Ecclesiastes 7:15-24

"In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them. Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?" (Ecclesiastes 7:15-24, ESV)

I think the Preacher continues where he left off. Life is much more "crooked" then we are tempted to think. Righteous people die young sometimes, and wicked people sometimes live for a very long time. What is worse, righteousness itself can lead to a quick death (I think that is what “perishes in his righteousness” means), and wickedness is the means for prolonging life for some.

The Preacher then says some shocking things like, “Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?” Odd, to say the least. This statement is more for shock value, for he quickly encourages the reader again to get wisdom and fear God. What it seems the Preacher is concerned with is a kind of arrogance that assumes that total righteousness and grand wisdom is humanly attainable. He says, “Be careful about becoming too righteous (read “in your own eyes”), because there is no such thing as a righteous person who never sins.” Furthermore, “Do not go around offended at what others say about you, for you have said some pretty lousy stuff about others.” That is, don’t forget that you are just as unrighteous as they are. And the same goes for wisdom. Yes, seek wisdom. It is of tremendous value, but at the same time realize that most of wisdom is “deep, very deep.” So deep the Preacher asks, “Who can find it out?” Don’t ever think you’ve arrived at righteousness or at wisdom. No matter how much ground you gain you will never be near what you ought to be.

These words provide a helpful balance but one that is difficult to maintain. How do you seek wisdom and righteousness without feeling pretty proud of what you have attained. The Preacher’s response is simple, fear God. The fear of God is the foundation of humility. Your future is in his hands. Ultimately it is not your wisdom or your righteousness that will bring you meaning and life. It is God.