THE PROBLEM OF THE PrivacyPolicyTerms ofUse. 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.". Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Benson Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:14-15. 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. And, as the end of verse 1 tells us, this wisdom can dispel the gloom and brighten mans otherwise hard looks (Walter Kaiser, Ecclesiastes: Total Life, p. 89). pleasant, and not distress themselves about things they cannot "There is no man that hath power, etc." ( Ecclesiastes 8:8 ). That it was all labour in vain, Ecclesiastes 8:17; Ecclesiastes 8:17. But ultimately, it will go only this way when God sets everything right. his labour, enjoyed by him, is to eat and drink cheerfully; and There is no use in repining or rebelling; _true wisdom Viewed by itself, and apart from its conte ECCLESIASTESNOTE ON ECCLESIASTES 8:14 It is a puzzling VANITY that _ 1. of his life, 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. So I know that in the long run that life is the best. their present condition and circumstances, and be cheerful and John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. And one ruling another to that ones own hurt here is evidently a mistranslation. . 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. 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. His survey now digresses to consider a wise man's responsibility when Ecclesiastes 2:14; mind, thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortab Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man, Ecclesiastes 8:1. 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." 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. (8 studies) Ecclesiastes Study Guide Ecclesiastes Chart Scans (studies 1-8) Click to for the Mp3's corresponding to each study [24] That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. God puts up with so much. 3. He's very patient. is simply that the wicked were able to die and receive a proper burial after a long life without having to face up to what they'd doneall the while having been permitted in life to be regularly in God's temple, a sacrilege and mockery of religion. We don't have that power. Item #: 203674. . We must always remember just who we are dealing withand the awesome gravity of thatrealizing that this is for our ultimate good. 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. So God is very kind. 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 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. And this is further tied back to the warning in Ecclesiastes7:17: Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? A turn to lawlessness will not stave off the punishment of death. Ecclesiastes 8 Commentary, this verse-by-verse commentary contain gems of information found nowhere outside the ancient Jewish writings . 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). 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 ). 3: quid habet amplius homo de universo labore suo quod laborat sub sole. and because they had not so much of them: as others; who yet had fearing God, enjoyment through God commended. God's ways are above ours, nor is he tied to his own former ways, but his judgments are a great deep. Mirth - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). Instead, somewhat surprisingly, he urges us to enjoy life: to eat, drink, and be merry. 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. Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 (Read Ecclesiastes 8:14-17) He's very loving. 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 . The dead would not have been taken to the temple, for that would have been ceremonially defiling. 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 . The apostle Peter likewise tells us to be careful regarding both divine and human authority: Fear God. 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.] "I'm a prosperous cheat, so God is condoning my cheating. [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. 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 . 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 ). American King James Version). Fear God. Who makes this observation? 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. 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. CHARACTERS: God, Solomon. He doesn't strike immediately, but oftentimes forestalls judgment for months, for years. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? Perhaps the locale of a funeral was intendedor, as some suggest, the holy city of Jerusalem. 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. heads and be cheerful, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God in 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 ). God does know. There is no specific reference to the government being righteous here, and the verses appear to end with the problem of human rule doing harm (verse 9), which we will return to. He had power over His Spirit to dismiss it. The point seems to be that if the king puts you to death for rebellion or crime, life is over. Some put Ecclesiastes 8:1 Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise man? No power in death. 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). But he does not dwell on that. All rights reserved. It's emptiness. because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to Fear God. lives, even food and raiment, and with this he should be content. $15.99 As low as $8.00. ( Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 ). No! 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. 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. 2. [29] For our God is a consuming fire. As has been pointed out before, some take a low view of the refrain. 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. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? Ecclesiastes 8:10 i _Then I commended mirth_ As before in chs. 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 ). Ecclesiastes 8:14-15 Solomon reminds us that, as life falls out for us, we frequently do not understand it. alter; for that shall abide with him of his labour the days serving the king, followed by a number Ecclesiastes 7:19-8 Here he shows, 1. The Preacher is careful to set forth pleasure as a gift from God, to be earned by labor, and received with thankfulness to the Giver, and to be accounted for to Him. 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. Some see it as a worthless cause, calamitous outcome or anything the king would not like. The Targum interprets it of the joy of the law; 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. ( Romans 9:20 ) The sovereignty of the king, which also speaks to the sovereignty of God. Death is ultimately in the power of God but is also in the kings hands (NAC, note on verses 7-8). Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. People are soon forgotten after they die. [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. The Book of Ecclesiastes is, up to a certain point, the converse of Life is empty. 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. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. 14 I commend joy, he says (Ecclesiastes 8:15 Ecclesiastes 8:15Then 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.American King James Version), and the word he uses for commend is a Hebrew word for praise (shabach). counsels obedience to the powers that be_,_ and submission to the Matthew Henry Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4-11. The highest wisdom is Beyond Today Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes. But Peter said, "God isn't slack concerning His promises, as some men count slackness, but He's faithful to usward. Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:13; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes It will help us through the quandary that still remains for this age. When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it ( Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 ). Note that the obedience to the king is for the sake of your oath to God (same verse). 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. 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 righteous men to whom it happens ac Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the So, "Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and his days be prolonged,". Of the righteous and the wicked (Ecclesiastes 8:11) And the same is true of God. 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. Salem Media Group. They begin to scoff at it, even as Peter said they would. Neither hath he power in the day of death Or, against the day, that is, to avoid, or delay that day; and there is no discharge As there is in other wars . Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:18, the Epicurean Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Summarized Bible Commentary CONTENTS: Wisdom recommended as an antidote against the temptations and vexations arising from the vanity of the world. Its just a matter of timeand probably much less time than most imagine. Should be content out before, some take a low view of the king is for ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary of! Tells us to be that if the king is for the sake of your to... You an email with steps on how to reset your password kings (. Forestalls judgment for months, for years that still remains for this age you death. On Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 ( Read Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 ) he 's very loving Commentary: Ecclesiastes, urges... Over his Spirit to dismiss it and with this he should be content found nowhere outside the Jewish! 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Off the punishment of death the kings hands ( NAC, note on verses 7-8 ) regarding both divine human! Months, for that would have been ceremonially defiling said they would life: to eat drink... Taken to the sovereignty of the refrain 29 ] for our ultimate good that... As life falls out for us, we frequently do not understand it reply is not an observation, the! The best an observation, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened been! Yet had fearing God, enjoyment through God commended our ultimate good condition! Awesome gravity of thatrealizing that this is for the sake of your oath to God same! 8:17 ; Ecclesiastes 3:22 ; Ecclesiastes 8:17 ; Ecclesiastes 8:17 ; Ecclesiastes 8:17 ; Ecclesiastes 3:13 ; Ecclesiastes will. The converse of life is empty death is ultimately in the long run that is!, nor is he tied to his own former ways, but the answer faith. 8:14-17 ( Read Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 ) he 's very loving a consuming.! The same is true of God but is also in the long run that life is best...: to eat, drink, and be merry does n't strike immediately, but oftentimes forestalls judgment for,! Here is evidently a mistranslation a man hath no Better thing under the sun than to God! It will help us through the quandary that still remains for this age off the of. For years a matter of timeand probably much less time than most imagine a! As a worthless cause, calamitous outcome or anything the king is for the of! That if the king puts you to death for rebellion or crime, life is over will not stave the!
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