(“Some Things Are Better Than Others”) (III)

Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 (NASU)

5“It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man than for one to listen to the song of fools. 6For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool; and this too is futility.” (Ecclesiastes 7:5-6)

(A) A BRIEF LESSON ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BIBLE AND OTHER INTRODUCTORY MATTERS

(1) Most of you know the verse and chapter divisions found in our Bibles are not in the original texts – and therefore not inspired.

(a) I’ve read that the Old Testament was divided into unnumbered verses around 200 A.D – but that the chapter divisions you and I are familiar with in both Testaments weren’t “invented” (if you will) until a man named Stephen Langton came along in 1205 A.D. and put them into a Latin translation of the Bible known as the Vulgate.¹

(b) Some time later, a man named Robert Stephanus assigned numbers to the verse divisions found in the Old Testament, based on Langton’s chapter divisions. Then, while traveling from Paris to Lyons, France, he divided the New Testament into numbered verses, also using Langton’s chapter divisions.¹

Because he was traveling by horseback at the time, the quality of Stephanus’ work leaves a lot to be desired. As one writer said: “The verse divisions … frequently do not do service to the sense of the text. There is no consistent method at work in this system. Sometimes the verses coincide with a single sentence – sometimes they include several sentences – sometimes a single sentence is divided into two verses, with the result that the reader is often led to consider the second verse while forgetting the point of view of the first verse. Especially objectionable is the way … words introducing a direct quotation sometimes belong to the preceding verse and sometimes to the verse in which the quotation is found.”¹

(c) Despite these imperfections, however, the Bible’s chapter and verse divisions were basically in place by the late 1500’s – and today, you and I wouldn’t think of buying a Bible that didn’t have them, because they make it possible for us to find any passage of Scripture we want to read or study quickly and easily.¹

(2) Now I’ve told you all that to say this – at the end of chapter six Solomon asked two questions. The first being: “who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life?” – and the second being: “who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 6:12).

(a) I suggested in an earlier message that Solomon may be using the “better-than” proverbs at the start of chapter seven to answer these questions² (a possibility easily overlooked because of the chapter division). For example, verse one says: “A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth” – verse two says: “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting” – and verse three says: “Sorrow is better than laughter” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:1, 2a, 3a).

(b) Now most people would probably look at the two alternatives given in each of these “better-than” proverbs, and say Solomon got it backwards – that the day of our birth (for example) is far better than the day of our death –feasting is much better than mourning – and laughter is always preferred over sorrow.

(c) However, God knows better than we do what’s best for us. That’s because in a fallen world, where sinful men and women are naturally blind to spiritual truths (c.f. I Corinthians 2:14), the things we think are best for us often aren’t – while the things we think will be detrimental to us often turn out to be for our good. Hence, Solomon says in another place (not once, but twice) that: “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (c.f. Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).

(d) The idea there is no break in Solomon’s train of thought at the end of chapter six and the start of chapter seven is supported by the fact that the Hebrew word for “good” in Ecclesiastes 6:12, and the word for “better” used throughout tonight’s Scripture lesson are the same word³ – and among its various shades of meaning is the idea of that which is “beneficial”³ or “preferable”³ to something else. Hence, in tonight’s text, fifth verse, Solomon says: “It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man than for one to listen to the song of fools” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:5) – meaning (among other things) that listening to a reprimand from a wise man is “preferable” to singing songs with a fool, because the former will “benefit” us far more than the latter.

(e) Another piece of evidence supporting the idea that there is a connection between the end of chapter six and the beginning of chapter seven, relates to the second question Solomon asked – namely, “who can tell a man WHAT WILL BE AFTER HIM under the sun?” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 6:12c). Look at verse fourteen: “In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider – God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything THAT WILL BE AFTER HIM” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:14).

What do you notice? Do these two verses not function like a pair of “book-ends”? Don’t they both say that no man has any real idea what will happen “AFTER HIM”? No real idea what’s going to happen next? No idea whether tomorrow, or the day after, will be a “day of prosperity” or a “day of adversity”? (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:14).

(f) And since no one knows what God is going to bring into their life next, isn’t it better to listen to the voice of the “wise” (even when they “rebuke” us), than to the “song(s) (and) (crackling) laughter” of “fools” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:5-6) – i.e. the same people Scripture says: “hate knowledge” (c.f. Proverbs 1:22c) and “lack understanding” (c.f. Proverbs 10:21b) – the same people who “mock at sin” (c.f. Proverbs 14:9) and are “not rich toward God” (c.f. Luke 12:21) – people like those Paul spoke of in Second Timothy chapter three who are: ^{2“lovers of self, lovers of money … (and) 4lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God”}, even though some of them ^{5“(hold) to a form of godliness”} (c.f. II Timothy 3:1-5a)!

