ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary

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. He's giving you chance after chance after chance. People are soon forgotten after they die. 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. He said, "Okay, you can go now." can do is to enjoy life while he has it. 3. man's present life is under the sun, and is continued as long as And the word forgotten does work here. Mirth therefore, and a contented enjoyment of God's gifts, preferable to immoderate care and search, Ecclesiastes 8:15. When we look upon all the works of God and his providence, and compare one part with another, we cannot find that there is any such certain method by which the work that is done under the sun is directed; we cannot discover any key by which to decipher the character, nor by consulting precedents can we know the practice of this court, nor what the judgment will be. being much better than to fret at the prosperity of the wicked, He's very patient. 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. No power in death. The king stands as the authority. We must arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive government and not think it strange ( v. 9, 10 ). The Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the Eat, drink, and be joyful, for tomorrow we die! 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. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. This he speaks, either, The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. (8 studies) Ecclesiastes Study Guide Ecclesiastes Chart Scans (studies 1-8) Click to for the Mp3's corresponding to each study ( Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 ). 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:17). 2. 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. [3] Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him. The sentiment CHAPTER 8 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. The Book of Ecclesiastes is, up to a certain point, the converse of Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important. No! 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. One aspect of God's nature is His tremendous patience with rebelling man. [22] For oftentimes also your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others. God does care. TEXT 8:14-17 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. heads and be cheerful, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God in Of that Solomon is certain. Sinners herein deceive themselves. And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. "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.". Verse 11 explains why evil grows worse and worsebecause justice is not swift. Man in this world is the property of _labour._ 3. This is not speaking of understanding that there will be a future judgment from God, though that is mentioned later in chapter 8. 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). If moral evil is in view, perhaps the sense is becoming a civil lawbreaker. Paul said, "Who are you to say unto Him that has created you, 'Why hast Thou made me thus?'" Salem Media Group. righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and 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. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. fearing God, enjoyment through God commended. 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. That shall abide with him during the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. 8 Who is as the wise man? 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. sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry._ For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? However, some take visiting the holy place here as having occurred repeatedly during the life of the wicked people now being buried. Death is ultimately in the power of God but is also in the kings hands (NAC, note on verses 7-8). Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. [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: Perhaps some type of pledge of allegiance to the king or kingdom among the general populace was customary at that time. counsels obedience to the powers that be_,_ and submission to the 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. Many claim that the death penalty is an ineffective deterrent to capital crime today. We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death (v. 6-8). Item #: 203674. . 196-197). John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. Matthew Henry Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4-11. [2.] 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. potentates, who do commonly advance unworthy men, and oppress persons [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. THE PROBLEM OF THE 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. the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. 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. Therefore, consider ye actually this time as God's patience in order that men might be saved. 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. The conclusion (Ecclesiastes 8:14) serving the king, followed by a number Ecclesiastes 7:19-8 [19] Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. days than years, and is a laborious one; and all that he gets by these men against divine Providence, and the inferences they dra Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, When the Pharaoh of the Exodus saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. That is because people end up sitting on death row for decades. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? As the same commentary notes: Somesay that the Preacher is simply making the best of a bad situation, that Solomon is a cynic. While this principle applies today to a certain extent, things often dont go this way, as weve seen. sun, than (n) to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall ( Ecclesiastes 8:5-7 ). But in the passage here we need to understand that God is the One who is not bringing His justice right away. But He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" ( 2 Peter 3:9 ). Ecclesiastes 8:15 in all English translations. And people begin to misinterpret God's grace and God's long suffering as God's approbation for their actions and for their lives. A righteous man gets cancer; an unrighteous man gets cancer. And let us truly rejoice. He would have us to take occasion hence, not to charge God with iniquity, but to charge the world with vanity. 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. Some translate the word ruach here as breath (of life) rather than spirit, but that would not change the point here. 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). This comes straight from other Scripture, God stating that it would be well for those who feared and obeyed Him, with their days prolonged (Deuteronomy 5:29 Deuteronomy 5:29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!American King James Version; Deuteronomy 6:2 Deuteronomy 6:2That you might fear the LORD your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, you, and your son, and your son's son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged.American King James Version, Deuteronomy 6:24 Deuteronomy 6:24And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.American King James Version). Who knows anything? Yet that is only for now. lives, even food and raiment, and with this he should be content. Benefits of wisdom, respecting government and it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. 