Ecclesiastes 7
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Once there was a very wise man. His name was Solomon. He liked to sit still and think.
Solomon thought about smells. A good name, he said, smells better than perfume. Sniff, sniff, so sweet.
Then Solomon walked to two houses. In one house, people were laughing loud. Ha, ha, ha! In the other house, people were crying softly. Solomon stopped by the crying house. He listened. He said it is good to go there too, not only to the loud house. Tears can make a heart soft and kind.
Solomon heard sticks crackling under a pot. Crack, crack, crackle! Then the fire went out. He said foolish laughing is just like that. Loud, then gone.
What Does This Mean?
Solomon kept thinking. He said, don't get angry too fast. A patient heart is better than a proud, stomping heart. Solomon said wisdom is like a strong roof over your head. It keeps you safe, like money keeps you safe, but even better.
He looked at the sky. Some days were sunny and warm. Other days were dark and hard. Solomon said, look, God made both kinds of days. The happy ones and the hard ones. He puts them side by side.
The Common Thread
Solomon looked back, all the way to the beginning. He said, God made people good. Upright, like a tree standing straight and tall. That is how it started, very good, very straight.
But Solomon saw that people bend. They get crooked. Nobody stays perfectly good, not one. Solomon looked and looked for someone truly good, but he could not find that person by himself.
That is why we need Jesus. He is the one truly good, truly straight man Solomon was searching for. He came to make crooked hearts straight again.
For You
Do you know someone who feels sad today? Solomon says you can sit next to them. You do not have to say anything funny. You can just be there, quiet, like sitting close on a big soft chair. That is being wise, like Solomon.
And when something makes you angry, take a big breath first. Count to three. Solomon says that is better than shouting fast.
God sees your happy days. He sees your hard days too. He holds your hand on both kinds of days.
Talk About It
Can you think of someone who is sad? What could you do for them today?
What do you do when you feel very angry? What could you try instead of shouting?
Praying Together
Dear God, Thank You for happy days. Thank You for being near on hard days too. Help me be patient, not quick to shout. Thank You that Jesus makes crooked hearts straight. Amen.
Questions about Ecclesiastes 7
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Ecclesiastes 7 about?
What does Ecclesiastes 7 say?
What does Ecclesiastes 7 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Ecclesiastes 7?
Why is Ecclesiastes 7 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the living should take this to heart." Funerals tell the truth parties can't. Standing by a grave, you finally count your days honestly. What would you stop postponing if you let that room teach you?
Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?" Strange advice, until you meet the person it describes. Exhausted from measuring. Always one prayer short of enough. The Preacher isn't telling you to love God less. He's telling you to stop auditioning for a place grace already gave you.
That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?" Solomon had every resource, every hour, every book, and still stood at the edge of a depth he could not measure. Maybe the question you keep turning over at night was never meant to be solved by you. Some things are not puzzles to crack. They are deeps to be trusted to God.
Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding." Notice who falls here. Not the fool. The wise one. Wisdom isn't a trophy on a shelf, it can be quietly bought. So ask yourself what small favor, what kept comfort, has made you look away lately. Name it honestly.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
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