Honor the king.American King James Version). Commentary, explanation and study verse by verse. 4: generatio praeterit et generatio advenit terra vero in aeternum stat. for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun ( Ecclesiastes 8:15 ). Though he be ever so ingenious, though he be a wise man in other things, and can fathom the counsels of kings themselves and trace them by their footsteps. (Needing to give such instruction without any self-serving appearance could be part of why Solomon referred to himself as the Preacher throughout the book rather than as king.). [1.] What does Ecclesiastes 8:15 mean? Verses 12-13 show that beyond the prolonged days of the wicked today, it will be well with those who fear God but not for the wicked who do not. Yet that is only for now. One day, God will set things right. Ecclesiastes 8:10 i _Then I commended mirth_ As before in chs. Concerning this Solomon here gives us his advice. We come now to the last part of the books third major section, which began in chapter 6, dealing with explaining and applying the plan of God in light of it seeming to be unfair. in actual life. sun, than (n) to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall [9] Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? experience of a THEN I COMMENDED MIRTH,. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit He doesn't strike immediately, but oftentimes forestalls judgment for months, for years. Yet this is with the realization that God loves us and wants the best for us. 3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight. (9 sessions) This study is part of the LifeLight Bible study series of in-depth studies of Bible books. This present life must be reckoned by days; this life is given us, and the days of it are allotted to us, by the counsel of God, and therefore while it does last we must accommodate ourselves to the will of God and study to answer the ends of life. let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. For the time being we are subject to human rule. physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. Where the word of the king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What are you doing? American King James Version). And He died. Let us be ever thankful for the days of our lives. He would have us not to fret and perplex ourselves about it, or make ourselves uneasy, but cheerfully to enjoy what God has given us in the world, to be content with it and make the best of it, though it be much better with others, and such as we think very unworthy (Ecclesiastes 8:15; Ecclesiastes 8:15): Then I commended joy, a holy security and serenity of mind, arising from a confidence in God, and his power, providence, and promise, because a man has no better thing under the sun (though a good man has much better things above the sun) than to eat and drink, that is, soberly and thankfully to make use of the things of this life according as his rank is, and to be cheerful, whatever happens, for that shall abide with him of his labour. Partner with StudyLight.org as God uses us to make a difference for those displaced by Russia's war on Ukraine. is simply that the wicked were able to die and receive a proper burial after a long life without having to face up to what they'd doneall the while having been permitted in life to be regularly in God's temple, a sacrilege and mockery of religion. Still, we must not treat God flippantly or carelessly. man's present life is under the sun, and is continued as long as Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of Matthew Henry Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4-11. The message here is: Do your best to stay out of trouble! 2. The beginning of verse 8 says that no one can retain the spirit in the day of death. He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does. Hebrew word is applied not only to the pleasures arising from the His survey now digresses to consider a wise man's responsibility when mind, thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortab Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the God does see. . The sentiment of this verse is a frequent conclusion of the writers personal experience (compare marginal references), and is unfairly charged with Epicureanism. [17] Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time? When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it ( Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 ). The mention of an oath to God may bring to mind the need to follow through on vows to God in Ecclesiastes 5. If one does not know what will happen, how can he learn when it will happen? Ecclesiastes 1:15:: King James Version (KJV) Ecclesiastes 1:15 - That which is crooked H5791 cannot H3201 be made straight: H8626 and that which is wanting H2642 cannot H3201 be numbered. He would have us to take occasion hence, not to charge God with iniquity, but to charge the world with vanity. His reply is not an observation, but the answer of faith. He believes what he cannot seethat one day all will be well for everyone who lives in the fear of God (Ryken, p. 196). Where the verse says they were forgotten, many others render this they were praised, reasoning that the positive eulogizing of the wicked after all their evil must be the vanity or frustration mentioned. pleasant, and not distress themselves about things they cannot 2. The highest wisdom is The good are soon But ultimately, it will go only this way when God sets everything right. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to and who knows the interpretation of a thing? No fault is to be found with God; but, as to the world, This is vanity upon the earth, and again, This is also vanity, that is, it is a certain evidence that the things of this world are not the best things nor were ever designed to make a portion and happiness for us, for, if they had, God would not have allotted so much of this world's wealth to his worst enemies and so much of its troubles to his best friends; there must therefore be another life after this the joys and griefs of which must be real and substantial, and able to make men truly happy or truly miserable, for this world does neither. COMMEND PLEASURE, FOR THERE IS NOTHING GOOD FOR. A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and That it was all labour in vain, Ecclesiastes 8:17; Ecclesiastes 8:17. Ecclesiastes 8:15 teaches us to be joyful in all circumstances. [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. The writer returns to the sentiment expressed already (Ecclesiastes I say, "Keep the king's commandment for the sake of your oath to God. 14 SUN EXCEPT TO EAT AND TO DRINK AND TO BE MERRY, AND THIS WILL STAND BY Recall that chapter 5 was the first instance of direct exhortations in the booktelling us to be careful in our approach in coming to worship God, the One in whose hands our lives are and who can help us through the present difficulties. Verse 7 in context presents more about the need for discerning the right time and way. better H2896 sun H8121 eat H398 (H8800) drink H8354 (H8800) merry O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! But he also knows that often the opposite is true (14). [18] It is good that you should take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not your hand: for he that fears God shall come forth of them all. No man has any power over the spirit. Solomon in verse 2 says to keep the kings command, not My commandhe being the king. CHARACTERS: God, Solomon. 2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that because of thy oath to God. He said, "Okay, you can go now." American King James Versiona). The Preaching the Word commentary notes: Usually the Preacher tells us what he saw, but this time he chooses a different verb and tells us something that he knows. This is not something that he has seen from a distance, but something he has grasped with the rational conviction of his own mind. forgotten, the wicked enjoy honour and long life; the best thing a man That is because people end up sitting on death row for decades. Jesus made clear that we are to fear not mere human beings who can take only our immediate lives but to fear Him who is able to remove us from existence forever (Matthew 10:28 Matthew 10:28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.American King James Version; Luke 12:4-5 Luke 12:4-5 [4] And I say to you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. I. Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of life was a low one. He, for his part, had applied his heart to know this wisdom, and to see the business that is done, by the divine Providence, upon the earth, to find out if there were any certain scheme, any constant rule or method, by which the affairs of this lower world were administered, any course of government as sure and steady as the course of nature, so that by what is done now we might as certainly foretel what will be done next as by the moon's changing now we can foretel when it will be at the full; this he would fain have found out. It will hasten it. Wisdom helps people see the underlying meaning of things and teaches them that to act with pleasantness is better than to act with harshness (8:1). And they begin to make fun of the return of Jesus Christ. The change of face here also reflects a new face on the problems previously discussed. Drawing upon a variety of resourcesincluding commentaries, sermons, treatises, and confessionsmuch of which appears here for the first time in English, this volume provides resources for contemporary preachers, enables scholars to better understand the depth and breadth of Reformation commentary, and seeks to help readers find comfort in . And this is further tied back to the warning in Ecclesiastes7:17: Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? A turn to lawlessness will not stave off the punishment of death. Ecclesiastes 10:4 Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses.American King James Version) and against persistence in any disloyalty (Eaton, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, note on Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 [2] I counsel you to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. That's the sum of life for you, so you might as well live it up because you're going to be burning after a while. But in context the wording appears to continue the warning about not getting into trouble with the government. Verse 11 explains why evil grows worse and worsebecause justice is not swift. Some see it as a worthless cause, calamitous outcome or anything the king would not like. their present condition and circumstances, and be cheerful and [12] For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom gives life to them that have it. [6] For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and whips every son whom he receives. Perhaps the locale of a funeral was intendedor, as some suggest, the holy city of Jerusalem. H8055 (H8800) remain H3867 (H8799) labor H5999 days H3117 life H241 CHAPTER 8 ADVICE WITH REGARD TO SERVING THE KING. It's because they are misinterpreting the patience of God waiting for men to be saved, because God is not willing that any should perish. yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him ( Ecclesiastes 8:12 ): Now, in the end the best life is the life of fearing God, walking with God. [8] But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. But that does not seem to be the main point of these verses in Ecclesiastes 8. Solomon next mentions seeing the wicked buried (verse 10). man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged ( Ecclesiastes 8:12 ), Remember he was talking about how he saw that the ungodly man was living a long life, the righteous were dying young and the ungodly were living long. That Jesus isn't coming again. They've been talking about that for years. No man has any power over the spirit. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandmen 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 4:4; 1 Timothy 6:17; Ecclesiastes 2:24; God does know. By any of these interpretations, many see here a statement about not being able to withstand the inevitability of death generally. He saw just men to whom it happened according to the work of the wicked, who, notwithstanding their righteousness, suffered very hard things, and continued long to do so, as if they were to be punished for some great wickedness. As has been pointed out before, some take a low view of the refrain. Salem Media Group. MIRTH - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). Thinks he has put one over on God. The second part of verse 3 says, Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he [the king] does whatever pleases him. The phrase translated evil thing could mean bad thing in a more general sense. This is added as another evidence of man's misery. II. When the time comes for you to die, you don't have any power over your spirit to retain it, to cause your spirit to remain. There is no specific reference to the government being righteous here, and the verses appear to end with the problem of human rule doing harm (verse 9), which we will return to. Ecclesiastes 8:11. In the person of a sensual man. condition men are; serenity and tranquillity of mind, One of the common mistakes that people make is that of misinterpreting the nature of God. neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he fears not before God. No! John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. Post mortem nulla voluptas.". Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. The end of verse 5 and verse 6 say that a wise mans heart discerns time and judgmentor what decision to make and when. Proud member
He would not have us undertake to give a reason for that which God does, for his way is in the sea and his path in the great waters, past finding out, and therefore we must be contentedly and piously ignorant of the meaning of God's proceedings in the government of the world, Ecclesiastes 8:16; Ecclesiastes 8:17. He had earlier said unto them, "No man takes My life from Me, I give My life" ( John 10:18 ). Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. Moreover, rarely has human government been righteous. And the same is true of God. There is no man that has power over his spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it ( Ecclesiastes 8:8 ). [22] For oftentimes also your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others. People should not despair over these problems, but rather enjoy whatever God has given them in life (15). When we look upon all the works of God and his providence, and compare one part with another, we cannot find that there is any such certain method by which the work that is done under the sun is directed; we cannot discover any key by which to decipher the character, nor by consulting precedents can we know the practice of this court, nor what the judgment will be. This he speaks, either, And one ruling another to that ones own hurt here is evidently a mistranslation. We must always remember just who we are dealing withand the awesome gravity of thatrealizing that this is for our ultimate good. He intimates that he had tried for a better, but failed to reach it: "I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me." There is no use in repining or rebelling; _true wisdom Of course, it is true that human government has been established by God as a check against total lawlessness, as the apostle Paul explains in Romans 13. 3. 3:22 ) ( 5:18 ) ; All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man rules over another to his own hurt. The statement There is no release from that [or the] war could refer figuratively to the march into death that all face or simply be metaphoric for Theres no getting out of this. Then the final line, and wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it, would tie back to the turn to wrongdoing in verse 3. So, "Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and his days be prolonged,". That you might fear the LORD your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, you, and your son, and your son's son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged. 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Danielle Milian Husband,
Danielle Milian Husband,