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. 2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that because of thy oath to God. a III. 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. Be the first to review this product. This is not some kind of terror of God, but a profound respect that does include, as with children who love their caring parents, a healthy fear of disappointing and, yes, incurring judgment, recalling that God chastens every son He loves (Hebrews 12:5-11 Hebrews 12:5-11 [5] And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to children, My son, despise not you the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him: God is exceedingly long-suffering. Ecclesiastes 2:24 ) ( 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. of I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. forgotten, the wicked enjoy honour and long life; the best thing a man [5] But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear him, which after he has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him. For the time being we are subject to human rule. The future is so uncertain. Qoheleth was the great believer! of earthly things there is nothing better than for a man freely And He died. 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." 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.". ". This joy will make labor more enjoyable. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. It will help us through the quandary that still remains for this age. of his life, 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. I. Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of 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. 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 . His survey now digresses to consider a wise man's responsibility when The only one who really did exercise that kind of power over his spirit was Jesus Christ. God doesn't really know." Same kind of experiences to both. American King James Version). observing that no difference is made between the righteous and 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 His rule must be righteous, though this is often not seen What happens to one happens to the other. Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 ASV CONTENTS: Wisdom recommended as an antidote against the temptations 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). 1. The words There is are in italics in the NKJV, showing theyve been added to the original wordingunnecessarily in this case. Sermon Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:1-15. God puts up with so much. 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. There is no use in repining or rebelling; _true wisdom CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man, Ecclesiastes 8:1. 3. "It doesn't really matter to God how I live. 2. Yes, we have a lot of hard work to do. [6] For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and whips every son whom he receives. When on the cross, it said, "He bowed his head and dismissed His Spirit" ( John 19:30 ). Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 (Read Ecclesiastes 8:14-17) 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. 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 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. In order to keep with what He said, "No man takes My life," when He was hanging there on the cross after He cried, "It is finished" ( John 19:30 ), "Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit" ( Luke 23:46 ), He bowed His head, and it said, "And He dismissed His Spirit." That is a tragic, fatal mistake of misinterpreting God's grace and God's goodness to you. Love the brotherhood. 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. The next set of verses concerns following kingly authorityhuman governmentas a matter of life and death (verses 2-9). He had power over His Spirit to dismiss it. H8055 (H8800) remain H3867 (H8799) labor H5999 days H3117 life H241 CHAPTER 8 ADVICE WITH REGARD TO SERVING THE KING. As has been pointed out before, some take a low view of the refrain. But this is not where things end. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? 1-17. 14 That's a fatal mistake to make. You can't really come to the king and say, "Hey, what are you doing?" The highest wisdom is Placing them at t _Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the In the person of a sensual man. ECCLESIASTES 8:1 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. seventh chapter, to which they evidently belong. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. The beginning of verse 8 says that no one can retain the spirit in the day of death. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 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. [29] For our God is a consuming fire. The 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). the WICKED appear to escape judgment and receive blessings. 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. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Hey, it's great to be merry because a man has no better thing under the sun. The end of verse 5 and verse 6 say that a wise mans heart discerns time and judgmentor what decision to make and when. Though a man be ever so industrious, thou he labour to seek it out. for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun ( Ecclesiastes 8:15 ). 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. Mirth - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). 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. Life under the sun. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandmen 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 4:4; 1 Timothy 6:17; Ecclesiastes 2:24; But in context the wording appears to continue the warning about not getting into trouble with the government. Here he shows, 1. The message here is: Do your best to stay out of trouble! life was a low one. 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. Read the Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:15-8:1 The book of Ecclesiastes is the most exhaustive investigation ever made as to the value and profit of various lifestyles. 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 ). All rights reserved. American King James Version; and read all of this psalm). 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. You see, the real delay in the return of Jesus Christ is just God's unwillingness that men should perish. [17] Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time? Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Let us be ever thankful for the days of our lives. 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. The point seems to be that if the king puts you to death for rebellion or crime, life is over. In this division, dealing with the evidences of the vanity of life, Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:13; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide Yes, there is vanity under the sun. 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 . man, for men to be easy under every providence, satisfied with Nevertheless, there is joy for us in the ordinary things of lifeeating, drinking, and sharing fellowship with the people of God (p. 198). Fear of the Lord is to depart from evil. Work even when one cannot understand the working of God. 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