E verybody wants to know what life is really about. What is at the root? How can it be simplified? The Hebrew title of the book is Koheleth
which may be translated teacher
or preacher
. The Greek word Ecclesiastes was used to translate this Hebrew word in the Septuagint, and it passed to the Latin and then the English. It carries the connotation of gathering a group of people to talk to them.
The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that we are not in control, only God is. There is nothing we can do today that will guarantee a better tomorrow or even five minutes from now. The book advises us to make the best of today. Enjoy it but bear in mind who controls our future. The objective of the book is to tell us what we can successfully pursue in life.
On the Shabbat which falls during the week of
Sukkot
(or in the event when the first day of Sukkot is on Shabbat), the Book of Ecclesiastes is read during morning synagogue services in the Land of Israel. The practice of reading the book during Sukkot appears to go back to antiquity but I have no conclusive evidence. The feast pictures our future therefore Ecclesiastes is ideal advice for us all.
The version of the Bible used in this article for Ecclesiastes is the King James.
Chapter 1. You are not in control
Consider the meaning of vanity as pointless to pursue as your goal of life
. You cannot predict life. It is elusive and cannot be totally grasped.
1
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
From the statement son of David, king in Jerusalem
, the book was written by Solomon. Solomon reigned over Israel from 970-931 BC. God identified Solomon as having unparalleled wisdom. Once he became king, God offered him anything he wanted and when he asked for the wisdom to rule God's people properly, God included riches and fame as well (2 Chronicles 1:10-12). There is no record that God ever removed His promise but when Solomon got old he turned from serving God wholeheartedly.
There is no lasting demand for anything that you do. Life just runs in cycles.
3
What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
4
One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
5
The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
6
The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
7
All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
You can never set the final state of anything. You always see more, or hear more that needs to be done so you are always changing things that have already been done. There is nothing really new. You are really just trying to do it better than someone who did it before. Life nullifies the value of achievements that went before so that they lose significance and there is no need to remember them.
8
All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10
Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11
There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
Whatever you achieve in life is deceptively futile.
The following definition, like all of the other Hebrew/Greek Biblical definitions come from Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Dictionaries of the Greek and Hebrew Testaments
.
'Vanity' comes from H1892, Hebrew:- hebel
- 1. emptiness or vanity
- 2. (figuratively) something transitory and unsatisfactory
- 3. often used as an adverb [from H1891] which specifically means to lead astray
- KJV: X altogether, vain, vanity
.
vexation of spirit
is translated from two Hebrew words
r`uwth
and
ruwach
.
- H7469 r`uwth
- 1. a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after.
- [probably from H7462]
- KJV: vexation.
- Root(s): H7462
- H7307 ruwach.
- 1. wind
- 2. by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation
- 3. (figuratively) life, anger, unsubstantiality
- 4. by extension, a region of the sky
- 5. by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions)
- KJV: spirit.
God has put a void in man that yearns to be filled, a desire to fix his environment but it cannot be fixed. Nothing that people do is final and complete. Even if you are able to meet the current need things always become obsolete or inadequate. Solomon sought to find something that is always worth doing but nothing had lasting value.
12
I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
14
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15
That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
Even when vast resources are combined with great knowledge it solves nothing. Solomon concerns himself with three approaches: wisdom, notoriety, recklessness. This is a personal observation based on the context of what Solomon says and the roots of the words: wisdom, madness and folly from verse 17.
Wisdom : The word means wisdom in the positive sense. This is the educated approach.
Madness : The word translated as madness (Strongs H1947, Hebrew howlelah
) has the root
- H1984 halal
- 1. to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color)
- 2. to shine
- 3. (hence) to make a show, to boast
- 4. and thus to be (clamorously) foolish
- 5. to rave
- 6. causatively, to celebrate
- 7. also to stultify
From this I derive that Solomon is talking about popularity, fame or notoriety.
Folly : This word is translated from
- H5531 cikluwth
- 1. silliness
- The root of this word is H5528 cakal
- 1. to be silly
- KJV: do (make, play the, turn into) fool(-ish, -ishly, -ishness).
