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"And I find more bitter than death"

Text: Ecclesiastes 7:26

SOLOMON’S DILEMMA

If there is one area of understanding that was sorely lacking, it would be with reference to his knowledge of the womenfolk. This statement underscores his misgivings about them.

“And I find more bitter than death
The woman whose heart is snares and nets,
Whose hands are fetters.
He who pleases God shall escape from her,
But the sinner shall be trapped by her.”
Ecclesiastes 7:26

1. “And I find more bitter than death”

a) The subject of “death” had caused much sorrow to Solomon.

b) He could not fully come to terms with the idea of “death” and how it was so final!

c) But there was something that made him “more bitter” than thoughts of death.

2. “The woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are fetters”

a) This was what stumped Solomon.

b) He described this woman in the following ways:

i) Her heart was described as “snares” and “nets”.

ii) Her hands were compared to “fetters” (chains).

3. The identity of this woman

a) Solomon was not a misogynist (a hater of women).

b) He did not identify this woman specifically.

c) He may have come across such women in his vast contacts.

d) This woman, in modern day language would be:

i) Scheming

ii) Conniving

iii) Cunning

iv) Untrustworthy

4. “He who pleases God shall escape from her”

a) He had to bring the Lord into the picture.

b) He could not think of how anyone could escape from the clutches of this evil woman.

c) Only God could provide an escape from her.

5. “But the sinner shall be trapped by her”

a) The sinful person will be trapped by her evil wiles.

b) This sinner would also be:

i) Naive

ii) Foolish

iii) Not God-fearing, thus he did not plead for divine deliverance.