How much better it is (for example) to listen to the wisdom of God found in Scripture, and proclaimed by the mouth of His servants – than to listen to the so-called wisdom of men, proclaimed by the mouths of fools!

(B) WISE MEN AND FOOLS

(1) As we’ve already noted, one of the characteristics of tonight’s Scripture lesson is that it contains several comparisons between “wise men” and “fools” – the first coming in verse four where Solomon says: “The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, while the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:4).

(a) This is really a continuation of the theme we were looking at last time – namely, that in a fallen world, where it is “appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (c.f. Hebrews 9:27), (in such a world) “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:2a) – that given the brevity of this life (c.f. Psalm 39:4) and the length of eternity – given the fact there IS a heaven AND a hell – there is far more to be GAINED by going to a funeral than to a party⁴ – far more to be LOST by going to a “house of pleasure” than to “the house of (sorrow)” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:4).

(b) Hence, a “wise” man will not avoid “the house of mourning” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:4a) because (by God’s grace) he knows the importance of taking time to “reflect” on the reality of death – of taking time to consider what’s really going on when he stands beside the grave of someone he knew and/or loved – of “taking these things to heart” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:2d) while there’s still time to actually profit from them.

(c) On the other hand, a natural man (a.k.a. a “fool”) tries not to think about things like death, and God, and judgment, and eternity. That’s why his “mind” is in “the house of pleasure” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:4b) as much as possible – because things like “feasting” and “pleasure”, “songs” and “laughter” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:2b, 4b, 5b, 6b) distract him from doing any sober thinking about eternal matters.

(c) Sometimes “the house of pleasure” consists of nothing more than some form of denial – like when USA Today asked baseball manager Ozzie Guillan of the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox, what his thoughts were on death and the afterlife (don’t ask me why) – and he said: “I’d like to talk to someone who is dead and say, ‘Where are you?’ I just think that after you die, they pour a lot of dirt on you.”⁵

That kind of denial serves as an emotional, or rational, or even spiritual anesthetic. Denial keeps a person from having to deal with some of the harsh realities of the world we live in – it keeps a person from facing the ramifications of death – of having to feel the full effects of life in a fallen world – the same effects, by the way, that God sometimes uses to bring people to Christ, cause them to turn away from sin, and/or prepare them for eternity.

In short, then, it’s better to be a “wise men” who doesn’t avoid “the house of mourning” – than to be a “fool” who does.

(2) Moving on to our text, Solomon says: ^{5“It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man than for one to listen to the song of fools. 6For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool; and this too is futility”} (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:5-6).

(a) You will note Solomon said it’s “better to listen to a wise man’s rebuke, not easier”.⁶ Actually, you and I find it quite hard to be rebuked – even when we know we need it – even when we know we deserve it – even when we know we’re wrong.⁷ It’s hard for us to accept rebuke graciously – even when we know the person doing it loves us⁷ – when we know what they’re saying is true – even when we know the person rebuking us is wiser than we are.

There’s just something about being rebuked that rubs us the wrong way – that causes feelings of resentment and anger to rise up within us – that often leaves us feeling hurt and wounded. That “something” is usually our sinful pride. Most of us know we’re not perfect, we just don’t want someone else pointing it out – most of us know there are things in our life that need to be corrected, we just don’t want someone else doing the correcting for us – most of know we could use a good rebuke now and then, we just don’t someone to come along and actually do it.

(b) And yet, Scripture tells us that in a fallen world the right kind of rebuke or reproof is good for us – even a necessary requirement for our spiritual growth and maturity. Hence, we read: “he who ignores reproof goes astray” (c.f. Proverbs 10:17b) – and that, “he who hates reproof is stupid” (c.f. Proverbs 12:1b). On the other hand, “a rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool” (c.f. Proverbs 17:10) – and again: “open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed” (c.f. Proverbs 27:5, NKJV).

Elsewhere, Jesus said: “If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” (c.f. Luke 17:3) – and pastors are exhorted to: “preach the word … in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, (and) exhort, with great patience and instruction” (c.f. II Timothy 4:2) – in fact, among the things that makes Scripture “profitable” is the fact that it is good for “reproof (and) correction” (c.f. II Timothy 3:16).

