Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 
Day 
Day 89

"Why were the former days better than these?"

Text: Ecclesiastes 7:10

LIVING IN THE PAST

It is common to hear people speaking nostalgically about the past. Many think that the past is always better than the present. This attitude continues to persist even today.

“Do not say,
‘Why were the former days better than these?’
For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.”
Ecclesiastes 7:10

1. “Do not say”

a) This is a word of admonition not to speak unwisely.
b) It is to be given due consideration.

2. “Why were the former days better than these?”

a) “The former days”
i) Essentially a reference to the old days.
ii) Memories of the “good old days” were etched in the heart and mind.
iii) They were there to stay.
iv) It is not wrong to have happy and good memories.
b) “Better than these”
i) This may not be an entirely correct statement.
ii) This statement may contain some elements of truth, but it is not entirely true.
iii) “Better” is a subjective word.
iv) Some things in the past were better.
v) But as always, some things in the past were not good.

3. “For you do not inquire wisely concerning this”

a) Solomon posits this thought that this line of inquiry is not wise.
b) It is valid to inquire about life.
c) But wisdom must be applied carefully.
d) A lack of wisdom would result in wrong conclusions.

4. “The former days”

a) It is good to have happy memories of the past.
b) But one must not live in the past.
c) One must learn to live in the present.
d) It is wise to look forward to the future too.

5. Our outlook of life

a) It is important to understand that change is a constant in life.
b) The present would soon become the past.
c) One must have wisdom to learn from the past.
d) The past teaches us lessons that would stand us in good stead as we live in the present and we face all the changes that will take place.