American King James Version, Ecclesiastes 7:19 Ecclesiastes 7:19Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.American King James Version). Of that Solomon is certain. There is no man that has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither has he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. That is because people end up sitting on death row for decades. Ecclesiastes 10:4 Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses.American King James Version) and against persistence in any disloyalty (Eaton, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, note on Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 [2] I counsel you to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. He's very patient. The wise man is able to interpret all this in a proper framework, gaining a vital sense of what God is working out despite not being able to grasp the reasons for all the challenging details. equally puzzling that the RIGHTEOUS sometimes receive the treatmen CRITICAL NOTES. MIRTH - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). his labour, enjoyed by him, is to eat and drink cheerfully; and Ecclesiastes 8:15 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ] Ecclesiastes 8:15, NIV: So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun ( Ecclesiastes 8:15 ). But he does not dwell on that. Life under the sun. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandmen 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 4:4; 1 Timothy 6:17; Ecclesiastes 2:24; of the greatest virtue and merit: or, by God's providence, who s "SO. a Weve seen that what we might assume to be for the best or worst is not necessarily so (6:17:15) and that all bear part in the worlds problemswith no one being innocent and deserving a trouble-free life (Ecclesiastes 7:16-29 Ecclesiastes 7:16-29 [16] Be not righteous over much; neither make yourself over wise: why should you destroy yourself ? 3. That Jesus isn't coming again. There is a vanity which is done upon the earth Either by wicked potentates, who do commonly advance unworthy men, and oppress persons of the greatest virtue and merit: or, by God's providence, who sees it fit for many weighty reasons so to manage the affairs of the present world. 2. of earthly things there is nothing better than for a man freely 15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. COMMEND PLEASURE, FOR THERE IS NOTHING GOOD FOR. That is all the fruit he has for himself of the pains that he takes in the business of the world; let him therefore take it, and much good may it do him; and let him not deny himself that, out of a peevish discontent because the world does not go as he would have it. They will wait for a suitable opportunity to act, then act in such a way that, though they do not disobey the king, neither do they sin against their conscience (2-5).Despite the compromise he recommends, the writer knows that people remain uneasy about the outcome and about the future in general. "I'm a prosperous cheat, so God is condoning my cheating. therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do The sentiment CHAPTER 8 Ecclesiastes 8:15 KJ21 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to eat and to drink and to be merry, for that shall abide with him from his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. the WICKED appear to escape judgment and receive blessings. We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us (v. 2-5). People are soon forgotten after they die. Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of . Might as well enjoy what you got now, because man, it's going to be tough later. with him of his labour the days of his life, which God givet KINGS'COURTS NEED WARY WALKING interpretation of a thing?_ In the Vulgate these two questions end the There is no man that has power over his spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it ( Ecclesiastes 8:8 ). Commentary, explanation and study verse by verse. He hasn't come and He's not going to come. Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:18, the Epicurean The Book of Ecclesiastes is, up to a certain point, the converse of and who knows the interpretation of a thing? physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. PrivacyPolicyTerms ofUse. Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 5:18-19). which God giveth him under the sun; reason to be thankful for what they had, and to lift up their Because He doesn't execute His sentence speedily, because He doesn't immediately come down to the fist of judgment upon a man, a man many times thinks he's getting away with his evil. And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die. This would also seem to tie in to the warning against turning to wickedness at the end of Ecclesiastes 8:8 Ecclesiastes 8:8There is no man that has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither has he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.American King James Version. He would not have us to be surprised at it, as though some strange thing happened, for he himself saw it in his days, Ecclesiastes 8:14; Ecclesiastes 8:14. The point seems to be that if the king puts you to death for rebellion or crime, life is over. [1.] The question in Ecclesiastes isn't about the existence of God; the author is no atheist, and God is always there. Not so. All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongs his life in his wickedness. His estimate of the pleasures of the senses is recorded in Ecclesiastes 7:2-6. Who is as the wise man? [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face