Worship for Today: "Here is a trustworthy saying"...

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Ecclesiastes 7:16-18,"

 

Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes."

 

"Moderation in all things..." Here is a passage that is sure to perplex the do-gooders among us. Solomon says that being "overrighteous" and "overwicked" result in destruction, premature death. What are we to make of such a passage?

 

Surely, if doing something that is "righteous" is a good thing, then doing it more so, has to be better? I suspect there is little controversy over the dangers of being "overwicked". But the thought, "It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other" can be perplexing as well. The God fearer who avoids all extremes is a comment that certainly has the the ring of wisdom to it, but what to make of the other statements?

 

While I can see that most good or righteous traits become bad traits when exercised to the extreme (e.g. thrift becomes miserliness, tolerance becomes acquiescence, etc.) these verses certainly challenge me.

 

For me, shrugging off Solomon as an old man and unreliable in this book will never do as I struggle in my understanding of it. I am reminded that "All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16. Peter tells me that what Solomon had to write here was provided by the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:20-21. I will embrace what the Scriptures have to say and recognize that I'm somewhat slow and somewhat of a plodder when it comes to understanding many passages I read. Although I take little comfort in my ability to understand the Scriptures, I take great assurance in what God does have to say. My understanding may be unreliable at times, but God is always reliable and truthful in what he has to say.

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com