The Blessing of Patience · Day 2
Ecclesiastes 7:8-14 — a devotion
Ecclesiastes 7
- 8일의 끝이 시작보다 낫고 참는 마음이 교만한 마음보다 나으니Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
- 9급한 마음으로 노를 발하지 말라 노는 우매자의 품에 머무름이니라Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
- 10옛날이 오늘보다 나은 것이 어찜이냐 하지 말라 이렇게 묻는 것이 지혜가 아니니라Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.
- 11지혜는 유업 같이 아름답고 햇빛을 보는 자에게 유익하도다Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.
- 12지혜도 보호하는 것이 되고 돈도 보호하는 것이 되나 지식이 더욱 아름다움은 지혜는 지혜 얻은 자의 생명을 보존함이니라For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
- 13하나님의 행하시는 일을 보라 하나님이 굽게 하신 것을 누가 능히 곧게 하겠느냐Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked?
- 14형통한 날에는 기뻐하고 곤고한 날에는 생각하라 하나님이 이 두가지를 병행하게 하사 사람으로 그 장래 일을 능히 헤아려 알지 못하게 하셨느니라In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.
KJV and World English Bible — Public Domain · 개역한글 ⓒ Korean Bible Society
Background
Ecclesiastes is wisdom literature traditionally attributed to Solomon. As Israel's wisest king, Solomon recorded this book while exploring the meaning of life. Its audience is anyone who wrestles with life's fleetingness and its meaning. Chapter 7 sits in the middle of Ecclesiastes and gathers principles for wise living in a form much like Proverbs. Verses 8-14 in particular contain practical wisdom about patience and controlling anger, connected to the paradoxical teaching on sorrow and joy that comes just before. True to the wisdom-literature genre, it delivers life lessons drawn from observation and experience.
Reflection questions: 1. Have I judged something hastily or jumped to a conclusion recently? What was the result? 2. What comfort does it bring me that God has given both the good days and the hard days? 3. What small thing could I do today to cultivate a patient heart?
Today's reflection
In Ecclesiastes 7, Solomon declares that the end of a thing is better than its beginning. This means that patiently seeing something through to the end is worth more than a splendid start. He then draws a comparison — the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit — warning against haste and anger.
Theologically, this passage deals with patience and humility, core themes of wisdom literature. Solomon says that both the good days and the bad days of life are given by God, offering a balanced perspective that leans to neither side. In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity acknowledge God's sovereignty — that is the teaching.
To put it plainly, everyone wants to see results quickly. But Solomon says it is not wise to flare up in haste or to complain that the former days were better. Accepting this present moment within God is where true patience begins.
Is there something today that frustrates you because the results are not yet visible? The end of that matter may be better than its beginning. Why not set down your impatience, consider God's purpose in giving both good days and hard days, and spend today in gratitude?
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