Overview:
Ecclesiastes 7:1–14
We’ve reached the halfway point in Solomon’s journal. By now we have a pretty good handle on the man’s mental perspective as well as his method of pursuit. But something has been conspicuous by its absence—wisdom. This comes as a surprise because Solomon had considerable, God-given wisdom. That’s true except for a strange period in his life when he tossed restraint to the wind and acted out a role altogether unusual for a man of his heritage, his position, and his stature.
Had Solomon lived in our generation, perhaps we would explain his escapades as the result of a midlife crisis. Things that were once important and dear to him, he began to view with cynicism, especially the simplicity and purity of a walk of faith. Wisdom took a back seat as rebellion took control, grabbed the steering wheel, and jammed the accelerator to the floor! And even though lasting satisfaction eluded him, he kept taking every corner on two wheels. Funny thing about us humans—we tend to speed faster when we have lost our way. And when we do, wisdom steps back and waits, refusing to keep pace with our frantic, maddening race to find happiness.
Message Summary:
In this message, Pastor Chuck Swindoll reaches the midpoint of Solomon’s journal, Ecclesiastes. Up to this point, the narrative has been characterized by a conspicuous absence of wisdom, as Solomon abandoned restraint to pursue a cynical, horizontal lifestyle. Chuck Likens Solomon’s detour to a modern “midlife crisis”—a period where he traded the simplicity of faith for a frantic, maddening race to find happiness in rebellion.
As Solomon begins to regain his perspective, he offers a series of counterintuitive insights that act as an “emergency brake” for busy people. This sermon explores how wisdom steps back when we are in a frantic rush, waiting for us to slow down and consider the eternal. By examining Ecclesiastes 7:1–14, we learn that some of life’s most difficult moments—sorrow, rebukes, and the “day of adversity”—are actually God’s tools to instill the wisdom that frantic activity can never provide.
Message Key Facts:
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The Speed of Losing One’s Way: Chuck notes that humans tend to speed up when they are lost. Frantic activity is often a mask for a lack of spiritual direction.
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Counterintuitive Wisdom: Solomon presents several “better than” statements (e.g., sorrow is better than laughter) that challenge the world’s view of success and happiness.
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The Role of Adversity: Wisdom is often cultivated in the “house of mourning” rather than the “house of pleasure,” as trials force us to consider our mortality and God’s sovereignty.
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Balancing Prosperity and Adversity: The message concludes with the reminder that God has made both the good day and the bad day, intending for us to depend on Him in both.
Message References:
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Ecclesiastes 7:1–14: The central text containing a series of proverbs on the value of a good name, the end of a matter, and the necessity of considering God’s work.
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Psalm 46:10: A supporting command to “be still and know that I am God,” addressing the frantic pace of “busy people.”
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Proverbs 14:12: Used to illustrate Solomon’s previous path—a way that seemed right but led to death.
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James 1:2–4: A New Testament connection regarding the role of trials in producing endurance and maturity.
