Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 9:1-6

In reflection then, Solomon returns to the idea that our wisdom has limited value as does our righteousness.  Our life lies squarely in the hands of our God.  Our life is an adventure of which we don't get to review the chapter headings before diving in.  Our lives all begin in the same manner and will end in the same manner.  All that lies between these two dates is a mystery to us, revealed day by day.  Solomon's point was that regardless of all else, it turns out the same for everybody.  Ethics alone do not change your fate. 

As Christians, can we add the thought that ethics become an indication of the relationship we have with Christ that does in fact change our fate?  In Christ, we possess the promise that we shall not taste death, there is no victory for death or sting of death that is due us for our sin.  Death was defeated on our behalf.  Our ethic isn't changed then to be rewarded something in this life or the next, but in response to the kindness of God (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 2; specifically, the concluding statement v 22). 

Solomon notes that the hearts of mankind are full of evil and madness.  These 'evil' things are moral wrongs as the 'madness' is acting in rash or foolish manner, driven by emotion, pride or covetousness.  Again, we see that our hearts are full of things that will lead us astray, stumble us and, in essence, cause destructive decisions that waste precious days of our lives. 

Dogs were looked down on; dirty, despised scavengers.  Lions were majestic and respected, powerful predators.  A live dog has hope where a dead lion does not.  Solomon is speaking strictly with his eyes on this life.  The primary advantage of the living is that they know they are going to die.  In life, we can find hope in a new day.  We can take today and make the most of it knowing there is no promise of tomorrow.   

Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

The preacher calls for people to enjoy life, but it seems to be given in the sense of 'might as well enjoy it even though its all meaningless.' 

• To eat your food and drink your wine with a joyful heart is a gift from God of which we should be most thankful.  This is no small meaningless thing!  But they have no eternal value.
• Being clothed in white and anointed with oil was to enjoy comfort in the heat of the day.  White clothing reflected the sun as oil protected you and acted as a deodorant.  These were things one could be thankful for, seeming small things that made today more comfortable.  Yet they had no eternal meaning.
• Enjoying the company of your spouse and the love you share was another gift from God.  Though meaning wasn't found in this alone.

God created us in His own image; 

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.^[1]

Instead mankind took part in the sin of rebellion, the knowledge of evil.  Then hid from God in the garden.  We still live under that curse of sin, longing to walk with God in the cool of the day in the garden of Eden.  Instead we are cursed to work by the sweat of our brow, dealing with the thorns and briars of sin.  We still hide from God in our shame and complain of our plight, longing to find meaning.  But this was the desire of the human heart, as chosen by our federal head, to know good and evil.  This is the knowledge of evil, meaninglessness of a life on our terms, separated from God. 

Whatever we do, do it well, with all you have.  Do it while you can because life is short.

"No man ever served God by doing things tomorrow." (Spurgeon)

"Man was not created to be idle, he was not elected to be idle, he was not redeemed to be idle, he was not quickened to be idle, and he is not sanctified by God's grace to be idle." (Spurgeon)

Ecclesiastes 9:11-12

Our eyes, our logic tell us the swift should win the race, the strong win the battle, food to the wise, wealth to the understanding and favor to the educated.  But it just doesn't work that way.  There is a randomness to life, the appearing of chance across time.  In all your efforts and commitment lies this seeming injustice for which we fail to find meaning.  In all this, we can cry its not fair!  Does our complaint bring purpose?  Does it change anything?  Should we not trust God there is a purpose and move on?

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Solomon gives an example of the value of wisdom.  Yet, for the wise man, it had no value.  The man saved the city but no one remembered him.  He was no better off for doing so.  His words were despised when they were forgotten, he was disrespected when they forgot him. 

The one sinner who destroys much good could easily be Adam.  Before we look to long at Adam's failure, let's ask how we would have done?  Better yet, in our free choices daily, how do we do?  There was another wise man who came and saved a people by His actions.  He was also despised and rejected.  We are thankful this was given freely to us.