ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary

Though a man be ever so industrious, thou he labour to seek it out. This is the perspective that must be maintainedalong with understanding what the future will bring. Ecclesiastes 8:8. His estimate of the pleasures of the senses is recorded in Ecclesiastes 7:2-6. Who is as the wise man? And 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. Prudence before kings (Ecclesiastes 8:1)_ 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 ). And one ruling another to that ones own hurt here is evidently a mistranslation. let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Note that the obedience to the king is for the sake of your oath to God (same verse). Ecclesiastes 2:24 ) ( The problem with this view is that it does not do full justice to what the Preacher says. That is because people end up sitting on death row for decades. Still, the language resembles the skeptical precept (1Co 15:32), introduced only to be refuted; and "abide" is too strong language, perhaps, for a religious man to apply to "eating" and "mirth.". because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to Mirth therefore, and a contented enjoyment of God's gifts, preferable to immoderate care and search, Ecclesiastes 8:15. A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. i. [28] Which yet my soul seeks, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. Of course, it is true that human government has been established by God as a check against total lawlessness, as the apostle Paul explains in Romans 13. When the Pharaoh of the Exodus saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. This equal mind, expressing itself in a grave dignified bearing, is, with them, well-nigh indispensable to success in, public life. "I'm a prosperous cheat, so God is condoning my cheating. It's emptiness. Others see ruach here as meaning wind, and take the statement to mean that just as the wind is beyond our control, so is death. 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? Perhaps some type of pledge of allegiance to the king or kingdom among the general populace was customary at that time. 14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. Life is empty. But ultimately, it will go only this way when God sets everything right. [22] For oftentimes also your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others. Be discreet in relation with a ruler. being much better than to fret at the prosperity of the wicked, Solomon next mentions seeing the wicked buried (verse 10). Of the righteous and the wicked (Ecclesiastes 8:11) $15.99 As low as $8.00. ( Ecclesiastes 8:5-7 ). We_ have here an image which will not disgrace And, as the end of verse 1 tells us, this wisdom can dispel the gloom and brighten mans otherwise hard looks (Walter Kaiser, Ecclesiastes: Total Life, p. 89). But in the passage here we need to understand that God is the One who is not bringing His justice right away. The message here is: Do your best to stay out of trouble! Placing them at t _Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the That shall abide with him during the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. The dead would not have been taken to the temple, for that would have been ceremonially defiling. I. CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man, Ecclesiastes 8:1. Work even when one cannot understand the working of God. 2. life was a low one. This is because the instruction referred to obeying the king in general, whoever he wasor to obeying whatever human authority was in power. IV. When on the cross, it said, "He bowed his head and dismissed His Spirit" ( John 19:30 ). Things happen to both good and evil men. The writer returns to the sentiment expressed already (Ecclesiastes 1. "There is no man that hath power, etc." ( Ecclesiastes 8:8 ). 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. II. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. 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. THERE IS A VANITY WHICH IS DONE UPON THE EARTH.] days than years, and is a laborious one; and all that he gets by [24] That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? This is added as another evidence of man's misery. If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses. 6 We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death ( v. 6-8 ). To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. [3] Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him. We must arm ourselves against the temptation of an oppressive government and not think it strange (v. 9, 10). The NIV renders the phrase in verses 5 and 6 as proper time and procedure. The New American Commentary notes: The wise man thus waits for the proper moment to make his case or take a stand and does not waste his influence on a lost cause (v. 3b). The king stands as the authority. Fear God. That it was all labour in vain, Ecclesiastes 8:17; Ecclesiastes 8:17. God's judgment will come, and thus, I surely know it will be well with those that fear God. [26] And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. Ecclesiastes 8:15 - Summarized Bible Commentary CONTENTS: Wisdom recommended as an antidote against the temptations and vexations arising from the vanity of the world. of his life, You can't really come to the king and say, "Hey, what are you doing?" Thus the Preacher warns against a capricious desertion of ones post (cf. Some translate the word ruach here as breath (of life) rather than spirit, but that would not change the point here. Paul said, "Who are you to say unto Him that has created you, 'Why hast Thou made me thus?'" In the midst of a miscarriage, a failed friendship, or job loss, the preacher would remind us that 'there is a time for. forgotten, the wicked enjoy honour and long life; the best thing a man alter; for that shall abide with him of his labour the days No fault is to be found with God; but, as to the world, This is vanity upon the earth, and again, This is also vanity, that is, it is a certain evidence that the things of this world are not the best things nor were ever designed to make a portion and happiness for us, for, if they had, God would not have allotted so much of this world's wealth to his worst enemies and so much of its troubles to his best friends; there must therefore be another life after this the joys and griefs of which must be real and substantial, and able to make men truly happy or truly miserable, for this world does neither. Drawing upon a variety of resourcesincluding commentaries, sermons, treatises, and confessionsmuch of which appears here for the first time in English, this volume provides resources for contemporary preachers, enables scholars to better understand the depth and breadth of Reformation commentary, and seeks to help readers find comfort in . There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous: so I said that this also is vanity ( Ecclesiastes 8:13-14 ). 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. Verses 12-13 show that beyond the prolonged days of the wicked today, it will be well with those who fear God but not for the wicked who do not. The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. Ecclesiastes 8:1. Ecclesiastes 8:15 Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament "And I commended joy, that there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and enjoy himself; and that this accompanies him in his labour throughout all the days of his life, which God hath given him under the sun." 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. 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. 2. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. evil. Who is as the wise man? Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV - So I commend the enjoyment of life, - Bible Gateway Read the Bible Reading Plans Advanced Search Available Versions Audio Bibles Study Tools Scripture Engagement More Resources Explore More Newsletters Devotionals Bible Gateway App Bible Audio App Bible Gateway Blog Bible Gateway Plus Store Bibles Deals More Passage carried out. THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 1 THROUGH 12. 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). They know they have no control over life or death. [5] But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear him, which after he has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him. And people begin to misinterpret the long-suffering of God. CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man,. In the person of a sensual man. And He is patient and merciful towards us as we struggle to walk in His ways, even despite our many and ongoing failures. All 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. Of that Solomon is certain. 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. The writer knows what the traditional teachers say: that those who fear God will be rewarded and those who are wicked will be punished (12b-13). Ecclesiastes 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 . [8] But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. 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). Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry._ 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). The future is so uncertain. You see, the real delay in the return of Jesus Christ is just God's unwillingness that men should perish. Qoheleth was the great believer! Recall that chapter 5 was the first instance of direct exhortations in the booktelling us to be careful in our approach in coming to worship God, the One in whose hands our lives are and who can help us through the present difficulties. Fear of the Lord is to depart from evil. It's going to be well with the man who has departed from evil. American King James Versiona). COMMEND PLEASURE, FOR THERE IS NOTHING GOOD FOR. [1.] Proud member 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 The place of holiness to which they had come and gone is not clear. 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). Sermon Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:1-15. No man has any power over the spirit. 21st Century King James Version. Chapter 8 is similar. 5: oritur sol et occidit et ad locum suum revertitur ibique renascens. Verse 7 in context presents more about the need for discerning the right time and way. 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. American King James Version). Though he be ever so ingenious, though he be a wise man in other things, and can fathom the counsels of kings themselves and trace them by their footsteps. man's present life is under the sun, and is continued as long as 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 . it pleases God; though it is but short, rather to be counted by United Church of Godis a501(c)3organization. Dr. Walter Kaiser, whose overall outline weve been following, describes the chapter 8 subsection as follows: The removal of a large proportion of the apparent inequalities in divine providence comes from righteous government. This summary, however, does not appear to be quite accurate. Therefore men fear him ([Job] 37:22-24) (note on 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). [29] See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Item #: 203674. . 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. sun, than (n) to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall What else had he seen? The Preaching the Word commentary notes: Usually the Preacher tells us what he saw, but this time he chooses a different verb and tells us something that he knows. This is not something that he has seen from a distance, but something he has grasped with the rational conviction of his own mind. Then I commended mirth,. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit in whatsoever state condition men are; serenity and tranquillity of mind, thankfulness for what they have, and a free and comfortable use of it; this the wise man praised and recommended to good men, as being much better than to fret at the prosperity of the wicked, and the seemingly unequal distribution of things in this world, and because they had not so much of them: as others; who yet had reason to be thankful for what they had, and to lift up their heads and be cheerful, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God in another world. 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. THE PROBLEM OF THE Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 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. He's very patient. His reply is not an observation, but the answer of faith. He believes what he cannot seethat one day all will be well for everyone who lives in the fear of God (Ryken, p. 196). Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important. Post mortem nulla voluptas.". 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 . But this is not where things end. interpretation of a thing?_ In the Vulgate these two questions end the Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of life was a low one. [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. And the same is true of God. 16 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:) 17 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 labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it. 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. Mirth - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). III. 3:22 ) ( 5:18 ) ; and who knows the interpretation of a thing? 3. Verse 15. Furthermore, the verses in chapter 8 do not seem to speak of human government rectifying problems so much as of us taking care to not run afoul of government (we will see similar verses in this regard in chapter 10). his labour, enjoyed by him, is to eat and drink cheerfully; and Ecclesiastes 7:19-8. 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"). 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. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth _There is a vanity which is done upon the earth_ Either by wicked The sentiment of this verse is a frequent conclusion of the writers personal experience (compare marginal references), and is unfairly charged with Epicureanism. 1-17. therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do The apostle Peter likewise tells us to be careful regarding both divine and human authority: Fear God. Love the brotherhood. Rather, the meaning here is that the prudent, law-abiding citizen will receive no punishment from the governmentat least, generally speaking. Its just a matter of timeand probably much less time than most imagine. MIRTH - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). Some put Ecclesiastes 8:1 Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise man? condition men are; serenity and tranquillity of mind, 2. "It doesn't really matter to God how I live. The Hebrew word is applied not only to the pleasures arising from the physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. We must always remember just who we are dealing withand the awesome gravity of thatrealizing that this is for our ultimate good. And it's probably true. And thus, they give their hearts over to evil because they think that God is too remote to care. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit in whatsoever state Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than, For that shall abide with him of his labor, and that this should accompany him in his labor, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. 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. So we should not expect that corrupt people coming together to form a government would result in righteous rule. Moreover, rarely has human government been righteous. serving the king, followed by a number Ecclesiastes 7:19-8 That is a tragic, fatal mistake of misinterpreting God's grace and God's goodness to you. verba Ecclesiastes filii David regis Hierusalem. The wicked will not ultimately be prolonged, yet the righteous will. But he also knows that often the opposite is true (14). We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us ( v. 2-5 ). "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.". DEATH OF THE WICKED. He's very loving. What does Ecclesiastes 8:15 mean? heads and be cheerful, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God in This joy will make labor more enjoyable.