";s:4:"text";s:25772:" and the seemingly unequal distribution of things in this world, That is a tragic, fatal mistake of misinterpreting God's grace and God's goodness to you. Verse 15. days than years, and is a laborious one; and all that he gets by And people begin to misinterpret the long-suffering of God. 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. No fault is to be found with God; but, as to the world, This is vanity upon the earth, and again, This is also vanity, that is, it is a certain evidence that the things of this world are not the best things nor were ever designed to make a portion and happiness for us, for, if they had, God would not have allotted so much of this world's wealth to his worst enemies and so much of its troubles to his best friends; there must therefore be another life after this the joys and griefs of which must be real and substantial, and able to make men truly happy or truly miserable, for this world does neither. Benefits of wisdom, respecting government and
He had power over His Spirit to dismiss it. speaks in the person of the libertine, representing the objections of [29] See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. 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. ECCLESIASTES 8:14. Hebrew word is applied not only to the pleasures arising from the Honor the king (1 Peter 2:17 1 Peter 2:17Honor all men. Because He doesn't execute His sentence speedily, because He doesn't immediately come down to the fist of judgment upon a man, a man many times thinks he's getting away with his evil. Honor all men. We don't have that power. But in context the wording appears to continue the warning about not getting into trouble with the government. Benson Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:14-15. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. It's emptiness. 2. We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us ( v. 2-5 ). "I'm a prosperous cheat, so God is condoning my cheating. The Preaching the Word commentary notes: Usually the Preacher tells us what he saw, but this time he chooses a different verb and tells us something that he knows. This is not something that he has seen from a distance, but something he has grasped with the rational conviction of his own mind. [19] Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. Not so. What happens to one happens to the other. Same kind of experiences to both. He's giving you chance after chance after chance. He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does. 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. Then I commended mirth,. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit in whatsoever state condition men are; serenity and tranquillity of mind, thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortable use of it; this the wise man praised and recommended to good men, as being much better than to fret at the prosperity of the wicked, and the seemingly unequal distribution of things in this world, and because they had not so much of them: as others; who yet had reason to be thankful for what they had, and to lift up their heads and be cheerful, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God in another world. (see NOTE TO PROVERBS below) It is the the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. But this wording requires a text emendation. Item #: 203674. . [23] All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. The message here is: Do your best to stay out of trouble! his labour, enjoyed by him, is to eat and drink cheerfully; and Yes, there is vanity under the sun. Of the righteous and the wicked (Ecclesiastes 8:11) 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 therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do Some translate the word ruach here as breath (of life) rather than spirit, but that would not change the point here. submission to things as they are. Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to 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.] . He would have us to take occasion hence, not to charge God with iniquity, but to charge the world with vanity. Thus the Preacher warns against a capricious desertion of ones post (cf. 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. Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. III. with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth _There is a vanity which is done upon the earth_ Either by wicked 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. 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). [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? these men against divine Providence, and the inferences they dra Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, Thinks that he has been clever and has hid his sin from God, or worse yet, thinks that God is condoning what he has done. better H2896 sun H8121 eat H398 (H8800) drink H8354 (H8800) merry Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:13; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 196-197). 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. observing that no difference is made between the righteous and Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. He maintains his patience, moreover, in spite of the moral burdens he carries that might otherwise cause him to act impetuously (v. 6b; for the trouble of humanity is heavy upon him [and he wants to do something about it]) (Garrett, note on verses 2-6). The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. Though he be very confident of success, though he think to know it, yet he shall not; he cannot find it out. 3: quid habet amplius homo de universo labore suo quod laborat sub sole. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. The writer returns to the sentiment expressed already (Ecclesiastes of
[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. 6 A man cannot find out the work of God though you search it out. The Book of Ecclesiastes is, up to a certain point, the converse of Who makes this observation? heads and be cheerful, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God in counsels obedience to the powers that be_,_ and submission to the This equal mind, expressing itself in a grave dignified bearing, is, with them, well-nigh indispensable to success in, public life. It has a spirit of hopeless despair; it has no praise or peace; it seems to promote questionable conduct. DEATH OF THE WICKED. 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. 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. It seems that this lack of punishment encourages people to sin (11-12a). And the word forgotten does work here. the preacher sets forth certain deductions. Love the brotherhood. Solomon in verse 2 says to keep the kings command, not My commandhe being the king. 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. 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. ASV Ecclesiastes 8:11. He doesn't strike immediately, but oftentimes forestalls judgment for months, for years. 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. Yes, we see injustice that is hard to accept or understand. Ecclesiastes 8:15 in all English translations. Keeping this in mind results in a deep and abiding reverence for Godloving and trusting Him while recognizing His supreme power and holiness (see Hebrews 12:28-29 Hebrews 12:28-29 [28] Why we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: and vexations arising from the vanity of the world. 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). Ecclesiastes 7:19-8. CHARACTERS: God, Solomon. fearing God, enjoyment through God commended. Beyond Today Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes. Thinks he has put one over on God. But if they find the kings command unreasonable, wisdom will show them a way out. 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. All rights reserved. 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. 