Wiersbe outlines chapter 7 with these headings: Wisdom can make life better, Wisdom helps us see life clearly, Wisdom helps us face life stronger. Contrasts, v.1-14. V.1 - Having a good name is better than expensive ointment. Our inner character is better than outward fragrance. After this, Solomon’s wisdom is that the day of death is better than the day of birth. The way that we live matters. “As a man’s inner character is far better than any outward fragrance, so his funeral and not his birthday party will reveal his true value.” (Winter) A good name is not securely established until the day of death. While living, we can still ruin our reputation. There is an old adage that says, “Every man has three names, one his father and mother gave him, one others call him, and one he acquires himself.” The way we live this life matters — thus, the day of death is better than the day of birth. V.2 - A funeral is better than a feast. V.3 - Sorrow is better than laughter. V.4 - The wise are better than fools. “Hanging on the edge of a precipice, engulfed by terror, is not the time or place to learn about emergency rock-climbing procedures; you have to learn about them before you start the expedition. Likewise, we have to start learning about death now, while we are still healthy … before we are blinded by denial and fighting valiantly for hope.” Ryken says, “Going to a good funeral helps us think wisely about death. It causes us to mourn, which enables us to receive the comfort that Jesus promised to those who mourn (Matthew 5:4)… at a good funeral…we recall that our own days are numbered and recommit ourselves to make every day count for eternity.” Matthew Henry summarizes by saying, “It will do us more good to go to a funeral than to go to a festival.” “Death is an enemy (1 Cor. 15:26), but also an evangelist.” (O’Donnell) “…seriousness accomplishes more than levity.” (MacDonald) I walked a mile with Pleasure; She chattered all the way, But left me none the wiser, For all she had to say I walked a mile with Sorrow, And not a word said she; But oh, the things I learned from her, When Sorrow walked with me! (Robert Browning Hamilton) Psalm 90:10-12, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” A philosopher once quipped, “the only cure for birth and death is to enjoy the interval.” The rebuke of the wise is better than the praise of fools. (5) Foolish talk creates noise and show but produces nothing. (6) “When we receive the ‘rebuke of the wise’ we may feel that we are being roasted, but in the end it produces something that will nourish and sustain us.” (Winter) Proverb 27:5-6, “Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Vv.7-10 contrast patience and pride. v.7 - Even a wise person becomes foolish when he resorts to bribery or cheating oppression. v.8 - The patient never get that far. It is only in our pride that we abandon patience and seek out shortcuts. The end is better than the beginning — finish well. Only the patient reach the end properly. Be diligent. Steadfast. v.9 - Self control is better than hasty anger. The fruit of the Spirit is patience, gentleness, and self control. Be slow to lose your temper. Be careful not to harbor anger, it will shorten that fuse. v.10 - Lack of patience (or being filled with pride) can also cause us to live in the past. (The “good old days”) All of this results from an unwillingness to be patient with the present. We can be hasty for the future and take steps that reveal poor character. (vv.7-9) We can also idolize the past, this too is a form of complaining about the present. You cannot face the challenges of the present by focusing on the past, nor cheating toward the future. Patience is better than pride. Be humble and embrace the challenge of the present. MacDonald writes, “Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” It has been said that “the good old days” are the combination of a bad memory and a good imagination. (Wiersbe) “While you are dreaming of the future or regretting the past, the present, which is all you have, slips from you and is gone.” (Hilaire Belloc) Vv. 11-14 contrast wisdom with wealth. v.11 — An inheritance (wealth) is better with wisdom. v.12 — Wisdom is a better defense. v.13 — God is sovereign even over our wealth or other sense of security. v.14 — God’s days, days of wisdom (whether in prosperity or adversity), are better than any alternative. You can be a fool, whether rich or poor. You can be wise just the same. With wealth and no wisdom one can waste a fortune. The superiority of wisdom is that it guides us through difficult times and preserves life. Money often vanishes in hard times. “God balances our lives by giving us enough blessings to keep us happy and enough burdens to keep us humble.” (Wiersbe) When times are good, enjoy the prosperity; When times are bad, reflect on the fact that this too is from God’s hand. “God does not allow us to know whether tomorrow will bring unexpected wealth or sudden calamity, but we can find peace if we accept all as from God.” (Garrett) Contrasts. Wealth and Wisdom. Pride and Patience. Praise and Rebuke. Funerals and Feasts. In all of the these Wisdom can make life better, Wisdom helps us see life clearly, Wisdom helps us face life stronger.