This chapter contains much wisdom regarding behavior. Again, we’ll only look at a snippet.
“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.” (v15-18)
The author has two scales here on which we can measure ourselves: wicked to righteous, and foolish to wise. We are cautioned against going to either extreme on either scale. The author surmises that either extreme on either scale will not prolong our lives or even improve our quality of life.
One might ask the obvious question “But, isn’t being wise and righteous better than being foolish and wicked?” Again, we must look at context. The author’s next thought gives away what he means: “…for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.” I’m thinking this means the ‘wisdom’ and ‘righteousness’ mentioned in this context is not from God, meaning it is worldly wisdom and self-righteousness. In that context, the wisdom and righteousness of this world, are synonymous with foolishness and wickedness – one is not any better than the other.
I encourage us to follow the author’s suggestion and “fear God”. That is the only way we will ever attain true wisdom and righteousness – not from our own works, but as free gifts available to us through Jesus’ payment of our sin. Receiving God’s free gifts of true wisdom and righteousness sets us free from worldly ways, and they are infinitely better than anything this world can offer.
Father God, our Glorious and Righteous Lord, we praise Your holy name. You bless us with free gifts of abundant wisdom and righteousness. These blessings are made possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection paying the penalty for our sin. Please guide us in Your ways, differentiating us from the ways of this world, so we may bring glory to Your name, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training