Better is the End than the Beginning - Ecclesiastes 7:8

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “surely oppression makes a wise man mad; and a gift destroys the heart” and in chapter seven and verse eight of his book Solomon said, “better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof” where we read,

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: 

and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

The verse reads, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof:” Solomon began with the words, “better is the end of a thing” or “good, pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuable exists the after part, latter time, last, hindmost and conclusion pertaining to an act, deed, speech or matter” “than the beginning” which means “compared to the initiation, start and first part of an act, deed, speech or matter”. Solomon said the conclusion of an act or matter is superior to the start or initiation of the same. 

The verse continues, “and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Solomon added the words, “and the patient in spirit” or “and the long suffering and slow to anger within their animation, vigor, vivacity, courage and disposition” “is better than” which means “exists as good, pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuable compared to” “the proud in spirit” or “the lofty, exalted and haughty within their animation, vigor, vivacity, courage and disposition”. Solomon said the person who is long-suffering and slow to anger is superior to the person who is exalted and haughty within their disposition. 

When we consider Solomon's words in this verse, we see how he deemed the conclusion of a matter to be superior to the start of it, and he thought the person who is long suffering exists in a more excellent manner compared to the person who is arrogant and haughty. (See Proverbs 16:18) God wants a personal relationship with us, and this is gained when we humble ourselves, repent of our sins and receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the wisdom to know about the “beginning and end” of pursuits as well as how to be long suffering rather than haughty in our souls and minds.  

Next time Solomon says, “be not hasty in your spirit to be angry”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".