It's Good to Consider Death

Ecclesiastes 7:1 (ESV) A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.

When we come to Ecclesiastes 7 we meet a few proverbs concerning the inevitable reality of death. What seems odd to say back to back - a good name + the day of death - really tie together in this particular sense: Your name (reputation) is finalized on the day of your death. How you start in life does not necessarily determine how you finish. And if you keep your end in mind, rather than your past, you'll live wisely. 

In simpler terms - CONSIDER the END of your LIFE and what you want people to say about you. Thus the next two proverbs:

Ecclesiastes 7:2 (ESV) It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.

And then verse 4:

Ecclesiastes 7:4 (ESV) The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

We are told by culture to live for today, to seize the moment or the day, and to make every second count. Some suggest taking chances makes life more meaningful and exciting. It depends on the chance you take. The wise consider the long-term view of life. They don't want one silly moment of foolishness to undermine decades of intentionality and effort. 

Another temptation resident in the "live for today" crowd is the applause they give you. Solomon addresses that in verse 6:

Ecclesiastes 7:6 (ESV) For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity.

He's talking about thorns which were used as kindling in the ancient world. Yes, they can light up fast and it doesn't require much spark to get them to make noise, but kindling wood quickly fades. If you want your life to be wise, do not give much thought to the temporary praise of the foolish. 

Again, Solomon has us thinking long-term about our lives.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 (ESV) Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

What needs a long-term view in you right now? Your marriage? Your parenting? So many times we can get bogged down in the weeds of life. Or rather, we try to find an escape in temporal pleasure. Or we can become overwhelmed by how much farther we have to go and then want to give up. 

May it not be. 

If we want meaning and fulfillment in life it doesn't come quickly or easily. And if it seems to come quickly, be warned - it will fade. 

Finally, Solomon rounds out this chapter with a few more striking words of wisdom:

Don't look back:

Ecclesiastes 7:10 (ESV) Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

Get up and make the most of today:

Ecclesiastes 7:11 (ESV) Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.

And accept what comes from God:

Ecclesiastes 7:14 (ESV) In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.

Then surprisingly, Solomon advises us to moderate our religious life as well:

Ecclesiastes 7:15–18 (ESV) In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. 16 Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.

Amazing to consider the Bible warning us against being overly righteous. But not hard to see when you consider it was the self-righteous over-zealous for religious practice Pharisees that demanded Jesus' death. They were so hooked on their goodness, they did not see the beauty of true goodness in Him. 

In consideration of these 18 verses, we learn to consider the end of our lives while mantaining a spirit of calm acceptance at what comes knowing that our story is not complete yet, NOR is it defined by what we or others do but by what God has given and done. And in Christ, He's done it all to call us His very own.