Bible Reading: Leviticus 24; Psalm 31; Ecclesiastes 7; 2 Timothy 3
Ecclesiastes 7:1-2 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
A good name means that others speak well of you. To have a good name shows that you have integrity and that you have dealt honestly. But how do you learn this? Solomon points out that you cannot learn this by going to celebrate birthdays. As a young person, you learn this valuable lesson at funerals. It is better he says to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. This is so absurd sounding to our ears that we have to step back and let God deal with us on this issue.
Our culture seeks to do away with death. Most people used to die in their homes. A person who was aged or infirm would be cared for by the extended family and they would die at home. If a doctor was available they made house-calls. Now, most people die in hospitals or nursing homes. Very few children are actually around a person in their last days of life. Because of this phenomenon, we have come to try and hide death. But the Bible says:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die.
Death is the end of all men (unless Jesus raptures us before the body dies 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). It is ok to attend birthday parties and they are good and fun but, we need a few funerals as well. From the house of mourning we learn truth.
We are reminded that we will die one day and we need to be ready for that day.
- We learn that those we know and love will die one day and we need to encourage them to be ready for that day.
How do you get ready to die? Ye must be born again! John 3:3,7 You need to be saved so that you will have the hope of being with Jesus.
- We also learn that a man may take only two things with him at death. He may take his relationship with Jesus and his eternal relationships with others.
Many times as you go to the house of mourning, you realize the tragedy of a wasted life. Many times you realize the blessedness of a life lived for Jesus Christ.
Will they be rejoicing that you are with Jesus when your day comes? (One important point – if you truly are a disciple of Jesus, not all men will speak well of you (Luke 6:26)).
In Christ,
Rody