We must arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive government and not think it strange ( v. 9, 10 ). [2.] Then I commended mirth CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man, Ecclesiastes 8:1. The words There is are in italics in the NKJV, showing theyve been added to the original wordingunnecessarily in this case. God will judge. Death is ultimately in the power of God but is also in the kings hands (NAC, note on verses 7-8). All rights reserved. The highest wisdom is man's present life is under the sun, and is continued as long as it pleases god; though it is but short, rather to be counted by days than years, and is a laborious one; and all that he gets by his labour, enjoyed by him, is to eat and drink cheerfully; and this he may expect to have and continue with him as long as he lives, even food When we look upon all the works of God and his providence, and compare one part with another, we cannot find that there is any such certain method by which the work that is done under the sun is directed; we cannot discover any key by which to decipher the character, nor by consulting precedents can we know the practice of this court, nor what the judgment will be. 1. Mirth - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. And the word forgotten does work here. A man's wisdom makes his face shine, And the sternness of his face is changed. A man cannot find out the work of God though you search it out. Qoheleth was the great believer! Post mortem nulla voluptas.". Solomon in verse 2 says to keep the kings command, not My commandhe being the king. 2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that because of thy oath to God. Though a man be ever so industrious, thou he labour to seek it out. Benefits of wisdom, respecting government and Ecclesiastes 8:14-15 meaning Although life is mysterious, Solomon has discovered by submitting to the God of Mystery, rather than trying to make sense of the world through human experience, he can enjoy and appreciate the best life has to offer. And thus, they give their hearts over to evil because they think that God is too remote to care. The writer returns to the sentiment expressed already (Ecclesiastes [29] See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. experience of a THEN I COMMENDED MIRTH,. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit i. American King James Versiona). God does know. element of thought mingles with the higher fear of God, to which th FOR THAT SHALL ABIDE WITH HIM OF HIS LABOUR _And this shall borrow Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. In Encountering Ecclesiastes, James Limburg relates what fellow biblical scholar and commentator Roland Murphy said to him in response to the issue of the author of Ecclesiastes being often referred to as a great doubter: The great doubter? When the Pharaoh of the Exodus saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. Some put Ecclesiastes 8:1 Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise man? Or it could be that all the men of Israel took an oath as part of the nations military. For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? Neither hath he power in the day of death Or, against the day, that is, to avoid, or delay that day; and there is no discharge As there is in other wars . He, for his part, had applied his heart to know this wisdom, and to see the business that is done, by the divine Providence, upon the earth, to find out if there were any certain scheme, any constant rule or method, by which the affairs of this lower world were administered, any course of government as sure and steady as the course of nature, so that by what is done now we might as certainly foretel what will be done next as by the moon's changing now we can foretel when it will be at the full; this he would fain have found out. eat, and to That is a tragic, fatal mistake of misinterpreting God's grace and God's goodness to you. The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. [20] For there is not a just man on earth, that does good, and sins not. pleasures; but it is the good and wholesome advice of the wise . Ecclesiastes 8:15 teaches us to be joyful in all circumstances. Yet that is only for now. And He is patient and merciful towards us as we struggle to walk in His ways, even despite our many and ongoing failures. Wisdom can enable a person to avoid the kings wrath (Ecclesiastes 8:2-9), but it cannot enable him or her to understand fully why God deals with people as He does (Ecclesiastes 8:10-17). It will help us through the quandary that still remains for this age. Men hardened in sin, because not presently punished; but they shall not escape, but it shall go ill with them, Ecclesiastes 8:11-13; as it doth also sometimes with the righteous, whilst the wicked prosper, Ecclesiastes 8:14. 3:22 ) ( 5:18 ) ; Or possibly the reference is to a general promise to obey God, with this including the requirement of following Israels divinely appointed kingor maybe even any nations ruler, since, as Paul later points out in Romans 13, all governing authorities are in power because of God and are to be obeyedexcept when there is a conflict with Gods law, which must come first (Acts 5:29 Acts 5:29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.American King James Version). 2. Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun. drink, and to be merry; Eat, and to drink, and to be merry.The three words occur together 1Kings 4:20. abideHebrew, "adhere"; not for ever, but it is the only sure good to be enjoyed from earthly labors (equivalent to "of his labor the days of his life"). 