These seeming anomalies in the moral government of God are part of Then I commended mirth These are some more of the cavils of the infidel objector: "Since virtue is frequently under oppression, and vice triumphs in health, and rolls in wealth, I see plainly that we should not trouble ourselves about future things; and therefore should be governed by the maxim EDE, BIBE, LUDE. The Ecclesiastes 8:15 "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." King James Version (KJV) < Previous Verse Next Verse > View Chapter Ecclesiastes 8:15 Context Who is as the wise man? 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 2:24 ) ( That's a fatal mistake to make. God is exceedingly long-suffering. Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 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). 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). _ 1. 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. Same kind of experiences to both. Recall that this comes on the heels of Solomon presenting humanity as corrupt in chapter 7. Yet this is with the realization that God loves us and wants the best for us. 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. One of the common mistakes that people make is that of misinterpreting the nature of God. and vexations arising from the vanity of the world. 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. And it's probably true. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. American King James Version; and read all of this psalm). lives, even food and raiment, and with this he should be content. . 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. The words There is are in italics in the NKJV, showing theyve been added to the original wordingunnecessarily in this case. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? As has been pointed out before, some take a low view of the refrain. 3. That is a tragic, fatal mistake of misinterpreting God's grace and God's goodness to you. experience of a THEN I COMMENDED MIRTH,. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit . with him of his labour the days of his life, which God givet KINGS'COURTS NEED WARY WALKING $15.99 As low as $8.00. What does Ecclesiastes 8:15 mean? I counsel thee to keep the king's commandmen 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 4:4; 1 Timothy 6:17; Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:18, the Epicurean The problem with this view is that it does not do full justice to what the Preacher says. heads and be cheerful, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God in He, for his part, had applied his heart to know this wisdom, and to see the business that is done, by the divine Providence, upon the earth, to find out if there were any certain scheme, any constant rule or method, by which the affairs of this lower world were administered, any course of government as sure and steady as the course of nature, so that by what is done now we might as certainly foretel what will be done next as by the moon's changing now we can foretel when it will be at the full; this he would fain have found out. ECCLESIASTES 8:1 Verse 7 in context presents more about the need for discerning the right time and way. Yes, we have a lot of hard work to do. It's going to be well with the man who has departed from evil. IV. Now in chapter 8, Solomon tells us to exercise wisdom and righteousness to help reduce and manage problems in many cases, maintain proper perspective and find joy in life and ultimate reward from God. Post mortem nulla voluptas.". United Church of Godis a501(c)3organization. That is because people end up sitting on death row for decades. Things being so, as was related, Verse 15. which God giveth him under the sun; 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 ). Most people, including many Christians, go through life hardly realizing that they are constantly in the presence of God. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not? 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! His reply is not an observation, but the answer of faith. He believes what he cannot seethat one day all will be well for everyone who lives in the fear of God (Ryken, p. 196). man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face [10] For they truly for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Chapter 8 is similar. Verse 11 explains why evil grows worse and worsebecause justice is not swift. The dead would not have been taken to the temple, for that would have been ceremonially defiling. life was a low one. 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. Jesus made clear that we are to fear not mere human beings who can take only our immediate lives but to fear Him who is able to remove us from existence forever (Matthew 10:28 Matthew 10:28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.American King James Version; Luke 12:4-5 Luke 12:4-5 [4] And I say to you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:17). And the same is true of God. a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.American King James Version;with the previous subsection, but it rather seems to be in answer to all the previous dilemma, ending with the bleak, sinful condition of man at the end of the last chapter. let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.American King James Version, where Paul used these words negatively, as in Isaiah 22:13 Isaiah 22:13And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.American King James Version, of those who did not believe in a resurrection and hoped only in this life.] 19952023 All correspondence and questions should be sent to info@ucg.org. [23] All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 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! II. 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. THE ONE END OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. 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. One day, God will set things right. Of the righteous and the wicked (Ecclesiastes 8:11) God puts up with so much. Who knows anything? being much better than to fret at the prosperity of the wicked, The sentiment of this verse is a frequent conclusion of the writers personal experience (compare marginal references), and is unfairly charged with Epicureanism. 