THE END OF A THING IS BETTER THAN THE BEGINNING- -ECCLESIASTES 7:8

THE END OF A THING IS BETTER THAN THE BEGINNING

ECCLESIASTES 7:8

Ecclesiastes 7:8, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”

Introduction:

Let the “WISE” wait for "THE END," and the "OPPRESSIONS" which now (in "THE BEGINNING") PERPLEX their faith, will be found by God’s working TO BE OVERRULED to their good. “Tribulation worketh patience” (Romans 5:3), which is infinitely better than "the proud spirit" that prosperity might have generated in them, as it has in fools, Psalms 73:2-3, “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3- For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” ---Jamison, Fausett, Brown Commentary.

I. OUR LORD’S BEGINNING

A. He was despised and rejected of men, Isaiah 53:3, “He is DESPISED and REJECTED OF MEN; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

1. He was a MAN OF SORROWS, Isaiah 49:7, “Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom MAN DESPISETH, to him whom THE NATION ABHORRETH, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.”

2. He was ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF, Psalms 22:7-8, “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8- He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.”

a. His NAME became a BYWORD, Psalms 69:12, “They that sit in the gate SPEAK AGAINST ME; and I was the SONG OF THE DRUNKARDS.”

b. He was mistreated by men, Matthew 26:67, “Then did they SPIT in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,”

B. AS HE IS, SO ARE WE also in this world, 1 John 3:13, “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.”

1. You must BEAR THE CROSS, or you shall NEVER WEAR the CROWN, Luke 9:23, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, and follow me.”

2. You must WADE THROUGH THE MIRE, or you shall NEVER WALK THE GOLDEN PAVEMENT, Philippians 1:29, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, NOT ONLY TO BELIEVE ON HIM, but also to SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE;”

II. OUR LORD’S ENDING

A. His SUFFERING and DEATH brought US TO GOD, 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

B. His LOVE for mankind brought ETERNAL LIFE, Romans 5:21, “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

1. In His Love Jesus redeemed man, Isaiah 63:9, “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.”

2. He loved us when we were yet sinners, Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

C. His DEDICATION TO DO the Father’s WILL gave us a MANSION in heaven, John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many MANSIONS: if it were not so, I would have told you. I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU. 3-And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

1. He came to do the Father’s will, Hebrews 10:7, 9, “Then said I, Lo, I COME (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) TO DO THY WILL, O God. 9- Then said he, Lo, I COME TO DO THY WILL, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.”

2. He was obedient unto death, Philippians 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH, even the death of the cross.”

D. His dedication to do the Father’s will BROUGHT PEACE, Colossians 1:20, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

1. He is the LORD OF PEACE, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “How the LORD OF PEACE himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.”

2. His messenger brings Grace and Peace from the Father, Philemon 1:3, “Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

CONCLUSION

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES

Introduction:

“This is the book of man "under the sun," reasoning about life; it is the best man can do, with the knowledge that there is a holy God, and that He will bring every-thing into judgment. The key phrases are "under the sun;" "I perceived"; "I said in my heart." Inspiration sets down accurately what passes, but the conclusions and reasonings are, after all, man’s. That those conclusions are just in declaring it "vanity" in view of judgment, to devote life to earthly things, is surely true; but the "conclusion" (Ecclesiastes 12.13) is legal, the best that man apart from redemption can do, and does not anticipate the Gospel.” --- Scofield.

For a more extensive and interesting introduction to this book see Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Name: Borrowed from the Septuagint. In the Hebrew Bible it is called "Koheleth." The meaning of this word is somewhat disputed, but it is rendered in the English version Preacher, or one who addresses an assembly.

Authorship: Solomon, Ecclesiastes 1:1-2. Many of the experiences related seem to correspond to those likely to have happened in his life, judging from the bare outline of his history found in the Bible.

Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Key Words: “Vanity,” and “under the sun,” —each expression occurs more than twenty-five times.