I determined that Solomon is talking about recklessness or being unrestrained and heedless in seeking personal satisfaction. He is not talking about having a low IQ because you cannot do anything about that and Solomon is talking about choices you can make.
Since Solomon was richer and smarter (more educated) than anyone in Jerusalem, he attempted to find the most intelligent approach to life. Should he continue to focus on education, or should it be fame or just to be reckless? It was also deceptively futile.
16
I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Chapter 2. Should I be smart, reckless or popular?
Merriment solves nothing. If your life was an endless party you would still become dissatisfied and frustrated.
1
I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
2
I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
3
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
Work (I would say public displays of your work) brings no lasting satisfaction.
4
I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
5
I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
6
I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
Possessions do not fill the void.
7
I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
8
I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
He succeeded more than anyone else at all he attempted but it had no lasting value.
9
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
10
And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
11
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Solomon stopped to consider and found that while nothing was lasting, education was important. It was important because you at least understood what you were doing, even though someone would come along and make all that you knew obsolete. So even with great success at that, still nobody would even remember you eventually.
12
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
13
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
14
The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
15
Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
16
For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
Can you find comfort in doing it for your descendants? Nope, because no amount of wisdom or work can guarantee who will inherit the fruit of your efforts.
17
Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
18
Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
19
And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
20
Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
21
For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22
For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
23
For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
What makes the difference is God. He can give you the right education, joy in your heart and the material things that you need. The rest is pointless because God can also take these things away and give them to whomever He pleases.
24
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
25
For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?
26
For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Chapter 3. God has set things in motion and the best that we can do is to keep up.
He has set a time for everything. We need to keep in step. When God moves on we need to move on too.
1
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
God makes the future seem so wonderful as time stretches before you. God creates infinite possibilities in your heart so you are deceived by what is possible, but the truth is that there is no lasting value in what you do than to enjoy each day as it comes. It is a gift from God.
9
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
In contrast to man, whatever God does cannot be improved upon and lasts forever. This should teach us respect. Because whatever we do is corrupt; our justice system is full of wickedness and what stands for righteousness is full of immorality. Solomon realised that he had to leave that problem for God to fix because He has allowed time for all these.
14
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
15
That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
16
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
17
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
Solomon knew that there is a spirit in man that goes back to God (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7), however he said to himself in the matter of mortal existence, that human life has no more inherent significance than animal life. They suffer an identical fate and nobody remembers any more about you than their pet dog after that. Just make the best of the days that you have because you cannot control what will happen when your eyes are shut.
18
I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
19
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
20
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
22
Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Chapter 4. Power and Possessions do not bring lasting satisfaction.
Solomon stopped to consider the amount of oppression that is in the world. The victims have no source of comfort and the tyrants have no peace. In such cases they were better off dead or not yet born.
1
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
2
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
3
Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
What about people who strive for noble achievements? If you don't work then you become deprived but to sacrifice family life to achieve notoriety is not worth it. Take a little with enjoyment. It is deceptively futile.
4
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
He saw something really ridiculous in the world. A man who has no family with an insatiable drive to acquire wealth. It is stupid. It is better to spend your time looking for someone to share it with. Better yet if you also include God.
7
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
9
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
It is better to be lacking experience and knowledge, and be insignificant but willing to learn, than to be worldly, rich and in charge but cannot take sound advice, because the insignificant inquiring mind will become affluent while the rich, dull one becomes impoverished. I looked at life around the world and realised that this too is an endless cycle. The older rulers outlive their usefulness and are ridiculed while a young person shows great potential. Power is also deceptively futile.
13
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15
I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
16
There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Chapter 5. Your life is a gift from God to you.
Go to the temple to listen to the wise men, not to be participating in appearances of piousness that you don't even understand.
1
Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
Don't be too hasty to make commitments to God.
2
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
3
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.
4
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
5
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
6
Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
7
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
There is a reason for oppression and exploitation. There is a hierarchy and the rich and powerful are driven by greed. The more they have the more they need to sustain it. They can't rest but a poor man works hard and sleeps in peace.