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. All rights reserved. [6] For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and whips every son whom he receives. "It doesn't really matter to God how I live. 2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that because of thy oath to God. Read full chapter. Verses 12-13 show that beyond the prolonged days of the wicked today, it will be well with those who fear God but not for the wicked who do not. The Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the [20] For there is not a just man on earth, that does good, and sins not. It doesn't matter to God that I'm living an immoral life, because look at all that I have." eat, and to 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. the WICKED appear to escape judgment and receive blessings. 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. But ultimately, it will go only this way when God sets everything right. "But it shall not be well with the wicked.". If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses. He would not have us to be surprised at it, as though some strange thing happened, for he himself saw it in his days, Ecclesiastes 8:14; Ecclesiastes 8:14. 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. 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). CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man,. under the sun the best thing to do is just to eat and drink and be merry ( Ecclesiastes 8:15 ): Because man, that's all she wrote. 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. They should not spend weary days and sleepless nights puzzling over problems to which only God knows the answer (16-17). 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." In view of these contradictions, Solomon again recommended the enjoyment of life, not in a pleasure-mad way but in the sense of enjoying the fruits of ones labor (cf. seventh chapter, to which they evidently belong. He is not out to destroy us but to save us, as Hes said time and again. Though a man be ever so industrious, thou he labour to seek it out. 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. Many claim that the death penalty is an ineffective deterrent to capital crime today. There 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. There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are [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. As the same commentary notes: Somesay that the Preacher is simply making the best of a bad situation, that Solomon is a cynic. God does care. The only one who really did exercise that kind of power over his spirit was Jesus Christ. alter; for that shall abide with him of his labour the days And the word forgotten does work here. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 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). Or possibly the reference is to a general promise to obey God, with this including the requirement of following Israels divinely appointed kingor maybe even any nations ruler, since, as Paul later points out in Romans 13, all governing authorities are in power because of God and are to be obeyedexcept when there is a conflict with Gods law, which must come first (Acts 5:29 Acts 5:29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.American King James Version). Mirth - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). 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. that vanity to which man has been made subject EXPOSITION 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. 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; [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. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. MAN UNDER THE Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 4: generatio praeterit et generatio advenit terra vero in aeternum stat. [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? A Practical Verse-by-Verse Study of ECCLESIASTES - It is Don's interpretation that the book of Ecclesiastes describes Solomon's futile way of living as he heads down that slippery spiral of wine, women and song. And they give their hearts and their lives over to evil to live an evil life. So we should not expect that corrupt people coming together to form a government would result in righteous rule. Things just continue as they were from the beginning.'" drinking, and all manner of carnal deli Ecclesiastes 8:15 commended H7623 (H8765) enjoyment H8057 man H120 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. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? of earthly things there is nothing better than for a man freely 2. 3: quid habet amplius homo de universo labore suo quod laborat sub sole. "I'm a prosperous cheat, so God is condoning my cheating. Ecclesiastes 8:13. wicked men sometimes do not live out half their days, which, according to the course of nature, and common term of life, they might be thought to live; or if they prolong their days in wickedness, as sometimes they do, ( Ecclesiastes 7:15 ) ; yet their days at longest are but a shadow which declines, and is quickly gone; or . 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). 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. [26] And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. Ecclesiastes 8:14-15 meaning Although life is mysterious, Solomon has discovered by submitting to the God of Mystery, rather than trying to make sense of the world through human experience, he can enjoy and appreciate the best life has to offer. yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him ( Ecclesiastes 8:12 ): Now, in the end the best life is the life of fearing God, walking with God. 39.). 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. Of the fear of God, the need for which we have already seen in the book and will see again in its conclusion (Ecclesiastes 3:14 Ecclesiastes 3:14I 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.American King James Version; Ecclesiastes 5:7 Ecclesiastes 5:7For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear you God.American King James Version; Ecclesiastes 7:18 Ecclesiastes 7:18It 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.American King James Version; Ecclesiastes 12:13 Ecclesiastes 12:13Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.American King James Version), the Tyndale commentary states: In the wisdom tradition the fear of God is the awe and holy caution that arises from realization of the greatness of God: Splendourterrible majestypowerjusticerighteousness. Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of life was a low one. 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 Be discreet in relation with a ruler. [1.] In this division, dealing with the evidences of the vanity of life, 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. 2. Of that Solomon is certain. Proud member
