Homilist Ecclesiastes 7:29 See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. I. MAN'S PRIMITIVE INNOCENCE. II. MAN'S ACQUIRED SIN. 1. It is striking to observe that "many inventions" is in the plural. Righteousness is spoken of as oneness, singleness of heart. But the ways of sin are many. 2. These ways are of man's seeking — sought out. All men have followed the example of Adam, seeking ways of happiness beyond what God has prescribed for them. True happiness is only to be found in His service, and if man seeks it elsewhere he will be disappointed. III. LESSONS. 1. The folly of palliating our condition, or assuming a character we do not possess. A man's character may possess much that is lovely, but the best are fallen creatures. 2. The folly of casting the blame of our sinfulness on God. God originally made man upright. 3. The folly of supposing that we can recover ourselves from the fall. 4. The blessedness of comparing our own folly with the wisdom of God, and our present wretched condition with that which He has provided. He can restore and recover us through the sacrifice of Christ, and His vicarious atonement on our behalf. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.WEB: Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they search for many schemes." |
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