Contents:

“The general scope and design of it is to expose the vanity of all worldly enjoyments; to show that a man’s happiness does not lie in natural wisdom and knowledge; nor in worldly wealth; nor in civil honor, power, and authority; nor in the mere externals of religion; but in the fear of God, and the worship of him. It encourages men to a free use of the good things of life in a moderate way, with thankfulness to God; to submit with cheerfulness to adverse dispensations of Providence; to fear God and honor the king; to be dutiful to civil magistrates, and kind to the poor; to expect a future state, and an awful judgment; with many other useful things.” ---John Gill’s Expositor.

At last he seems to emerge from his speculations and doubts, and reaches the noble conclusion in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.”

A Brief Summary of the Book:

Chapters 1-2:

1) Introduction. Reflection of the monotonous round of life, Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.

2) The Search of the natural man for his satisfaction and happiness. .

a. It is NOT to be found in the acquisition of wisdom, Ecclesiastes 1:12-18.

b. It is NOT to be found in worldly pleasure, Ecclesiastes 2:1-3.

c. It is NOT to be found in art or agriculture, Ecclesiastes 2:4-6.

d. It is NOT to be found in great possessions, Ecclesiastes 2:7-11.

3) Conclusions:

a. The wise man is superior to the fool, Ecclesiastes 2:12-21.

b. There is nothing better than to eat and drink “that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour,” but not in an immoderate and voluptuous manner, like the epicure and the atheist, Ecclesiastes 2:24-26.

Chapter 3: The natural man’s view of the weary round of life.

1) There is a time for everything, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

2) The conclusion “that a man should rejoice in his own works,” Ecclesiastes 3:13-22.

Chapter 4:

1) The study of the Social Evils apart from faith, Ecclesiastes 4:1-15.

2) Conclusion, all is vanity and vexation of spirit, Ecclesiastes 4:16.

Chapter 5:

1) Some rules and directions concerning the worship of God, Ecclesiastes 5:1-7.

2) The vanity of riches, Ecclesiastes 5:9-17.

3) The conclusion is, —“To make use of the creatures God has given for service in a free and liberal manner, without excess, and with moderation; and not deprive a man’s self of those things he may lawfully partake of, and are necessary for him: to do this is good for himself, and for the health of his body; and is right in the sight of God, and is comely before men; it is not only lawful, but laudable.” ---John Gill’s Expositor. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20.

Chapter 6: The vanity of long life, Ecclesiastes 6:3-12.

Chapter 7:

1) A series of wise sayings, Ecclesiastes 7:1-24.

2) Conclusions concerning the evil woman, Ecclesiastes 7:25-28.

Chapter 8:

1) Civil duties, Ecclesiastes 8:1-5.

2) The uncertainty of life, Ecclesiastes 8:6-8.

3) The certainty of Divine judgment and the injustices of life, Ecclesiastes 8:10-14.

4) Epicurean (a person dedicated to sensual enjoyment) conclusion, Ecclesiastes 8:15.

5) The work of God and man, Ecclesiastes 8:16-17.

Chapter 9:

1) Like things happen to the righteous and the wicked, Ecclesiastes 9:1-9.

a. Death is certain, it is the demerit of sin, the appointment of God and the time of it is fixed.

b. Man is a creature of circumstances.

2) If a man has a wife he ought to love her as his own flesh, to take delight in her company, be pleasant with her, and rejoice in her, v. 9; Proverbs 5:18-19.

3) Wisdom is preeminent though often unappreciated, Ecclesiastes 9:13-18.

Chapter 10: Various wise sayings, the contrast between wisdom and folly, &c.

Chapter 11:

1) Advices concerning benevolences, Ecclesiastes 11:1-6.

2) Advice to the young, Ecclesiastes 11:9-10.

Chapter 12:

1) The troubles and inconveniences of old age, Ecclesiastes 12:1-7.

2) The closing words of the preacher and the final conclusion concerning the highest duty of man, Ecclesiastes 12:8-14.