Compare Ecclesiastes 7:29 with Genesis 1:31 on God's creation of humanity. Setting the Scene • Scripture gives two clear snapshots of humanity’s beginning. • Genesis 1:31 shows the moment creation was completed. • Ecclesiastes 7:29 reflects on humanity’s present condition in light of that beginning. God’s Original Verdict: “Very Good” “And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:31) • “Very good” includes moral goodness—there was no sin, corruption, or flaw. • Humanity, fashioned in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), shared in that goodness: – Reflecting God’s character. – Exercising righteous dominion over creation (Psalm 8:5-6). • The environment matched the people: paradise without curse (Genesis 2:8-9). Made Upright: The Designer’s Intent “Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” (Ecclesiastes 7:29) • “Upright” (Hebrew: yashar) conveys moral straightness, integrity, innocence. • Solomon affirms the original design—nothing defective in God’s workmanship. • Humanity’s deviation came later, not from creation itself. What Went Wrong? Humanity’s Schemes • The shift from “very good” to scheming occurred in Genesis 3: – The serpent’s temptation (Genesis 3:1-5). – Adam and Eve’s disobedience (Genesis 3:6-7). • Consequences spread to all people (Romans 5:12): – “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) – The heart became “deceitful above all things.” (Jeremiah 17:9) • “Schemes” denote self-invented paths—attempts to redefine good and evil apart from God. Bringing the Two Verses Together • Genesis 1:31 shows perfection in origin; Ecclesiastes 7:29 explains present distortion. • Both verses uphold God’s flawless creative act. • The discrepancy lies solely in human choice: upright creation versus chosen crookedness. • God remains consistent; humanity changed. Implications for Believers Today • Acknowledge the dignity of every person—created “upright,” bearing God’s image (James 3:9). • Recognize the universal bent toward “many schemes” that needs redemption (Ephesians 2:1-3). • Celebrate God’s remedy: – “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22) – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) • Live out restored uprightness: – “Created in Christ Jesus for good works.” (Ephesians 2:10) – Walk in the Spirit, not the flesh (Galatians 5:16-25). |
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