“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.”
Ecclesiastes 7: 4
Chapter 7 of Ecclesiastes opens with some thought provoking opposites. The author, the Teacher, whom many believe to be King Solomon compares:
- a good name to good perfume,
- funerals to parties,
- frustration to laughter, and
- rebuke from a wise person to empty praise of a fool.
At first glance we might choose the wonderful smell of perfume wafting through the air or going to a party or laughter or to hear words of affirmation. We want to be loved, valued and affirmed. I should hear an “amen” here. We want our faith to lead us to health, wealth, and prosperity – the good life. The Teacher challenges us.
Perfume can be bought for a price – by the wealthy, but a good name, good character, or a good reputation cannot be bought. All people can receive a good recommendation for a life well lived or a job well done, even if they cannot buy expensive perfume. Truly a good name is not something for the moment but for all time and places, sending ripples through life as a rock thrown in a pond. May our name be remembered for our godly character based on our faith!
Funerals are times of serious reflection and very different from party frivolity. My husband would say funerals are “deep,” sharing memories of good deeds, appreciation for the impact to our life paths due to the influence of the other, and times of hugging and reunion with people we have not seen for awhile. I remember birthday parties as a child and hating the tie a balloon around your ankle and try and stomp your friend’s balloon. I hated the loud bangs and the shoving. I remember parties as a young adult agonizing over if I would avoid the spiked punch. At funerals, amidst the tears, memories of blessings and affirmation of relationships are shared. Funerals can lead us to reflect on the hand of God in our lives and that happens for all people, not just the wealthy.
Frustration and laughter…hum. Frustration forces me to grow as I seek to deal with a challenge. Laughter is for the moment. Rebuke verses empty praise. No one likes to be corrected but no one likes to be deceived either. I value my friends who will shoot straight from the hip and tell me what I need to hear.
The Teacher leaves us with an image,
Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,
so is the laughter of fools.
This too is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 7:6
Lord, we pray today for wise friends who speak to us in truth, who remember our character formed in the trials of life and who offer words of affirmation when we die. We do not want to be perfume floating in the air for an evening nor quick burning thorns in the fires of life. May our character reflect you. Help us to not choose that which is meaningless.
On the Way to Wonder 