Ecclesiastes 7:15

2. This lesson is taught even when the opposite appears to be true. Ecclesiastes 7:15-18

a. The wicked are rewarded and the righteous suffer. Ecclesiastes 7:15

TEXT 7:15

15

I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 7:15

198.

What two crooked ways are apparent?

199.

What word qualifies lifetime?

PARAPHRASE 7:15

I have seen everything during my short stay on this earth! I have seen death come swiftly to cut off the righteous man in the midst of his righteous activities. I have seen the wicked man live for a long time in spite of his wickedness.

COMMENT 7:15

Can a man interpret the riddle of life which states that the innocent perish while the wicked prosper? He can if he is a wise man. Wisdom offers the advantage of looking beyond the apparent anomalies to the higher purposes of God.
Not only is life transitory and unfulfilling, it is also inconsistent. A wise man will acknowledge the inequities but he will not despair. He will remember that God controls the ultimate outcome.

There is a sense in which man receives an equitable return for his investment in life whether that investment is made in righteousness or in wickedness. (Cf. Proverbs 10:28; Proverbs 11:21) However, there are exceptions to the rule that Whatever a man sows he shall also reap. At the same time, the exceptions are but temporarythat is it only appears for a short time that the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper (Cf. Ecclesiastes 8:12-13). Solomon does not propose to his readers that they pursue wickedness because it pays or shun righteousness because suffering is often associated with it. He is still speaking to the theme of a good name. He points to the apparent reversal of the rules because this is a facet of life that wise men will eventually face. The next two verses in this chapter amplify his contention.

FACT QUESTIONS 7:15

359.

What riddle of life is stated?

360.

Why will a wise man not despair over the success of the wicked?

361.

Is Solomon suggesting that one pursue wickedness because it pays? Explain.

362.

What goal is Solomon still trying to achieve?