In Today's Email:
Ecclesiastes 5 Notes
In this chapter Solomon continues his search for meaning to humanity’s existence.
vs. 1-7 – Solomon now searches for meaning and satisfaction in religion. Note his description of the emptiness of the actions of the worshippers around him. They make vows but never fulfill them. Did this improve the lot of man from what Solomon discussed in the previous chapter? No. It was all vanity. The ceremonies and rituals did nothing. The only power in religion comes from God alone, serving Him according to His revelation. This is done through the heart and not just with the hands.
vs. 8-9 – Solomon now looks to human government. Is there peace of mind in this? No. Only corruption of justice. Livelihood does not come from the top down, but from the bottom up. Take away the prince and people will survive. Take away the pasture and the plow and society will collapse.
vs. 10-17 – Solomon turns his attention to wealth. A fat bank account does not bring satisfaction. There is a story attributed to many different wealthy individuals, who are asked how much money is enough. The reply: “One more dollar”. In short, no amount of money is ever enough. We bring nothing with us into this world and take nothing with us out of this world.
vs. 18-20 – Solomon concludes that it is good to enjoy the life that God gives to us and that we build with our labor. We must acknowledge that the source of whatever true joy there may be is ultimately because of God. This discussion continues in the next chapter.
Ecclesiastes 6 Notes
In this chapter Solomon continues in vain to search for meaning in life.
vs. 1-2 – Solomon contradicts his own conclusion from 5:18-20, where he stated that it is good to enjoy the gifts from God and fruits of our labors. Now he sees a person with more wealth than they could ever hope to spend. That wealth is consumed by others, proving his initial argument false.
vs. 3-9 – Solomon presents a hypothetical case of a man that has a hundred children and lives so long that it seems he would never die, even for thousands of years. Long life and large families are often seen as signs of success, but Solomon says it is vanity and that it would have been better to be still born than experience it. Still man’s appetite is not satisfied.
vs. 10-12 – Solomon declares that man, being simply man, cannot contend against God. According to human wisdom, there is no true peace, or joy, or hope in this life. We do not know what we need to be truly satisfied or to live a good life. We do not know what lies beyond this mortal existence.
Ecclesiastes 7 Notes
In this chapter Solomon begins to test his theories.
vs. 1-14 – Solomon builds on his observations, experiences, and conclusions and now begins to develop a system of morals. These are not necessarily based on God’s truth, but rather man’s wisdom. These morals are an attempt to find peace and satisfaction. A good name is highly valued, which is good advice. This is followed by saying that death, mourning, and sorrow aid us more than joy and laughter. Wisdom is greater than folly. He concludes in vs. 14 by again looking heavenward and, seeing the futility of man’s actions against God’s, assumes yet another fatalist position.
vs. 15-18 – Solomon concludes in his earthly reasoning that it is better to live a life of moderation because the extremes make no difference. Again, a fatalist approach to life.
vs. 19-22 – True wisdom is marked by its acknowledgement of its own limitations. We should not judge others because we should be judged ourselves. Logical, but fatalist.
vs. 23-29 – Solomon continues his quest for wisdom but finds it cannot be fully obtained. In his attempts to understand wisdom and folly, he finds his conclusions tested and found wanting in some situations. The first case is that of the deceitful woman. There is in this conversation an allusion to the first woman, Eve. That appears to be the meaning of vs. 29 where it speaks of man and not woman being created upright. Not satisfied with God’s provisions and commands, Adam and Eve sought for answers outside of them.
Ecclesiastes 8 Notes
In this chapter Solomon continues to test his theories and begins to realize a solution.
vs. 1-10 – Carrying on the flow of thought from the previous chapter, Solomon continues to acknowledge examples where his earthly wisdom has not proven adequate. Here he tackles the relationship between ruler and subject. The wise faithfully serve their king as they would serve God. In doing so, they need to fear his judgment (Romans 13:2). But what is the result? Ruler and subject, faithful and rebellious, all die.
vs. 11-13 – The next case that defies Solomon’s logic is the slowness of judgment against the sinner. For true justice we must factor in that true judgment is not part of this life but the next.
vs. 14-15 – The last case is the wicked that seem to be rewarded and blessed in this life. Why then should it matter how we live? Eat, drink, and be merry! Live it up while we can! That is the natural conclusion without God.
vs. 16-17 – Solomon’s conclusion is that man’s earthly wisdom is insufficient to make sense of this life.
Closing Thoughts
A common misconception about the Scripture is that it teaches that wealth is evil. That is not the case. While the clearest teaching shows that our best life is one of moderation, there is nothing said against having possessions. I Timothy 6:10 does not say that money is evil, but the love of money. Someone said it is not wrong to have things, but it is wrong for things to have you. There is nothing wrong with wealth as long as it is in its place. If the accumulation of wealth is our goal, it will never be enough. True peace comes from contentment and thankfulness for what God has blessed us with.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “While Others Crowd the House of Mirth”, by William Carmeron. It is based on 7:2-6.
While others crowd the house of mirth,
and haunt the gaudy show,
let such as would with Wisdom dwell,
frequent the house of woe.
Better to weep with those who weep,
and share th’ afflicted’s smart,
than mix with fools in giddy joys
that cheat and wound the heart.
When virtuous sorrow clouds the face,
and tears bedim the eye,
the soul is led to solemn thought,
and wafted to the Sky.
The wise in heart revisit oft
grief’s dark sequester'd cell;
the thoughtless still with levity
and mirth delight to dwell.
The noisy laughter of the fool
is like the crackling sound
of blazing thorns, which quickly fall
in ashes to The ground.