They know they have no control over life or death. a So God is very kind. The beginning of verse 8 says that no one can retain the spirit in the day of death. Verse 15. HIM IN HIS TOILS THROUGHOUT THE DAYS OF HIS LIFE WHICH GOD HA 14-17 Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene, where 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." Yet these words of the Preacher show us the futility and foolishness of a life lived without an eternal perspective. 2. He had power over His Spirit to dismiss it. In view of these contradictions, Solomon again recommended the enjoyment of life, not in a pleasure-mad way but in the sense of enjoying the fruits of ones labor (cf. Ecclesiastes 8:10 i _Then I commended mirth_ As before in chs. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. In Solomon's reign the people were very rich, and lived in prosperity, which perhaps made them proud and petulant, and when the taxes were high, though they had enough to pay them with, it is probable that many conducted themselves . God doesn't really know." This joy will make labor more enjoyable. Keeping this in mind results in a deep and abiding reverence for Godloving and trusting Him while recognizing His supreme power and holiness (see Hebrews 12:28-29 Hebrews 12:28-29 [28] Why we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments Ecclesiastes 8:1. The Targum interprets it of the joy of the law; Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of life was a low one. His survey now digresses to consider a wise man's responsibility when drink, and to be merry; Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:13; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes And let us truly rejoice. which God giveth him under the sun; man's present life is under the sun, and is continued as long as it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by days than years, and is a laborious one; and all that he gets by his labour, enjoyed by him, is to eat and drink cheerfully; and this he may expect to have and continue with him as long as he lives, even food and raiment, and with this he should be content. And the word forgotten does work here. Ecclesiastes 8:1. which God giveth him under the sun; man's present life is under the sun, and is continued as long as it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by days than years, and is a laborious one; and all that he gets by his labour, enjoyed by him, is to eat and drink cheerfully; and this he may expect to have and continue with him as long as he lives, even food and raiment, and with this he should be content. The wise man is able to interpret all this in a proper framework, gaining a vital sense of what God is working out despite not being able to grasp the reasons for all the challenging details. which God giveth him under the sun; Partner with StudyLight.org as God uses us to make a difference for those displaced by Russia's war on Ukraine. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. In order to keep with what He said, "No man takes My life," when He was hanging there on the cross after He cried, "It is finished" ( John 19:30 ), "Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit" ( Luke 23:46 ), He bowed His head, and it said, "And He dismissed His Spirit." 1. 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. In this division, dealing with the evidences of the vanity of life, observing that no difference is made between the righteous and The wicked go unpunished and, even when they are dead and buried, people still praise them for their achievements in life (9-10). Love the brotherhood. Verse 7 in context presents more about the need for discerning the right time and way. . 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:17). counsels obedience to the powers that be_,_ and submission to the When on the cross, it said, "He bowed his head and dismissed His Spirit" ( John 19:30 ). The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. EAT, AND TO DRINK, AND TO BE MERRY. the WICKED appear to escape judgment and receive blessings. He doesn't strike immediately, but oftentimes forestalls judgment for months, for years. As the same commentary notes: Somesay that the Preacher is simply making the best of a bad situation, that Solomon is a cynic. Others had likewise set themselves to make this enquiry with so close an application that they could not find time for sleep, either day or night, nor find in their hearts to sleep, so full of anxiety were they about these things. it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by Salem Media Group. CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man,. Who knows anything? Weve seen that what we might assume to be for the best or worst is not necessarily so (6:17:15) and that all bear part in the worlds problemswith no one being innocent and deserving a trouble-free life (Ecclesiastes 7:16-29 Ecclesiastes 7:16-29 [16] Be not righteous over much; neither make yourself over wise: why should you destroy yourself ? And thus, they give their hearts over to evil because they think that God is too remote to care. 15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. "I'm a prosperous cheat, so God is condoning my cheating. That's a fatal mistake to make. There is a vanity which is done upon the earth Either by wicked potentates, who do commonly advance unworthy men, and oppress persons of the greatest virtue and merit: or, by God's providence, who sees it fit for many weighty reasons so to manage the affairs of the present world. the wicked, that it is as well or better with the wicked than the Honor the king.American King James Version). They begin to scoff at it, even as Peter said they would. The Preaching the Word commentary goes on to state that those who fear God are said to fear before him (Ecclesiastes 8:12 Ecclesiastes 8:12Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:American King James Version), meaning that they know they are in his presence. He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? The Preacher is careful to set forth pleasure as a gift from God, to be earned by labor, and received with thankfulness to the Giver, and to be accounted for to Him. We_ have here an image which will not disgrace the Book of Proverbs. A righteous man gets cancer; an unrighteous man gets cancer. Ecclesiastes 8:15 in all English translations. CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man, Ecclesiastes 8:1. man, for men to be easy under every providence, satisfied with . All this have I seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man rules over another to his own hurt. ( Ecclesiastes 8:5-7 ). Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 God does care. The question in Ecclesiastes isn't about the existence of God; the author is no atheist, and God is always there. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow| Learn more With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! ( Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 ). mind, thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortab Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the As has been pointed out before, some take a low view of the refrain. The king stands as the authority. The writer returns to the sentiment expressed already (Ecclesiastes And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity ( Ecclesiastes 8:9-10 ). The highest wisdom is Ecclesiastes 2:24 ) ( A man cannot find out the work of God though you search it out. You see, the real delay in the return of Jesus Christ is just God's unwillingness that men should perish. We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death ( v. 6-8 ). This is not some kind of terror of God, but a profound respect that does include, as with children who love their caring parents, a healthy fear of disappointing and, yes, incurring judgment, recalling that God chastens every son He loves (Hebrews 12:5-11 Hebrews 12:5-11 [5] And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to children, My son, despise not you the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him: Ecclesiastes 8:14-15 meaning Although life is mysterious, Solomon has discovered by submitting to the God of Mystery, rather than trying to make sense of the world through human experience, he can enjoy and appreciate the best life has to offer. 