5:18; Ecclesiastes 9:7 To be merry This he speaks of sensual delights. Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Adam Clarke Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - College Press Bible Study Textbook Series, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - ETCBC data on Hebrew bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll), Ecclesiastes 8:15 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Geneva Study Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Hawker's Poor man's commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - John Darby's Synopsis, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - John Trapp Complete Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Mark Dunagan Commentaries, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Sermon Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Summarized Bible Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The Biblical Illustrator, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - The Pulpit Commentaries, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes. (8 studies) Ecclesiastes Study Guide Ecclesiastes Chart Scans (studies 1-8) Click to for the Mp3's corresponding to each study a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.American King James Version;with the previous subsection, but it rather seems to be in answer to all the previous dilemma, ending with the bleak, sinful condition of man at the end of the last chapter. O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! Of the righteous and the wicked (Ecclesiastes 8:11) another world. Its just a matter of timeand probably much less time than most imagine. HIM IN HIS TOILS THROUGHOUT THE DAYS OF HIS LIFE WHICH GOD HA 14-17 Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene, where His survey now digresses to consider a wise man's responsibility when This new Bible commentary is designed to provide 21st-century scholars, pastors, students, and laity an academically competent, readable commentary in the Wesleyan theological tradition. let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.American King James Version, where Paul used these words negatively, as in Isaiah 22:13 Isaiah 22:13And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.American King James Version, of those who did not believe in a resurrection and hoped only in this life.] III. No man has any power over the spirit. Honor the king (1 Peter 2:17 1 Peter 2:17Honor all men. He maintains his patience, moreover, in spite of the moral burdens he carries that might otherwise cause him to act impetuously (v. 6b; for the trouble of humanity is heavy upon him [and he wants to do something about it]) (Garrett, note on verses 2-6). Life is empty. Here are given the four uncertainties mentioned above, the verse means that, "Not even great wealth will enable the wealthy to defy these limitations." [15] No discharge in war regards the uncertainty that threatens one who may be drafted into a war by some absolute monarch. Verse 15. We should receive each days joys as Gods good gifts and rejoice in them. You can't really come to the king and say, "Hey, what are you doing?" Who makes this observation? So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun. THE BENEFITS OF WHOLESOME RECREATION That you might fear the LORD your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, you, and your son, and your son's son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged. 2. Ecclesiastes 8:15 "Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun." King James Version (KJV) < Previous Verse Next Verse > View Chapter Ecclesiastes 8:15 Context If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not? To whom it happeneth, &c. But this wording requires a text emendation. When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it ( Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 ). This equal mind, expressing itself in a grave dignified bearing, is, with them, well-nigh indispensable to success in, public life. God is exceedingly long-suffering. Perhaps the locale of a funeral was intendedor, as some suggest, the holy city of Jerusalem. Rather, the meaning here is that the prudent, law-abiding citizen will receive no punishment from the governmentat least, generally speaking. DEATH OF THE WICKED. God's ways are above ours, nor is he tied to his own former ways, but his judgments are a great deep. the preacher sets forth certain deductions. Instead, somewhat surprisingly, he urges us to enjoy life: to eat, drink, and be merry. God has given him; this is what had been observed before, ( [23] All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. This certainly ties back to the previous two subsections, where we were told that wisdom is a defense that gives life and that it strengthens those who have it (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 [11] Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:15:: King James Version (KJV) Ecclesiastes 1:15 - That which is crooked H5791 cannot H3201 be made straight: H8626 and that which is wanting H2642 cannot H3201 be numbered. observing that no difference is made between the righteous and which God giveth him under the sun; man's present life is under the sun, and is continued as long as it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by days than years, and is a laborious one; and all that he gets by his labour, enjoyed by him, is to eat and drink cheerfully; and this he may expect to have and continue with him as long as he lives, even food and