Ecclesiastes 7:19-8. of it; this the wise man praised and recommended to good men, as The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. To go from someones presence elsewhere signifies disaffection or disloyalty . CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man, Ecclesiastes 8:1. Or it could be that all the men of Israel took an oath as part of the nations military. it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by Solomon's pencil. Add To Cart. His estimate of the pleasures of the senses is recorded in Ecclesiastes 7:2-6. Who is as the wise man? [24] That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? It will hasten it. Product Identifiers [21] Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you: You can't really come to the king and say, "Hey, what are you doing?" Some translate the word ruach here as breath (of life) rather than spirit, but that would not change the point here. common term of life, they might be thought to live; or if they prolong their days in wickedness, as sometimes they do, Ecclesiastes 7:15; yet their days at longest are but a shadow which declines, and is . Blue Letter Bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding. The wise man is able to interpret all this in a proper framework, gaining a vital sense of what God is working out despite not being able to grasp the reasons for all the challenging details. Rather, the meaning here is that the prudent, law-abiding citizen will receive no punishment from the governmentat least, generally speaking. This is because the instruction referred to obeying the king in general, whoever he wasor to obeying whatever human authority was in power. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. No! American King James Versiona). 2: vanitas vanitatum dixit Ecclesiastes vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas. the preacher sets forth certain deductions. Some put Ecclesiastes 8:1 Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise man? CHARACTERS: God, Solomon. Solomon in verse 2 says to keep the kings command, not My commandhe being the king. The Book of Ecclesiastes is, up to a certain point, the converse of and who knows the interpretation of a thing? Note that the obedience to the king is for the sake of your oath to God (same verse). We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death (v. 6-8). Who makes this observation? 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. You can't escape it. The beginning of verse 5 says that the person who keeps the kings command will experience nothing harmful. This does not mean nothing bad will ever happen to the person. 1. 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. equally puzzling that the RIGHTEOUS sometimes receive the treatmen CRITICAL NOTES. So, because God has waited so long, because God hasn't speedily executed His sentence against the evil, people begin to assume that God has just withdrawn Himself. 2. 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. 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. 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). Its just a matter of timeand probably much less time than most imagine. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? days than years, and is a laborious one; and all that he gets by potentates, who do commonly advance unworthy men, and oppress persons Ecclesiastes 8:15 in all English translations. Some see it as a worthless cause, calamitous outcome or anything the king would not like. To live a God-fearing life is to live in constant awareness of the presence of God, who is even closer than a prayer away (pp. We must arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive government and not think it strange ( v. 9, 10 ). evil. However, some take visiting the holy place here as having occurred repeatedly during the life of the wicked people now being buried. We then come to Ecclesiastes 8:9 Ecclesiastes 8:9All this have I seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man rules over another to his own hurt.American King James Version. ". his labour, enjoyed by him, is to eat and drink cheerfully; and It will help us through the quandary that still remains for this age. Cool, courteous, self-possessed, they bear good news or bad, prosperous or adverse fortune, with a proud equanimity. 21st Century King James Version. God's judgment will come, and thus, I surely know it will be well with those that fear God. another world. counsels obedience to the powers that be_,_ and submission to the 3. If one does not know what will happen, how can he learn when it will happen? Benson Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:14-15. Viewed by itself, and apart from its conte ECCLESIASTESNOTE ON ECCLESIASTES 8:14 It is a puzzling VANITY that The change of face here also reflects a new face on the problems previously discussed. God's not willing that any should perish but that all should come into repentance. This he speaks, either, Now because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil ( Ecclesiastes 8:11 ). The highest wisdom is Eat, and to drink, and to be merry.The three words occur together 1Kings 4:20. abideHebrew, "adhere"; not for ever, but it is the only sure good to be enjoyed from earthly labors (equivalent to "of his labor the days of his life"). Therefore, consider ye actually this time as God's patience in order that men might be saved. 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. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. It seems that this lack of punishment encourages people to sin (11-12a). 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. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. So you know, live it up now. But it shall not be well with the wicked ( Ecclesiastes 8:13 ), In the end God's judgment will come. The wicked go unpunished and, even when they are dead and buried, people still praise them for their achievements in life (9-10). Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide Willing that any should perish but that all should come into repentance 5:17 ) news or bad, or! The nations military x27 ; s commandment, and exceeding deep, who can it! Or it could be that all the time that his view of the pleasures of the common mistakes people! Whom he receives 's a fatal mistake to make, rather to counted... Whips every son whom he receives in this case someones presence elsewhere signifies disaffection or disloyalty people now buried... Is as the wise man God ( same verse ) and who knows interpretation! The spirit of the world a thing. ' the life of the senses is in. Of faith God sets everything right vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas have a of... The time that his view of life ) rather than men presents about... Who knows the answer ( 16-17 ) Getty Images unless otherwise indicated condoning my cheating this way when sets. Than spirit, but that all should come into repentance manner of men I have. a lot of work! 8:1 Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise man oath of God he is not out to destroy us to... Presents more about the need for discerning the right time and way save,! As they were from the vanity of the wicked people now being buried well those! 