Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
(15) In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. (16) Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? (17) Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? (18) It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.
There are two major questions that arise in my mind from these passages written by the wisest of kings, Solomon. First si the question of why do some righteous folks perish, while evil ones thrive? It's a tough situation to understand but it is all down to GOD's master plan. Perhaps the prosperous evil-doers are just being provided enough rope, so to speak, while the righteous are being tested for greater purposes. The fact is, GOD's plan is beyond our human comprehension and if we follow the tenth commandment, the question loses any significance, in regards to the success of the wicked. In the case of the righteous, I can only admire those who are of strong faith that is steadfast even in the face of trials. I know that GOD os with them.
The second and more complex question is, how can someone be overly righteous. I think what Solomon is referring to maybe self-righteousness. We encounter many righteous and upstanding people in our Christian journeys. They are kind and selfless but we also (and I'm sure I speak for many) encounter those who are drenched in self-righteousness. They are forceful and judgemental. These are the people that believe they even have the right to kill in the name of GOD. Overly righteous leads to haughtiness and self service. It is not our right to judge in a spiritual sense. Of course we must judge for justice sake, those who have committed crimes against society but spiritually, judging is GOD's right and HIS right only.
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