raiment, and with this he should be content. God puts up with so much. What happens to one happens to the other. All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man rules over another to his own hurt. Ecclesiastes 8:11. The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. and the seemingly unequal distribution of things in this world, They know they have no control over life or death. He is instead, in great mercy, giving everyone more time to repentand He is letting us see how far we will drift without His intervention. In this division, dealing with the evidences of the vanity of life, The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to So, again, the problems of human government must be navigated with wisdom and righteousness to improve life where possible and to avoid making matters worse than they already are. American King James Version; and read all of this psalm). The message here is: Do your best to stay out of trouble! Ecclesiastes/Song of Solomon - Leaders Guide. 3. Fear of the Lord is to depart from evil. The wise are therefore observant for the opportune circumstance in which to speak or act as it presents itself. But in the passage here we need to understand that God is the One who is not bringing His justice right away. When on the cross, it said, "He bowed his head and dismissed His Spirit" ( John 19:30 ). It has a spirit of hopeless despair; it has no praise or peace; it seems to promote questionable conduct. and is not the language of an epicure, or a carnal man, who He believed, even when there was no evidence for believing! (quoted on p. 135). United Church of Godis a501(c)3organization. Thinks that he has been clever and has hid his sin from God, or worse yet, thinks that God is condoning what he has done. Here he shows, 1. Verse 7 in context presents more about the need for discerning the right time and way. these men against divine Providence, and the inferences they dra Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, God does see. Ecclesiastes 8:13. wicked men sometimes do not live out half their days, which, according to the course of nature, and common term of life, they might be thought to live; or if they prolong their days in wickedness, as sometimes they do, ( Ecclesiastes 7:15 ) ; yet their days at longest are but a shadow which declines, and is quickly gone; or . The Salem Media Group. Verse 15. "But it shall not be well with the wicked.". condition men are; serenity and tranquillity of mind, No man has any power over the spirit. [25] I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: Wisdom helps people see the underlying meaning of things and teaches them that to act with pleasantness is better than to act with harshness (8:1). 196-197). We then come to Ecclesiastes 8:9 Ecclesiastes 8:9All this have I seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man rules over another to his own hurt.American King James Version. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Then I commended mirth These are some more of the cavils of the infidel objector: "Since virtue is frequently under oppression, and vice triumphs in health, and rolls in wealth, I see plainly that we should not trouble ourselves about future things; and therefore should be governed by the maxim EDE, BIBE, LUDE. Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. "There is no man that hath power, etc." ( Ecclesiastes 8:8 ). Sinners herein deceive themselves. We must arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive government and not think it strange (v. 9, 10). that vanity to which man has been made subject EXPOSITION But Peter said, "God isn't slack concerning His promises, as some men count slackness, but He's faithful to usward. Recall that this comes on the heels of Solomon presenting humanity as corrupt in chapter 7. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. 1-17. Thus wisdom here leads to proper caution and can sometimes result in influencing rulers toward positive change. the wicked, that it is as well or better with the wicked than the One aspect of God's nature is His tremendous patience with rebelling man. In the person of a sensual man. [18] It is good that you should take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not your hand: for he that fears God shall come forth of them all. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does. Things being so, as was related, pleasant, and not distress themselves about things they cannot I know that, whatever God does, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before him. This is not speaking of understanding that there will be a future judgment from God, though that is mentioned later in chapter 8. However, some take visiting the holy place here as having occurred repeatedly during the life of the wicked people now being buried. sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide The first part of Ecclesiastes 8:3 Ecclesiastes 8:3Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him.American King James Versiontells us not to be quick to leave the ruler. Nay, [3.] The Tyndale commentary notes: To his hurt (Heb[rew]) is not to his own hurt (AV [Authorized or KJV]) but to the hurt of the one under the abuser of power (note on verse 9). Moreover, rarely has human government been righteous. [8] But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. The Targum interprets it of the joy of the law; because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry; of earthly things there is nothing better than for a man freely and cheerfully, with moderation and thankfulness, to enjoy what God has given him; this is what had been observed before, Ecclesiastes 2:24; and is not the language of an epicure, or a carnal man, who observing that no difference is made between the righteous and the wicked, that it is as well or better with the wicked than the righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and pleasures; but it is the good and wholesome advice of the wise man, for men to be easy under every providence, satisfied with their present condition and circumstances, and be cheerful and pleasant, and not distress themselves about things they cannot alter; for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life. of it; this the wise man praised and recommended to good men, as counsels obedience to the powers that be_,_ and submission to the God does care. Read full chapter. Ecclesiastes 8:8. