“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death better than the day of one’s birth" (Ecclesiastes 7:1).

Ointment is easily spoiled, as the writer of Ecclesiastes explains, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour” (Ecclesiastes 10:1). Even under the best conditions of preservation, time will take its toll and precious ointment will succumb to the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Not so with a good name. A good name, once it is established, can never spoil; thus the day of death is better than the day of one’s birth in this sense.

A man may work his entire life to build the intangible “good name.” At birth, he perhaps will be given a name by parents who hope he will emulate its characteristics. However, at birth his name will bring to mind only physical characteristics which are also subject to the Second Law, just as the ointment. On the other hand, as the child grows, his name takes on an identity that has nothing to do with physical appearance. The name is associated with his character. Although we have little or no idea about the physical characteristics of men such as Daniel, Noah, or Joseph, when we speak their names it is their courage and character that come to mind. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” because “riches certainly make themselves wings” (Proverbs 22:1; 23:5), but a good reputation endures long after the lifetime of the one who builds it. The admonition in all of this is that a man’s deeds, good or bad, become inexorably linked with his name. When that man calls himself a Christian, he lays claim to a name and reputation far more precious than riches—that of the Lord Jesus Christ. The choices we make in our lifetime will no doubt be associated with our own name, but far more importantly, they will be associated with the name of our Lord. CJH