April 14: DAY OF DEATH
A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth. Ecclesiastes 7:1
The wisest, wealthiest, and most influential king in Israel’s history was the “Preacher” (1:1) addressing the congregation of God’s people. But for a lengthy period of years, Solomon abandoned the wisdom that God had so generously given him (see 2 Chronicles 1:10-12 and 1 Kings 11:1-11). Yet, by the end, Solomon finally learned the terrible emptiness of popularity, prestige, pleasure, and power “under the sun.” * Our fallen world elevates these as life goals. A cursory reading of our opening verse seems to raise a note of incongruity. So, why did King Solomon combine these two thoughts?
Could it be that he saw firsthand the devastation that his own wayward lifestyle had caused in the lives of others? At the end of his days, he surely desired for others to understand that faithfulness to the LORD is the only foundation for a good name, and a winning influence upon others. Our personal obedience to the Lord, by faith, has a wonderful potential to turn others toward their own spiritual healing, pointing wayward lives toward the Savior. Do you desire a good name in the eyes of the LORD, so that He can use you as a healing balm, or a precious ointment, for the souls of others? This kind of loving favor is infinitely greater than worldly popularity.
How could the day of death [be better] than the day of one’s birth? At the time of physical death, the direction that one has chosen for life will be irrevocable. If he has been committed to the upward call of Christ Jesus, each day of his life under the sun brings him to reflect God’s image more closely, because the faithful follower of Jesus has already died to sin, spiritually speaking. At physical death, such a one will continue to be safely hid with Christ as he leaves a legacy of encouragement to the living. The dreamless sleep of death will seem to him a mere moment—the twinkling of an eye—until Christ returns to call him forth from the grave with His [own] voice.
The years of life, and yes, even the day of death of the faithful bring glory to God. Do not forget how the resurrected Jesus, immediately after restoring Peter, explained to him that he would also be crucified: This He spoke, signifying by what death [Peter] would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” (John 21:19)
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15
* “under the sun”, used 27 times in Ecclesiastes, is Solomon’s unique way of referring to this fallen world
Also referenced: Proverbs 22:1; Philippians 3:14; 1 Peter 2:24; Colossians 3:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:52; John 5:28: