TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why Even Get Out of Bed
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
page 2
Do You Know What I Know?
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
page 5
Let’s Just Have a Good Time
Ecclesiastes 2:1-16
page 10
I Don’t Have the Time for This
Ecclesiastes 3:1-22
page 14
Better Off Dead Than Alive
Ecclesiastes 4:1-16
page 18
Be Careful What You Promise God
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
page 21
The Love of Money
Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12
page 24
Wisdom Anecdotes
Ecclesiastes 7:1-29
page 27
What Does a Wise Man Do?
Ecclesiastes 8:1-17
page 30
Give It Your Best Shot
Ecclesiastes 9:1-18
page 32
Beware the Life of Foolishness
Ecclesiastes 10:1-20
page 36
Making Investments
Ecclesiastes 11:1-8
page 40
Growing Old Gracefully
Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:14
page 46
(All Scriptures are from the ESV unless otherwise noted)
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Why Even Get Out of Bed?
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
It has often been said that people are creatures of habit. People do countless things by habit
with no conscientious thought to why they are doing them. This is true for every person in every walk of
life. If understood in the trivial sense like which shoe is always put on first or which side of the mouth
one begins brushing the teeth, lifestyle habits such as these have very little impact. If considered in a
larger scale as to the very existence and purpose of life, habits can be both helpful and protective while
at the same time, they can be very controlling and destructive.
A phrase used by many when asked how things are going is same old, same old. It means one is
living the same way, doing the same things, as one has lived or done them for a long time. It implies an
attitude of boredom or monotony. It implies that when one rises with the day one will do exactly the
same things as one has always done which may be considered vanity. Vanity in the book of Ecclesiastes
is the Hebrew word “hebel”. It appears thirty-eight times in one form or another. There are only 222
verses in the book of Ecclesiastes in its twelve chapters. Therefore “vanity” has to be considered a key
word. The Hebrew word in its original form meant vapor or breath. In context it means to be empty,
without meaning or purpose.
Notice what Solomon considered vanity.
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Heavy wearisome labor – “What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?”
Passing of generations – “A generation goes, and a generation comes…”
Twenty-four hours in every day – “The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place
where it rises.”
Wind blows where it wills – “The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around
and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.”
Oceans never fill up – “All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the
streams flow, there they flow again.”
Man gets exhausted – “All things are full of weariness….”
Man cannot figure things out – “…a man cannot utter it…”
Man’s desires are never satisfied – “…the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with
hearing.”
History repeats itself – “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be
done…”
Nothing new – “…and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said,
‘See, this is new’? It has been already in the ages before us.”
Memories are fleeting – “There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any
remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.”
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How one responds to this perception of vanity is important. If one accepts this view of life as so,
having a monotonous existence with no real purpose, then one will experience great traumatic episodes
in life. Monotony and its synonyms, tedium, boredom and dullness do not present auras of happiness
and joy. They rather present auras of depression and defeat. What’s the use can become the motto of
life. That is never a good attitude to have. When one lives with the perception of a monotonous life
having no purpose, thus vanity, many dangers can arise.
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Opportunities to make a difference pass without notice.
Parents may become non-attentive to their children and miss out on moments that cannot be
relived.
Marriages become humdrum and the romance dies.
Hard work is seen as non-rewarded thus production lacks.
Goals go unmet and frustrations increase.
Retirement and old age are seen as burdensome.
The will to live vanishes.
To combat monotony one may seek the opposite but this is not necessarily a good idea. The
antonym for monotony is variation. One has said that variety is the spice of life. People begin yearning
for the thrill of the excitement, the unknown adventure, the alluring lights, or the escape from reality.
The thrill may be exciting but also deadly in many ways. The unknown adventure may have its appeal
but the darkness of the unknown may have dangers lurking. Lights are flashy but when the bulbs burn
out what is left is often without substance. Any escape from reality is just a path to lies and deception.
The thrill of the excitement: “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting
pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he
was looking to the reward.” (Hebrews 11:24-26)
The unknown adventure: “This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the
prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and
a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are
Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
(1 Timothy 1:18-20)
The alluring lights: “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
(2 Corinthians 11:14)
So what does one do with the monotonous daily life? How does one find purpose when each
day is as the day before? If all is vanity is there any way to rise above the vanity?
One must realize that the days of this life are fleeting. Man is not guaranteed tomorrow. Days
pass quickly. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and
spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What
is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:13, 14)
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Moses is attributed as the author of Psalm 90. He wrote, “So teach us to number our days that we may
get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) Another way to live in response to the brevity of life and the
unknown day of death is to live life as if today is the last day to live. Today is the last day one will have
to say I love you to loved ones. Today is the last day one will have to kiss a wife goodbye. Today is the
last day one will have to hold one’s precious babies. Today is the last day one will have to see one’s
aging parents. Today is the last day if God does not grant tomorrow.
One must realize that each particular day in this life is important to God. There is a Lord’s Day,
but in the truth of the moment every day is the Lord’s Day. “One person esteems one day as better than
another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The
one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord,
since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks
to God.” (Romans 14:5, 6) The context for this passage was Paul’s treatment of the conflicts of weak
faith, the Jews believing they must still honor the festival days of Judaism and must abstain from eating
meat sold at pagan meat markets. The Gentiles in turn wanted to only eat vegetables, not the meat
associated with their former lifestyle of paganism. Both were attempting to make it a point of
acceptance with God in observing festivals or abstaining from meat used at pagan festivals. Paul’s point
was that whatever one did on any day was to be done always in honor to God. The highlight days or the
days of no highlights were all to be lived in honor of the Lord. What is wrong on Sunday is wrong every
other day of the week. Worship confined to Sunday is no worship at all.
One must realize that the purpose of each day in this life is secondary to the purpose of each
day in accordance to eternity. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) There is a judgment for every believer and rewards
given at that judgment. That judgment is of the works the believer has performed while living in this
world. “…each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed
by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on
the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss,
though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)
Man has the tendency to take the monotony of the day, treat it as trivial and non-important.
Yet a consistent monotony has afforded many a solid foundation on which to build their lives. The sun
rises and the sun sets. Since creation, that has not changed. So too, the Lord is compassionate. That has
not changed. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are
new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22, 23)
After about one year of eating the manna sent by God, (talk about monotony, every day the
same menu) the people complained. “O that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in
Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our
strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” (Numbers 11:4-6) God was
displeased with their view of His constant provision. In response God sent quail to the people for
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“a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have
rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, ‘Why did we come out of
Egypt?’” (Numbers 11:20) While the people of Israel enjoyed the quail, God struck many down with a
very great plague. In the end, manna did not seem quite so bad.
When life begins to seem monotonous, take inventory and give thanks to God. When one’s
attitude toward life begins to become frayed and others are being greatly affected, “withdraw to
desolate places and pray.” (Luke 5:16)
Be careful when you begin to think that your monotonous daily humdrum, non-exciting, nonadventurous life is vanity.
Do You Know What I Know?
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
Establishing the fact that all is vanity, Solomon started with the current text to show the vanity
of various activities of life. He began with wisdom. How ironic that the one thing he asked of God when
God offered to give him anything, now Solomon, older in years labeled as vanity.
“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, ‘Ask what I shall
give you.’ And Solomon said, ‘You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father,
because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you.
And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this
day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I
am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your
people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give
your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good
and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?...Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind,
so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.” (1 Kings 3:5-9, 12)
Solomon was noted for his wisdom. The book of Proverbs, written by Solomon, is filled with
words of wisdom, learning how to live wisely, making right decisions. Somewhere along the path,
Solomon made some wrong choices, thus the content of the book of Ecclesiastes. What Solomon wrote
in the current text is not that wisdom should never be sought but that wisdom in itself is vanity. As one
might say today, ‘it is not what you know but who you know.’
Word study of Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
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Applied is to set, put, or place.
Heart is inner man.
Seek is to enquire. The root word for seek is to trample a path so seeking is a thing of constant
effort.
Search is like to spy out a country such as the twelve spies who searched the Promise Land.
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Done is to fashion. It is the same word as made in Genesis 1:7. “And God made the expanse…”
Unhappy business is evil task or job.
Busy is to be occupied with.
Striving after wind occurs as a phrase only seven times, all in Ecclesiastes: 1:14; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4,
6; 6:9. A form of the word appears three other times, also only in Ecclesiastes: 1:17; 2:22; 4:16.
Striving after the wind means a vain pursuit.
Crooked is bent. In certain texts it is defined as perverted.
Lacking is deficient or want. The word appears only here in the Bible.
Madness and folly are two different words but have same connotation: foolishness. These
words as many others of this book appear only in Ecclesiastes.
Vexation is grief.
Sorrow is pain. The same word used of Christ in Isaiah 53:3, 4. “a man of sorrows” “carried our
sorrows”
Solomon wrote that he had set his mind to diligently and extensively enquire and search out
thoroughly by wisdom, the means of reason and logic, how things were made or operated on the earth.
He was seeking more than knowledge such as the types of animals, soils, oceans or of anything that
functioned upon the earth. He was seeking for a why the behavior of man or animals. He wrote that
God had placed within man this difficult task of searching out the reasons for man’s being, man’s
behavior, and man’s purpose. Solomon labeled such business as a vain pursuit, trying to grasp and
contain the wind. He saw that man could not make straight things that were bent. He also knew that
man could not replenish what man was lacking or was deficient (notably righteousness). So Solomon
received from God wisdom, much greater than any man had ever had before in Jerusalem. Yet in that
wisdom alone, Solomon attempted to understand the workings of man and in his search he found a
folly, foolishness, man cannot figure out life outside of God. Man can pursue knowledge and intellect
but man will always find grief and pain unless man understands God by faith.
Man cannot find God through wisdom. “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know
God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For
Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews
and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the
wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than
men.” (1 Corinthians 1:21-25) By wisdom man can understand there is a God. By wisdom or
intellectual pursuit man cannot find God nor have a relationship with God. The Jews were always
looking for a sign. The Greeks felt all the answers must be found by human reason and intellect, so they
could discuss and debate. By man’s wisdom or intellect, man can understand a higher being. That is put
forth by creation. “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to
them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly
perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without
excuse.” (Romans 1:19, 20) Creation loudly states God is real. The debate over evolution/creation is
not a debate on how the world began. It is a debate on the existence of God. Paul wrote, “Claiming to
be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:22) David wrote, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
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(Psalm 14:1) Man can use all of his intellect to search out the heavens and find the furthest stars. Man
can use all of his intellect to understand DNA and the nerve systems of the body. Man can use all of his
intellect to go to the deepest part of the oceans and discover animal and plant life. Man can use all of
his intellect to convert the resources of earth into usable commodities. Man can use all of his intellect
to understand there is a God and an existence after death. Yet man in all of his intellect cannot have a
relationship with God. Wisdom does not equal faith. Wisdom understands the need for faith. Wisdom
understands the concept of faith. Wisdom understands the offer of faith. Wisdom understands the fruit
of faith. Wisdom does not bring faith. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of
Christ.” (Romans 10:17) For those who say ‘once I figure things out, I will come to God,’ they will die
never coming to God. Salvation is not by knowing something. It is by trusting someone, Jesus.
For all those who are skeptical and try to refute the Gospel and the ministry of the church,
calling it foolishness, God has this response. “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks
that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world
is folly with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness,’ and again, ‘The Lord knows
the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’” (1 Corinthians 3:18-20) To Timothy Paul wrote warning
of those who are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7)
The seeking of higher attainment or discovering the meaning of life by wisdom is nothing new
for as Solomon wrote, “There is nothing new under the sun.” In Daniel’s day, the wise Chaldeans
functioned as the men of all understanding. No doubt they were men of great prestige and judgment.
