes 7:29) to clarify the verse. Virtue is very rare. The Teacher found only a few virtuous men and no virtuous women in his experience.

After much searching, the Teacher found that humanity's decline from God's created order (Genesis 1:27–28; 2:23–25; 3:1–19) was repeated by Adam and Eve's descendants (compare Romans 3:10–18, 23).