• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"Better to go to the house of mourning"

Text: Ecclesiastes 7:2

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF COMPARISONS

Solomon made use of a form of reasoning to comprehend a subject he was studying. Comparisons can be very helpful. But it must be used wisely in order for it to be effective.

“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 take it to heart.”
Ecclesiastes 7:2

1. “Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting”

a) The things that were being compared:

i) The house of mourning

ii) The house of feasting

b) Not missing the point:

i) The value is not in the object itself.

ii) A house is simply a house.

iii) A house of mourning is in itself not a different type of house.

iv) A house of feasting is not wrong in itself.

c) Where the danger may lie:

i) Feasting may become the focus of life.

ii) One may be overly caught up with feasting.

d) The point of comparison must be carefully comprehended.

2. There are lessons that may be learned when one goes to the house of mourning

a) One is reminded of the fragility of life.

b) One cannot but note that death is the end of all men.

c) This is a sober truth that needs to be learned well.

3. “And the living will take it to heart”

a) The living would do well to take this lesson to heart.

b) Life should not be spent focusing on feasting.

c) Life is to be treasured and lived out well.