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. But ultimately, it will go only this way when God sets everything right. SUN EXCEPT TO EAT AND TO DRINK AND TO BE MERRY, AND THIS WILL STAND BY lives, even food and raiment, and with this he should be content. 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. 1. 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. You can't escape it. The sentiment CHAPTER 8 Solomon's pencil. 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. 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. 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. 1. Love the brotherhood. But Peter said, "God isn't slack concerning His promises, as some men count slackness, but He's faithful to usward. People are soon forgotten after they die. Sermon Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:1-15. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Men hardened in sin, because not presently punished; but they shall not escape, but it shall go ill with them, Ecclesiastes 8:11-13; as it doth also sometimes with the righteous, whilst the wicked prosper, Ecclesiastes 8:14. If moral evil is in view, perhaps the sense is becoming a civil lawbreaker. American King James Versiona). That shall abide with him during the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. No man has any power over the spirit. II. The Preacher is growing more and more confident about this joy. 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. And He died. Prudence before kings (Ecclesiastes 8:1)_ 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. No! God does know. The next set of verses concerns following kingly authorityhuman governmentas a matter of life and death (verses 2-9). 3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight. The change of face here also reflects a new face on the problems previously discussed. 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. But the person who fears God knows that God is always near. We must arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive government and not think it strange ( v. 9, 10 ). [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Viewed by itself, and apart from its conte ECCLESIASTESNOTE ON ECCLESIASTES 8:14 It is a puzzling VANITY that When the Pharaoh of the Exodus saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man, Ecclesiastes 8:1. Yet that is only for now. 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. mind, thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortab Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the 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. For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear you God. 5:18; Ecclesiastes 9:7 To be merry This he speaks of sensual delights. Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Adam Clarke Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - College Press Bible Study Textbook Series, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - ETCBC data on Hebrew bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll), Ecclesiastes 8:15 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Geneva Study Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Hawker's Poor man's commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - John Darby's Synopsis, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - John Trapp Complete Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Mark Dunagan Commentaries, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Sermon Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Summarized Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The Biblical Illustrator, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The Pulpit Commentaries, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes. In this division, dealing with the evidences of the vanity of life, 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). 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 . If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses. This joy will make labor more enjoyable. This he speaks, either, That is because people end up sitting on death row for decades. [17] Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time? PrivacyPolicyTerms ofUse. 3. 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. [21] Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you: [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. 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. 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). To whom it happeneth, &c. [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. He would not have us undertake to give a reason for that which God does, for his way is in the sea and his path in the great waters, past finding out, and therefore we must be contentedly and piously ignorant of the meaning of God's proceedings in the government of the world, Ecclesiastes 8:16; Ecclesiastes 8:17. ( Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 ). 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. Things just continue as they were from the beginning.'" In the midst of a miscarriage, a failed friendship, or job loss, the preacher would remind us that 'there is a time for. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. American King James Version). God does see. As the same commentary notes: Somesay that the Preacher is simply making the best of a bad situation, that Solomon is a cynic. it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by The question in Ecclesiastes isn't about the existence of God; the author is no atheist, and God is always there. However, some take visiting the holy place here as having occurred repeatedly during the life of the wicked people now being buried. evil. They should not spend weary days and sleepless nights puzzling over problems to which only God knows the answer (16-17). of it; this the wise man praised and recommended to good men, as 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. Ecclesiastes 8:10 i _Then I commended mirth_ As before in chs. man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and dispensations of Providence_._ _Howeve Who is as the wise man? But he also knows that often the opposite is true (14). God is exceedingly long-suffering. Ecclesiastes 8:8. Though a man be ever so industrious, thou he labour to seek it out. In the person of a sensual man. man's present life is under the sun, and is continued as long as But that does not seem to be the main point of these verses in Ecclesiastes 8. 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. THE PROBLEM OF THE Let us be ever thankful for the days of our lives. Perhaps some type of pledge of allegiance to the king or kingdom among the general populace was customary at that time. So you know, live it up now. One aspect of God's nature is His tremendous patience with rebelling man. Fear God. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. 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. Ecclesiastes 8:15 teaches us to be joyful in all circumstances. CHARACTERS: God, Solomon. That it was all labour in vain, Ecclesiastes 8:17; Ecclesiastes 8:17. Nevertheless, there is joy for us in the ordinary things of lifeeating, drinking, and sharing fellowship with the people of God (p. 198). 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. 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. 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 . carried out. You can't really come to the king and say, "Hey, what are you doing?" United Church of Godis a501(c)3organization. American King James Version). Yet these words of the Preacher show us the futility and foolishness of a life lived without an eternal perspective. 1. (Note: Vid., Baer in Abodath Jisrael, p. 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. This is added as another evidence of man's misery. ";s:7:"keyword";s:28:"ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary";s:5:"links";s:215:"Are Cheez Its Halal,
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