When confronted with messages from God, they could not understand. “The Chaldeans answered the
king and said, ‘There is not man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful
king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is
difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” (Daniel
2:10, 11) Daniel and his statement to the king is one of the most profound in all of Scripture showing
the inadequacies of man’s intellect and wisdom. “Daniel answered the king and said, ‘No wise men,
enchanters, magicians or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there
is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be
in the latter days.” (Daniel 2:27, 28)
Wisdom is not to be forsaken. People of faith are not dumb and ignorant. True wisdom comes
from God. “And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God,
righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast
in the Lord.’” (1 Corinthians 1:30, 31) There is a difference in the wisdom of the world from the wisdom
of God. “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the
meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast
and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual,
demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good
fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
(James 3:13-18) God enables true wisdom. That is the basic theme of the book of Proverbs. Without
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God man cannot understand the business of life. And even then, there are things about God that the
saved in their new found wisdom can never find out. They must live by faith.
“Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His
judgments and how inscrutable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His
counselor? Or who has given a gift to Him that he might be repaid? For from Him and through Him and
to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)
The Christmas carol says, “Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, ‘Do you know what I know?
In your palace warm, mighty king, do you know what I know? A Child, a Child shivers in the cold-let us bring him silver and gold. Let us bring him silver and gold.’”
Questions to ponder:
What is it you know today that you wish you knew in the past?
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
What is the most foolish decision you ever made?
In what areas of life do you feel you lack wisdom? “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who
gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no
doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James
1:5, 6)
Do you see the world from a Christian perspective first and then make a decision or from a world
perspective first and then make a decision?
Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
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Let’s Just Have a Good Time!
Ecclesiastes 2:1-26
Solomon had decided that finding purpose by way of wisdom was vain. He then proceeded to
go to the opposite extreme. He attempted to find purpose by pleasure. From great endeavors of study
to frivolous carefree living, Solomon tested the far reaches of the spectrum of life. He had written that
“in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” (Ecclesiastes
1:18) Seeking wisdom and knowledge brought grief and pain. To avoid grief and pain, one must seek
enjoyment. So now his pursuit became that of avoiding any grief and pain. He wanted to enjoy life and
all its pleasures.
Solomon had applied his heart to seek and to search out wisdom. He now searched in his heart
by way of pleasure. “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself….I searched with my heart
how to cheer my body…” (Ecclesiastes 2:1, 3) Solomon put himself to the test, to prove that purpose
could be found in pleasure. He sought to see if he could enjoy life and find fulfillment. Laughter was the
theme of the day. Normally a “joyful heart is good medicine.” (Proverbs 17:22) Solomon was taking the
laughter to a larger level. When Solomon said “it is mad,” he was referring to laughter as a boast or a
show. After testing laughter and pleasure he asked himself, “What use is it?” His point was for what
work or labor could laughter or pleasure be found to be productive.
Solomon spied out the country of pleasure to see how he might cheer or stimulate his body. He
was seeking for outside stimulants to bring him enjoyment. He took full hold of folly realizing man was
of few days to see if any good could be found in it. A reminder, that in searching through wisdom he
found grief and pain. Wanting to avoid grief and pain, Solomon sought to find fulfillment in frivolity.
Sadly in the end, he found that pleasure also produced grief and pain. “Even in laughter the heart may
ache, and the end of joy may be grief.” (Proverbs 14:13) The Christian is warned about being carefree
in one’s conduct to the point of crude behavior no matter who may laugh or what rise one may get from
careless jesting. “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but
instead let there be thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4) Paul gave a thorough description of the last days
which were described as a people who were “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy
3:4) A. S. Tozer wrote, “We must face the fact that many today are notoriously careless in their living.
This attitude finds its way into the church. We have liberty; we have money; we live in comparative
luxury. As a result, discipline practically has disappeared. What would a violin solo sound like if the
strings on the musician’s instrument were all hanging loose, not stretched tight, not ‘disciplined’?”
In this passage (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11) Solomon sought fulfillment or purpose through the four
“P’s.” They were pleasure (enjoyment), pleasures (things), prestige, and plenty. After his thoughts were
presented about pleasure or enjoyment of life, Solomon proceeded to write about finding purpose in
things. “I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and
parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of
growing trees.” (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6) Notice all the personal pronouns, I and myself. Everything he
made, planted, cultivated, designed, Solomon did all for himself. He sought purpose in things. The
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more things he had, the more pleasure he should experience. One thinks upon Christ’s parable of the
rich fool who became more prosperous and built more barns. “Take care, and be on your guard against
all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. And He told them a
parable, saying, the land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build
larger ones and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, soul you have
ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night
your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who
lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:15-21)
Solomon continued on his search for purpose or fulfillment by adding to his prestige. He
increased his number of servants. He increased the size of his herds. He increased the value of his
treasuries. He added to his entertainment troupe. An aspect of prestige for those who ruled as kings in
the days of Solomon was the size of their harem. “He had 700 wives, princesses, and 300 concubines.
And his wives turned away his heart.” (1 Kings 11:3) He sought to find purpose in “the delight of the
children of man.” He sought to find purpose in unbridled sexual activities. If Solomon was living today,
he would be one who owns the wealth of the world, parties in the greatest entertainment venues, and
sleeps with multiple numbers of women and be glorified by mankind as a great person. “So I became
great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem.” (Ecclesiastes 2:9) Whatever Solomon
wanted he got. He had no restraints on how far he would go to find pleasure.
Solomon took survey of his life of unrestrained pleasure. “Then I considered all that my hands
had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and
there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11) There was found no purpose in the
pursuit of wisdom. There was found no purpose in the enjoyment of pleasure.
Solomon then took another survey, a survey of what happens to the wise and what happens to
the fool. “So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly.” (Ecclesiastes 2:12) He had gone to
extremes and upon consideration he made some observations.
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More is gained in wisdom than in folly. Gained is profit or excel.
More is gained in light than in darkness.
The wise person can see what is ahead.
The foolish person lives in darkness and cannot see the light.
Both the wise and the fool die.
No one remembers the wise anymore than the fool after they die.
Upon completing his survey, Solomon found the pain even greater. Of all that he had
accomplished, of all that he had done, he would still die and not be remembered just as those who
never did or accomplished one good thing. Solomon’s name is known because of the Bible. But how
many were just like Solomon who have served over countries and had great power, possessions, and
prestige and are totally forgotten. Would Solomon be known at all if not for his life being recorded in
Scripture? Many a tombstone has stood which can no longer be read. Many a man’s labors were noted
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in life but after death, forgotten. For the Christian, “God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and
the love you have shown for His name in serving the saints.” (Hebrews 6:10)
Upon this survey by Solomon, his grief intensified when he realized not only do the wise and the
foolish both die, but when the wise die, what they have built may be left to the foolish. “I hated all my
toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who
knows whether he will be wise or a fool?” (Ecclesiastes 2:18, 19) Solomon had worked hard to gain all
of his possessions. He was known by many for his wisdom and his wealth. Yet when death came,
Solomon had no control over what would happen. When one looks at the death of Solomon, one will
see reason for his concern. Upon Solomon’s death, his own son, Rehoboam, became king. He was not
his father, lacking wisdom. Rehoboam would not listen to his father’s advisors, thus by the hand of God,
the kingdom was split. Much of the territory was taken by Jeroboam. Rehoboam had acted the fool and
wasted his father’s plenty.
Many laugh they are spending their children’s inheritance. Many fight over who should receive
the inheritance. In few families is there a peaceful transition from parents to children of property,
wealth and heirlooms upon the death of the parents. A number of families have squandered what one
generation built when it came to them. A number of companies have diminished in stature, production
and even to bankruptcy and closure when the next generation has taken the reigns. When death
comes, the dead can no longer control what they had while living. To build greatness and have it torn
down by the next generation upon one’s death is truly vanity. Parents often try to make life better for
the next generation only to have it wasted when they are gone. “…because sometimes a person who
has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who
did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.” (Ecclesiastes 2:21) Solomon’s conclusion does
not offer uplifting words. “For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the
night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 2:23) This is all the more reason to not
labor for the things of this world but to labor for the things that are above. The night is not the absence
of the sun. It is the absence of life. Death is night. As some might say, “they are rolling over in their
grave right now.”
So Solomon ended this chapter with a simple conclusion: “There is nothing better for a person
than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,
for apart from Him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases Him God has
given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He has given the business of gathering and
collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.”
(Ecclesiastes 2:24-26) All that those without the Lord know to do is to amass as much as they can while
in this world. That is all they have. They live for this world. Without an eternal hope with the Lord, this
world is all the sinner has. If it be that one does not have much in this world, the righteous one will be
eternally rich in heaven. What is better, a fortune on earth and not knowing Christ, or a meager
existence on earth being assured of an eternal home in heaven?
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Taking the Wrong Train
Jason stood at the train station, his army bag in hand. He’d been told by his commander to board the
train labeled “True and Pure.” But at the moment, Jason had forgotten this commandment. In fact, he
temporarily forgot everything when he saw an amazingly comfortable-looking train pull up and call out,
“All aboard.” Without thinking or even asking where the train was headed, Jason hopped on board.
Jason nestled into the plush seat. He was tired from many long battles, and this train felt fabulous.
Leaning back, he relished in the sensation of the soft material against him, the clean walls and windows,
and the delicious smell of the food the service attendants were getting ready to serve. With everything
so nice, why did he feel so uneasy?
He hadn’t gone far before he started to notice a problem. Something wasn’t right with the service
attendants on this train. They gave him everything he wanted, but why did he get the impression they
were waiting to pounce on him? A glance out the window made his heart pound. Was that enemy
territory he saw? Where was this train going, anyway? He chided himself for not having found out. He
looked around for any trace of a Pure and True sign, but he didn’t see one. With a groan, he realized
he’d been fooled into getting on an enemy train.
Jason turned his attention to figuring out a way off the train. It was going way too fast to jump off, that
he knew. He inquired about the next stop, but the servant attendant ignored his question and instead
offered him another beverage. He took it uneasily. Where were they going?
Jason was not left in suspense for long. The train soon pulled to a stop in front of a depot that looked
more like a prison. Jason tried to run away as soon as the train stopped, but he discovered that the
delicious food and beverages he’d consumed on the train had left him weak. He found himself helplessly
led inside the depot and thrown in a damp, dirty, and altogether unpleasant room not unlike a prison
cell. He was indeed trapped.
Then Jason remembered the radio in his pocket. He quickly found it and radioed his commander. “I got
on the wrong train and ended up trapped. I can’t escape. Please help—I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to your
instructions,” he whispered, least anyone overhear.
“Make your way to the door. I’ll get you out,” came the prompt reply.
“Right now?”
“Right now. I’m right outside the door—I’ve been near you the whole time, just waiting for you to
realize what you’d done and ask for help. I paid the ransom to free you from the enemy years ago,
remember?”
Jason hurried to the door, remembering well the tremendous price the commander had paid to ransom
him. True to his word, the commander quickly opened the door and, supporting Jason with his arm, led
him through a special passageway out of the enemy depot to a waiting jeep. Oh, how good the fresh air
felt to Jason!
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The commander drove Jason back through the enemy lines to a friendly depot, leaving him there to
board a Pure and True train. As Jason waited, he thought back over what had happened. How foolish he
had been to jump on a pleasant-looking train without thinking through its destination!
The world may appear very appealing at times. How often are warning signs flashing in the
heart but they go ignored? The opportunity for pleasure seems so inviting. The end cannot be seen but
when the end comes only bitterness and sorrow are found. Having a good time does not always end in
having a good time.
Questions to ponder:
What pleasures have you ever sought that ended up with anything but pleasure?
What is the limit you would pay to enjoy pleasure?
Has there been a time when God was flashing warning signs and you ignored them?
