Ecclesiastes doesn’t speak against trying to change the world, but it does remind us that we must find joy in the simple things in life. (Ecclesiastes 7:8-10 ESV) In this section of Ecclesiastes there are proverbs, but with some expansion beyond just a brief statement. Then I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of holiness, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done. Though the misery of man increases greatly. “This may be spoken of rulers generally, who, instead of, ; tyrants and oppressors, who come to an untimely end by their mismanagement of the offices of the state. Covid-19 has caused the end of many lives, infected …, This post is an excerpt from the book, Lead Like an Exile, 15 Principles of …, The Meaning of Ecclesiastes: 8 Principles for Leaders. A wise man’s heart may discern. Ecclesiastes 8:11. Life is here one moment and gone the next. He received wise counsel about leading the people but didn’t like it, so instead he turned to some friends who would endorse whatever he wanted. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. A person’s wisdom brightens their face. Because for every matter there is a time and judgment. Embrace your powerlessness, and let it drive you to greater dependence on the Lord. a. Search as hard as you like, you’re not going to make sense of it. 1 Who is like the wise man, and who knows the meaning of a thing? ii. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain [hebel or “vaporous”]. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it. i. of God in fullness; so what we see does not define what there actually is. In other words, it makes it much easier to know when something comes from the Lord. All this added to the sense of life’s meaninglessness for Solomon. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. Chapter 8. Obey the King . We can’t take it with us, but that doesn’t matter because those who are in Christ have an inheritance waiting for us. There is no u-haul truck for eternity. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it. Solomon shows patience to be a very valuable attribute that brings us success in endeavors and favor in other's eyes. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. You could be kind and caring, but still get cancer. But the work of Christ provides the real hope of glory. This appears to have been done to David, 2 Samuel 5:1-3; to Joash, 2 Kings 11:17; and to Solomon, 1 Chronicles 29:24.” (Clarke). Navigating life under the sun requires mature attention to values. Adding to the challenge is how sweet the “song of fools” can sound. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to save or plan for the future – those are  important things. Click on the different category headings to find out more. This posture opens us up to hear the truth and should feed our desire to find it. A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. We typically think of the Bible as a place to find encouragement, but then you read the first couple verses and it says this: “Meaningless! If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. We know that someday He will put the broken things back together, and in the meantime, we can trust that He is using the challenges that we face to shape us to become more like Him. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil. Solomon knew that wisdom makes a man happier, even in an, makes his face shine… the sternness of his face is changed, Numbers 6:25). Having her in my life makes life more enjoyable and gives me a better chance of success. Human nature is so tricky that it can deceive even one who is converted into taking the grace of God for granted. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Romans 8:37 gives us a clear answer: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. Ecclesiastes FINIS CORONAT OPUS Ecclesiastes 7:8. Ecclesiastes 7:5. 3 Do not be in a hurry [] to leave him. The only problem is, there are billions of people on this planet and we cannot all be Steve Jobs. 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? “I have seen wicked men buried and as their friends returned from the cemetery, having forgotten all the dead man’s evil deeds, these men were praised in the very city where they had committed their crimes!” (Living Bible). And so, this is the meaning of Ecclesiastes: We live in a broken world where life is confusing and chaotic, filled with things that seem satisfying but actually leave us empty, hurt, and/or angry. Ecclesiastes 8. In this article, we will explore 8 leadership principles from the book of Ecclesiastes and seek to better understand the meaning of Ecclesiastes for people today. I have written on the Book of Ecclesiastes and the subject of the meaning of our lives on several occasions on this blog.In this series on Ecclesiastes I hope to show how secular humanist man can not hope to find a lasting meaning to his life in a closed system without bringing God back into the picture. A friend of mine growing up had a dad (named Ted) who passed away from cancer while we were in high school. No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, and no one has power in the day of death. The Hebrew word literally means “vapor” or “smoke,” but there is obviously a metaphorical meaning here, which is why it gets translated as “meaningless” by the NIV and “vanity” by the ESV. 2 Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. Ultimately, God is our rock in all things. Who is like a wise man? In a recent post on humble leadership, I shared the story of King Rehoboam. We must all die, no flight or hiding-place can save us, nor are there any weapons of effectual resistance. Ecclesiastes 7:8. But it will not be well with the wicked: In context, we can suppose that the Preacher said this as a hope or a wish, rather than with real confidence. : Good will come to those who obey and honor the king. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”. Or who is as the wise man, meaning himself? The business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night: “The very busyness of life worries us into asking where it is taking us, and what it means, if it does mean anything. He is simply describing life as it is. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. This was the great question of the Book of Job, and almost unanswerable apart from a life that appreciates eternity and our accountability in the world beyond. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Ecclesiastes 8:8, NIV: "As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. It doesn’t matter if you do memorable things or live wisely, it doesn’t matter if you do nothing memorable and live as a fool. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. ii. i. Revelation 21 speaks to this in greater context: And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! That’s it! Footnotes: Ecclesiastes 8:8 Or over the human spirit to retain it, / and so; Ecclesiastes 8:9 Or to their; Ecclesiastes 8:10 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint (Aquila); most Hebrew manuscripts … There are just men to whom it happens according to the wicked: Solomon, speaking from his eternity-excluding viewpoint, felt this made life meaningless (vanity). 