8
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
9
Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
10
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
11
When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
12
The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
Storing up riches at great personal sacrifice is unreliable at best. Natural disasters or unexpected tragedies can rob you of all that you worked so hard for. Then what? If God blesses you with good things then make time to enjoy them.
13
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
14
But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
15
As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
16
And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
17
All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
18
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
19
Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
20
For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
Chapter 6. Contentment
People tend to want to set goals that bring a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction over time. Even if you succeed in accumulating wealth it is possible to have money and be worse off than the poor, even worse than dead, because you cannot enjoy what you have.
1
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:
2
A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
3
If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.
4
For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.
5
Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.
6
Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
How is it that some poor people are happy? How are they able to keep abreast with life? Because they know how to appreciate what they have (can see it) even when they can never have the best that money can buy, or all that they could use, but yet they are contented.
Ecclesiastes 6 [KJV]| scripture | Comment |
|---|
| [7] All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. |
|
| [8] For what hath the wise more than the fool? {*1} what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living {*2}? | 1__ What is the smart thing to do?.
2__ how do the poor keep abreast with life. |
| [9] Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire {*3} : this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. | 3__ they know how to appreciate what they have |
In verse 11,
things
is translated from Strongs' H1697, Hebrew
dabar
.
- Hebrew dabar.
- 1. a word
- 2. (by implication) a matter (as spoken of) or thing
- 3. (adverbially) a cause
So in verse 11 it is talking about words, arguments and causes. We know that history tells us about what man has been. The future of man will be the same as the past.
Ecclesiastes 6 [KJV]| scripture | Comment |
|---|
| [10] That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man {*1} : neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he {*2} . | 1__ What men do is already written down in history.
2__ Don't waste time arguing with God. |
| [11] Seeing there be many things that increase vanity {*3} ,what is man the better? {*4} | 3__ The more you argue the more you add to futility.
4__ What good does arguing do?. |
| [12] For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? {*5} for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? {*6} | 5__ How can you take hold of the real thing that casts the shadow?
6__ What can you tell a man to make a difference to the future? The modus operandi of the world is set and established. |
Chapter 7. Seven principles of becoming mature
There are 7 important principles in Ecclesiastes 7. Developing good character is the same thing as growing up as far as God is concerned. How you die is far more important than how you are born so take it to heart. A good reputation has more appeal than good perfume. It is a fact, but considering the whole of what Solomon is saying about after this life, there is something that supersedes a reputation in this life. The one in the next life is what is important.
Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 (KJV)
1
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
1..Consider death.
Because how we leave this world is more important than how we come in, all of us should study death. Men are wired to spend too much time playing (drinking, sports, whatever) and too little time focusing on
DEALING
with their mortality. In my opinion women mature earlier because from young they are more sensitive to danger while men cannot see any reason to be afraid. The greatest challenge to maturity is coming to terms with how you want to die. Do you want to be penniless in the poor house? Will you heap up injustices that will certainly be addressed at your judgement? What do you plan to do about it?
2
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
2..Accept that life is oppressive.
Things like extortion and injustice would normally make the intelligent man rave or lose control in speaking or block
in the common vernacular, but a bribe subdues him and dissipates his passion to fight them. Don't let that type of injustice get you too perturbed. Life is unfair. Accept it. Grow up.
7
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
10
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
3..Education and money are critical.
The combination of intelligence (good sense) and money is wonderful i.e. educate yourself and make some money. Excellency
is better translated advantage
. Even if you inherit money you still need to educate yourself and use good sense. Good sense sees the life in life-and-death situations.
11
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
12
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
4..Having said all of that consider God.
God creates cycles of prosperity and adversity in such a way that nobody can really tell the future even of good and bad people.
13
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
15
All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
5..Don't make yourself a target for destruction.
The Hebrew word translated righteous
in this verse may also be translated just
or lawful
. I see it as a person who looses perspective like Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Try not to be singled out as always the smartest one, or the best one, it will destroy you. Try not to be seen as the trouble maker or the stupid one because someone may kill you.