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I Don’t Have the Time for This
Ecclesiastes 3:1-22
People often make the statement, “there are not enough hours in the day.” That statement
speaks more to a person’s priorities and organizational skills than it does to the amount of time during
the day. Every day has twenty-four hours. Every hour has sixty minutes. There are always seven days
per week and twelve months per year. The amount of time never changes. Time does change people
and things.
In Ecclesiastes the subject matter is time, time on earth and time with consideration for
eternity. Solomon used two words in reference to time, season and matter. Season means appointed
time. God has an appointed time for everything. One is reminded of the various times in Scripture
when God’s timing did not seem to relate to man and his timing. God had prophesied to Abraham his
descendants would “be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be
afflicted for four hundred years.” (Genesis 15:13) During the four hundred years the people of Israel
would suffer at various levels of bondage. Sometime after about 350-380 years, Moses being forty years
of age would recognize his call to lead the people out of bondage and slay an Egyptian who was beating
a Hebrew. “One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens,
and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no
one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two
Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, ‘Why do you strike your
companion?’ He answered, ‘Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you
killed the Egyptian?’ Then Moses was afraid, and thought, surely the thing is known.” (Exodus 2:11-14)
Moses knew he had a call to lead the people out of bondage but the timing was not right.
When Lazarus died, Christ came to see Martha and Mary, and unknown to them to raise Lazarus
back to life. Martha and Mary both questioned the Lord’s timing. “Lord, if you had been here, my
brother would not have died.” (John 11:21, 32) In the end, the Lord’s timing was perfect. In the Lord’s
first coming, His coming was right on time. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His
Son…” (Galatians 4:4) When the Lord comes the second time, He will be right on time. “Therefore you
also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44)
Solomon wrote, “and a time for every matter.” Matter is pursuit or purpose. Two passages
from Isaiah help to understand this term. “…who says so Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all
my purpose’…” (Isaiah 44:28) “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” (Isaiah
46:10) God had a plan for Israel’s captivity, for Judah’s captivity and using a man named Cyrus to aid in
the return from captivity for Judah. God’s purpose is so specific as to name the individual He would use
to accomplish His purpose over one hundred and fifty years before the event. Often time may seem
fleeting and often time may seem out of sort but God does appoint times according to His unfailing
purpose.
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It is not necessary to define terms in verses two to eight, but there are some observations to
make. Time is a measurement. Time is a commodity. Time is a tool.
Time is a measurement. People measure many things according to time. The term of pregnancy
is measured by time, nine months. There are legal times or age limits to various elements of life such as
to drive, vote, drink, and even to retire. There are time elements involved in requirements for people to
serve such as being at least 25 years old to serve in the House of Representatives, at least 30 years old
to serve in the United States Senate, and at least 35 years old to serve as President of the United States.
Advertising on radio or television is often purchased according to the amounts of seconds used in the
advertisement. Anyone who cooks is supposed to follow cooking times in the proper preparation of
food. To some the only real measurement for a pastor’s message is not the content of truth but the
amount of time he took to tell it!
Time is a commodity. Numerous individuals work jobs with pay according to hourly wages. The
more hours one might work, the more pay. Time is part of the determination of pay. Students are
accustomed to taking standardized tests which have time elements. People buy time in order to talk on
the phone and to search on the internet. At times, time is used to determine the amount and limit of
debate on the floor of Congress.
Time is a tool. Sporting events use time to measure but time is also used as a tool in
determining the length of play such as three minute rounds in boxing; twelve minute quarters in
basketball; and twenty minute periods in hockey. When coaches wish to stop the action and talk to their
players, they call timeout. Timeout stops the clock. When timeout is over the play clock resumes
without any loss of playing time.
As Christians, time can be the measurement of the length of service for the Lord. Time can be
the commodity used to determine the window of opportunity in which to serve. Time can be the tool
which determines when service is to be conducted.
As Christians, understanding is paramount to one’s faith that God is in charge and He does
things in His time, not man’s time. This can be frustrating when a person is not operating by faith. One
may wonder why God is waiting so long. One may try to hasten God and do things prematurely causing
great difficulty. One may also delay in responding to God’s timing and miss the opportunity of blessing.
A passage of Psalm that is difficult for many to live treats the subject of waiting on God’s timing. “Wait
for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)
After pointing out that God has appointed seasons and distinct purposes, Solomon went beyond
time. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so
that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Solomon
questioned what man may profit from his exhausting labor. How is man to react to what God has done
and is doing with man? God “has made everything beautiful in its time.” A New Testament passage
would fit well here. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for
those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) The question arises, is there something
beyond time for man? Solomon wrote that God had put eternity in the heart of man. Every man knows
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within that an eternity exists. This world is not all there is. What man does during the time on earth has
great impact on what happens to man after earth. Man was created an eternal being. Because of sin
the body will die, but man’s soul carries on. A resurrection will restore every man to his body. Those
who are saved will be resurrected to a glorified body and will have the privilege of spending eternity
with God. Those who are unsaved will also in some manner have a resurrected body but will spend
eternity without God. Man is not like Rover. For when man dies, he is not dead all over. There is an
eternal existence. Man cannot find that eternal existence while living in time, though his being is ever
searching to attain or encounter eternity. Man can search the heavens and find a star. He cannot
search the heavens and find God.
Time fades in relevance when man considers his eternal prospects. What is after death? Aside
from the Gospel there is no hope. The yearning for eternity is to direct man to God. Until eternity
begins, man is to look inwardly seeing his sinful condition, then look upwardly to God for salvation. To
the day that eternity begins, one is not to sit down idly and do nothing waiting for the end. Time has
purpose and man is to seek for that purpose and enjoy it. “I perceived that there is nothing better for
them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and
take pleasure in all his toil – this is God’s gift to man.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13) Better and good in verse
twelve are the same word meaning pleasant or agreeable. Man is to live a life that is pleasant while in
this world of time. When time ceases to exist man will experience eternity. Eternity is the ultimate
fulfillment of God’s purpose. “I perceived that whatever God does endures forever.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14)
God’s appointed seasons and His matters of purpose will be fully known. There will be nothing added to
what God has done and nothing taken away from His purpose. God is seeking “what has been driven
away.” This means God is pursuing. He is accomplishing His purpose which focuses more on eternity
than time.
Solomon went from time to beyond time to the finality of time, death. He surveyed mankind
and found all experiencing judgment. God will judge the wicked and God will judge the righteous. Man
will receive his just reward for his work in this world. “I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous
and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.” (Ecclesiastes 3:17) Paul wrote
that all believers “must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what
is due for what he had done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) The judgment seat
of Christ is only for believers. It is not a judgment to see whether one is saved. This judgment is to
determine if a Christian has lived on earth in such a way to have gained any rewards which in turn are
placed before Christ. John wrote of the judgment of the unbelievers. “Then I saw a great white throne
and Him who was seated on it. From His presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for
them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then
another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in
the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and
Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what
they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the
lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake
of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15) Only unbelievers will be at the Great White Throne.
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Solomon wrote to show man he is nothing more than a beast. When life is over death occurs.
Solomon gave no consideration to heaven or hell in this passage. His premise is to live life fully for when
life is ended in death there is no more. This is not a theological treatise denying the eternal existence of
man. Solomon already established that man knows there is an eternity. His point is for man to know
one must live now for when death happens there is no more ability to live or to function. Man sees the
now. Man does not see the hereafter. Time only matters today. Death takes time away. Purpose of
life exists now. After death the purpose of life ceases to be as man understands it to be. In all of this,
Solomon is side stepping eternal issues of having a relationship with God or not.
To summarize some of the thoughts contained in this chapter:
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There are appointed times according to God.
Man is to fulfill life’s purpose today, not after death.
Man knows in his heart there is an eternity.
Man’s work will be judged.
Man will die.
After death, there is no more opportunity to work for reward.
David Brainerd, missionary to the Indians, lived a short life in this world. Born in 1718, he died
in 1747. From age 24 until his death he served various American Indians in the northeastern United
States before she was an established country. It was written that he lived a self-denying life, who
mourned when the light of God’s countenance was dimmed or absent. Giving his all for such a short
time, the following two quotes associated with him offer a tremendous thought of how to value time.
“Be careful to make a good improvement of precious time.”
“Oh, how precious is time, and how it pains me to see it slide away,
while I do so little to any good purpose.”
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Questions to ponder:
Are you a good steward of time?
What do you wish you had more time with which to get involved?
What changes do you need to make to have better use of time?
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Better Off Dead Than Alive
Ecclesiastes 4:1-16
Someone has said, “It just does not pay to get out of bed.” Everyone has those days when one
wonders why one got out of bed. The issues of life, the nuisances of the day, the misfortunes that come
one’s way, all things that seem to erode the positive outlook of the day can be so disheartening. God’s
Word provides this viewpoint of how one is to look at each day. “This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) Many Christians will face days when this verse is a
challenge to accept. In Ecclesiastes four, Solomon does not have one predominant theme but many
varieties of themes. This chapter and some other portions of Ecclesiastes are written in similarity to
Proverbs 10-29.
Solomon opened the chapter with this premise: the dead are more fortunate than the living
and those who never were born are better off than the dead. His support for his thought came from his
observations concerning the oppressed. The oppressed were individuals who had been treated unjustly
or violently by others. They had no power to withstand the oppression. Solomon considered those
being oppressed with no hope of overcoming the oppression in a worse state than those who may have
been oppressed but also had died. Writing that the dead were more fortunate than the living was giving
praise to those who had died. Fortunate can be translated praise. It comes from a root word which
means to stroke like a swimmer, which also can be seen in terms today as stroking someone’s ego.
Solomon did not stop with praising the dead over the oppressed. He went further in declaring the best
scenario of all was that man would have never been born. “But better than both is he who has not yet
been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 4:3) There were two
men of God who desired to die rather than live. Upon God showing mercy to Nineveh, Jonah was angry
and desired to die rather than live. “Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better
for me to die than to live.” (Jonah 4:3) After the great victory by God over the gods of Baal, Elijah was
threatened by Jezebel and hid desiring for death. “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am
no better than my fathers.” (1 Kings 19:4) Solomon went to the extreme, declaring that not being born
was best of all. One is reminded of the classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life” when George Bailey wished he
had never been born. The movie is a depiction of how things would have been different if George had
not been born. Not that there is any real spiritual truth taught by the movie, the thought of not being
born as better than living and being oppressed is similar to Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 4:3.
Solomon returned to the living in his subject and treated another item of discussion with
opposite examples. “Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor.
This also is vanity and a striving after the wind. The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.”
(Ecclesiastes 4:4, 5) Solomon had observed the heavy wearisome labor that man performed and had
noticed the skill or profit man had gained from his labor. He noted that all that man did was out of envy
to what others had. Man is a vessel of rivalry. The craving for the newest and best thing so often spurs
man on to top his neighbor. He was describing a way of life that today might be stated this way,
“keeping up with the Jones’.” Solomon proposed that man labored and profited only to maintain a
standard of life that others had. Man measured his success in life by comparing what he had attained to
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that of others. Solomon then used the opposite extreme to further state his case of vanity. The fool
does not work, but sits idly by and eats not of his own but whatever he can get from anyone. Those who
labored hard to keep up and those who had no initiative to work were both living lives of vanity with no
substantive purpose. Solomon concluded, “Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil
and a striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:6) It is better to have one hand with some and have quiet in
life than to have both hands overflowing and filled with strife. Solomon wrote a similar statement in
Proverbs. “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.” (Proverbs
15:16)
Solomon continued his look at hard work and its vanity. His observation looked at how hard a
man might work in life and when death comes he does not have an heir to whom to leave his life’s
possessions. Solomon asked, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” (Ecclesiastes
4:8) Some people live to amass fortunes to leave to their heirs. If there are no heirs, who shall receive
what man has gained in life? In working hard, depriving one of enjoyment in life, Solomon labeled it as
vanity and an unhappy business. Why work hard and never enjoy life if there is no one to ever enjoy
and reap the benefit of one’s hard work?
