[2.] Because I'm still blessed and I'm prosperous. That is because people end up sitting on death row for decades. 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). The preacher begins this chapter with the praise of wisdom, from its excellency and usefulness, Ecclesiastes 8:1; and advises men, if they would live quietly and comfortably, to honour and obey the king that rules over them, and not be rebellious against him, since he has great power and authority . equally puzzling that the RIGHTEOUS sometimes receive the treatmen CRITICAL NOTES. Notice as well that he mentions joy twice in this verse and describes it as something we can experience all through life. [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. mind, thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortab Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the And thus, they give their hearts over to evil because they think that God is too remote to care. 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. Recall that this comes on the heels of Solomon presenting humanity as corrupt in chapter 7. Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of Verse 7 in context presents more about the need for discerning the right time and way. The end of verse 5 and verse 6 say that a wise mans heart discerns time and judgmentor what decision to make and when. A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. It doesn't matter to God that I lie or I steal or whatever because look, I'm blessed. with him of his labour the days of his life, which God givet KINGS'COURTS NEED WARY WALKING [8] But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. better H2896 sun H8121 eat H398 (H8800) drink H8354 (H8800) merry When the Pharaoh of the Exodus saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. Beyond Today Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes. Under the sun, man, life is just very shallow and you live life in a very shallow level, and. Verse 12 seems to support the past perpetuation of the wicked as the frustration, as it mentions the sinners days being prolonged. Or it could be that all the men of Israel took an oath as part of the nations military. Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 The writer knows what the traditional teachers say: that those who fear God will be rewarded and those who are wicked will be punished (12b-13). Fear God. Ecclesiastes 8:10 i _Then I commended mirth_ As before in chs. 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 who knows the interpretation of a thing? Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him." Where the word of a king is, there is power; the wicked, that it is as well or better with the wicked than the 3. The conclusion (Ecclesiastes 8:14) 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. This is not some kind of terror of God, but a profound respect that does include, as with children who love their caring parents, a healthy fear of disappointing and, yes, incurring judgment, recalling that God chastens every son He loves (Hebrews 12:5-11 Hebrews 12:5-11 [5] And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to children, My son, despise not you the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him: 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. He believed, even when there was no evidence for believing! (quoted on p. 135). It's because they are misinterpreting the patience of God waiting for men to be saved, because God is not willing that any should perish. Of the fear of God, the need for which we have already seen in the book and will see again in its conclusion (Ecclesiastes 3:14 Ecclesiastes 3:14I know that, whatever God does, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before him.American King James Version; Ecclesiastes 5:7 Ecclesiastes 5:7For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear you God.American King James Version; Ecclesiastes 7:18 Ecclesiastes 7:18It is good that you should take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not your hand: for he that fears God shall come forth of them all.American King James Version; Ecclesiastes 12:13 Ecclesiastes 12:13Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.American King James Version), the Tyndale commentary states: In the wisdom tradition the fear of God is the awe and holy caution that arises from realization of the greatness of God: Splendourterrible majestypowerjusticerighteousness. Honor the king.American King James Version). He saw just men to whom it happened according to the work of the wicked, who, notwithstanding their righteousness, suffered very hard things, and continued long to do so, as if they were to be punished for some great wickedness. 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. _Who is as the wise man; and who knoweth the 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. Verse 15. So, because God has waited so long, because God hasn't speedily executed His sentence against the evil, people begin to assume that God has just withdrawn Himself. . Notice that the Preacher is giving us a God-centered perspective and that in verse 15 he is talking about the days of our life as a gift from God. They know they have no control over life or death. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? No man has any power over the spirit. And the word forgotten does work here. American King James Versiona). God puts up with so much. So you know, live it up now. I see life moving on. Partner with StudyLight.org as God uses us to make a difference for those displaced by Russia's war on Ukraine. Be discreet in relation with a ruler. But in the passage here we need to understand that God is the One who is not bringing His justice right away. Note that the obedience to the king is for the sake of your oath to God (same verse). 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. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. the preacher sets forth certain deductions. What does Ecclesiastes 8:15 mean? The words There is are in italics in the NKJV, showing theyve been added to the original wordingunnecessarily in this case. (8 studies) Ecclesiastes Study Guide Ecclesiastes Chart Scans (studies 1-8) Click to for the Mp3's corresponding to each study THE BENEFITS OF WHOLESOME RECREATION It seems that this lack of punishment encourages people to sin (11-12a). If, for example, people work in the kings palace, they will do what the king says, partly because they have sworn before God to be obedient and partly because they will be punished if they disobey. Where the verse says they were forgotten, many others render this they were praised, reasoning that the positive eulogizing of the wicked after all their evil must be the vanity or frustration mentioned. [1.] because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to of it; this the wise man praised and recommended to good men, as The second part of verse 3 says, Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he [the king] does whatever pleases him. The phrase translated evil thing could mean bad thing in a more general sense. Eat, drink, and be joyful, for tomorrow we die! California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We don't have that power. TEXT 8:14-17 2. But in context the wording appears to continue the warning about not getting into trouble with the government. We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us ( v. 2-5 ). 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. When the time comes for you to die, you don't have any power over your spirit to retain it, to cause your spirit to remain. fearing God, enjoyment through God commended. 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. Things happen to both good and evil men. under the sun the best thing to do is just to eat and drink and be merry ( Ecclesiastes 8:15 ): Because man, that's all she wrote. 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. Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:18, the Epicurean 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. We_ have here an image which will not disgrace Ecclesiastes 8:1. The sentiment of this verse is a frequent conclusion of the writers personal experience (compare marginal references), and is unfairly charged with Epicureanism. life was a low one. This comes straight from other Scripture, God stating that it would be well for those who feared and obeyed Him, with their days prolonged (Deuteronomy 5:29 Deuteronomy 5:29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!American King James Version; Deuteronomy 6:2 Deuteronomy 6:2That you might fear the LORD your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, you, and your son, and your son's son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged.American King James Version, Deuteronomy 6:24 Deuteronomy 6:24And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.American King James Version). If moral evil is in view, perhaps the sense is becoming a civil lawbreaker. [11] Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby. 196-197). Hey, it's great to be merry because a man has no better thing under the sun. The next set of verses concerns following kingly authorityhuman governmentas a matter of life and death (verses 2-9). The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. The sentiment CHAPTER 8 Solomon next mentions seeing the wicked buried (verse 10). it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by Verse 11 explains why evil grows worse and worsebecause justice is not swift. Still, we must not treat God flippantly or carelessly. 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). these men against divine Providence, and the inferences they dra Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, And people begin to misinterpret God's grace and God's long suffering as God's approbation for their actions and for their lives. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Nevertheless, there is joy for us in the ordinary things of lifeeating, drinking, and sharing fellowship with the people of God (p. 198). We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us (v. 2-5). Section 5. Read full chapter. But if they find the kings command unreasonable, wisdom will show them a way out. God does see. And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. He would have us not to fret and perplex ourselves about it, or make ourselves uneasy, but cheerfully to enjoy what God has given us in the world, to be content with it and make the best of it, though it be much better with others, and such as we think very unworthy (Ecclesiastes 8:15; Ecclesiastes 8:15): Then I commended joy, a holy security and serenity of mind, arising from a confidence in God, and his power, providence, and promise, because a man has no better thing under the sun (though a good man has much better things above the sun) than to eat and drink, that is, soberly and thankfully to make use of the things of this life according as his rank is, and to be cheerful, whatever happens, for that shall abide with him of his labour.
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