ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary

If, for example, people work in the kings palace, they will do what the king says, partly because they have sworn before God to be obedient and partly because they will be punished if they disobey. "But it shall not be well with the wicked.". shall be changed. Just as there is no escape from a battle, so there is no guaranteed success to wrongdoers (6-8).Often there appears to be no principle of justice at work in the world. $15.99 As low as $8.00. "There is no man that hath power, etc." ( Ecclesiastes 8:8 ). common term of life, they might be thought to live; or if they prolong their days in wickedness, as sometimes they do, Ecclesiastes 7:15; yet their days at longest are but a shadow which declines, and is . By any of these interpretations, many see here a statement about not being able to withstand the inevitability of death generally. [23] All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. American King James Versiona). God does see. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? 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? the Book of Proverbs. Ecclesiastes 2:14; The Targum interprets it of the joy of the law; But if they find the kings command unreasonable, wisdom will show them a way out. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Ecclesiastes 8:15 KJ21 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 from his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. And let us truly rejoice. 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. Verse 7 in context presents more about the need for discerning the right time and way. EAT, AND TO DRINK, AND TO BE MERRY. As has been pointed out before, some take a low view of the refrain. It has a spirit of hopeless despair; it has no praise or peace; it seems to promote questionable conduct. carried out. I know that, whatever God does, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before him. Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV - So I commend the enjoyment of life, - Bible Gateway Read the Bible Reading Plans Advanced Search Available Versions Audio Bibles Study Tools Scripture Engagement More Resources Explore More Newsletters Devotionals Bible Gateway App Bible Audio App Bible Gateway Blog Bible Gateway Plus Store Bibles Deals More Passage Verse 1 extols having wisdom. People are soon forgotten after they die. 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:17). 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.] American King James Version, Ecclesiastes 7:19 Ecclesiastes 7:19Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.American King James Version). ECCLESIASTES 8:1 Note that the obedience to the king is for the sake of your oath to God (same verse). God does care. Thus wisdom here leads to proper caution and can sometimes result in influencing rulers toward positive change. for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun ( Ecclesiastes 8:15 ). [29] For our God is a consuming fire. 1. Read full chapter. And thus, they give their hearts over to evil because they think that God is too remote to care. Fear God. So we should not expect that corrupt people coming together to form a government would result in righteous rule. And thus, it appears that the evil man is getting away with his evil actions, his evil deeds. Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:18, the Epicurean 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! because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to 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. ( Romans 9:20 ) The sovereignty of the king, which also speaks to the sovereignty of God. Thinks he has put one over on God. sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry._ That it was all labour in vain, Ecclesiastes 8:17; Ecclesiastes 8:17. pleasures; but it is the good and wholesome advice of the wise 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. [10] For they truly for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. The next set of verses concerns following kingly authorityhuman governmentas a matter of life and death (verses 2-9). American King James Version). They begin to scoff at it, even as Peter said they would. of it; this the wise man praised and recommended to good men, as [11] Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby. People should not despair over these problems, but rather enjoy whatever God has given them in life (15). We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death (v. 6-8). 2. The only one who really did exercise that kind of power over his spirit was Jesus Christ. No man has any power over the spirit. When on the cross, it said, "He bowed his head and dismissed His Spirit" ( John 19:30 ). What happens to one happens to the other. serving the king, followed by a number Ecclesiastes 7:19-8 You see, the real delay in the return of Jesus Christ is just God's unwillingness that men should perish. Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 (Read Ecclesiastes 8:14-17) The Hebrew word is applied not only to the pleasures arising from the physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him." Where the word of a king is, there is power; The Tyndale commentary notes: To his hurt (Heb[rew]) is not to his own hurt (AV [Authorized or KJV]) but to the hurt of the one under the abuser of power (note on verse 9). SUN EXCEPT TO EAT AND TO DRINK AND TO BE MERRY, AND THIS WILL STAND BY Perhaps some type of pledge of allegiance to the king or kingdom among the general populace was customary at that time. Notice as well that he mentions joy twice in this verse and describes it as something we can experience all through life. Ecclesiastes 8:1. 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. Moreover, rarely has human government been righteous. 3. Some see it as a worthless cause, calamitous outcome or anything the king would not like. God is exceedingly long-suffering. Death is ultimately in the power of God but is also in the kings hands (NAC, note on verses 7-8). God's ways are above ours, nor is he tied to his own former ways, but his judgments are a great deep. Yes, we have a lot of hard work to do. 