1 Who is like the wise? The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. Rashi 's Commentary: Show Hide. A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the boldness of his face is changed. 3. “Man’s godless ingratitude is as deep a mystery as is God’s loving patience. Primarily, we honor government authority for the sake of our oath to God. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. There is nothing that a man can fix upon, of which it is in his power to say, I will always be in the same mind with respect to it. All this I have tested by wisdom. Rather, everything will be “beautiful for its own time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11), even the most difficult experiences of life. Wise men may make excessive claims; they too will be baffled.” (Eaton), © Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . Later, of course, he will comment on these things. All this I have seen… there is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt. One might say that this question is even more troublesome, because in a very real sense, there are no just men, and all can be seen as wicked in some way. Kohelet - Ecclesiastes - Chapter 8 « Previous Chapter 7. The end of the matter; all has been heard. These things may just be moments, but those moments are blessings and should bring us joy. And this really applies to all aspects of life. Be patient and persevere through tribulations, seek God and trust Him to be at work in your heart in seasons of plenty and in want. Life will be hard, but you will never be alone. Our only real guarantee is the treasure in Heaven given to us through the work of Christ, and we would do well to prioritize that in our hopes and actions. Yet one must say that it sounds self-serving coming from Solomon, who was a king himself. b. Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Ask God to provide wise people in your life who will guide you well and point you to Christ, and never forget how much you need Him. This is vanity; 1 it is a grievous evil. Primarily, we honor government authority. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? In the Pixar movie Coco, the afterlife exists for people who are still remembered by their family and loved ones. For instance, if you work hard to start a business and hire the best people, create an awesome culture, and have a great product then surely you will have a successful business, right? While we may think we’re in control, the reality is there are so many things outside of our control. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. (Arabic) تفاسير – اللغة العربية. Neither hard work (, ) will unravel the mystery. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. I saw the wicked buried… they were forgotten in the city where they had so done, die, and their evil is soon forgotten instead of being memorialized in infamy. Read Ecclesiastes 3 commentary using Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). , but certainly not perfectly; and not all are wise. So who can tell him when it will occur? This also is vanity and a striving after wind…Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.” Ecclesiastes 4:4,7-8, Some would argue that when we make work a competition with our neighbor that we will be more successful, but Ecclesiastes calls this “hebel” and a “striving after wind.” Work that is motivated by greed or envy never results in satisfaction, in fact, it is an “unhappy business.”. (10-13) Why are the deeds of the wicked soon forgotten? In a New Covenant context, we do it as part of our obedience to God. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ecclesiastes approaches this rather bluntly: Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Instead of trying to seize control of the “hebel” all around us, we should instead focus our lives on fearing God and doing what is right. It doesn’t mean you will find pure joy and solve all of life’s problems. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. Footnotes. i. Thank you for subscribing. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? i. Death came through sin, and ever since the garden, we’ve known that life is not how it was meant to be. Countless people have experienced this in 2020, when the Covid-19 virus took hundreds of thousands of lives and crippled much of the world’s economy. Ted used to say something like, “I don’t need a u-haul truck for where I’m moving.”. If we enjoy the work as God provides it, then we will have a much more satisfying life. There is good news, however, Ecclesiastes does point to what God will do in the future. He conquered the grave, he conquered sin, and when you put your faith in his work, his status gets applied to you. Study the bible online using commentary on Ecclesiastes 3 and more! Finally, prayer helps give us a humble heart and engages the Spirit to help us understand truth. We may be tempted to think we can stand alone and do everything ourselves, but the reality is we all need support. Life is like this – you may see something and believe it will satisfy you, but when you attempt to take hold of that thing it slips right through your fingers. And while this may seem like a completely new and unexpected thing, people have experienced this for generations. This is the same exact case with Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes. Because for every matter there is a time and judgment: Wisdom knows what Solomon first poetically explained in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – that there is a time and purpose for everything under heaven. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. At first glance, Ecclesiastes feels like a bit of a downer, but further study reveals a book that helps us to find joy and purpose in a world where things are broken and chaotic. iv. Because of this, the bulk of his kingdom was torn away from him and his children. Check your inbox for your free eBook! Thanks to the work of Jesus, eternity is within our grasp. We are conquerors through Jesus and his work. Secondly, reading God’s word helps tune your ears to the truth. This is added as another evidence of man’s misery. And of course, remember your ultimate partner in life. &c.] Who is as the first man, that was made upright, and was a wise man? To get what Ecclesiastes 12:8 means in detail, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. To get what Ecclesiastes 5:8 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. Ecclesiastes is a phonetic transliteration of the Greek word Ἐκκλησιαστής (Ekklesiastes), which in the Septuagint translates the Hebrew name of its stated author, Kohelet (קֹהֶלֶת). Perhaps you finish a project at work and feel a humble sense of pride in the quality of it. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. 