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. Not so. There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him. Things just continue as they were from the beginning.'" Things happen to both good and evil men. a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. COMMEND PLEASURE, FOR THERE IS NOTHING GOOD FOR. [8] But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. He said, "Okay, you can go now." The Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the 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. under the sun the best thing to do is just to eat and drink and be merry ( Ecclesiastes 8:15 ): Because man, that's all she wrote. 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. There is a serenity that comes with things starting to make senseand with trusting that God knows whatHes doing when things still dont. 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. Verse 15. 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. The mention of an oath to God may bring to mind the need to follow through on vows to God in Ecclesiastes 5. let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.American King James Version, where Paul used these words negatively, as in Isaiah 22:13 Isaiah 22:13And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.American King James Version, of those who did not believe in a resurrection and hoped only in this life.] pleasant, and not distress themselves about things they cannot with him of his labour the days of his life, which God givet KINGS'COURTS NEED WARY WALKING He believed, even when there was no evidence for believing! (quoted on p. 135). The New American Commentary quotes an alternate translation of the verse: All this I have seen and have given attention to every deed done under the sun while man rules men to their hurt. This is the terrible human condition of today. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? 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. They've been talking about that for years. That improves our situation in life and keeps us from ways that would make things worse for ourselves. The point seems to be that if the king puts you to death for rebellion or crime, life is over. Honor the king (1 Peter 2:17 1 Peter 2:17Honor all men. Honor all men. i. sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide 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. 1. SUN EXCEPT TO EAT AND TO DRINK AND TO BE MERRY, AND THIS WILL STAND BY God will judge. But this wording requires a text emendation. Paul said, "Who are you to say unto Him that has created you, 'Why hast Thou made me thus?'" God has given him; this is what had been observed before, ( But Peter said, "God isn't slack concerning His promises, as some men count slackness, but He's faithful to usward. righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and Some put Ecclesiastes 8:1 Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise man? Section 5. 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. Wise and good men have, of old, been perplexed with this difficulty, how the prosperity of the wicked and the troubles of the righteous can be reconciled with the holiness and goodness of the God that governs the world. 3: quid habet amplius homo de universo labore suo quod laborat sub sole. Mirth - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). Ecclesiastes 8:11. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. 6 ECCLESIASTES 8:14, it is best to give a man's self up to eating and Sinners herein deceive themselves. The first part of Ecclesiastes 8:3 Ecclesiastes 8:3Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him.American King James Versiontells us not to be quick to leave the ruler. Add To Cart. 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 ). The words There is are in italics in the NKJV, showing theyve been added to the original wordingunnecessarily in this case. 8 Who is as the wise man? shall be changed. sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide 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. We must always remember just who we are dealing withand the awesome gravity of thatrealizing that this is for our ultimate good. This certainly ties back to the previous two subsections, where we were told that wisdom is a defense that gives life and that it strengthens those who have it (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 [11] Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. A righteous man has prospered; an unrighteous man has prospered. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. 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. Ecclesiastes 7:19-8. As Peter is talking about the second coming of the Lord, he said, "Hey, in the last days there are going to be scoffers that are going to come saying, 'Where is the promise of Jesus coming again? DEATH OF THE WICKED. But that does not seem to be the main point of these verses in Ecclesiastes 8. the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. Ecclesiastes 2:14; In Encountering Ecclesiastes, James Limburg relates what fellow biblical scholar and commentator Roland Murphy said to him in response to the issue of the author of Ecclesiastes being often referred to as a great doubter: The great doubter? and is not the language of an epicure, or a carnal man, who For the time being we are subject to human rule. Benson Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:14-15. We see the just troubled and perplexed in their own minds, the wicked easy, fearless, and secure,--the just crossed and afflicted by the divine Providence, the wicked prosperous, successful, and smiled upon,--the just, censured, reproached, and run down, by the higher powers, the wicked applauded and preferred. In the midst of a miscarriage, a failed friendship, or job loss, the preacher would remind us that 'there is a time for. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. But this is not where things end. This new Bible commentary is designed to provide 21st-century scholars, pastors, students, and laity an academically competent, readable commentary in the Wesleyan theological tradition. Fear God. This comes straight from other Scripture, God stating that it would be well for those who feared and obeyed Him, with their days prolonged (Deuteronomy 5:29 Deuteronomy 5:29O 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!American King James Version; Deuteronomy 6:2 Deuteronomy 6:2That 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.American King James Version, Deuteronomy 6:24 Deuteronomy 6:24And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.American King James Version). Might as well enjoy what you got now, because man, it's going to be tough later. 5:18; Ecclesiastes 9:7 To be merry This he speaks of sensual delights. Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Adam Clarke Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - College Press Bible Study Textbook Series, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - ETCBC data on Hebrew bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll), Ecclesiastes 8:15 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Geneva Study Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Hawker's Poor man's commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - John Darby's Synopsis, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - John Trapp Complete Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Mark Dunagan Commentaries, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Sermon Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Summarized Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The Biblical Illustrator, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The Pulpit Commentaries, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes.
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