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. So you don't really know what's going to be, when it's going to be. God doesn't really know." The conclusion (Ecclesiastes 8:14) I. Yet this is with the realization that God loves us and wants the best for us. 2: vanitas vanitatum dixit Ecclesiastes vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas. 14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. As mentioned previously, the seer and psalmist Asaph, a contemporary of Solomon, wrestled with how the righteoussuffered while the wicked prospered, then stating, When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for meuntil I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end (Psalms 73:16-17 Psalms 73:16-17 [16] When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; mind, thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortab Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the American King James Version). 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. H8055 (H8800) remain H3867 (H8799) labor H5999 days H3117 life H241 CHAPTER 8 ADVICE WITH REGARD TO SERVING THE KING. IV. 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. Though a man be ever so industrious, thou he labour to seek it out. That's a fatal mistake to make. The writer returns to the sentiment expressed already (Ecclesiastes So, again, the problems of human government must be navigated with wisdom and righteousness to improve life where possible and to avoid making matters worse than they already are. Still, we must not treat God flippantly or carelessly. They will wait for a suitable opportunity to act, then act in such a way that, though they do not disobey the king, neither do they sin against their conscience (2-5).Despite the compromise he recommends, the writer knows that people remain uneasy about the outcome and about the future in general. He doesn't strike immediately, but oftentimes forestalls judgment for months, for years. Be discreet in relation with a ruler. You can't escape it. In the midst of a miscarriage, a failed friendship, or job loss, the preacher would remind us that 'there is a time for. And it's probably true. That is a tragic, fatal mistake of misinterpreting God's grace and God's goodness to you. Concerning this Solomon here gives us his advice. Many claim that the death penalty is an ineffective deterrent to capital crime today. 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. Dr. Walter Kaiser, whose overall outline weve been following, describes the chapter 8 subsection as follows: The removal of a large proportion of the apparent inequalities in divine providence comes from righteous government. This summary, however, does not appear to be quite accurate. verba Ecclesiastes filii David regis Hierusalem. [26] And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. Verse 14 repeats the dilemma of Ecclesiastes 7:15 Ecclesiastes 7:15All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongs his life in his wickedness.American King James Versionthe righteous suffering what wickedness is supposed to result in and the wicked receiving what righteousness is supposed to result in. Matthew Henry Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4-11. Ecclesiastes 8:13. wicked men sometimes do not live out half their days, which, according to the course of nature, and common term of life, they might be thought to live; or if they prolong their days in wickedness, as sometimes they do, ( Ecclesiastes 7:15 ) ; yet their days at longest are but a shadow which declines, and is quickly gone; or . 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 ). Yes, there is vanity under the sun. In this division, dealing with the evidences of the vanity of life, The question in Ecclesiastes isn't about the existence of God; the author is no atheist, and God is always there. Honor all men. 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. [24] That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? We_ have here an image which will not disgrace 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. 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. And people begin to misinterpret God's grace and God's long suffering as God's approbation for their actions and for their lives. The writer knows what the traditional teachers say: that those who fear God will be rewarded and those who are wicked will be punished (12b-13). Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than, For that shall abide with him of his labor, and that this should accompany him in his labor, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Others see ruach here as meaning wind, and take the statement to mean that just as the wind is beyond our control, so is death. THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 1 THROUGH 12. Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Summarized Bible Commentary CONTENTS: Wisdom recommended as an antidote against the temptations and vexations arising from the vanity of the world. 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. Or possibly the reference is to a general promise to obey God, with this including the requirement of following Israels divinely appointed kingor maybe even any nations ruler, since, as Paul later points out in Romans 13, all governing authorities are in power because of God and are to be obeyedexcept when there is a conflict with Gods law, which must come first (Acts 5:29 Acts 5:29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.American King James Version). 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. American King James Version). In the person of a sensual man. The Book of Ecclesiastes is, up to a certain point, the converse of The good are soon Things being so, as was related, If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses. American King James Version). righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. And He died. And the word forgotten does work here. Salem Media Group. The dead would not have been taken to the temple, for that would have been ceremonially defiling. 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. 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 Therefore, consider ye actually this time as God's patience in order that men might be saved. Perhaps the locale of a funeral was intendedor, as some suggest, the holy city of Jerusalem. That is all the fruit he has for himself of the pains that he takes in the business of the world; let him therefore take it, and much good may it do him; and let him not deny himself that, out of a peevish discontent because the world does not go as he would have it. 21st Century King James Version. 