Ecc 6:10-7:22 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Eccl 6:10-7:22: 6:10–7:22 God’s sovereign rule over everything is sobering, but it is ultimately a source of hope. 6:10 Everything has already been decided: Cp. Rom 8:29 ; Eph 1:5 , 11 . • It was known long ago what each person would be: Cp. Ps 139:15-16 . • no use arguing with God about your destiny: Cp. Rom 9:20-24 .

Summary for Eccl 6:10-7:22: 6:10–7:22 ^a God’s sovereign rule over everything is sobering, but it is ultimately a source of hope. 6:10 ^b Everything has already been decided: Cp. Rom 8:29 ^c; Eph 1:5 ^d, 11 ^e.

• It was known long ago what each person would be: Cp. Ps 139:15-16 ^f.

• no use arguing with God about your destiny: Cp. Rom 9:20-24 ^g.
6:11 ^h more words ... the less they mean: Cp. Prov 10:19 ⁱ; 17:28 ^j.
6:12 ^k who knows? Who can tell? These questions have already been answered. Our days can best be spent in wise living and in enjoying our work and God’s gifts (2:13-14 ^l, 24 ^m; 3:22 ⁿ; 5:18 ^o). What will happen on this earth is what has already happened (1:9 ^p, 10 ^q; 3:15 ^r).

• like a shadow: Cp. Pss 39:4-6 ^s; 90:3-6 ^t, 10-12 ^u; 109:23 ^v; 144:4 ^w.

‏ Ecclesiastes 7:1-22

Summary for Eccl 7:1-4: 7:1-4 ^x These proverbs are similar to the sayings in the book of Proverbs. 7:1 ^y The effort to pursue luxuries such as costly perfume is better spent seeking a good reputation for wisdom and righteousness (Prov 22:1 ^z; 28:6 ^aa).

• the day you die is better than the day you are born: There is a sense of relief when the troubles of life are over. The difficulties of life can make one look forward to the peace of death (Eccl 1:18 ^ab; 2:22 ^ac; 4:2-3 ^ad; 12:1 ^ae).
Summary for Eccl 7:2-6: 7:2-6 ^af Frivolous merry-making is foolish when wisdom demands sobriety about death (see also 2:12-13 ^ag).
Summary for Eccl 7:3-4: 7:3-4 ^ah refining influence: Thinking soberly about death leads us to see the severity of God’s curse on sin and convinces us of the need to enjoy life wisely (9:10 ^ai).
Summary for Eccl 7:5-6: 7:5-6 ^aj Being praised by a fool and enjoying a fool’s laughter are short-lived and worthless. Being criticized by a wise person can lead to real gain (Prov 17:10 ^ak).
7:8 ^al Finishing a project by exercising patience is better than starting a project with the pride of boastful words.
7:9 ^am anger labels you a fool: Cp. Prov 14:29 ^an; 29:11 ^ao; see thematic note for Anger at end of chapter.
Summary for Eccl 7:11-12: 7:11-12 ^ap Wisdom and money are powerful means to bring us benefit.

• but only wisdom can save your life: See 7:17 ^aq; Prov 10:2 ^ar; 11:4 ^as.
7:13 ^at God’s sovereign acts are irresistible; it is useless to counter or avoid his purposes.
7:14 ^au Enjoying prosperity is beneficial, but such gifts are fleeting. The wise person accepts God’s sovereign hand in everything (cp. Phil 4:11-13 ^av).
7:16 ^aw However hard we work, we could always do more, and we can destroy ourselves in the process.
7:17 ^ax don’t be too wicked either: Wicked foolishness can lead to an early death (e.g., 1 Sam 25 ^ay).
7:19 ^az One wise person: E.g., see 9:14-15 ^ba; 2 Sam 20:15-22 ^bb.
7:20 ^bc Not a single person ... always good and never sins: Cp. 1 Kgs 8:46 ^bd; Prov 20:9 ^be; Rom 3:23 ^bf.
7:22 ^bg It is right to forgive and be gracious toward others’ indiscretions or slips of the tongue.