(c) You may have noticed I said “the RIGHT kind of rebuke” is good for us. That’s because some rebukes are either unwarranted or poorly handled. As one writer said: “sometimes the hardest part of receiving a rebuke is discerning whether or not it comes from a wise person or a cranky critic.”⁹

Notice, then, that in tonight’s text, it’s the “rebuke of a WISE man” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:5) we’re told to listen to – not the rebuke of a fool. Hence, Scripture says elsewhere: “Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is A WISE MAN’S REBUKE to a listening ear” (c.f. Proverbs 25:11, NIV) – and Solomon’s father, David, made a similar point when he wrote: “Let A RIGHTEOUS MAN strike me – it is a kindness; let HIM rebuke me – it is oil on my head” (c.f. Psalm 141:5, NIV).

One writer said: “while it’s hard to take rebuke, even from a wise man – it’s harder still to find a wise man who is capable of giving it.”⁶ By faith (c.f. II Corinthians 5:7), we can be sure, however, that whatever rebukes our Wise Heavenly Father and Savior sends our way will ultimately be for our good (c.f. Romans 8:28). Hence, the Book of Hebrews reminds us: ^{5“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; 6for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives”} (c.f. Hebrews 12:5-6) (or, we could say, “who He saves”).

(d) Listening to “the song of fools” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:5) can be great fun (which is why so many foolish people are famous and/or draw big crowds). But, it’s hardly a sure-footed guide⁸ for determining what’s really important in life – how life should be lived – or preparing for one’s eternal future. One writer said: “the very expression ‘song of fools’ conjures up images of happy hour when drinks flow and the most threadbare joke can raise a roistering laugh”⁸ – which he goes on to equate with “the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:6).

One can’t help but wonder how much of what we call “entertainment” today is really “the song of fools” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:5) – either because the advice being given is foolish, if not actually sinful – or because repeated exposure anesthetizes us to reality, including spiritual realities.

Are the so-called “reality shows”, which seem to be so popular right now, truly “real” – are they actually about “reality”? Is life really about racing around the world in pairs hoping to win a million dollars? Is life really about trying to be the last so-called “survivor” on a remote island? Is life really about “dancing with the stars”? Or becoming the next “American Idol”?

(e) Regardless of what form it takes, Solomon says “the laughter of fools” is like “the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:6). If he had been living in Southern New Mexico, he might have said it’s like “throwing tumbleweeds on a campfire” – i.e. a brief burst of light – accompanied by lots of snapping and popping – and then nothing but fine ash which the wind quickly blows into oblivion.

In much the same way, the song of fools is more about sound than substance⁸ – the laughter of fools more about flash than anything of consequence – more about show than anything that really matters. Hence, Solomon said: “this too is futility” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:6).

(f) Elsewhere, the psalmist writes: ^{15“The idols of the nations are but silver and gold, the work of man’s hands. 16They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; 17they have ears, but they do not hear, nor is there any breath at all in their mouths”} – and then he says (and this is the point): ¹⁸Those who make them will be like them” (c.f. Psalm 135:15-18a).

In the same way, those who listen to “the rebuke of a wise man” will become wise – while those who “listen to the song of fools” will become foolish. Or, as the Scripture says elsewhere: “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (c.f. Proverbs 13:20).

Along these same lines, in Second Kings chapter seventeen, the Lord rebukes Israel for rejecting His covenant and His commands, saying at one point: “they followed vanity and became vain” – meaning that in the process of following the practices of pagans who lived nearby, they became like them (c.f. II Kings 17:15).

In the same way, those who “listen to the rebuke of a wise man” will become wiser in the process – while those who join fools in their “laughter and songs” will become fools themselves. Or again, as the Scripture says in another place: “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. (But) He who disdains instruction despises his own soul” (c.f. Proverbs 15:31-32a, NKJV).

(g) Recently I gave a young man this piece of advice (which I believe was wise counsel): “As a Christian, one of the most important choices we will ever make is who we decide to read” (i.e. which Christian commentators, writers, authors, etc.). That’s because we tend to start thinking like the people we choose to read.

In the same way, we tend to become like those we listen to and/or hang around¹⁰ – which is what Scripture means when it says: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’” (c.f. I Corinthians 15:33).

(h) In terms of tonight’s text, the lesson is this – if we “listen to the rebukes of wise men”, we will increase in wisdom – but, if we reject their counsel, choosing to listen to the songs and laughter of fools instead, we will become a fool.

Surely it’s better to be wise than foolish. But to do that, we have to be willing to “listen to the rebuke of a wise man (rather) than … the song of fools” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:5). So, to whom are you listening? May God graciously give us both the discernment AND desire to listen to the wisdom of the wise – even when it comes in the form of a rebuke.

#2896.

13:20; p. 949.