v.15-18 — I’ve seen it all. The first observation is that he had seen exceptions to the idea that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. (15) Solomon is contemplating: One, a just man, who remains righteous until death. Two, a wicked man, who seems to prolong his life through unrighteousness. His thoughts are around the fact that sometimes life seems very unfair. “The simple equation that links prosperity and long life to religious zeal and wisdom, while associating suffering and an early death with sin, is only a generalization. There are many exceptions.” (Garrett) v.16 - Avoid self righteousness. Ryken writes, “When we think too highly of ourselves, resting on our own righteousness, then it is easy for us to say, “I don’t deserve to be treated like this. Doesn’t God know who I am?” It is also a very short step from there to saying, “Who does God think he is?” So the Preacher cautions us not to be, as it were, “too righteous.” In saying this, he is warning against a conceited righteousness that “stands ready to challenge God for His failure to reward” us as much as we think we deserve.” O’Donnell puts it this way, “We can’t count on our perfect righteousness to prolong our lives. So do not kill (“destroy”) yourself in trying to do so. You can count only on God, and it is up to him whether life is long or short, hard or easy.” v.17 - Avoid wickedness and foolishness. “…while some sin in everyone’s life is inevitable, those who embrace evil as a way of life are destroyed by it.” (Garrett) v.18 - Live in the fear of God. Take hold of this! Don’t withdraw your hand from this! Moderation is the key. Otherwise, in the legalistic approach, we become self-righteous. Or, in the antinomian approach (against the law), we become fools who live unto wickedness. The moderate or “middle of the road” approach is to live in the fear of God. This is to know that He is God and you are not. It is to hold Him in awe for His attributes — Who He Is. Fear of God is respect for His mighty and awesome power. “To fear God is to revere God.” (Ryken) Wiersbe said, “we should take hold of true righteousness and should not withdraw from true wisdom, and the way to do it is to walk in the fear of God.” Proverb 9:10a, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” 1 Corinthians 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” Solomon’s wisdom, shared with us even now, is to combine the fear of God with true enjoyment of the good things of life. v.19-22 — Solomon, who has seen it all, also observes that everyone sins. Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:10, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” v.21-22—We must accept that all are sinners and learn to deal with people as they are. v.21—take criticism in stride. Spurgeon said, “have one blind eye and one deaf ear. You cannot stop people’s tongues, and therefore the best thing to do is to stop your own ears and never mind what is spoken.” v.22—remember that you too are a critic at times. In his “Resolutions” Jonathan Edwards resolved “never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the Golden Rule.” Make sure that your words pass a couple tests before you speak: Would I say this if that person could hear me say it, and is this the way that I would say it? Am I saying this for the glory of God and for the love of my brother, or am I only saying it to vent my own frustration? There is great wisdom in being honest about our own sin nature. Ills: In 1908, The Times newspaper asked a few authors to contribute on the topic “What’s wrong with the world?” G. K. Chesterton submitted the briefest response. He wrote: “Dear Sirs, I am. Sincerely yours, G. K. Chesterton.” MacArthur writes, “Since you have many offensive words to be forgiven, don’t keep strict accounts of other’s offensive words against you.” v.23-29 — Solomon, who has seen it all, and observes that everyone sins, contemplates a third thing: the fall of humanity. Verses 23–25 indicate his determination to understand human behavior. Verses 26–28, Present folly (the opposite of wisdom, foolishness) as a harlot. Verse 29 brings the conclusion — God made man upright, but he is now fallen. “Knowing God without knowing our own wretchedness makes for pride. Knowing our own wretchedness without knowing God makes for despair. Knowing Jesus Christ strikes the balance because he shows us both God and our own wretchedness.” (Blaise Pascal)