It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand (טוֹב אֲשֶׁר תֶּאֱחֹז בָּזֶה וְגַם־מִזֶּה אַל־תַּנַּח אֶת־יָדֶךָ, tov asher te'echoz bazeh vegam-mizeh al-tanach et-yadekha)—'This' refers to both previous warnings: avoid self-righteous excess (v. 16) AND avoid presumptuous wickedness (v. 17). 'Take hold' (te'echoz) and 'withdraw not thine hand' emphasize maintaining both principles simultaneously. Biblical wisdom requires balance, not extremes.
For he that feareth God shall come forth of them all (כִּי יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים יֵצֵא אֶת־כֻּלָּם, ki yere Elohim yetse et-kulam)—'Feareth God' (yere Elohim) is Ecclesiastes's summary of wisdom (12:13). 'Come forth' or 'escape' (yetse) means emerging safely from both dangers. The God-fearer navigates between legalism and license, self-righteousness and presumption. This is the 'narrow way' Jesus described (Matthew 7:13-14). Galatians 5:13-25 maintains this balance: 'walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.'
Historical Context
Biblical wisdom consistently seeks the balanced path between extremes. The Law avoided both ascetic severity and libertine excess. Proverbs warns against both poverty and riches (Proverbs 30:8-9). The prophets condemned both empty ritualism (Isaiah 1:11-17) and abandoning worship (Hosea 4:6). Jesus walked this path perfectly—friend of sinners yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15); full of grace AND truth (John 1:14). The early church navigated between Jewish legalism and Gentile antinomianism (Acts 15). Reformation theology rejected both works-righteousness and cheap grace. The Puritans pursued rigorous godliness while warning against legalistic bondage. This verse provides the interpretive key for understanding verses 16-17: neither self-righteous performance nor presumptuous sin pleases God. Only reverent, humble obedience born of faith.
Questions for Reflection
Do you tend toward legalistic self-righteousness or presumptuous license? How does the 'fear of God' correct your tendency?
What would balanced, grace-motivated obedience look like in the specific areas of your life where you struggle with extremes?
Analysis & Commentary
It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand (טוֹב אֲשֶׁר תֶּאֱחֹז בָּזֶה וְגַם־מִזֶּה אַל־תַּנַּח אֶת־יָדֶךָ, tov asher te'echoz bazeh vegam-mizeh al-tanach et-yadekha)—'This' refers to both previous warnings: avoid self-righteous excess (v. 16) AND avoid presumptuous wickedness (v. 17). 'Take hold' (te'echoz) and 'withdraw not thine hand' emphasize maintaining both principles simultaneously. Biblical wisdom requires balance, not extremes.
For he that feareth God shall come forth of them all (כִּי יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים יֵצֵא אֶת־כֻּלָּם, ki yere Elohim yetse et-kulam)—'Feareth God' (yere Elohim) is Ecclesiastes's summary of wisdom (12:13). 'Come forth' or 'escape' (yetse) means emerging safely from both dangers. The God-fearer navigates between legalism and license, self-righteousness and presumption. This is the 'narrow way' Jesus described (Matthew 7:13-14). Galatians 5:13-25 maintains this balance: 'walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.'