Title Better Things/Ecclesiastes 7 (1)
All people seek better things. So, as mentioned in Ecclesiastes 6, people 1) pursue wealth, wealth, and honor, 2) pursue children and longevity, and 3) establish and pursue idealistic visions or realistic plans. However, all such pursuits and labors were all in vain and in vain. What are the better things in life?
1. A beautiful name is better than precious oil (1)
Here, "precious oil" refers to both precious treasures and perfumes that smell good. Neither precious treasures last long, nor perfumes that smell good. What is truly enduring and eternally valuable is the acquisition of a beautiful name. Here, "beautiful name" refers to a new name obtained through faith and service in God rather than worldly honor. As Abram becomes Abraham, Sarai becomes Sarah, Jacob becomes Israel, Simon becomes Peter, and Saul becomes Paul. The names of saints and deacons are truly precious names.
2. The day of death is better than the day of birth (1)
This is not a statement of pessimism that curses life and glorifies death. It is an auspicious thing for people to be born into the world. But the more blessed thing is to die righteously in the Lord. “The death of the saints is dear to the Lord” (Psalm 116:15). "Blessed are those who die in the Lord" (Revelation 14:13).
3It is better to go to a house of portraits than to go to a house of banquets (2)
This is because the banquet house makes people excited and thin, but the portrait book makes people calm and prudent. Portrait books make people realize the futility of life and the reality of death and make them look back on themselves. Therefore, the living should be mindful of this.
4. Sadness is better than laughter (3)
Sadness and pain are never good. But it makes a person human, humble, tender, tearful and loving. It brings wisdom and virtue in life, and makes the heart good. Even if weeping at night ceases, joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).
5. It is better to hear the rebuke of a wise man than to hear the song of a fool (5-7)
It feels good to be praised rather than rebuked. But the flattery of fools and the words of flattery blind the eyes and make the heart proud. When you receive advice or rebuke from a wise man, it becomes healing for your body and soul. If we receive the praise of the wise man with humility, our spirit and body become beautiful and rich.
6. The end of work is better than the beginning (8)
The end is more important than the beginning. The way I look when I go to the grave is more important than the way I was while I was alive. Paul finished his course well. I did well in the race of my life.
7. A patient heart is better than a proud heart (8)
There is nothing worse in our life than a lack of patience. If you fire your anger in a hurry, you will make a big, irreversible mistake. When you are proud, you are angry, and when you are humble, you can be patient. True faith and love show through patience. "Once upon a time" Christianity is not retrogressive, it is future-oriented.