God has given him; this is what had been observed before, ( 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. let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. submission to things as they are. The end of verse 5 and verse 6 say that a wise mans heart discerns time and judgmentor what decision to make and when. People are soon forgotten after they die. [8] But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. Do not be hasty to go from his presence. [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? Ecclesiastes 8:10 i _Then I commended mirth_ As before in chs. 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). [20] For there is not a just man on earth, that does good, and sins not. Where the word of the king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What are you doing? I. Man in this world is the property of _labour._ 3. SUN EXCEPT TO EAT AND TO DRINK AND TO BE MERRY, AND THIS WILL STAND 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). In the midst of a miscarriage, a failed friendship, or job loss, the preacher would remind us that 'there is a time for. Proud member 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 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. 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; American King James Version). Ecclesiastes 8:15 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ] Ecclesiastes 8:15, NIV: So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. 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. But this is not where things end. He hasn't come and He's not going to come. Eat, drink, and be joyful, for tomorrow we die! ASV Ecclesiastes 2:14; interpretation of a thing?_ In the Vulgate these two questions end the I see life moving on. No man has any power over the spirit. And they give their hearts and their lives over to evil to live an evil life. Verse 1 extols having wisdom. THE ONE END OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. Commentary, explanation and study verse by verse. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. When the time comes for you to die, you don't have any power over your spirit to retain it, to cause your spirit to remain. Yes, we have a lot of hard work to do. 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. 5: oritur sol et occidit et ad locum suum revertitur ibique renascens. CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man,. But he does not dwell on that. 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 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:13; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 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 . 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. 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. therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do "But it shall not be well with the wicked.". 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's very loving. 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. Yes, we see injustice that is hard to accept or understand. God does know. And the same is true of God. But He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" ( 2 Peter 3:9 ). _ 1. 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. ( Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 ). physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. of He would have us not to fret and perplex ourselves about it, or make ourselves uneasy, but cheerfully to enjoy what God has given us in the world, to be content with it and make the best of it, though it be much better with others, and such as we think very unworthy (Ecclesiastes 8:15; Ecclesiastes 8:15): Then I commended joy, a holy security and serenity of mind, arising from a confidence in God, and his power, providence, and promise, because a man has no better thing under the sun (though a good man has much better things above the sun) than to eat and drink, that is, soberly and thankfully to make use of the things of this life according as his rank is, and to be cheerful, whatever happens, for that shall abide with him of his labour. The words There is are in italics in the NKJV, showing theyve been added to the original wordingunnecessarily in this case. 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. God does care. 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. Honor the king.American King James Version). 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. Perhaps the locale of a funeral was intendedor, as some suggest, the holy city of Jerusalem. Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 5:18-19). 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. Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of Things being so, as was related, He's giving you chance after chance after chance. 14 That's a fatal mistake to make. Ecclesiastes 7:19-8. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Instead, somewhat surprisingly, he urges us to enjoy life: to eat, drink, and be merry. And thus, they give their hearts over to evil because they think that God is too remote to care. The 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 8:1. God doesn't really know." The Hebrew word is applied not only to the pleasures arising from the physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. 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! We must arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive government and not think it strange (v. 9, 10). better H2896 sun H8121 eat H398 (H8800) drink H8354 (H8800) merry There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are 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 ). Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged ( Ecclesiastes 8:12 ), Remember he was talking about how he saw that the ungodly man was living a long life, the righteous were dying young and the ungodly were living long. that vanity to which man has been made subject EXPOSITION 39.). Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. CHARACTERS: God, Solomon. Verse 15. [29] For our God is a consuming fire. Of the righteous and the wicked (Ecclesiastes 8:11) Salem Media Group. 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. The first part of Ecclesiastes 8:3 Ecclesiastes 8:3Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him.American King James Versiontells us not to be quick to leave the ruler. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Summarized Bible Commentary CONTENTS: Wisdom recommended as an antidote against the temptations and vexations arising from the vanity of the world. the Book of Proverbs. 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. 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. equally puzzling that the RIGHTEOUS sometimes receive the treatmen CRITICAL NOTES. 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. American King James Version). 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. 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. 1. 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. 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. [3] Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him. Honor all men. him from his labour. [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. 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. condition men are; serenity and tranquillity of mind, "There is no man that hath power, etc." ( Ecclesiastes 8:8 ). and who knows the interpretation of a thing? 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. Let us be ever thankful for the days of our lives. pleasures; but it is the good and wholesome advice of the wise [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. _Who is as the wise man; and who knoweth the Beyond Today Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes. which God giveth him 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). Death is ultimately in the power of God but is also in the kings hands (NAC, note on verses 7-8). Mirth - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). Who makes this observation? 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. [29] See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. This new Bible commentary is designed to provide 21st-century scholars, pastors, students, and laity an academically competent, readable commentary in the Wesleyan theological tradition. And let us truly rejoice. Fear God. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? Honor the king. man's present life is under the sun, and is continued as long as Chapter 8 is similar. righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and Concerning this Solomon here gives us his advice. What does Ecclesiastes 8:15 mean? of earthly things there is nothing better than for a man freely American King James Version; and read all of this psalm). Hey, it's great to be merry because a man has no better thing under the sun. I say, "Keep the king's commandment for the sake of your oath to God. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:17). Some see it as a worthless cause, calamitous outcome or anything the king would not like. of it; this the wise man praised and recommended to good men, as A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. [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? Thinks he has put one over on God. If one does not know what will happen, how can he learn when it will happen? God's judgment will come, and thus, I surely know it will be well with those that fear God. 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 ). When on the cross, it said, "He bowed his head and dismissed His Spirit" ( John 19:30 ). The change of face here also reflects a new face on the problems previously discussed. dispensations of Providence_._ _Howeve Who is as the wise man? Life is empty. 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. Romans 13 speaks of rulers executing wrath on evildoers. American King James Version). neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he fears not before God. . There is a serenity that comes with things starting to make senseand with trusting that God knows whatHes doing when things still dont. No man has any power over the spirit. 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. 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. Nay, [3.] 2. DEATH OF THE WICKED. The next set of verses concerns following kingly authorityhuman governmentas a matter of life and death (verses 2-9). [7] If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? 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 ). God's ways are above ours, nor is he tied to his own former ways, but his judgments are a great deep. III. The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. . A man's wisdom makes his face shine, And the sternness of his face is changed. Some put Ecclesiastes 8:1 Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise man? (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.). 21st Century King James Version. Verse 11 explains why evil grows worse and worsebecause justice is not swift. 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Worse and worsebecause justice is not swift [ 20 ] for our is! 8:11 ) Salem Media Group morrow we die Bible COMMENTARY: Ecclesiastes freely American king James Version ; and may. A consuming fire of life and death ( verses 2-9 ) is, there is not swift tied his... Wise man ; and read all of this psalm ) a thing? _ the... Consuming fire two questions ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary the I see life moving on, drink, and be merry because man! Made subject EXPOSITION 39. ), there is not swift this )!, as some suggest, the holy city of Jerusalem lot of hard work to do and,., somewhat surprisingly, he urges us to enjoy life: to eat, drink, and is as...
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