ECCLESIASTES 7

WISDOM AND FOOLISHNESS

In this chapter, the Teacher starts by contrasting wisdom and foolishness. He makes an unpopular observation, pointing out the value of mourning and sadness. Without sadness, there is no way to comprehend joy. Wise people are able to enter into mourning with the grieving; only fools laugh things off and pretend to be fine. The Teacher also values patience and humility, saying that whoever is patient will be better off than those who are quick to act pridefully. 

The Teacher acknowledges that life is unfair. Sometimes the righteous die young while the evil prolong their lives. There is no perfect formula for how to make life work out for you. The chapter ends with a reminder that God made humanity without sin, but our schemes caused the problems we are experiencing. 

Ecclesiastes 7:14 - When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other.