Day 139, Year 1

Seeing Through Life and Death with Wisdom

“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:4 NKJV)

Why would the hearts of the wise be “in the house of mourning”? There are a few possibilities. First, a house of mourning often needs companionship, comfort, and assistance, and the wise naturally want to offer help to them. While “the path of life leads upward for the wise” (Proverbs 15:24a), they still care for this earthly world. With the wisdom to see through life and death, they are able to comfort those who mourn the loss of a loved one and share their wisdom of life appropriately. 

Second, we could learn lessons through reflecting on the lives of the deceased and grow in wisdom in the house of mourning. This is not only about learning from the deceased, but also about pondering God’s work in their lives. Some deaths only leave people with doubts and sorrow, while some could help us understand the meaning of “reaping what you sow.” Some Hong Kong people believe that the wicked would either die by accident or suffer torment near the point of death. Anyway, a detailed understanding of the deceased could often be rewarding.

Third, people could meditate on the meaning of death. Thinking about human death could help us recognize the fragility of life and the transitory nature of human existence in this world. This awareness encourages us to reflect on the meaning and value of life, prompting us to seize opportunities more wisely rather than taking them for granted. Such reflection often empowers us to step away from social trends, vainglory, or fortune, allowing us to take death seriously and respect our lives. In contrast, fools pursue mirth, immediate gratification, and even wicked pleasure, which leads them to miss opportunities for deep reflection and a true understanding of life’s meaning.

Fourth, people could reflect on the destination of the deceased. As mentioned previously, wisdom leads the wise away from Sheol. Through the above reflections, we might come to understand the afterlife. The righteous who depart this life under God’s salvation often leave behind a sense of peace, tranquility, and wisdom. In contrast, the wicked often leave behind a sense of gloom and darkness. Thus, many religions view death as the entrance to the afterlife. Indeed, contemplating death could prompt us to reflect on the entirety of life and its meaning, encouraging us to look to eternity, seize every opportunity to trust in and rely on God, to strive for honesty, righteousness, and justice, and thus receive His eternal blessings.

Reflection questions:

1) Have you ever learned any life lessons from the deceased? If so, what were they?

2) Do you think thinking about death could help us regain virtues such as righteousness, honesty, and justice? Why?