Having no heirs is also a matter of loneliness. Solomon treated the matter of living life without
companions or being lonely. “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another
to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And
though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not
quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) Man is not meant to be alone. At the creation of Adam, God
stated, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
God had not erred in making man without a companion. It was God’s intention to make Adam a
companion but it must be “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” to have unity in mankind. God
designed the human race to need the human race. People need people, they are not meant to live life
alone. Anyone who desires to live life without any relationship at all is denying self of the entire
fulfillment one can receive by having productive relationships with others whether in marriage,
parent/child, or friendship. Notice the fruit of relationships according to Solomon.
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More work is accomplished and the reward is greater.
Mutual assistance when one falls
Warmth when experiencing the coldness of life
Ability to withstand the difficulties of life
Each of these ideas can be supported by Scripture which details the Christian walk.
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“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater
works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a
spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)
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“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please
ourselves.” (Romans 15:1)
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit,
any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love,
being in full accord and of one mind.” (Philippians 2:1, 2)
“Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by
your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:9)
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see
you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind
striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:27)
To live a life without any relationships at all is detrimental to the overall health and success of
life. When partnered with individuals the joys are magnified and the sorrows are shared.
The last part of chapter four treats the subject of fleeting popularity. First Solomon weighed the
ages and status of the young with the elderly and made this assumption. “Better was a poor and wise
youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.” (Ecclesiastes 4:13) Simply
stated, it is better to have nothing and learn than to have it all and ignore advice. The old king was born
to the throne, reigned satisfactorily but as time went on and seasons changed, the king refused to listen
to counsel. Along came a young man from less than noble status. He goes from “the prison to the
throne.” He is wise and listens to wise counsel. It cannot be said for sure but there are a few similarities
to the rise of Joseph. A young man sold to slavery at the age of seventeen by his brothers. As time
passes Joseph rises to the occasion in every area of life but finds himself imprisoned for false
accusations. Thirteen years after his term of trouble began Joseph is elevated to a position only
surpassed in power and prestige by Pharaoh. Everyone is enamored by Joseph. In Solomon’s writing
the people are thrilled with the young man on the throne and highly support him. Then things change.
As the young man ages, the younger generation does not know him and they seek for someone to take
his place. The lesson given from this passage is popularity is fleeting. The new fad is always the craze
until another new fad appears. The new young artist is a must see until another new artist comes on the
scene with a moving sound. The new young movie star is hounded by fans and paparazzi until another
fresh face gives a star performance. The latest catchy idea is the best idea ever for church growth until
the next flashy idea is written. The newest man on staff at the church is the best thing that has ever
happened in the church’s ministry until time passes and someone else joins the staff. What is popular
today will probably not be popular tomorrow. Solomon concluded, “Surely this also is vanity and a
striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:16)
Chapter four was filled with various ideas. In summary, Solomon wrote of the vanity of man’s
oppression, man’s rivalry, man’s isolation, and man’s popularity. To overcome this vanity, the saint
must trust in the strength of the Lord to conquer the oppressions of life. The saint must find satisfaction
not in comparison to others but in the riches of grace. The saint must cherish the greatest relationship
of all, that of a child to the Father. The saint must realize it is not the popularity of man that is
important but that God is pleased each day with one’s life.
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Be Careful What You Promise God
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Every one has spoken the hasty word. Many have attempted to take the word back that has
been spoken, figuratively trying to grab it before it reaches its destination. Once the word has left the
mouth it is not known what impact it might have whether in a positive or negative manner. “So also the
tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small
fire!” (James 3:5) Solomon wrote concerning the hasty word. His emphasis was not on the hasty or
rash words used by man before man. It is on the words man uses before God.
Solomon encouraged worshippers to be very careful what words were spoken to God when in
His house. “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to
offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.” (Ecclesiastes 5:1) Guard is to
keep watch. The reason for keeping watch is an enemy lurks. That enemy is the tongue of man. “Keep
your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” (Psalm 34:13) The psalmist wrote about the
keeping of the tongue in general in daily life so as not to use the tongue for evil will or behavior.
Another danger is using the tongue in the ways of flattery to achieve one’s desires. “For we never came
with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is witness.” (1 Thessalonians 2:5)
One might not expect words of evil when coming to worship God but words of flattery are often used
for selfish motives. If one praises God enough, God has to bless. The tongue becomes a tool of evil, a
tool of selfishness.
Words of evil may not be spoken to God but words come from the heart and many times people
come to God in worship with an evil heart. “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far
from me.” (Matthew 15:8) Christ pointed out to the people it is not what goes into man but what
comes forth from man that defiles him. The disciples told Christ the Pharisees were offended by this
statement. Christ went further to explain the nature of words according to the nature of the heart.
“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:18)
The people of Israel during Isaiah’s days were very guilty of coming to God’s house with evil words.
Their words and actions of worship were rejected by the Lord because their hearts were evil. (Isaiah 1)
To come to God’s house and listen is greater to God than for His worshippers to come and offer
sacrifices of foolish behavior.
The rashness of making vows to God is the main consideration of Solomon. “Be not rash with
your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on
the earth. Therefore let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2) Rash words and a hasty heart are one in
the same. Rash and hasty are the same word meaning impulsive. Man is not to be impulsive in his vows
made to God. Foxhole Christianity will be questioned. How many vows are made to God when life
seems to be on the doorstep of eternity? Solomon’s point about rash vows is supported based on the
positioning of God in heaven, seeing all things and the positioning of man on earth, seeing only today.
God’s viewpoint is much different from that of man so man must be careful in his promises to God.
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The Pharisees were noted for many words. As a basis for teaching the Model Prayer, the Lord
spoke of the Pharisees and their public praying. “And when you pray, you must not be like the
hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may
be seen by others…And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think
that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matthew 6:5, 7) God desires no irreverent babbling. “O
Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is
falsely called ‘knowledge’ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.” (1 Timothy 6:20)
“Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion…” (1 Timothy 1:6)
God desires to be worshipped in Spirit and truth. There is no room for vain words. Solomon cited how
many dreams create much restlessness, tossing to and fro. The words of a fool are many and bring
about much restlessness.
The Words of a Fool
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“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” (Proverbs 18:2)
“A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.” (Proverbs 18:6)
“A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.” (Proverbs 18:7)
Solomon again looked to the hasty vows. He implored for man to be careful not to make hasty
vows to God especially when one is not committed to paying the vow. “It is better that you should not
vow than that you should vow and not pay.” (Ecclesiastes 5:5) One is not to hastily vow to God and
then declare it was a mistake. Man must realize even his idle words are accountable to God.
The story of Ananias and Sapphira is a good illustration of making rash vows to God. The couple
had vowed to sell some property and give the proceeds to God and the ministry. In reality they “kept
back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
(Acts 5:2) Peter questioned Ananias and confronted directly with, “you have not lied to men but to
God.” (Acts 5:4) Immediately upon hearing these words from Peter, Ananias died. Fear came upon all.
After a time of three hours, Ananias’ wife Sapphira came in and she was confronted by Peter. Just as
her husband, when hearing the words of rebuke, she immediately died. Fear surrounded the church.
“And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.” (Acts 5:11)
Solomon warned, “God is the one you must fear.” (Ecclesiastes 5:7)
The warning of Solomon is not meant to cause worshippers to say nothing to God. It is meant
for the worshippers to consider the seriousness of coming to God. God only receives worship from
those who are sincere in heart. There are no perfect worshippers. There are many pretenders in
worship. That is Solomon’s concern. God know the pretenders. “And no creature is hidden from his
sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)
Moses gave warning to the people of Israel. “If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath
to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of
his mouth.” (Numbers 30:2) Christ made reference to this passage in the His Sermon on the Mount.
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to
the Lord what you have sworn.’” (Matthew 5:33)
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Moses also addressed this issue in the book of Deuteronomy. “If you make a vow to the Lord
your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will
be guilty of sin….You shall be careful to do what has passed from your lips, for you have voluntarily
vowed to the Lord your God what you promised with your mouth.” (Deuteronomy 23:21, 23) The vows
of Moses’ concern were not required by God but once they had been made to God, God expected their
fulfillment.
When facing the Ammonites, Jephthah the judge of Israel prayed that God would give the
people of Israel victory over the Ammonites. He promised God he would give to God whatever came
out to meet him from his house if God granted the victory. “If you will give the Ammonites into my
hand, then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the
Ammonites shall be the Lord’s and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” (Judges 11:30, 31) God granted
victory and when Jephthah came home, his daughter came to meet him “with tambourines and with
dances. She was his only child; besides her he had neither son nor daughter. And as soon as he saw her,
he tore his clothes and said, ‘Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low, and you have become
the cause of great trouble to me. For I have opened my mouth to the Lord, and I cannot take back my
vow.” (Judges 11:34, 35) It is not believed that Jephthah literally offered his daughter to the Lord as a
burnt offering but that she committed to being a virgin for the rest of her life, thus ending the
continuance of Jephthah’s family. Whether she remained a perpetual virgin or she was literally offered
as a sacrifice, the family ended. How many rash vows come back to harm families?
Questions to ponder:
Have you ever made a trivial promise to God? (help me pass this test and I will….; get me this job and I
will….)
Have you actually made some serious promises to God?
Are you still being true to your vow or promise?
Have you ever lied to God? Did God know you lied? Does God know it now? (News flash: He did know
and He does know.)
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The Love of Money
Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12
Years ago a thought was coined that became a world theme: ‘Love makes the world go round.’
There is no real survey or statistic to verify in a scientific manner that idea. When one looks at how the
various nationalities in the world operate particularly on a global level, the thought may better be
coined, ‘money makes the world go round.’ Money is a major influence between countries. Those
countries which have money have a great hold over those which have not. Those which have not are
ever trying to get money from those which have. Money can be a vital tool but also money can be used
as a cruel evil.
On the personal level, the same can be said. There is danger in money. For some the danger is
having too much and others it is having too little. How one treats the issue of money will greatly impact
how one lives life and perceives others. Money itself is not the true issue. “For the love of money is a
root of all kinds of evils.” (1 Timothy 6:10) In the next few verses of Ecclesiastes five and six, Solomon
wrote of the vanity of money using varied observations.
Solomon began this section about money looking at the impoverished. Their rights were
overrun by individuals of higher power than them who in turn were subject to even higher powers. One
might see the laborer who works for meager pay while middle management earns a much better salary.
One might consider government officials who are well paid deciding employment laws that hurt the
unemployed and those in poverty. The issues of taxation and eminent domain are always subjects of
debate in the perception of government rights and the rights of the people. Solomon did give some
credit to the advantage of good government officials. “But this is gain for a land in every way: a king
committed to cultivated fields.” (Ecclesiastes 5:9) Government is established by God to corral sinful
behavior and to promote good will among its citizens. Part of the Preamble of the United States
Constitution is “to promote the general welfare”. Government has a good purpose but can at times be a
disappointing hindrance and hurt.
Solomon basically stated money never satisfies. “He who loves money will not be satisfied with
money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10) How often one
will say, ‘If I only had a little more money’? This world constantly portrays money as the tool to cure all
ills. More pay, more investments, more insurance, more retirement, all of these and more urge
mankind to always be seeking for more. This wanting of more is not just for money. It is the cry of a
baby for more milk. It is the cry of a toddler for more toys or candy. It is the cry of the teenager for
more of the latest whatever. It is the cry of the newly married couple for more house, more car, more
everything. Solomon wrote about the ills of wanting more in Proverbs. “The leech has two daughters:
Give and Give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, ‘Enough’: Sheol, the barren womb, the
land never satisfied with water, and the fire that never says, ‘Enough.’” (Proverbs 30:15, 16) The grave
is still taking bodies. The barren womb still cries out for a child. The parched land still yearns for water.
