Can we find anyone who is truly virtuous? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 7.
Why is it better to go to a funeral than a feast? Why is it better to choose sorrow over laughter?
A good reputation at the time of death is better than loving care at the time of birth. It's better to go to a funeral than to attend a feast; funerals remind us that we all must die. Choose sorrow over laughter because a sad face may hide a happy heart. A sensible person mourns, but fools always laugh. (Ecc 7:1-4 CEV)
Why is rebuke from a wise person better than listening to a fool’s song? What does that say about pop songs?
It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity. Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart. (Ecc 7:5-7 ESV)
Why is it foolish to ask why the days of old were better than today?
The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit. Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools. Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” since it is not wise of you to ask this. (Ecc 7:8-10 HCSB)
Are money and possessions just tools to be used for good?
Wise use of possessions is good; it brings benefit to the living. Indeed, wisdom gives protection, just like money does, but it’s better to know that wisdom gives life, to those who have mastered it. (Ecc 7:11-12 ISV)
Is it the work of God to make things straight or crooked, so that man should find nothing predictable after him but to trust in God?
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. (Ecc 7:13-14 KJV)
Is life unpredictable, but is trust in God our surest hope?
I have seen everything during my days of vanity; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you make yourself desolate? Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a simpleminded fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you seize one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them. (Ecc 7:15-18 LSB)
Does wisdom make us strong? Can any of us claim we have never sinned? Should we be offended when we hear someone complain about us?
Wisdom strengthens a wise person more than ten rulers who are in a city. Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who always does good and does not ever sin. Also, do not take seriously all the words which are spoken, so that you do not hear your servant cursing you, for you know that even you have cursed others many times as well. (Ecc 7:19-22 NASB)
Is wisdom important? Is sin stupid? Is folly madness?
All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise”—but this was beyond me. Whatever exists is far off and most profound—who can discover it? So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly. (Ecc 7:23-25 NIV)
What kind of woman should a man stay far away from?
And I find more bitter than death The woman whose heart is snares and nets, Whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, But the sinner shall be trapped by her. (Ecc 7:26 NKJV)
What is the teacher’s conclusion? Did he find many virtuous people? Were any of his thousand wives and concubines as good as one faithful wife?
“This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” (Ecc 7:27-29 NLT)
Did Jesus also say that few are finding the way to life?
Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it. (Mat 7:13-14 WEB)
Can we find anyone who is truly virtuous? You decide!
