As I read from the Barnes Notes Commentary, “The general
drift of the writer's counsels throughout the last six chapters, and
particularly in Eccl 7:1-22, points to wisdom united with the
fear of God as the ‘good for
man in this life.’ It is illustrated by frequent reference to, and contrast
with, that evil which consists of folly allied with wickedness.”
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary says:
“There are certain ways of living which are "better" than others. And so he gives his advice about how to find these.”
In these scriptures Solomon is defining the world of the
Christian by showing its extremes and then warning us not to go toward either.
One extreme is over righteousness or what we call self-righteousness; the kind
the Pharisees showed in Jesus’ day. The other extreme, of course, is sin or
wickedness. As at least one commentary points out, Solomon is actually speaking
to the wicked as he is speaking of that extreme. Notice first what the
commentaries say to the first phrase about righteousness:
--Be not righteous over much, for this will not
guarantee happiness.
--Be not righteous over much-forbidding a self-made righteousness of outward
performances, in which man knows not his sinfulness, and which would wrest
salvation from God, instead of receiving it as the gift of His grace.
--The Pharisees in Christ's days brought on themselves the destruction of their
nation and the temple by their self-seeking righteousness and pretentious
wisdom.
-- There cannot be over much of the
righteousness which is by faith. But there is over much of the righteousness
that consists in punctiliousness as to external ordinances, when these are
substituted for "the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, faith, and
the love of God" (Matt 23:23; Luke 11:42); and when they blind a man to his
utter guiltiness.
The last comment shows that we cannot have too much true righteousness. Clearly
Solomon is speaking of self-righteousness.
Now regarding being overly wise:
--Show not thyself wise beyond measure: why wilt
thou ruin thyself?
--Neither make thyself over wise presumptuously self-sufficient, as if
acquainted with the whole of the divine counsels.
--Make not thyself over-wise. Be not opinionative, and conceited of thy own
abilities. Set not up for a dictator, nor pretend to give law to, and give
judgment upon, all about thee. Set not up for a critic, to find fault with every
thing that is said and done, nor busy thyself in other men's matters, as if thou
knewest every thing and couldst do any thing.
Again, one cannot be over-wise in real wisdom. This phrase is speaking
of another form of self-righteousness and self-sufficiency. It is talking of the
attitude of being “holier than thou”, self-promotion and/or lording it over the
congregation.
Regarding the phrase: “why shouldest thou destroy thyself”, the meaning
is “make thyself desolate, so that thou shalt be obliged to stand alone.” When
one begins being self-righteous, self-sufficient, opinionated and conceited,
friends and members naturally pull away. The person becomes isolated and this
can lead to bitterness. Anyone falling into these traps is most assuredly in a
backsliding mode. One must repent of backsliding.
True wisdom and fear of God is what keeps us centered and far from the two
extremes and all their snares, traps and pitfalls. It is what keeps us to our
duty and moving forward in the Salvation Process. Notice the next three verses
in this passage:
It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw
not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. Wisdom
strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. For there
is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. --Eccl 7:18-20
Lesson 6: Instructions - Be not over righteous or wise.
Be not over much wicked.
1) Seek Godly wisdom.
2) Fully understand the meaning of “fear
and trembling.”
3) Develop and maintain your fear of God
4) Understand
how churches work
[Menu Item 10] and know that everyone in the Body of Christ is at different
levels of spiritual maturity.
5) Be knowledgeable of both extremes [self-righteousness and wickedness] and
avoid both by staying fully immersed in the Word of God.
back to Lesson 6