Why Does The Bible Say To Weep At Birth And Rejoice At Death?

"A good name is better than a good ointment,

And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth.

It is better to go to a house of mourning, Than to go to a house of feasting,

Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter,For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.

The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning,

While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure".

(Ecclesiastes 7:1-4) 

NASB

This may sound contradictory at first, since our creator is called 'The HAPPY God"(1 Tim 1:11) and wants his people to be 'Nothing But Joyful' (1 Thes 5:16), but this scripture is talking about something very specific....the importance of making a good name with God while we still can.

'The Day Of One's Death Is Better Than The Day Of One's Birth' because at birth we have NO reputation, we have done nothing to show what kind of person we are. At death, we have the ability to acquire a full record of good works. We can have a GOOD reputation with God.

So, for those of us who are alive, we need to consider this. Once we're dead, we can't alter our reputation. But we CAN change if we're still alive. People who treat life lightly, spend their time 'in the banquet house' partying and uncaring, are considered fools, wasting the life God has given them, but those who have a spiritual interest, take life seriously, LEARN from life, 'take it to heart', and then work to make a good name with God.