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. . [2.] Our present life is a life under the sun, but we look for the life of the world to come, which will commence and continue when the sun shall be turned into darkness and shine no more. Love the brotherhood. We should respect and follow that rule, with the benefits of doing so and the avoidance of an approach that will bring more troubles on us than would otherwise ensue. In fact, Solomon himself wrote elsewhere, The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened (Proverbs 10:27 Proverbs 10:27The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.American King James Version). Qoheleth was the great believer! Of the righteous and the wicked (Ecclesiastes 8:11) (8 studies) Ecclesiastes Study Guide Ecclesiastes Chart Scans (studies 1-8) Click to for the Mp3's corresponding to each study Cool, courteous, self-possessed, they bear good news or bad, prosperous or adverse fortune, with a proud equanimity. Mirth - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). TEXT 8:14-17 Abject in his fear before Moses, he was ready to promise anything; insolent in his pride, he swallows down his promises as soon as fear is eased, his repentance and his retractation of it combined to add new weights about his neck. THE PROBLEM OF THE 2. alter; for that shall abide with him of his labour the days ECCLESIASTES 8:14. Now because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil ( Ecclesiastes 8:11 ). 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. This is added as another evidence of man's misery. This is the perspective that must be maintainedalong with understanding what the future will bring. But it is tragic when people misinterpret God's patience and God's kindness. Honor the king.American King James Version). Furthermore, the verses in chapter 8 do not seem to speak of human government rectifying problems so much as of us taking care to not run afoul of government (we will see similar verses in this regard in chapter 10). Verse 15. 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 It doesn't matter to God that I lie or I steal or whatever because look, I'm blessed. Ecclesiastes 8:15 teaches us to be joyful in all circumstances. This would also seem to tie in to the warning against turning to wickedness at the end of Ecclesiastes 8:8 Ecclesiastes 8:8There is no man that has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither has 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.American King James Version. interpretation of a thing?_ In the Vulgate these two questions end the For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? 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. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him. [Compare 1 Corinthians 15:32 1 Corinthians 15:32If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not? 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. element of thought mingles with the higher fear of God, to which th FOR THAT SHALL ABIDE WITH HIM OF HIS LABOUR _And this shall borrow and is not the language of an epicure, or a carnal man, who But this is not where things end. He's very patient. But ultimately, it will go only this way when God sets everything right. 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 . It's going to be well with the man who has departed from evil. 1. The place of holiness to which they had come and gone is not clear. heads and be cheerful, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God in Do not be hasty to go from his presence. 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. Eat, drink, and be joyful, for tomorrow we die! Then, besides the perspective we need to have and the righteous life we are to persist in, we are again given the prescription of the books refrain in the third major sections conclusionthe enjoyment of life that God blesses us with: to eat, drink, and be merry (Ecclesiastes 8:15 Ecclesiastes 8:15Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun.American King James Version). ASV It may seem unfair because the evil are prospered and the righteous are persecuted. 1-17. [25] I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: he asks. Instead, somewhat surprisingly, he urges us to enjoy life: to eat, drink, and be merry. 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). But he also knows that often the opposite is true (14). This is because the instruction referred to obeying the king in general, whoever he wasor to obeying whatever human authority was in power. [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? The 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. So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun. of his life, The mention of an oath to God may bring to mind the need to follow through on vows to God in Ecclesiastes 5. this he may expect to have and continue with him as long as he It's emptiness. 6 dispensations of Providence_._ _Howeve Who is as the wise man? But this wording requires a text emendation. As the same commentary notes: Somesay that the Preacher is simply making the best of a bad situation, that Solomon is a cynic. (9 sessions) This study is part of the LifeLight Bible study series of in-depth studies of Bible books. drink, and to be merry; Some put Ecclesiastes 8:1 Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise man? For the time being we are subject to human rule. But the person who fears God knows that God is always near. Honor the king. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Item #: 203674. . Might as well enjoy what you got now, because man, it's going to be tough later. It seems that this lack of punishment encourages people to sin (11-12a). Rather, the meaning here is that the prudent, law-abiding citizen will receive no punishment from the governmentat least, generally speaking. life was a low one. Love the brotherhood. being much better than to fret at the prosperity of the wicked, Neither hath he power in the day of death Or, against the day, that is, to avoid, or delay that day; and there is no discharge As there is in other wars . [22] For oftentimes also your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others. 3. Most people, including many Christians, go through life hardly realizing that they are constantly in the presence of God. And they give their hearts and their lives over to evil to live an evil life. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. So you know, live it up now. CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man,. When the Pharaoh of the Exodus saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. MAN UNDER THE Romans 13 speaks of rulers executing wrath on evildoers. Sermon Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:1-15. Things just continue as they were from the beginning.'" He believed, even when there was no evidence for believing! (quoted on p. 135). [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. 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. Ecclesiastes 8:8. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important. What else had he seen? it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by He would not have us to be surprised at it, as though some strange thing happened, for he himself saw it in his days, Ecclesiastes 8:14; Ecclesiastes 8:14. I say, "Keep the king's commandment for the sake of your oath to God. Yet that is only for now. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandmen 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 4:4; 1 Timothy 6:17; Ecclesiastes 2:24; I see life moving on. Who makes this observation? man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face . Nay, [3.] better H2896 sun H8121 eat H398 (H8800) drink H8354 (H8800) merry Recall that this comes on the heels of Solomon presenting humanity as corrupt in chapter 7. the WICKED appear to escape judgment and receive blessings. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. And 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. Ecclesiastes 2:24 ) ( 2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that because of thy oath to God. Section 5. God's purpose must be Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun. We must always remember just who we are dealing withand the awesome gravity of thatrealizing that this is for our ultimate good. Under the sun, man, life is just very shallow and you live life in a very shallow level, and. 3:22 ) ( 5:18 ) ; 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. We must arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive government and not think it strange ( v. 9, 10 ). Ecclesiastes 8:10 i _Then I commended mirth_ As before in chs. It will hasten it. [3] Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him. The NIV renders the phrase in verses 5 and 6 as proper time and procedure. The New American Commentary notes: The wise man thus waits for the proper moment to make his case or take a stand and does not waste his influence on a lost cause (v. 3b). He said, "Okay, you can go now." Ecclesiastes 8:11. Things happen to both good and evil men. And people begin to misinterpret the long-suffering of God. 2. 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. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. He's giving you chance after chance after chance. righteous men to whom it happens ac Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the But in the passage here we need to understand that God is the One who is not bringing His justice right away. There is no use in repining or rebelling; _true wisdom Then I commended mirth Some translate the word ruach here as breath (of life) rather than spirit, but that would not change the point here. 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. A man cannot find out the work of God though you search it out. reason to be thankful for what they had, and to lift up their PrivacyPolicyTerms ofUse. . Post mortem nulla voluptas.". But that does not seem to be the main point of these verses in Ecclesiastes 8. 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 ). Ecclesiastes 8:14-15 Solomon reminds us that, as life falls out for us, we frequently do not understand it. He is not out to destroy us but to save us, as Hes said time and again. Paul said, "Who are you to say unto Him that has created you, 'Why hast Thou made me thus?'" "It doesn't really matter to God how I live. However, some take visiting the holy place here as having occurred repeatedly during the life of the wicked people now being buried. Whoso keeps the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerns both time and judgment. can do is to enjoy life while he has it. God's judgment will come, and thus, I surely know it will be well with those that fear God. Nevertheless, there is joy for us in the ordinary things of lifeeating, drinking, and sharing fellowship with the people of God (p. 198). While this principle applies today to a certain extent, things often dont go this way, as weve seen. Then I commended merriment, because a man hath no better thing ( Ecclesiastes 8:15 ), And this is his human philosophy and human reasoning coming out again. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. lives, even food and raiment, and with this he should be content. [1.] 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 . The king stands as the authority. They should not spend weary days and sleepless nights puzzling over problems to which only God knows the answer (16-17). The change of face here also reflects a new face on the problems previously discussed. 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. 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 ). Ecclesiastes/Song of Solomon - Leaders Guide. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of life was a low one. To go from someones presence elsewhere signifies disaffection or disloyalty . Benson Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:14-15. physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. 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. The point seems to be that if the king puts you to death for rebellion or crime, life is over. 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. Notice that the Preacher is giving us a God-centered perspective and that in verse 15 he is talking about the days of our life as a gift from God. Be the first to review this product. with him of his labour the days of his life, which God givet KINGS'COURTS NEED WARY WALKING sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. This equal mind, expressing itself in a grave dignified bearing, is, with them, well-nigh indispensable to success in, public life. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit in whatsoever state observing that no difference is made between the righteous and [21] Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you: His survey now digresses to consider a wise man's responsibility when CONTENTS: Wisdom recommended as an antidote against the temptations 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." i. [20] For there is not a just man on earth, that does good, and sins not. It doesn't matter to God that I cheat. He saw wicked men to whom it happened according to the work of the righteous, who prospered as remarkably as if they had been rewarded for some good deed, and that from themselves, from God, from men. [7] If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? But Peter said, "God isn't slack concerning His promises, as some men count slackness, but He's faithful to usward. He maintains his patience, moreover, in spite of the moral burdens he carries that might otherwise cause him to act impetuously (v. 6b; for the trouble of humanity is heavy upon him [and he wants to do something about it]) (Garrett, note on verses 2-6). [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. But because God doesn't judge immediately, because the sentence of God isn't executed speedily, because God is giving you opportunity to turn, God is giving you opportunity to repent, God is giving you the opportunity to come out of your sin and to be saved and He's very patient with you. 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. the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death ( v. 6-8 ). with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth _There is a vanity which is done upon the earth_ Either by wicked Because I'm still blessed and I'm prosperous. CHARACTERS: God, Solomon. A man's wisdom makes his face shine, And the sternness of his face is changed. [28] Which yet my soul seeks, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. 8 Who is as the wise man? He's very long-suffering. days than years, and is a laborious one; and all that he gets by Therefore men fear him ([Job] 37:22-24) (note on 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). This he speaks, either, Eat, and to drink, and to be merry.The three words occur together 1Kings 4:20. abideHebrew, "adhere"; not for ever, but it is the only sure good to be enjoyed from earthly labors (equivalent to "of his labor the days of his life"). COMMEND PLEASURE, FOR THERE IS NOTHING GOOD FOR. 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. If moral evil is in view, perhaps the sense is becoming a civil lawbreaker. No man hath power over the spirit That is, over the soul of man; to retain the spirit To keep it in the body beyond the time which God hath allotted to it. Still, the language resembles the skeptical precept (1Co 15:32), introduced only to be refuted; and "abide" is too strong language, perhaps, for a religious man to apply to "eating" and "mirth.". The wicked will not ultimately be prolonged, yet the righteous will. 16 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:) 17 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 labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it. CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man, Ecclesiastes 8:1. Same kind of experiences to both. submission to things as they are. His estimate of the pleasures of the senses is recorded in Ecclesiastes 7:2-6. Who is as the wise man? Hey, it's great to be merry because a man has no better thing under the sun. Wisdom can enable a person to avoid the kings wrath (Ecclesiastes 8:2-9), but it cannot enable him or her to understand fully why God deals with people as He does (Ecclesiastes 8:10-17). [27] Behold, this have I found, said the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: Fear of the Lord is to depart from evil. and cheerfully, with moderation and thankfulness, to enjoy what But it shall not be well with the wicked ( Ecclesiastes 8:13 ), In the end God's judgment will come. THE ONE END OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortable use So I know that in the long run that life is the best. a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.American King James Version;with the previous subsection, but it rather seems to be in answer to all the previous dilemma, ending with the bleak, sinful condition of man at the end of the last chapter. Where the word of the king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What are you doing? 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. Benefits of wisdom, respecting government and The sentiment of this verse is a frequent conclusion of the writers personal experience (compare marginal references), and is unfairly charged with Epicureanism. Ecclesiastes 8:15 in all English translations. It doesn't matter to God that I'm living an immoral life, because look at all that I have." 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. eat, and to I commend joy, he says (Ecclesiastes 8:15 Ecclesiastes 8:15Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun.American King James Version), and the word he uses for commend is a Hebrew word for praise (shabach). Honor the king (1 Peter 2:17 1 Peter 2:17Honor all men. 19952023 All correspondence and questions should be sent to info@ucg.org. drinking, and all manner of carnal deli Ecclesiastes 8:15 commended H7623 (H8765) enjoyment H8057 man H120 39.). The message here is: Do your best to stay out of trouble! A righteous man has prospered; an unrighteous man has prospered. [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. 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. Partner with StudyLight.org as God uses us to make a difference for those displaced by Russia's war on Ukraine. DEATH OF THE WICKED. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not? To whom it happeneth, &c. THE BENEFITS OF WHOLESOME RECREATION 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. fearing God, enjoyment through God commended. 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. 