The fire never consumes enough for the purpose of being extinguished. So the love for money never
satisfies. Solomon wrote the more goods, the more appetite. Those who have satisfaction apart from
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what one has or possesses has the sweetest of sleep. Those who hunger for things never find a peaceful
rest.
The dreaded bad business deal was Solomon’s next concern. There is a very burdensome
sorrow for those who for some reason have lost what they had gained over life. It may have been by a
frivolous and vain means such as gambling. The loss may have occurred from a bad and unwise
investment. Someone may have stolen the earnings from a retirement program. Stocks may have
plummeted and those who invested in them may have occurred financial ruin. When individuals look at
life’s investments and their loss, the ruin is not just for the present but also for the future. People may
have been planning for their retirement or for leaving a financial portfolio for the children and
grandchildren. Solomon wrote of the truth of how man comes into the world, “naked as he came.” He
emphasized that those who had lost because of bad ventures for whatever reason would leave the
world the same way as he came. There is a truth that what one gains of the world will not leave this
world upon one’s death. The Egyptians buried treasures with the dead so they could enjoy them in
eternity. The only enjoyment in eternity that relates to earth is what one has done with the Lord. All
other things are consumed and destroyed. Solomon wrote, “This also is a grievous evil: just as he came,
so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind?” (Ecclesiastes 5:16) Christ said it in
this manner, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where
thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
destroys and where thieves do not break and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) Paul had a similar theme with just a slightly different emphasis. “Now if
anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw – each one’s work
will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test
what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he
will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved,
but only as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) Living with hope and trust in the world’s investments
cause days when one “eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.” (Ecclesiastes 5:17)
To overcome the feelings of anxiety when it comes to investments and the future, Solomon
encouraged the reader to enjoy life in what God had given. God may bless with wealth and possessions.
If so, enjoy them recognizing them as a gift from God. If God does not give as much wealth and
possessions to one as compared to others, one is still to enjoy what God has given. There is a joy that
each believer is to experience every day that in spite of the circumstances that still is the anthem of the
heart. “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to
accept his lot and rejoice in his toil – this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of
his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.” (Ecclesiastes 5:19, 20) When one lives in
the joy of the Lord, the toils of life are not remembered. The emphasis of life is not on one’s trials but
on the joy of the Lord, how good God is. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the
morning.” (Psalm 30:5) “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
(Psalm 34:1)
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Solomon wrote of an “evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind.”
(Ecclesiastes 6:1) God gave to man a wealth in such capacity that man lacked nothing. Man is not given
the power to enjoy such wealth but others enjoy his wealth for whatever reasons. Even if having a large
family, Solomon used one hundred to symbolize the extreme, but did not enjoy life’s possessions and
dies without burial, this is vanity. To die without burial is to die without any legacy or memorial. One
just dies. No one cares. This life came, the life went, and when over no one notices. What good has
come of living a life with much if when that life ends there is no acknowledgement of that life? To the
Jews to die without mourners or honors was a disgrace. Solomon considered the death of a stillborn
child more satisfying than that of one who lived many years, had much family and possessions but never
enjoyed the wealth or family and died without recognition. The stillborn never sees the light but finds
eternal rest in God. Solomon used the extreme again to emphasize the vanity of living life without
enjoying what one has in God. “Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no
good – do not all go to the one place?” (Ecclesiastes 6:6) Christ shared a similar truth. “And I will say to
my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to
him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they
be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:19-21)
Solomon summarized his thoughts concerning money and possessions in the last of chapter six.
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The soul is never satisfied, working to consume. (6:7)
The wise and the fool both die. (6:8)
The future is unknown. (6:9)
God is in control. (6:10)
Knowledge of the now and of the future is limited. (6:11)
Money is a viable tool in society. Money is also a tool of corruption. God is the giver of wealth
and possessions. Man must learn to trust God for what He sees fit to give, thank Him for His gift, and
look to God for wisdom in using the gift wisely. For what one does not know, one must trust God.
When unknown and unprepared elements of life arise, one must trust in the hand of the Lord and not
seek the wiles of man to provide for those unexpected elements. Hard work is admirable but not to the
cost of not enjoying what God gives each day. Living for tomorrow unless the tomorrow is heaven is
vain. The future of man’s life on earth is not guaranteed. Enjoy life today, trusting God for life
tomorrow.
“Money is only loaned to a man. He comes into the world with nothing and he leaves with
nothing.” William Crapo Durant - Founder of General Motors and Chevrolet.
Questions to ponder:
How many of my daily decisions are affected by money?
Is money a tool or an item of worship?
Am I more of a tight wad or a frivolous spender?
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Wisdom Anecdotes
Ecclesiastes 7:1-29
Everyone should desire that people say good things about them. It is better to be known by a
testimony of good than a testimony of bad. Those who spit fire of evil words to destroy another at
times cannot be helped, no matter how innocent one may be. But each should strive to live a life of
which others speak well. Having a good name was a favorite of all of the writings of Solomon.
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“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”
(Proverbs 22:1)
“…your name is oil poured out...” (Song of Solomon 1:3)
“A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.”
(Ecclesiastes 7:1)
A person’s name and reputation is important. When giving the criteria for pastors and deacons,
Paul cited the need for a good reputation among the world as a qualification of being considered for
either role in the church. “Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall
into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:7) “For those who serve well as deacons gain a
good standing for themselves…” (1 Timothy 3:13) It is not only leaders in the church that should have a
good name but each Christian should live with such a reputation so there is no doubt as to prove by
reputation the relationship with Christ.
To Solomon, a good name had the greatest of value. It also had a fragrant aroma. “For we are
the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to
one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.” (2 Corinthians 2:15, 16)
A good name was better than any valuable ointment used for bathing, as a medicine, as perfume and
other significant uses. “Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came
up to Him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on His head as He
reclined at table.” (Matthew 26:6, 7)
Solomon went a further step. It is true a good name is better, yet a good name is not known at
birth but rather at death. This was why Solomon said the day of death was better than the day of birth.
At birth, one does not know what a person may become. At death, it is known what a person has been.
Many individuals seem to start on a good trek in life only to be derailed and end up with a life of ruin.
Also many lives have began in unloving nurturing situations, become attached to unsavory lifestyles, yet
by the end of life have found the grace of God and become His child (the Apostle Paul). The obituary of
a person can speak volumes. When this life is over there is nothing more a body can do to improve
one’s character or name. For the believer, life’s end may be one of various defeats but because of a
relationship with Christ, hope is assured. For the unbeliever, no matter life’s achievements, hell
becomes a reality and nothing can be done to change locations. (Story of the rich man and Lazarus,
Luke 16:19-31) An epitaph is what one places upon a tombstone. Some tombstones carry names and
dates. Some will have unique statements. Achievements of individuals may be engraved for all who
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pass by to see. Not fully knowing the Christian experience of Benjamin Franklin, his epitaph he wrote for
his tombstone is a good example of how to look at this life’s achievements versus eternity is thought
provoking. “The Body of B. Franklin, Printer. Like the Cover of an old Book, its Contents worn out, and
Stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be lost, For it will as
he believ’d appear once more in a new and more elegant Edition, Corrected and improved By the
Author.”
Solomon next wrote concerning the trials of life. In Ecclesiastes 7:2-6, Solomon contrasted a
negative connotation with a positive connotation. His view has a discouraging tone such as it is better
to mourn than laugh. He was not advocating a life of distress and disheartening. Solomon’s point was
that man does not grow by means of pleasure but by means of trial.
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“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the
testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect that you
may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various
trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes
though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation
of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6, 7)
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed
day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory
beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are
unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
No one really likes difficulties. Man loves pleasure. Pleasure may be enjoyable but pleasure
does not grow an individual. The right perspective must be had in facing trials or they can become
overwhelming. Christians must hold to the truth of God’s Word in regard to trials and temptations.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be
tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you
may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Solomon gave some great advice how to face difficulty in Ecclesiastes 7:7-9.
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Oppression can make one irate.
Stay patient to the end. The end will reveal the purpose. “Do not fear what you are about to
suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and
for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of
life.” (Revelation 2:10)
Do not let anger cause foolish behavior. “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be
quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the
righteousness of God.” (James 1:19, 20) Solomon gave these words of wisdom in Proverbs,
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“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who
takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)
One of the dangers for people in facing difficulties is to have a woe is me attitude. People think
they are the only ones that have ever faced a difficulty. Peter treated that subject. “Resist him, firm in
your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood
throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you
to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the
dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:9-11)
Sometimes when facing difficulty, people look to the past and yearn for the olden days that
were supposedly the better days. Solomon gave some words of wisdom in how one is to perceive
yesterday, today and tomorrow.
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Time skews the viewpoint of history. Nostalgia is deceiving. The past always seems simpler or
better than today. Many will yearn for the good old days. If one was able to go back to the
good old days, one will find they were not as good as one might think. Solomon wrote, “Why
were the former days better than these? For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.”
(Ecclesiastes 7:10)
Wisdom is the commodity needed to face the day. “…an advantage to those who see the sun.”
(Ecclesiastes 7:11) It is wisdom that preserves life not money.
People must trust in the sovereignty of God. “Consider the work of God: who can make straight
what He has made crooked?” (Ecclesiastes 7:13)
Be joyful in the good days and be trusting in the bad days, God made them all. God does not let
the future out of the bag before the future happens. People must rejoice for today and must
trust for tomorrow. (Ecclesiastes 7:14)
In comparing the life of the righteous with that of the fool, (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18) Solomon wrote
of an apparent discrepancy. The righteous live righteously and die early while the wicked live wickedly
and die in old age. This can cause the righteous to act foolishly. The righteous are warned to not
become “overly righteous” which is to act self-righteous. They are also warned to not act foolish and
live a life of presumptuous sins (God will forgive me anyway) lest they die early. One is to live wholly
and holy for the Lord, knowing the end is glorious.
The later part of Ecclesiastes 7:19-29 is a compilation of various thoughts about wisdom.
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Wisdom gives greater advantage to a wise man over many counselors that may lead a city. (19)
Christians sin. (20)
Do not believe everything one hears said about self. (21, 22)
Wisdom has its limits. Some things just cannot be known. (23, 24)
Be wary of the wiles of the seductress. (25, 26)
Man’s schemes, though many, never find the answers to life. Only in God can a life of
righteousness be found. (27-29)
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What Does a Wise Man Do?
Ecclesiastes 8:1-17
Solomon gave a transition about the value of wisdom and what wise men do with it concerning
life. “Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his
face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.” (Ecclesiastes 8:1) The behavior of the wise is in
question in Ecclesiastes 8. They are obedient. They are faithful. They accept what they cannot know.
Based upon these things explored in chapter eight, Solomon began with questions and observations.
One question was how to interpret life. This is the only place this particular word is found in the
Bible. It can also be translated solution. A similar form to the word is used thirty times in twenty-six
verses only in the book of Daniel. Daniel is the book of dreams and interpretations. Another form
appears twice only in Daniel. The root word for interpretation is found only nine times in the Bible, all
appearing in the story of Joseph and his interpretation of dreams. Dreams are not the subject of
Solomon’s writing. Solomon questioned how to interpret the events that happened. How does one
judge life when looking at events that are occurring which will impact life? The answer is by the use of
wisdom.
Wisdom brings enlightenment. Shine is to brighten or give light. It is a root word for lighting,
used in Genesis in identifying the purpose of the stars, sun and moon. “…and let them be lights in the
expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth….And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to
give light on the earth…” (Genesis 1:15, 17) A statement made at various times, “shed some light on
that subject” is a good way to understand Solomon’s inference. He further illustrated his point by
writing that wisdom would change or alter man’s stern face toward events. The hardened face is
changed by wisdom to a face that beams. So how does a man of wisdom react toward life?
