Next, in Ecc 7, Solomon gives advice for daily life
Next, in Ecc 7, Solomon gives advice for daily life.
Next, in Ecc 7, Solomon gives advice for daily life. In V 1 he declares that a good reputation is more important than great riches (CP 7:1 with Pr 22:1).
Precious ointment is very expensive and equates to great riches here. When a man of good reputation dies, his death can be a time of honour. For God's children the day of their death is a better day than the day of their birth.
Their death is precious in the sight of the Lord (CP Psa 116:15); they are received by God into Glory (CP Psa 73:24), and they go to a far better life with Jesus (CP 2Cor 5:1-9; Php 1:21-23). In V 2-6 in Ecc 7,
Solomon contrasts the sobering effect of a rebuke by a wise man with the levity of fools (CP Ecc 7:2-6 with Psa 90:12; 141:5; Pr 13:18; 15:31-33).
From a New Testament Christian perspective we should see V 2-6 in Ecc 7 as teaching us to be ever mindful of our own mortality, and of the need for Godly sorrow in our lives for any sins committed (CP 2Cor 7:10).
Solomon goes on to observe in Ecc 7:7 that even a wise man who becomes an oppressor acts foolishly, and is turned into a fool by a bribe, because his judgement can no longer be without partiality (CP Ecc 7:7 with Ex 23:8; De 16: 19-20).