16
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
6..Everybody is out to get you.
Everybody is out to get you on some level but you still have to be God-fearing in dealing with them. Don't expect them to the perfect. If you had ten (a perfect count) bodyguards it could not protect you. Only God can protect you from people. Even you will make hostile decisions about others that you regret.
18
It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
20
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22
For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
7..Be wary in dealing with people but be doubly careful in dealing with women.
23
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
25
I applied mine 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:
26
And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
28
Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
Chapter 8. Dealing with powerful people
Wisdom may cause your face to radiate and embolden your manner. Solomon's advice is that you to obey the boss especially if it involves an oath to God. Make sure that you understand exactly what he wants before you leave. Don't rush off half-cocked and end up doing what he considers wrong. Even if you know that you know you are right, don't be impetuous; keep out of his bad books. Powerful people like yes-men; they do not like to be opposed or disobeyed. Make careful choices. Your brains cannot bring you back from the dead.
Ecclesiastes 8 [KJV]| scripture | Comment |
|---|
| [1] Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed {*1} . | 1__ embolden your manner. |
| [2] I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God {*2} . | 2__ what oath? I believe this is about making hasty commitments. |
| [3] Be not hasty to go out of his sight {*3} : stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. | 3__ make sure that you understand what he wants before you go. |
| [4] Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? |
|
| [5] Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment {*4} . | 4__keepeth the commandment = follows the rules. You see nothing wrong with them. discerneth and feel is translated from same word meaning to know . Why did Solomon use the same word? A wise person will see the problem with the rules but bide his time. |
| [6] Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him {*5} . | 5__ There are always consequences for acting at the wrong time. Misery here is translated from the same word as evil in verse 5. So the bad things in the system persist because of difficulties with finding the right time.
|
| [7] For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? |
|
| [8] There is no man that hath power over the 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 {*6} . | 6__ Just as you cannot escape death forever you cannot escape the consequences of poor judgement forever |
As Solomon says next: people will not relinquish their power over others even though it ultimately harms them to continue. Doing good counts for the afterlife, not necessarily this one. In this life evil people come and go in holy places and they die with people oblivious to their evil. In v10 were forgotten
is translated from the Hebrew verb shakach/ shakeach
which means something like cause to forget
in the sense that you become oblivious of what is going on. Because they go unpunished others are attracted to the same behaviour. For God-fearing people it is easier to praise God for what we have and enjoy life, than be caught up with the powerful. Under our system the good suffer and the evil prosper. No matter how hard you work as the point-man for the powerful you cannot cover all bases.
9
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 ruleth over another to his own hurt.
10
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.
11
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.
12
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:
13
But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
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.
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.
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.
Chapter 9. Pedigree
Only God controls the future and no matter what your pedigree is you are subject to that. Events of life are not controlled by our good or bad motives or our good or bad pedigree, but by God's design. In this regard anybody may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In spite of that people set themselves to do evil and die unexpectedly. Life is a blessing so make the best of it and remember God because He, and not our pedigree, gives us hope to escape evil in this life and the one to come.
1
For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
2
All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
3
This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
4
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6
Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
7
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
8
Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
9
Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
11
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
12
For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
Poor people do not matter in this world, in spite of how much they contribute. Even though the powers that be know their value, if it comes from a poor man it is ignored or they find some way of rewarding the wealthy at his expense. Instead of giving him power some idiot with pedigree will be chosen and he will cause lots of damage where a little wisdom is all that is required. I understand one sinner
in verse 18 to mean someone that disregards God's law.