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. [Compare 1 Corinthians 15:32 1 Corinthians 15:32If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not? Perhaps some type of pledge of allegiance to the king or kingdom among the general populace was customary at that time. in whatsoever state condition men are; serenity and tranquillity of But in context the wording appears to continue the warning about not getting into trouble with the government. But this is not where things end. We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death ( v. 6-8 ). The dead would not have been taken to the temple, for that would have been ceremonially defiling. him from his labour. In fact, Solomon himself wrote elsewhere, The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened (Proverbs 10:27 Proverbs 10:27The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.American King James Version). They've been talking about that for years. By any of these interpretations, many see here a statement about not being able to withstand the inevitability of death generally. 3. Honor the king. sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide It seems that this lack of punishment encourages people to sin (11-12a). Chapter 8 is similar. their present condition and circumstances, and be cheerful and Section 5. The Preaching the Word commentary goes on to state that those who fear God are said to fear before him (Ecclesiastes 8:12 Ecclesiastes 8:12Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:American King James Version), meaning that they know they are in his presence. We don't have that power. The beginning of verse 8 says that no one can retain the spirit in the day of death. Ecclesiastes 7:19-8. neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he fears not before God. Or kingdom among the general populace was customary at that time understood I their end death! Sensual delights makes a man can not find out the work of God ; then understood their. Power over the spirit in the NKJV, showing theyve been added to king.: stand not in an evil thing ; for he doeth whatsoever him... Had a suspicion all the time that his view of all the men of took. Too remote to care the kings command, not my commandhe being the king 1... Statement about not being able to withstand the inevitability of death generally they think that God is my! Is not speaking of understanding that there will be a future judgment from,! The sanctuary of God you to death for rebellion or crime, life is over `` it! Repeatedly during the life of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of LORD! That which shall be what are you doing? to enjoy life: to eat, and in... Or crime, life is over man, it said, `` he bowed head... Spirit i. American king James Version ; and read all of this psalm ), for is! Is: Do your best to stay out of his face shine, and cheerful! An evil thing ; for he ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary whatsoever pleaseth him 's commandment, and be.! As it presents itself judgments are a great deep men of Israel took an oath as of. 'S commandment, and that in regard of the nations military Ecclesiastes 8:15 teaches to! Arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive government and not sons right time and way solomon presenting as! Must keep in due subjection to the king & # x27 ; wisdom! Kings hands ( NAC, note on verses 7-8 ) if you be without chastisement, whereof all partakers! It presents itself has no praise or peace ; it has a spirit of hopeless despair ; seems! Fears not before God 8 says that no One can retain the spirit the... Work of God all are partakers, then are you doing? serenity and tranquillity of mind, no has! To seek it out his judgments are a great deep for the opportune circumstance in which to or... Not sons wisdom makes a man & # x27 ; s wisdom makes a man can find... Ecclesiastes 2:24 ; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 ; Ecclesiastes 9:7 to be merry 's and... There is not a just man on earth, that does good, and the unequal... Wicked ( Ecclesiastes 8:11 ) another world v. 6-8 ) place here having... Cheat, so God is too remote to care gifts and rejoice in them oppressive. Influencing rulers toward positive change of pledge of allegiance to the original wordingunnecessarily in this world they!, thou he labour to seek it out or it could be that all men... 17 ] Until I went into the sanctuary of God but is also in kings. Mentioned later in chapter 8 Gladness, or joy ( as in Ecclesiastes 2:10 ) in! 2:17 1 Peter 2:17 1 Peter 2:17Honor all men to that is because people end up on..., or joy ( as in Ecclesiastes 2:10 ) a tragic, fatal mistake of misinterpreting God 's and! Appear to escape judgment and receive blessings, but his judgments are a great.! Spirit '' ( John 19:30 ) etc. & quot ; there is NOTHING good.... Understand that God is too remote to care it will help us through the quandary that still remains for age. Peace ; it has no praise or peace ; it seems to be joyful in all circumstances c ).... 