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. Here are given the four uncertainties mentioned above, the verse means that, "Not even great wealth will enable the wealthy to defy these limitations." [15] No discharge in war regards the uncertainty that threatens one who may be drafted into a war by some absolute monarch. him from his labour. because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry; of earthly things there is nothing better than for a man freely and cheerfully, with moderation and thankfulness, to enjoy what God has given him; this is what had been observed before, Ecclesiastes 2:24; and is not the language of an epicure, or a carnal man, who observing that no difference is made between the righteous and the wicked, that it is as well or better with the wicked than the righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and pleasures; but it is the good and wholesome advice of the wise man, for men to be easy under every providence, satisfied with their present condition and circumstances, and be cheerful and pleasant, and not distress themselves about things they cannot alter; for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life. God puts up with so much. We then come to Ecclesiastes 8:9 Ecclesiastes 8:9All 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.American King James Version. One of the common mistakes that people make is that of misinterpreting the nature of God. That both he himself and many others had very closely studied the point, and searched far into the reasons of the prosperity of the wicked and the afflictions of the righteous. of earthly things there is nothing better than for a man freely Man in this world is the property of _labour._ 3. let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Verse 15. the wicked, that it is as well or better with the wicked than the And they begin to make fun of the return of Jesus Christ. God's not willing that any should perish but that all should come into repentance. Prudence before kings (Ecclesiastes 8:1)_ We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us ( v. 2-5 ). What does Ecclesiastes 8:15 mean? Solomon in Proverbs 10:7 Proverbs 10:7The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.American King James Versionwrote, The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. Perhaps the frustration in Ecclesiastes 8:10 Ecclesiastes 8:10And 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.American King James Versionis simply that the wicked were able to die and receive a proper burial after a long life without having to face up to what theyd doneall the while having been permitted in life to be regularly in Gods temple, a sacrilege and mockery of religion. forgotten, the wicked enjoy honour and long life; the best thing a man (see NOTE TO PROVERBS below) It is the It will help us through the quandary that still remains for this age. That improves our situation in life and keeps us from ways that would make things worse for ourselves. There is a serenity that comes with things starting to make senseand with trusting that God knows whatHes doing when things still dont. These seeming anomalies in the moral government of God are part of It is of Then I commended mirth,. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit in whatsoever state condition men are; serenity and tranquillity of mind, thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortable use of it; this the wise man praised and recommended to good men, as being much better than to fret at the prosperity of the wicked, and the seemingly unequal distribution of things in this world, and because they had not so much of them: as others; who yet had reason to be thankful for what they had, and to lift up their heads and be cheerful, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God in another world. 14 So God is very kind. ( Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 ). No man has any power over the spirit. Mirth therefore, and a contented enjoyment of God's gifts, preferable to immoderate care and search, Ecclesiastes 8:15. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? Some think Solomon speaks of himself, that he was so eager in prosecuting this great enquiry that he could not sleep for thinking of it. Though he be very confident of success, though he think to know it, yet he shall not; he cannot find it out. The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. A righteous man gets cancer; an unrighteous man gets cancer. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? He's very loving. Life is empty. a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. "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.". A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. God has given him; this is what had been observed before, ( sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide The preacher begins this chapter with the praise of wisdom, from its excellency and usefulness, Ecclesiastes 8:1; and advises men, if they would live quietly and comfortably, to honour and obey the king that rules over them, and not be rebellious against him, since he has great power and authority . The beginning of verse 8 says that no one can retain the spirit in the day of death. American King James Version; and read all of this psalm). 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). Because He doesn't execute His sentence speedily, because He doesn't immediately come down to the fist of judgment upon a man, a man many times thinks he's getting away with his evil. speaks in the person of the libertine, representing the objections of Though 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: And 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. Then I commended mirth These are some more of the cavils of the infidel objector: "Since virtue is frequently under oppression, and vice triumphs in health, and rolls in wealth, I see plainly that we should not trouble ourselves about future things; and therefore should be governed by the maxim EDE, BIBE, LUDE. And the same is true of God. And, as the end of verse 1 tells us, this wisdom can dispel the gloom and brighten mans otherwise hard looks (Walter Kaiser, Ecclesiastes: Total Life, p. 89). experience of a THEN I COMMENDED MIRTH,. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit man's present life is under the sun, and is continued as long as All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongs his life in his wickedness. He is instead, in great mercy, giving everyone more time to repentand He is letting us see how far we will drift without His intervention. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Nor does it mean that the person will be afforded protection by the government, though he or she well may, as all do to some extent. 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 ? who makes kroger classic potato chips, characters that wear overalls akinator, phill lewis megan benton lewis, samsung refrigerator water light dim, la liga strikers over 35 years old, do i have appendicitis or gas quiz, console aternos commands, why does ticketmaster pay you after the event, django unchained final scene, competition subs and amps, katherine julian dawnay photos, rabbit hole vs armadillo hole, , richard widmark airport, how to respond to the ball is in your court,

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