13
This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
14
There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
15
Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
18
Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Chapter 10. Take care to avoid antagonising the system
By the system I mean the Church, the government, the job or whatever system we are immersed in. People who care will be frustrated by the wickedness of the system and want to improve things. I have found that most people do not like to rock the boat and that is wise. This advice that Solomon is giving is pointing out the conflict in how to succeed with the system on a physical level, and how it often clashes with living by the Holy Spirit. Solomon was wise in the ways of the world but he was not a good spiritual example. If we have the Holy Spirit, and hence are like God, we should hate many things in this world. Consider Ezekiel 35:6 [KJV], Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee
. So when you hate the evil what do you do? According to the way that the goody goody Christians see it, you should not hate anything, just always get along. Solomon pointed out in chapter 8 verse 11 that systems descend into evil when the sentence against evil is not carried out speedily. That means that when we see evil, and know what God says about it, and we do nothing, it just gets worse. The challenge for a Christian is to keep the balance but know that we cannot serve two masters. Also remember:
Proverbs 29:27 [KJV]
An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
If you are doing the right thing people will hate you, and that means Christians too.
Psalms 119:157-159 [KJV] Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. 158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. 159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
Psalms 45:6-7 [KJV]
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Proverbs 13:5 [KJV]
A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame
Romans 12:9 [KJV]
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Dissimulation means hypocrisy, not sucking up to people when you know that they are wrong.
Psalms 139:20-24 [KJV]
For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
21
Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22
I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
David said that he hates them with perfect hatred and yet there was no wicked way in him. So a Christian is walking a tightrope and trying to balance his hatred of evil with living at peace with all men (Romans 12:18). Bearing all this in mind we can objectively consider what Solomon says.
A little carelessness is all it takes.
1
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
2
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3
Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
Seeing the environment that we live in and the rulers that we have in charge, be careful. In verses 4-7 Solomon is not talking about material wealth but wealth of morals and character, otherwise he would be contradicting what he said in chapter 9:13-18.
4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
5
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
6
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
7
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Take the time to avoid creating problems.
8
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9
Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
10
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
12
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
In days of old the city could be seen from miles away and you could ask anyone where it was; only a fool could not find it. In the city he could find payment for his labour. We need to know how to profit from our labour.
15
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Irresponsible rulers bring a country to ruin. You ought to be aware that nobles
is a poor translation in verse 17. the Hebrew is Strong's H2715: chor (khore), meaning .1. (properly) white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; or 2. hence (figuratively) noble (in rank) according to Strong's dictionaries. The translators, for obvious reasons, chose nobles
, but to remain in harmony with the Bible the answer can only be pure
or righteous
.
16
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
17
Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
Watch what you say about powerful people.
20
Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
Chapter 11. Take hold of life's opportunities.
Long term investments will eventually pay off.
1
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
Diversify your investments of time and material resources.
2
Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
There comes a point when things can no longer be contained and they gush out or collapse. You cannot put water back in a cloud or replant a tree that falls, just make the best of the wood or water.
3
If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
Do what you have to do. There is never a perfect time to act. We are not in control. Once the opportunity is gone we cannot redeem it. There is always a reason to fear the outcome but we still have to act.
4
He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
You do not know what God will deliver in life. In those days they could not even tell if it was a boy or girl.
5
As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
Do what you plan to do and don't let circumstances stop you. Keep going until you have to stop. Make use of the whole day because you do not know which part will be productive.
6
In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
Understanding this depends on how you understand the days of darkness
. It could refer to death but what could be helpful about remembering that you will be dead for a long time? In my opinion it either refers to the days beyond your death or the dark days in your life. Plan to enjoy your life (your years) but bear in mind that many days you will be groping in the dark. You cannot predict life. It is elusive and cannot be grasped. Or perhaps it means that the hope of the resurrection is much longer than the days of mortal life.
7
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
8
But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
Youth is short so take advantage of it but stay away from evil.
9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
10
Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
Chapter 12 - The Conclusion: Start serving God from young
Advice for the wise. Young people live carefree lives but that changes when we get old. Keep your creator in your thoughts now. A lack of light makes the whole world a darker place (literally and symbolically). The clouds return after the rain
to me means that the one threat of gloom follows another so you are never at ease. Keepers of the house
are hands, the almond tree is grey hair, the grasshopper shall be a burden
is probably referring to losing ones vitality. Eastern people ate locusts and were not afraid of them but to an old person catching one that was loose in the house would be a burden.
1
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
2
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
3
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
4
And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
5
Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
6
Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
7
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
8
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
9
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
