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"Why should you die before your time?"

Text: Ecclesiastes 7:17

THE USE OF THE WORD “OVERLY”

Solomon used the word “overly” once again. What does this adverb mean? It suggests the idea of being “excessive”. This word is applied to two things in this verse.

“Do not be overly wicked,
Nor be foolish:
Why should you die before your time?”
Ecclesiastes 7:17

1. “Do not be overly wicked”

a) What this statement does not mean:

i) It does not mean that it is all right to be “a little wicked”.

ii) Wickedness is evil and it cannot be justified.

b) The problem of being “overly wicked”:

i) Wickedness can take many forms.

ii) Wickedness can become excessive indeed.

c) Some expressions of being “overly wicked”:

i) Brutality

ii) Cruelty

iii) Murder

iv) Mercilessness

d) These can cause:

i) Trauma

ii) Damage

iii) Devastating effects on the victims and families

2. “Nor be foolish”

a) The word “overly” must be borne in mind.

b) To be “foolish” is bad enough.

c) It is not necessary to add the adverb “overly”.

3. “Why should you die before your time?”

a) The idea of “death”.

i) It hints at human revenge.

ii) It also hints at God’s divine justice.

b) When people become “overly wicked”

i) It may spark rebellion.

ii) It can cause people to take revenge on the wicked.

c) Divine justice can also be contemplated.

i) God may end the life of the wicked abruptly.

ii) It is the prerogative of God to take action as He sees fit.

d) “Before your time”

i) There is the “normal” life span.

ii) The “overly wicked” person may not enjoy the full life span.

e) Wisdom is needed.

i) It does not mean that a person who dies “before his time” is wicked.

ii) There are people who die before their time who are not “overly wicked”.

iii) Life and Death are complex concepts that cannot be simplistically stated.