Instrument-4-Christ

Even though I took verses 8 and 9 individually, I think I need to include those verses again with verse 10 when I look at it.

The entire excerpt of Ecclesiastes says, “The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.”

Verse 8 says, “The end of a thing is better than its beginning.” Then verse 10 says, “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?'” This is where the sovereignty of God comes in and plays a huge role. As discussed a couple days ago, the end of something is often better than its beginning, but it also depends largely on God’s will.

On the other hand, when difficult times come, we tend to look at our present situations and say, “Things were better in the past. Things were better in the beginning than they are now.” But when we say that, we are often acting on impulse, failing to consider all the aspects of a situation.

We tend to look at things now with a discontented spirit and forget that God allows difficult times and works through them for our good. We are quick to get angry when things set us off because we don’t take the whole situation into consideration and remember God’s role in our lives.

But a wise person remembers the greatness of God and relies on His wisdom and knowledge. We know that God uses all things for His glory so that the end result of all things worships Him. Therefore, when we are faced with difficult situations, we need to exemplify self-control over our emotions. We must also remember that God is at work so that everything that happens is in His plan.

In my own life, I must consider God and His will instead of considering my situation and what I see. That’s true faith, and true faith is wisdom.

When life becomes harder than before,
And past days seem better than these,
A wise man will consider God more,
For His will is more than man sees.

“Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.”

So I’m wondering if Solomon is saying this from his database of wisdom or if it comes from a reflection on a life full of anger. I’m not sure. Of course he wrote similar things in Proverbs, but the context of Ecclesiastes comes from personal experience, so perhaps Solomon struggled with anger on multiple occasions.

Either way, Solomon brings out a great truth. Those who are quickly angered are fools. Yes, there are times to be angry for good reasons and with proper motives, but anger is usually sinful, especially when it comes upon a person hastily.

Do I control my emotions well by allowing God to take hold of them? Or am I a fool, hastening to be angry? Do I have good reasons when I get angry, or am I oversensitive to anything that doesn’t go my way?

I’m reminded of Ephesians 4:26: “‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” Those are some good things to think about as I examine my life.

A fool is he who angers fast,
And more so he whose anger is wrong.
Control yourself till all is past;
Show forth Christ and suffer long.