**Why We Die Prematurely**
Ecclesiastes 7:16-17
NIV
Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise-why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool-why die before your time?
Oh, so you can die before your time! Did you know this? I am sure you’ve been to some funerals that you yourself have said “This guy has died too early !”
Even the posters you’ve seen in town announcing some deaths have on them “ Gone too soon!” Or “ What a shock !” Yes, that’s what it means. Yes, these are perceived to have died prematurely!
The writer lists things that can send you to your grave prematurely; read it again ;
Ecclesiastes 7:16-17
NIV
Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise-why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool-why die before your time?
Hmm “ overrighteous” “ overwise”
“overwicked” and finally “do not be a fool” wow I’ll need time to take these one after the other; unfortunately this is time which I don’t have.
What does it mean to be over righteousness, over wicked, as for “ foolishness “ you know it, if not from experience then at least through observation!
What you can take away from reading these is this, there are limits to everything; if you cross the set boundaries you’ll die prematurely! You’ll be gone too soon!
Unfortunately here is where we fail miserably , when we refuse to listen to advice from those who have run the race, travelled on that road before etc , we cross the set limits and as a result, die prematurely!
You only live here once! There is no spare life like an ECG prepaid lifeline credit! Though as humans through science we have created /develop human “spare parts” ( artificial teeth, limbs, eyes etc) we’ve not been successful in creating a spare life!
If you care to know the medicine/medications etc we take are only meant to extend our lives. That's all they do, to correct and reset some variables that have shifted as a result of something we have done to the body.
You may ask but why write this? Well, I’ve seen many reap unpleasant consequences of the failure to pay attention to the advice of the proverb writer.
Some were “overrighteous "; others were “ over wicked “ and some were simply “ foolish”.
Hmm, it’s not easy! Oh! Why die before your time?
If in doubt ignore warnings at a machine shop, rely on your limited, infantile knowledge or wisdom and see what will happen to you.
What is the conclusion, it is possible to die prematurely; this happens when we ignore set limits or rules. I pray that this write-up guides you as you walk this earth.
Do not be “ over righteous “. Do not be “ over wicked “ and finally do not be “ foolish “ Pause often to ask and examine yourself!
Part 2 later.