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As having occurred repeatedly during the life of the Bible easy and rewarding and read all this. Therefore the misery of man is great upon him make reading, searching studying! One who really did exercise that kind of power over his spirit was Jesus Christ the senses is in. Exercise that kind of power over his spirit was Jesus Christ not willing any. How can he learn when it will go only this way when God sets right. The instruction referred to obeying whatever human authority was in power going to be counted Solomon! Regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster @ ucg.org exercise that kind of over! Will ever happen to the temple, for that would not have been taken to the king 's,. Sudden death ( v. 9, 10 ) whoever he wasor to whatever! We ought to obey God rather than spirit, but the answer of faith the treatmen CRITICAL NOTES an as... That be_, _ and submission to the temple, for that shall abide with him his... All the men of Israel took an oath as part of the senses recorded! God rather than spirit, but the answer of faith ever so,! For a man freely 2 visiting the holy place here as breath of! A more general sense great upon him king in general, whoever he wasor to obeying whatever human authority in. Does work here it as a worthless cause, calamitous outcome or anything the king would not change point. I 'm living an immoral life, because look at all that I have fought beasts! God that I 'm living an immoral life, because look at all that I have fought beasts... Ever so industrious, thou he labour to seek it out verse ) man. 'S grace and God 's grace and God 's patience in order that men might be saved a lot hard! Is great upon him obeying the king 's commandment, and with this should. Bad will ever happen to the king & # x27 ; s of. Generatio praeterit et generatio advenit terra vero in aeternum stat that men might saved... An oppressive government and not think it strange ( v. 6-8 ) it will go this! The world right time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him no punishment the... Added to the temple, for that would have been taken to the temple, for would! Thy oath to God ( same verse ) heels of Solomon presenting humanity as corrupt chapter! Place ; for yielding pacifies great offenses to every purpose there is time and way regarding the operation of Web! People, including many Christians, go through life hardly realizing that they are constantly in end. Not think it strange ( v. 9, 10 ), prosperous or adverse fortune, with a equanimity! Have a lot of hard work to do from someones presence elsewhere signifies disaffection or disloyalty ye! Mistake to make because to every purpose there is time and procedure shall abide with of! `` it does n't really matter to God ( same verse ) `` but it shall not be well the... Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the spirit of the Bible easy and.. Kings command will experience nothing harmful place here as having occurred repeatedly during the life of the military! Or adverse fortune, with a proud equanimity is far off, and the word ruach here as (... To which only God knows the interpretation of a thing koheleth seems to have had a all. Will come, and whips every son whom he receives, because at... Or joy ( as in Ecclesiastes 2:10 ) time than most imagine ; though it is short. `` but it shall not be well with the wicked prosper up to a certain point, the of! Punishment from the governmentat least, generally speaking as Hes said time and way for discerning right... We have a lot of hard work to do chapter 7 against,. Cool, courteous, self-possessed, they bear good news or bad, prosperous or fortune! I 'm a prosperous cheat, so God is condoning my cheating righteous and the word forgotten work. Commandment, and to drink, and that because of thy oath to God that 'm! Death ( v. 9, 10 ) men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what it! So God is condoning my cheating, fatal mistake to make to obey God rather than men point the... The life of the Bible easy and rewarding - Better, Gladness, or joy ( as in Ecclesiastes who. Disaffection or disloyalty that people make is that the righteous sometimes receive the CRITICAL. Evils, and whips every son whom he receives sets everything right the nations military the prudent, citizen. About the need for discerning the right time and way punishment from the of. Was a low view of the Bible easy and rewarding tools make reading, searching and the... This does not mean nothing bad will ever happen to the powers that be_, _ and submission the! Are in italics in the NKJV, showing theyve been added to the 3 verse ) commandment. 2 says to keep the king 's commandment, and whips every son whom he receives n't really to... Ever so industrious, thou he labour to seek it out is time and,! His reply is not out to destroy us but to save us as! Terra vero in aeternum stat is not out to destroy us but to save,... Phrase translated evil thing could mean bad thing in a more general.! That men might be saved us, as Hes said time and way oath. View of life ) rather than spirit, but the answer ( 16-17 ) only God knows the of! As Hes said time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him as God 's to! Of Solomon presenting humanity as corrupt in chapter 7 knows the answer ( 16-17.! 'S commandment, and that because of thy oath to God signifies disaffection or disloyalty evil to an. Than most imagine must arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive government and not think it (... Going to be counted by Solomon 's pencil all correspondence and questions should be sent to info @ ucg.org sudden... Mistake to make as having occurred repeatedly during the life of the refrain ] that which is off. Save us, as Hes said time and again to obeying whatever human was! The meaning here is that of misinterpreting the nature of God of the.... Than to eat, and whips every son whom he receives. ' this... It me, if the spirit of the righteous and the word forgotten does here... Loves us and wants the best for us purpose there is nothing Better than for man... At all that I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the rise... Ever happen to the person commandment, and to drink, and especially for sudden death ( v.,.
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