First, a wise man lives in obedience to the king’s commands. “I say, ‘Keep the king’s command,
because of God’s oath to him.” (Ecclesiastes 8:2) Samuel wrote, “to obey is better than sacrifice…”
(1 Samuel 15:22) John wrote, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and
obey His commandments.” (1 John 5:2) The oath in verse two is rather an oath of the people to God,
not God to the people. The oath of the people was given at the time of Solomon beginning his reign as
king. “All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, pledged their allegiance to
King Solomon.” (1 Chronicles 29:24) He was God’s man for the hour. God would lead Solomon who in
turn would lead the people. Righteous leadership should breed righteous followers. By the time
Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes, his righteous leadership had vanished but it does not deny the truth that
wise men obey the laws of the land.
Wise men do not hastily leave the paths of righteousness to walk in the paths of evil. “Blessed is
the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat
of scoffers…” (Psalm 1:1) Going beyond seeing Solomon as a king and one whose authority was to be
respected, the Christian has a king and His authority is even greater not allowing for the king to be
questioned. “For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, ‘What are you doing?’”
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(Ecclesiastes 8:4) Wisdom in obedience avoids evil and aids the heart of a wise man to do things at the
“proper time and the just way.” There is a right and wrong way and a right and wrong time. Answers
may be fleeting, but how one responds to life’s challenges must be yielded to God’s commands. Man
does not have power to stop the wind or to overcome death. There is a war everyday from which no
one is discharged until death. Wisdom is needed when facing life’s struggles which include the ways of
evil men and how they seem to be greater at times than the godly.
Second, a wise man stays faithful even when the wicked do not seem to be punished for their
wrongdoing. “Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be
well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. But it will not be well with the wicked
neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.” (Ecclesiastes 8:12,
13) Upon the death of the wicked, Solomon observed that the wicked had gone in and out of the
temple. They practiced the ritualism of worship but did not practice the heart of worship. Isaiah wrote
of the same concern in Isaiah 1. The Lord rejected the worship from His own people because they were
attempting to worship a holy God while actively living an unholy life. God refused their worship. The
Pharisees of Christ’s day were characterized by appearing to worship God but rejecting His truth in their
daily lives. A multitude of people will offer excuse before God and plead for mercy at the Great White
Throne judgment. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the
one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did
we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your
name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of
lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-23) Paul’s admonition is clear. “But God’s firm foundation stands,
bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are his’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the
Lord depart from iniquity.’” (2 Timothy 2:19)
Solomon’s observation was not that the wicked will not get their just reward but that just
reward is delayed until the days of repentance are gone. This delay fueled the intensity of sin. “Because
the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to
do evil.” (Ecclesiastes 8:11) People have questioned why the evil seem to go unpunished. Peter
provides one answer. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient
toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
God’s desire is for sinners to repent so His judgment upon sin is delayed allowing the opportunity for
sinners to accept God’s gift of salvation. Paul wrote the same truth with a different emphasis. “Do you
suppose, O man – you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself – that you will
escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and
patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard
and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous
judgment will be revealed.” (Romans 2:3-5) God withholds His wrath toward sin and expresses His love
and goodness to draw sinners to Him by repentance and faith to receive God’s wonderful gift. Sinners
who never repent and trust in Christ will face the full wrath of God. While it may seem that the wicked
are getting away with evil, the Lord knows the righteous and the evil, and He will repay the wicked for
the deeds they have done. Some might be repaid in this life. All will be repaid in full in eternity.
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Finally, a wise man accepts what he cannot know especially in regard to the future. “…then I
saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much
man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it
out.” (Ecclesiastes 8:17) Solomon wrote he saw the righteous receive punishment for doing right and
the wicked receiving blessing for doing wrong. This was vanity. So Solomon resolved to enjoy life
ignoring the disparity that seems evident. Solomon applied his “heart to know wisdom, and to see the
business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep…” (Ecclesiastes 8:16)
Solomon wrote that man is always trying to figure out why things happen and man is really never
satisfied. Man can speculate as to what may happen, but man truly does not know the future. Man’s
labor or persistent endeavor or wisdom will never fully allow man to know what may happen. There are
some things that man will just never know. Some things are intentional hidden by God from the
knowledge of man. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed
belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy
29:29) “If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.”
(1 Corinthians 8:2)
Man gets frustrated at what he does not know. Contentment is found when a man realizes
what is necessary to know will be known and what is unknown at times is best to leave unknown.
French philosopher Blaise Pascal gave this quote.
“If there were no obscurity, man would not feel his corruption; if there were no light, man could
not hope for a cure. Thus it is not only right but useful for us that God should be partly concealed and
partly revealed, since it is equally dangerous for man to know God without knowing his own
wretchedness as to know his wretchedness without knowing God.”
Give It Your Best Shot
Ecclesiastes 9:1-18
When it comes to the end, all men are in the hand of God. What happens in the judgment after
death has been settled before death, either faith in Christ and the assured hope of eternal life or
unbelief in Christ and the eternal damnation in hell. What happens before death cannot always reveal
who is a Christian or not. “But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise
and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before
him.” (Ecclesiastes 9:1) Solomon’s words are in reference to the fact that at times it seems the
righteous are troubled and the wicked are blessed. Even though one is a Christian, Christians are not
immune to trouble. Even though one is a heretic, heretics are not void of experiencing God’s goodness.
Just because one is a Christian, one should not expect nothing to ever go wrong. Christ gave a similar
message when referring to being good to one’s enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall
love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on
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the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45) While
Christians would love to see only sunny days with no troubles in this world and have the wicked get their
reward immediately, God has a different plan.
Solomon gave a startling thought, “It is the same for all, the same event happens to the
righteous and the wicked….they go to the dead.” (Ecclesiastes 9:2, 3) Solomon portrayed opposites to
show how people die no matter their life on earth: righteous/wicked; good/evil; clean/unclean;
worshippers/non-worshippers; good one/sinner; those who keep promises/those who break promises.
Solomon also gave the difference between people. “Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of
evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” (Ecclesiastes 9:3)
The heart of the saint is not the same as the heart of the sinner. The heart of the sinner is full of evil.
Some may seem more evil than others but only a little evil makes one fully evil. “A little leaven leavens
the whole lump.” (Galatians 5:9) The sinner lives a life of foolishness. Sinners are born into foolishness.
If they reject Christ, they act and live foolishly. They will die in their foolishness. At times it may seem
that the Christian is getting the raw deal in this world in comparison to the sinner. In the end the true
rewards will be experienced. The suffering in this world cannot compare to the glory of heaven. “For I
consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be
revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) While even the wicked live, they still have a hope for a life change. “A
living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing,
and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.” (Ecclesiastes 9:4, 5) As long as
there is breath there is hope. When death occurs there is no more opportunity to change a life. There is
always sadness when a sinner dies.
“…night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4) Christ said these words in response to
the discussion about the man born blind. Christ was active in ministry to the cross in touching people’s
lives while on earth. This is the theme of the next section of Ecclesiastes 9.
“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already
approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy
life with your wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun,
because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand
finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to
which you are going.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10)
It is understood that Solomon’s admonition is for the believer. The unbeliever can attempt to
enjoy life and have good days but real true life is only that which comes from Christ which Christ called
the “abundant life.” Christians are to enjoy the simple staples of life, resting in God’s love and pleasure.
The Scriptures are filled with passages about joy and the Lord.

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
“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” (Psalm 51:12)
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
(John 15:11)
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

“Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24)
“But now I am coming to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy
fulfilled in themselves.” (John 17:13)
Two statements in this passage speak to the spiritual status of the Christian. They are to have
white garments and be covered with oil. To have white garments is to live a life of purity. This passage
has to refer to believers for unbelievers cannot even begin to live a life of purity. Believers are also
identified by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Oil has represented the Holy Spirit throughout
Scripture. John wrote, “But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge….But
the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach
you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie – just as It has taught
you, abide in Him.” (1 John 2:20, 27) The ministry of the Holy Spirit is vital to the Christian walk. He
convicts wrongs; heals hurts; guides decisions; directs paths; teaches hearts; guarantees eternity; etc.
The role of the Holy Spirit is limitless. One aspect concerning the oil is how the Holy Spirit allows for
fellowship between believers. He is the common ground that allows for unity in the body of Christ. The
psalmist made reference to unity and oil. “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in
unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running
down on the collar of his robes!” (Psalm 133:1, 2) The oil running down on Aaron’s beard signified a rich
spiritual blessing. That is what believers have in God.
Solomon next encouraged the believer to enjoy the family God had given. Though Solomon
sinned and had many wives, God used Solomon to pen words that show the good and the blessing of
the husband and wife relationship. Solomon wrote many things about marriage in Proverbs and the
entire book of Song of Solomon. Great applause should be given to those who God allows to live many
years and experience wedding anniversaries of fifty, sixty, seventy and beyond in years.
“Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be
scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers
with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful
doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.” (Proverbs
5:15-19)
Admonition to men: “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”
(Proverbs 18:22)
Admonition to women: “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like
rottenness in his bones.” (Proverbs 12:4)
One of the best admonitions about the work ethic of a Christian was given by Solomon.
“Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) If anyone ought to have
a good work ethic it should be Christians. Paul gave a similar idea with a slightly different focus.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will
receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23, 24) It does
not matter whether the task is a spiritual ministry or a secular job, Christians are serving the Lord and
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their effort should be full all the time. The effort should be the best that one can do. That effort may be
outshined by others with more skill and ability but the effort should never be lacking for any reason or
excuse. “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo
painted, or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that
all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job
well.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)
Solomon added some commentary to the work ethic thought. Once death occurs the body can
no longer work. The mind can no longer perceive and make decisions that affect life on earth. Man’s
intelligence in response to earthly matters and wisdom to apply that intelligence is no longer feasible.
When death comes, life ends as far as earth in its current status is concerned.
Things do not always happen in the way one expects. Even death can come prematurely.
Though those who do less sometimes reap the rewards, that should not be used as an impetus to not
work as hard or attempt to do one’s best. Life at times is not fair which Solomon considered. “Again I
saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise,
nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge but time and chance happen to them all.
For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a
snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.” (Ecclesiastes
9:11, 12) Life happens and at times it has no rhyme or reason. It is imperative that man trusts in God.
Solomon closed this chapter with an illustration of how those considered poor by the world’s
standards can make a huge difference. “There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came
against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor, wise
man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. But I say that
wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.”
(Ecclesiastes 9:14-16) The stronger and the more vocal often get the recognition and acclaim. The poor
or unnoticed seem unimportant until a day comes when only the unnoticed and insignificant has the
answer to overcome the trouble. The sadness is once the trouble has been overcome the poor and
unnoticed is neglected and returned to obscurity by man because his status does not measure up. The
prettiest, the richest, the most educated, the strongest, the most well-known, all of these at times
overshadow the true heroes of life. If Paul was writing this passage, he might word it this way. “But
God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame
the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing
things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)
The world has a large quantity of loud rhetoric, otherwise known as hot air. Through all the
turmoil and bickering of words, amping up the rhetoric, there sits a man of wisdom who is anxious to be
heard. Once his voice is heard, the turmoil quiets. The unassuming person who goes unnoticed and will
not barrel one’s way into the proceedings waits patiently for an opportunity to be the voice of reason
and give clarity to the situation and the response required. There are people who have an opinion
about everything and usually those opinions are off base. The wise know what to say, when to say it
and how to say it. “The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among
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fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.” (Ecclesiastes
9:17, 18)
Questions to ponder:
Do you ever become jealous for the success of the wicked?