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? : The Preacher understood what the Apostle Paul would later write in Romans 13 – that we should obey government authority as part of our obedience to God. No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, All these things relate to Asiatic despots, and have ever been more applicable to them than to any other sovereigns in the world. This also makes us reflect on our obedience to God as the Great King. He that bought us with his blood deserves to be obeyed in all things with all our heart, and mind, and soul, and strength.” (Spurgeon). i. Ecclesiastes 8:1. Who is as the wise [man]? And in the context, I think this is … The end of the matter; all has been heard. He recognizes that man. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?Â. In the movie Troy, Achilles inspires his men by saying, “immortality, it’s yours! Ecclesiastes 3 King James Version (KJV). 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. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; People were created to be eternal. It does, however, mean that working with others is more enjoyable and better than simply working for your own interests. Until then, we should put our trust in Him, through the good and the bad, and remember to do what is right. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it. 8. This may seem like a scary thing, and frankly it can be. For he does not know what will happen: The Preacher understood that for every matter there is a time and judgment; but he also knew that we don’t know what those times are. You can check these in your browser security settings. Or maybe you just get to eat a really delicious meal. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is as the wise man? Ecclesiastes frequently discusses the many things in life that are like vapor, but the book isn’t just about chaos and struggle. Work may be stressful, the commute might be killing you, school can be tough, and the world may feel like it’s falling around you. Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God: The Preacher understood what the Apostle Paul would later write in Romans 13 – that we should obey government authority as part of our obedience to God. Ecclesiastes 8:2 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. Subscribe to our mailing list and get 15 Timeless Leadership Principles from Nehemiah. As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 opens with some sober words: There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. But we should remember that those are not the most important things and they do not guarantee us anything. Having others support you means someone can help you when you stumble, cover your mistakes or inadequacies, and even protect you against external threats. Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. The inference in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is plain: If we cooperate with God’s timing, life will not be meaningless. We typically think of the Bible as a place to find encouragement, but then you read the first couple verses and it says this: “Meaningless! not one of his sons. Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:6-8 (Read Ecclesiastes 8:6-8) God has, in wisdom, kept away from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes. 8 As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. i. who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Take it!” In other words, if you fight an amazing battle, people will remember you forever! Under the sun, he saw that death allows no winners, and there is no release from that war. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. I can think of few skills more important to a leader than discerning the truth and identifying wise counsel. 8 No one has authority over the wind to restrain it, and there is no authority over the day of death; no one is discharged during battle, and wickedness will not allow those who practice it to escape. Not because of the work we’ve done, but because of the work Jesus has done. “If he be a King, then it is a solemn hazard to your soul if you come short of the least of his commandments. 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.”,  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.”. In a New Covenant context, we do it as part of our obedience to God. i. So find people you can trust and get working together. All this added to the sense of life’s meaninglessness for Solomon. Not only does Ecclesiastes have positive things to say about teamwork, it also speaks strongly against working alone and out of jealousy or envy: Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. Ecclesiastes reminds us that death will come to us all, and we leave the world the same way we came into it. Solomon knew that wisdom makes a man happier, even in an under the sun premise (makes his face shine… the sternness of his face is changed). Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.Â. and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? There are several practical ways to help you identify the truth, but here are three quick tips: When it comes to recognizing that you lack wisdom, remember the words of Ecclesiastes 7:23-24: All this I have tested by wisdom. “You have sworn obedience to him; keep your oath, for the engagement was made in the, . If you want a great introduction to the book, then be sure to watch this video overview from the Bible Project: Before diving into the leadership principles, I’ll share a short overview of the meaning of Ecclesiastes and then the following leadership principles: In short, Ecclesiastes makes the case that life is “hebel,” in fact, the uses the word 34 times! TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. : Solomon searched for a wise man, who knew, . You may go through seasons of loneliness, but God loves you and can be a constant presence in your life when other relationships fail you. Wise men may make excessive claims; they too will be baffled.” (Eaton), ©2018 David Guzik – No distribution beyond personal use without permission. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. a. “You have sworn obedience to him; keep your oath, for the engagement was made in the presence of God. 8 Who is like the wise person and who knows the meaning of a matter? 16-17 When I determined to load up on wisdom and examine everything taking place on earth, I realized that if you keep your eyes open day and night without even blinking, you’ll still never figure out the meaning of what God is doing on this earth. c. Though the misery of man increases greatly. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil. “If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.” We hardly need Qoheleth to point out that this is the very question that defeats us.” (Kidner), ii. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. He, this were true but cannot have confidence that it is while clinging to his. Ecclesiastes 8:8. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! It leads to countless people who are unsatisfied, exhausted, and wishing for more. Neither hard work (toil), persistent endeavour (seeking), skill or experience (wisdom) will unravel the mystery. The business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, : “The very busyness of life worries us into asking where it is taking us, and what it means, if it does mean anything. (15-17) Live for the moment – and know there is more than what you can see.