Eat, drink, and be joyful, for tomorrow we die! 14 Mirth - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). And it's probably true. [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. Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 5:18-19). It doesn't matter to God that I'm living an immoral life, because look at all that I have." it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by A man cannot find out the work of God though you search it out. 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. ( Ecclesiastes 8:5-7 ). The good are soon Placing them at t _Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the SUN EXCEPT TO EAT AND TO DRINK AND TO BE MERRY, AND THIS WILL STAND BY The Preacher is growing more and more confident about this joy. It seems that this lack of punishment encourages people to sin (11-12a). Thus wisdom here leads to proper caution and can sometimes result in influencing rulers toward positive change. Yes, we have a lot of hard work to do. Thus the Preacher warns against a capricious desertion of ones post (cf. For the time being we are subject to human rule. 3: quid habet amplius homo de universo labore suo quod laborat sub sole. And they begin to make fun of the return of Jesus Christ. Yes, there is vanity under the sun. serving the king, followed by a number Ecclesiastes 7:19-8 for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun ( Ecclesiastes 8:15 ). 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. Sermon Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:1-15. Fear of the Lord is to depart from evil. There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous: so I said that this also is vanity ( Ecclesiastes 8:13-14 ). No man has any power over the spirit. (Needing to give such instruction without any self-serving appearance could be part of why Solomon referred to himself as the Preacher throughout the book rather than as king.). Ecclesiastes 8 Commentary, this verse-by-verse commentary contain gems of information found nowhere outside the ancient Jewish writings . 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. It will help us through the quandary that still remains for this age. physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear you God. . To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. evil. [19] Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. 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. Verse 15. 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. The message here is: Do your best to stay out of trouble! 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 go from someones presence elsewhere signifies disaffection or disloyalty . 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; because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death ( v. 6-8 ). 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). 1. I see life moving on. The next set of verses concerns following kingly authorityhuman governmentas a matter of life and death (verses 2-9). [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. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit in whatsoever state Might as well enjoy what you got now, because man, it's going to be tough later. Many claim that the death penalty is an ineffective deterrent to capital crime today. Ecclesiastes 8:1. Some put Ecclesiastes 8:1 Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise man? And let us truly rejoice. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. Ecclesiastes 2:24 ) ( Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him. So we should not expect that corrupt people coming together to form a government would result in righteous rule. THE BENEFITS OF WHOLESOME RECREATION Honor all men. 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. Benefits of wisdom, respecting government and This joy will make labor more enjoyable. "There is no man that hath power, etc." ( Ecclesiastes 8:8 ). 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. 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). But if they find the kings command unreasonable, wisdom will show them a way out. That all of the talk of the rapture of the church and the return of Jesus Christ is just piped dreams, a misinterpretation of scriptures. 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 must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us (v. 2-5). The Targum interprets it of the joy of the law; 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. 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). Be the first to review this product. 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. Mirth therefore, and a contented enjoyment of God's gifts, preferable to immoderate care and search, Ecclesiastes 8:15. The Targum interprets it of the joy of the law; and is not the language of an epicure, or a carnal man, who No! But he also knows that often the opposite is true (14). 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. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do Commentary, explanation and study verse by verse. 6 [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. God's judgment will come, and thus, I surely know it will be well with those that fear God. The beginning of verse 8 says that no one can retain the spirit in the day of death. A righteous man has prospered; an unrighteous man has prospered. So you know, live it up now. He would have us not to fret and perplex ourselves about it, or make ourselves uneasy, but cheerfully to enjoy what God has given us in the world, to be content with it and make the best of it, though it be much better with others, and such as we think very unworthy (Ecclesiastes 8:15; Ecclesiastes 8:15): Then I commended joy, a holy security and serenity of mind, arising from a confidence in God, and his power, providence, and promise, because a man has no better thing under the sun (though a good man has much better things above the sun) than to eat and drink, that is, soberly and thankfully to make use of the things of this life according as his rank is, and to be cheerful, whatever happens, for that shall abide with him of his labour. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. Who knows anything? The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. interpretation of a thing?_ In the Vulgate these two questions end the The Searcher is King Solomon, who records for us a faithful, objective and relevant report of what he found in this extensive search which took years of his life. He's very loving. THE ONE END OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. Perhaps the locale of a funeral was intendedor, as some suggest, the holy city of Jerusalem. He's very long-suffering. It is 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. 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. They should not spend weary days and sleepless nights puzzling over problems to which only God knows the answer (16-17). O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! 21st Century King James Version. ". 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 3. 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. No man has any power over the spirit. His survey now digresses to consider a wise man's responsibility when I say, "Keep the king's commandment for the sake of your oath to God. 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