Do you find joy in life in spite of the circumstances?
Do you always give your best effort in everything?
Are you one of few words but words of wisdom or many words and words of foolishness?
Beware the Life of Foolishness
Ecclesiastes 10:1-20
This chapter seems more appropriate for Proverbs than Ecclesiastes. The passage is written in
much the same style as Solomon used in writing Proverbs. The chapter has one basic theme; do not act
as a fool. Contrasts are given between foolish behavior and wise behavior. Solomon set the tone of the
chapter with a vivid description of foolish behavior. “Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a
stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.” (Ecclesiastes 10:1) No matter how wise one has
been, one little mistake of foolishness can be disastrous, ruining testimonies, families and even causing
death. One may take a drink of alcohol for the first time or experience illegal drugs for the first time and
it will be the last time they ever have life. A lifetime of wisdom can be voided by one foolish mistake.
Wisdom is needed in the decision making of life. “A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,
but a fool’s heart to the left. Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to
everyone that he is a fool.” (Ecclesiastes 10:2, 3) The right to left reference is not a conservative/liberal
view though it is ironic that the wise go to the right and the foolish go to the left. Going to the right was
an idiom to defend or assist someone. The thought is even used of God. “I have set the Lord always
before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8) “The Lord is your
keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.” (Psalm 121:5) The main point to the fool is he has
no sense of where he is or where he is going. His behavior and his mouth openly express his foolishness.
Being on the road implies that as soon as the fool leaves his home, he openly displays that he is a fool.
His actions and words left no doubt to his character.
Wisdom is needed in the reactionary facets of life. A person of authority is irate at an individual.
The individual who is the brunt of the angers should be careful in the response toward that anger. “If
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the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to
rest.” (Ecclesiastes 10:4) Christ said a similar thought, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the
earth.” (Matthew 5:5) There are times in life when things are not as they should be. How one
responds to ill behavior or unjust anger will have a great impact on a testimony. Solomon wrote there is
folly in life when the foolish sit in seats of power while the rich find themselves in a state of humility.
Servants were leading the procession on majestic steeds while dignitaries walked behind cleaning up the
mess. For Christians, they must adhere to the words given by James when facing unfair situations.
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the
anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19, 20) Paul admonished, “Be
angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”
(Ephesians 4:26, 27) Christians do not repay anger with more anger. They trust in God.
Wisdom is needed in calculating the dangers of life. In Ecclesiastes 10:8-11, Solomon provided
some thoughts about situational living. People ask what one would do in certain situations. Solomon
was implying that wisdom prepares for potential risks but fools rush ahead with no thought to the
potential dangers that could occur. Solomon gave five illustrations.
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Situation
Danger
Dig a pit
Break down walls
Quarrying stones
Splitting logs
Chopping wood
Fall in the pit
Be bitten by a snake
Being hurt by a stone
Stumbling over logs
Overexertion because of a dull axe
None of the situations were dangerous in themselves but each situation required wisdom to
avoid foolish accidents. Once the serpent has bitten it is too late for the snake charmer. A doctor has
become necessary. The old adage would offer good explanation here: it is too late to lock the barn
once the cow has gotten out.
Wisdom is needed in the use of the tongue. “The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor,
but the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end
of his talk is evil madness. A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell
him what will be after him?” (Ecclesiastes 10:12-14) The fool’s words consume him, literally swallow
him up. When he opens his mouth foolishness comes out. By the time he has finished talking he is
speaking shear madness. His words never end. No one can tell him anything. “A fool takes no pleasure
in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” (Proverbs 18:2)
Solomon wrote similar words in Proverbs.
“The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools pour out folly.” (Proverbs 15:2)
“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
(Proverbs 10:19)
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Christ added this admonition.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard
for their many words.” (Matthew 6:7)
Paul wrote this to Timothy.
“But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will
spread like gangrene.” (2 Timothy 2:16, 17)
According to Solomon the foolish has so much folly he did not even know which way to go. “The
toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.” (Ecclesiastes 10:15) The foolish
man will pontificate over and over again but it is proven he is going nowhere nor does he even know
how to go. He lacks common sense. “Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding
walks straight ahead.” (Proverbs 15:21) “Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom
when he has no sense?” (Proverbs 17:16)
Wisdom is needed in leadership. Solomon expressed a grave concern for people whose leaders
acted as children or fools. “Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the
morning!” (Ecclesiastes 10:16) The emphasis is not on the age of a ruler but the conduct of a ruler or
rulers. The princes start their day with frivolity and fun. Instead of looking at one’s schedule, organizing
the day to deal with matters of urgency and concern, the leaders maintain a carefree attitude and fail to
govern in an appropriate manner. The contrast is given in verse 17, “when your king is the son of the
nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” A land will
find leadership when its leaders govern by wisdom, the leaders maintaining a grave concern for the well
being of its people. The time for feasting will come. Again Solomon addressed the foolishness of
leaders and the results of their foolishness. “Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the
house leaks.” (Ecclesiastes 10:18) The foolish behavior by the leaders caused a void of urgent concern
on matters serious to the foundation of the nation. The proverbial roof had caved in. The little things
were not addressed and they gradually grew to larger things which caused much damage. Instead of
taking proper care in leadership to fix nuisance items, those items became major problems. As with
most governments, the leaders threw money toward the problem without addressing the actual
problem. “Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.”
(Ecclesiastes 10:19) How much waste exist because government acted foolishly not seeing the small
problems and fixing them, allowing the problems to become much bigger and thus costing much more
to fix? The danger that is imminent is the attitude that more money will fix it all.
Wisdom is needed when speaking ill of such a government. “Even in your thoughts, do not curse
the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged
creature tell the matter.” (Ecclesiastes 10:20) It is easy to talk of the failures of those who govern.
People spout off, “I did not vote for him.” How humorous when people boast of a person’s character to
elect that person and quickly after he or she is elected they speak ill of that person. Even the best of
leaders will have their distracters. Not every decision made even by the wisest leaders will appease
everyone. In an age when it seems that government is becoming less Christian friendly, Christians must
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be careful in what they publicly say about the government. Government was ordained by God to corral
the sinfulness of man. It has been abused and neglected by many. Paul wrote, “First of all, then, I urge
that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who
are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1
Timothy 2:1, 2) While one may not agree with the government in its actions and policies, Christians
must constantly pray for government officials that the decisions they make will not infringe upon the
rights of those who are Christians to openly live for God and share the Gospel message. One can pray
for the salvation of a government official. Not all will be saved, but even those who reject Christ and
govern can be led by God to refrain from making unwise decisions that affect the Christian walk and
witness.
An indirect thought concerning verse twenty is even beyond speaking about the government in
an ill manner, speaking ill of anyone is wrong. What one may have thought was said in private at times
finds it way on the wings of a bird and ends up on the tongue of someone less judicious on what one
speaks. This is the way of rumors.
Questions to ponder:
What is the most foolish decision you have ever made? Did it have grave consequences?
What is the most foolish reaction you ever gave? Did you feel foolish? Did it cause serious damage in a
relationship?
Do you proceed too often without regard for consequences or dangers?
How often do you put your foot in your mouth?
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Making Investments
Ecclesiastes 11:1-8
Being wise with one’s money is paramount to financial security. Churches and families need
financial plans. It has been said, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” Too many people face financial
hardships in their latter years because of the failure to plan appropriately. On more than one occasion
Solomon used the example of the ant to teach about proper planning.
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or
ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there,
O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the
hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” (Proverbs
6:6-11)
A sluggard is a lazy person who lacks self-control. Solomon treated the subject of the sluggard in
various ways found in the following passages from Proverbs: 10:4, 26; 12:24; 13:4; 15:19; 19:15; 20:4,
and 26:14-16. He further taught a lesson in planning using the ant, the rock badger, the locusts, and the
lizard.
“Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong,
yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their
homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your
hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.” (Proverbs 30:24-28) The ants plan and labor. The rock badgers take
diligence to climb and find safety in high places. The locusts survive through organization, while the
lizards are resourceful and can make a home in the most inaccessible places. Lessons to be learned:
work hard and plan for future; be diligent to protect your investments; be organized in your finances;
and be resourceful with your money.
In Ecclesiastes 11, Solomon wrote of a practice of his to illustrate the wisdom needed and the
blessings received by making wise investments.
HOPEFUL FOR A RETURN
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1)
There are two main schools of thought considering this passage. One is that of a farmer who
would cast his seed onto the marshy ground and would wait for the harvest, hopeful of a good return.
Another thought is how Solomon would send out his commerce on many ships hoping for a good return
on some of them. No matter which thought is followed the expected outcome is the same, a good
return on one’s investment. Solomon understood a good return required a good investment. Goods
and funds in a storehouse waste away and provide no return.
“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only
suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
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The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.” (Proverbs
11:24-26)
DIVERSE INVESTMENTS
“Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.”
(Ecclesiastes 11:2)
The old adage is appropriate here. “Do not put all your eggs in one basket.” There is no such
thing as a sure thing except when it comes to God. Too many people have come to retirement with the
promise of great returns on their life’s investments when they find out their money is gone. The reasons
are many, some just chance, while others bad choices, and even others were because of fraudulent
situations. Investments are gambles. Spiritual investments are a sure thing.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves
break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Matthew 6:19-21)
Investments must be weighed out. Christ said it in this way, “For which of you, desiring to build
a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28)
Ron Blue, financial counselor said, “There will be as good a deal tomorrow as there is today.”
Investments should never be made hastily. Not all of one’s financial security should be based in one
area for fear of that area being voided in some means.
UNCONTROLLABLE CIRCUMSTANCES
“If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south
or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.” (Ecclesiastes 11:3)
One does not know if the rain is going to fall. One cannot stop the tree from falling. If it falls it
lays there and rots. Some things are beyond the control and foresight of man. One could not anticipate
the tree falling. Weather forecasters can predict the weather but they cannot assure the prediction will
happen. Who really understands the stock market? Who really can guarantee the money market funds
return? So often it is like the story told of a man who bought one new suit coat along with two new pair
of slacks and tore a hole in the coat.
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a
year there and trade and make a profit’ – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.” (James 4:13,
14)
PREPARED FOR THE UNKNOWN
“He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.”
(Ecclesiastes 11:4)
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One cannot continuously watch the clouds. One cannot continuously watch the stock market. If
all one does is watch, one will end in poverty. One has to take steps not knowing the weather, not
knowing the future. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty
comes only to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)
TRUSTING GOD’S PLAN OVER MINE
“As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child,
so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.” (Ecclesiastes 11:5)
Man has studied the birds and the bees since the beginning of time. In this world of sexual
freedom and expression, the creation of life within a womb still amazes. How can that conceived zygote
develop a heart or lung? How can an eye be differentiated from an ear? How can hard substances like
bones come to be in the soft tissue of the embryo? Even if all these things were understood, where
does the conscience and spirit of man come? So it is with all of the workings of God. “Man is fearfully
and wonderfully made.” Yet there are some things just not known.
So it is with all of God’s plans. There are general plans that God has revealed. But there are
some things God knows will happen for He has already decreed them to be and man has no real
expectation for them happening. Man knows hurricanes will come. But how many actually make plans
for such things as Hurricane Katrina. Natural disasters have come and gone. Many more will come and
go. Man’s plans often do not allow for any major disruption. When it comes to investments, man’s
plans may look good on paper but when God allows massive disruptions, those plans are null and void.
All that man can do is trust God when the investments are ruined because of things beyond the control
or preparation of man. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own
understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
STAY STRONG THOUGH NOT KNOWING THE END
“In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know
which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6)
Though not knowing the outcome, man must still work faithfully. Investments can be studied.