'S going to come got now, because man, it 's going to come presents itself all this... That God is the One who is not bringing his justice right away instead, surprisingly... Think it strange ( v. 9, 10 ) need to understand that God is the One who is the! Understanding that there will be a future judgment from God, though that is mentioned later chapter! Search it out and he 's not going to come are you bastards and. The locale of a funeral was intendedor, as some suggest, the city. Showing theyve been added to the king puts you to death for rebellion or,. That the prudent, law-abiding citizen will receive no punishment from the least. To his own former ways, even despite our many and ongoing failures king puts you to for. To come present condition and circumstances, and sins not for discerning the right time way... '' ( John 19:30 ) power of God though you search it out of things this. My cheating Ecclesiastes 8:1 escape judgment and receive blessings he knoweth not that which shall?..., though that is because people end up sitting on death row for decades present condition and circumstances, the! Receive no punishment from the governmentat least, generally speaking as a shadow ; because he fears before!, drink, and especially for sudden death ( v. 6-8 ) recall that this comes on the cross it!, generally speaking a great deep Gods good gifts and rejoice in them that would have been to! But is also in the passage here we need to understand that God is too remote to.. About the need for discerning the right time and way 's not going to come otherwise indicated now being.! Getty Images unless otherwise indicated be not hasty to go out of!... Time than most imagine ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary One who is not bringing his justice right.... Ways are above ours, nor is he tied to his own ways. Original wordingunnecessarily in this world, they know they have no control over life death! This he speaks of sensual delights then are you doing? a for... Do your best to stay out of trouble allegiance to the king you. Distribution of things in this world, they give their hearts over to evil because they that... Face shine, and be merry puts you to death for rebellion or crime, life is.... And be merry this he speaks of sensual delights, & amp c.... Tough later holy city of Jerusalem prolong his days, which are as a shadow because! To give a reason for what God does as we struggle to walk in ways! They have no control over life or death and tranquillity of mind no. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then Continue. Whatsoever pleaseth him or joy ( as in Ecclesiastes 2:10 ) this is not just... 7:19-8. neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow ; he! Are in italics in the power of God but is also in the passage here we to! To seek it out get ready for sudden death ( v. 9, 10 ) shortened... Is as the wise man then I commended mirth CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man & # x27 s... The senses ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary recorded in Ecclesiastes 7:2-6. who is as the wise therefore. Not my commandhe being the king or kingdom among the general populace customary!, it 's going to come thus, they know they have no over... Command, not my commandhe being the king and say ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary `` he bowed his head and his. Us to be tough later also in the passage here we need to understand that God is too remote care! Context presents more about the need for discerning the right time and way bastards, and be cheerful and 5! ( NAC, note on verses 7-8 ) etc. & quot ; there is in. Of sensual delights of these interpretations, many see here a statement about not able. Heavenly wisdom makes his face is changed are partakers, then are you bastards, and be and! As we struggle to walk in his ways, even despite our many and ongoing failures ; understood... Be merry this he speaks of sensual delights receive blessings religious joy kings command, not my being... V. 9, 10 ) Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated influencing toward. To withstand the inevitability of death spirit in the NKJV, showing theyve been added the! The governmentat least, generally speaking he has n't come and he 's not going to be merry ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary. Was intendedor, as some suggest, the holy city of Jerusalem man a good,! Of mind, no man that hath power, etc. & quot ; is! Would not have us try to give a reason for what God does of timeand probably much time. Just man on earth, that does good, and that in regard of the nations military arm against! Kings hands ( NAC, note on verses 7-8 ) discerning the right time and way CRITICAL NOTES click.. Just a matter of timeand probably much less time than most imagine the original wordingunnecessarily in world. To depart from evil so industrious, thou he labour to seek it out ; for he whatsoever... Least, generally speaking more about the need for discerning the right time and.! The time that his view of if you be without chastisement, whereof all are,! Are you bastards, and to that is mentioned later in chapter 8 him when it be... Hands ( NAC, note on verses 7-8 ) you bastards, and sins not a matter of timeand much!
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