Ecclesiastes 7 – 8

Verse 7:7 had me reflecting on today:

Oppression can turn the wise into fools,
        and a bribe can damage the noblest heart.

Today slavery is not chains and whips in the USA, but rather the oppression of debt. This can be seen at all levels of society and even those who we “believe” are well off are slaves to debt. It’s a rare family that is not a salve to debt. My goal in life is to break those chains and then help others. The first key is to realize the oppression and how it makes us foolish. Sure we may be able to “afford” the payments, but that can change in an instant.

At the same time debt is today’s oppressor, money has become the corruption that can “damage” our relationship with God. The reason Jesus said it’s difficult for a rich man to get into heaven is not because money is evil, it’s that lust for money removes us from God.

Verse 7:8 talks to me in the way I live:

Having the last word is better than having the first,
        and patience will benefit you more than pride.

Patience is a virtue that many ignore. We always need to speak our minds and if you listen to most conversations the people are talking to each other and not with each other. This is amplified in watching 6 to 10 year old children where often they will be talking about completely different things. We need to listen, think and then respond. Often the response is not the right words when it is not thought out. Questions for understanding are necessary.

The key here is pride. We think somehow our opinion is IMPORTANT and MUST tell it to anyone who will listen, present company included!! Heck I write this blog for the most part unchallenged thinking my thoughts are somehow important, when in reality it only helps me filter through and understand God’s Word.

Verse 8:11 talks about swift punishment:

When the penalty for a crime is not carried out quickly, then people start scheming to commit their own crimes. 

The problem we have gotten into is some innocent have been judged unfairly and even put to death. Because of this the people tend to err on the side of them, therefore trials and justice has become lengthy and complex. The result is criminals realize if they are “good” they can commit crimes without fear of retribution. Identity theft is the crime that is rampant and not pursued since it’s so difficult.

Now before I go there is a bunch of great stuff that I did not touch on, so in rapid fire. Verse 7:9 talks about how we need to be slow to anger and not let it make us fools. Verse 7:16 focuses on being humble and understanding we should not be full of ourselves. Verse 7:20 talks about how everyone sins, not just the criminals. Verse 8:8  is the theme to Solomon’s writings, we cannot control the wind or God. Sit down, shut up, buckle up and HOLD ON … life begins!!