Financial plans can be made. This is beneficial and good. In the end, all may be moot because of the
unknown. The only constant is God. One’s world may be destroyed in a fire, in a tornado or with a
severe accident. Those tragedies do not preclude planning and wise investments. Yet man must not
trust in his plans but only in the person, purpose, and power of the Lord. “The eternal God is your
dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)
TRYING TIMES WILL COME
“Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. So if a person lives many years, let
him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is
vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 11:7, 8)
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There is a disorder called SAD, seasonal affective disorder. It is more common in northern
climates especially in the winter. There are many reasons some older people retire and move to Florida,
the Sunshine State. Some manufacturers brighten the lights in the facility at night if they have a third
shift employed. Studies have been conducted that prove such actions increase productivity. The sun is
the biological clock for man’s body. Every day man’s biological clock is reset based on the exposure to
the sun. After a cold and cloudy day, the sun is always a welcome sight. That is the sweetness of the
light of which Solomon wrote.
The longer one lives, the more dark days will appear. This is true throughout life. The more
dark days one experiences the sweeter the light when it shines. “Man who is born of a woman is few of
days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues
not.” (Job 14:1, 2)
Concerns about investments, one’s retirement package as such can bring dark days of which
man has no control. The nest egg or pension has in some manner been voided or defrauded. Great
anxiety can occur. As if any age or any person, the unknown of the status of investments or the
unknown knowledge of whether one has enough to pay for college or pay for one’s funeral can be
traumatic. One must trust in God while in the light and while in the darkness.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may
exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6, 7)
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to
everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to
you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for
the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:33, 34)
Though one may never have full confidence in an investment, one can have full confidence in
the care of the Lord. The Lord knows and meets the needs of His saints. He will not forsake them. An
even greater thought, unwise decisions by man can be overcome by the Lord. This is not to excuse
foolish behavior or decisions but rather provides comfort and security when one is unsure if one has
made the right choice.
The surest investments are those laid up in heaven. The deposit of one’s soul with God will
never be wasted.
Questions to ponder:
How confident are you in making investments?
Have you experienced a major setback because of a wrong decision? Have you recovered your loss?
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PROVERBS AND MONEY
“A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.” 10:15
“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” 11:4
“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only
suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.” 11:24-26
“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” 11:28
“One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.” 13:7, 8
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” 13:11
“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the
ox.” 14:4
“The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends. Whoever despises his
neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.” 14:20, 21
“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors
him.” 14:31
“Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household.” 15:27
“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.” 16:8
“A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.” 18:11
“Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.” 19:4
“There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”
20:15
“An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.” 20:21
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to
poverty. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.” 21:5, 6
“Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.” 21:17
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.” 22:1, 2
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” 22:7
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“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” 22:9
“Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to
poverty.” 22:16
“Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is
gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.” 23:4, 5
“Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.” 27:18
“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last
forever; and does a crown endure to all generations? When the grass is gone and the new growth
appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the
goats the price of a field. There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household
and maintenance for you girls.” 27:23-27
“Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.”
28:6
“Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the
poor.” 28:8
“A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.”
28:11
“A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go
unpunished. To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong. A stingy man
hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.” 28:20-22
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Growing Old Gracefully
Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:14
“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth.
Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will
bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for
youth and the dawn of life are vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9, 10)
As Solomon neared the end of Ecclesiastes, he reviewed and then he admonished the young to
enjoy life as much as possible for as one grows older the things that one can do without any limitation
become fewer. Those who do daredevil stunts are usually of the young in age. More risks, both
rewarding and foolish, are taken by the young. Energy levels and metabolism change with age,
restricting the ease with which certain activities are performed. Solomon did give a warning for the
young to understand that God will bring all things into judgment. Let the heart of the young be merry
and carefree. Let the eyes of the young be filled with amazement and wonderment. Let the fear of the
Lord guide the merry heart and the eyes of wonderment.
Solomon emphasized service for the Lord begins when young. Christians are not to wait to
serve the Lord until one has matured to an older age. Christians are not to wait to serve the Lord until
after one has sown the wild oats. Service for God should always begin “in the days of your youth, before
the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’”
(Ecclesiastes 12:1) While one has opportunity and ability, being at one’s physical best with the vigor of a
new day Christian youth should strive to serve God with maximum effort. Youth is typically seen as the
dawning of a new day, the reason for the references to “the sun and the light and the moon and the
stars.” (Ecclesiastes 12:2) Twilight is seen as the latter years of life. One’s maturity and faith in the Lord
should be greater when older but the physical ability may very much be wanting. There is a reason that
more youth take mission trips than older individuals. There is never a time when one is too young to
begin serving God just as there is never a time when one is too old. Until God takes the saint home to
glory, the saint must continue serving the Lord.
From Ecclesiastes 12:3-6, Solomon uses numerous metaphors to describe the aging process
while challenging the young able to serve God to the fullest. These metaphors provide an interesting
description of the maladies of the older generations.
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“keepers of the house shall tremble” - A reference to the failing of the hands. “Whatever your
hand finds to do, do it with your might…” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
“strong men are bent” – may be a reference to one’s feet or bones.
“grinders cease because they are few” – a person’s teeth began to decay and fall out. One’s
appetite changes with age.
“look through the windows are dimmed” – eyes and vision change over time. There may also be
a reference to the vision of the future versus the vision of the past. The young have a vast vision
of their future may be while the elderly may see more of what their life was.
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“doors on the street are shut – when the sound of the grinding is low” – possibly another
reference to teeth, more specifically to the mouth and the ability to chew or digest. It is said by
many when they get older they cannot eat like they used to eat. Many older individuals have
more trouble digesting. There is a reason that most insurance companies encourage
colonoscopies after age 50.
“one rises up at the sound of a bird” – sleeplessness becomes a problem as one grows older.
“all the daughters of song are brought low” – the ability to speak and hear decrease with age.
The tone of the voice becomes more shallow and distorted.
“afraid also of what is high” – there is instability in balance more with the older than the young.
The danger of falling is increased. Ladders are not an older individual’s best friend.
“terrors are in the way” - little things can cause frequent stumbles. The feet do not work as they
once did.
“almond tree blossoms” – hair color has turned white.
“grasshopper drags itself along” – the littlest things are bothersome.
“desire fails” - appetites for food and life are gone.
“man is going to his eternal home” – death is nearer. Heaven is thought of more than ever.
“mourners go about the streets” – the funeral brings out family and friends.
“silver cord is snapped” – many see this as the spinal cord. The nervous system has ceased to
exist.
“golden bowl is broken” – many see this as the brain. The function of the mind has ceased.
“pitcher is shattered at the fountain” – many see this as the heart. It is no longer beating.
“wheel broken at the cistern” – a continuation of thoughts about the heart.
The last four descriptions together – snapped, broken, shattered, and broken – all show death
as tragic and irreversible.
Man is born with the hope of a great life of enjoyment. As one grows from the infant to the
child to the teenager and finally to adulthood life is a continuous process of growing. Somewhere in
early adulthood the physiological structure of the body begins to change and slowly man begins the
death process. Man is working feverishly trying to cheat or avoid death. The average lifespan is longer
today than ever. Yet man still dies. The body still decays. Then comes the end. “…and the dust returns
to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all
is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7, 8) “…for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19) The
earthly body is only for a short time in comparison to eternity. Believers can look with great anticipation
when heaven becomes a reality and the short falls of the earthly body are no more. “Thus it is written,
‘The first Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a lifegiving Spirit. But it is not the spiritual
that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the
second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the
man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of
dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” (1 Corinthians 15:45-49) Until then believers
must rely on the gracious strength of God to face the ailments of the earthly body. “My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of
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my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content
with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(2 Corinthians 12:9, 10)
The Ultimate Key to Aging Gracefully (Focus on the Family)
“The more focused you become on enriching the lives of others, the more sense of purpose
you'll have. The more you begin to explore new interests, the more engaged with life you'll become. The
more you begin to tackle long-postponed projects, the more empowered you'll feel. All these things put
in to practice will result in a heightened enthusiasm for life. The more energized and optimistic you feel,
the more you'll be moved to express your gratitude to God. Thank Him for this wonderful life you've
been given. A spirit of gratitude, more than anything else, will help determine whether you grow old
gracefully — or just grow old.”
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE?
“Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and
arranging many proverbs with great care. The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he
wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected
sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many
books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:9-12)
Solomon gave an entire book of the Bible telling of the vanity of life in this world. He referred to
the book of Proverbs attributed to him in this text. Whereas the book of Ecclesiastes speaks of the
vanity of life away from focusing on God, the book of Proverbs details wise thoughts how to live a life for
God that is not vanity. The words of Solomon were words of joy, words of truth, words of a firm and
solid premise. They were words from the Lord. This is not to say that the book of Ecclesiastes is not
from the Lord. All Scripture is from the Lord. Its purpose is different.
God’s Word in each text is like a goad and a nail. The goad is the tool of the shepherd to prod
the sheep along. The nail would be to secure the gate to keep the sheep from wandering. The Word of
God as a goad and a nail has been written by many men as they were led by the Holy Spirit. It is truly
given by one Shepherd. “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from
God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21)
Solomon gave a further admonition to the writing of the Word of God. Man is not to base his
life on anything aside from God’s Word. Man will have his countless philosophies. Unless they are
based on God’s Word they will all prove to be false. Everything man opines must be compared to God’s
Word. If it is contrary to God’s Word, then it is error. If it is in agreement to God’s Word then it can be
seen as truth. There must be great trepidation to ever write or speak of anything contrary to God’s
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Word. “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God
will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book
of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described
in this book.” (Revelation 22:18, 19) While directly referring to the book of Revelation, these words
from John can also characterize the feeling any should have to the entirety of the Word of God.
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is
the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether
good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14)
The conclusion of all things is man is directly accountable to God, no matter whether man is a
believer or not. God is to be feared. For the unbeliever the fear of God has a frightful meaning. For the
believer fearing God has a meaning of reverence. Believers do not live for God out of fear of
punishment. There is no more punishment. Believers do not live for God out of fear of disappointing
God. There is no more disappointing God. All believers are accepted fully in Christ. “For you did not
receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by
whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15)
Believers are to obey all of God’s commands not to maintain a relationship with God but to
prove to the world a relationship with God. Being obedient to God’s commands is seen in every era in
the Bible as the desire of God for His people. Christians are to act like Christians. The Christian on
Sunday is to be the same Christian on every other day of the week. What one would never do on
Sunday one should never do on any other day. Even though the believer is fully accepted by God based
on the imputed righteousness of Christ to the believer, the believer is to strive to live faithfully for the
Lord, knowing there is a judgment in which all of the believer’s works will be tested for reward or loss of
reward. “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and
someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a
foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation
with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw – each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day
will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has
done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s
work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”
(1 Corinthians 3:10-15) At the judgment seat of Christ, the works of all believers will be tested. The
works which pass the test will be rewarded. Those who have nothing to show for their time on earth as
a believer will still have an eternal home with God but they will have missed the opportunity for rewards
with which to lay before Christ. The old song asks, “Must I go and empty-handed? Must I meet my
Savior so? Not one soul with which to greet Him. Must I empty-handed go?”
At the judgment there
will be no secrets and those things done in secret will finally be exposed.
The purpose of life: to have a right relationship with God that is daily evident by a life that is
fully obedient and submissive to God’s commands and will. Mistakes will be made but mistakes will not
bring condemnation. Every believer should yearn to hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful
servant.”
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Questions to ponder:
Is or has aging been an issue with you?
What has been your most difficult trial in reference to the aging of your body?
Can you identify a distinct purpose for your life?
Do you still maintain the purpose of life you had five years ago? Ten years ago? Twenty years ago?
Has your perspective about the purpose of life changed over time?
What is your purpose today?
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