February 19, 2024

What does it mean to "fear God"?

Ecclesiastes 8

David Hope
Monday's Devo

February 19, 2024

Monday's Devo

February 19, 2024

Monday's Devo

February 19, 2024

Monday's Devo

February 19, 2024

Big Book Idea

God defines where true meaning is found.

Key Verse | Ecclesiastes 8:12

Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him.

Ecclesiastes 8

Keep the King's Command

1  Who is like the wise?
    And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
A man's wisdom makes his face shine,
    and the hardness of his face is changed.

2 I say: 1 8:2 Hebrew lacks say Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him. 2 8:2 Or because of your oath to God 3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 3 8:5 Or and judgment 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble 4 8:6 Or evil lies heavy on him. 7 For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? 8 No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. 9 All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt.

Those Who Fear God Will Do Well

10 Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised 5 8:10 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts forgotten in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity. 6 8:10 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a vapor or mere breath; also twice in verse 14 (see note on 1:2) 11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

Man Cannot Know God's Ways

14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one's eyes see sleep, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.

Footnotes

[1] 8:2 Hebrew lacks say
[2] 8:2 Or because of your oath to God
[3] 8:5 Or and judgment
[4] 8:6 Or evil
[5] 8:10 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts forgotten
[6] 8:10 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also twice in verse 14 (see note on 1:2)
Table of Contents
Introduction to Ecclesiastes

Introduction to Ecclesiastes

Timeline

Author

The author of Ecclesiastes calls himself “the Preacher” (1:1). Some interpreters have concluded that this was Solomon, while others think he was a role-playing writer later than Solomon. Either way, the book claims that its wisdom comes from the “one Shepherd” (12:11), the Lord himself.

Theme and Interpretation of Ecclesiastes

The theme of Ecclesiastes is the necessity of fearing God in this fallen, confusing world. Each human being wants to understand all the ways God is acting in the world, but he cannot, because he is not God. And yet the faithful do not despair but cling to God, even when they cannot see what God is doing. The Lord deserves his people’s trust. They can leave everything to him while they seek to understand what it means to “fear God and keep his commandments” (12:13). This is true wisdom.

Key Themes

  1. The tragic reality of the fall. The Preacher is painfully aware that the creation has been damaged by sin (7:29; Rom. 8:20, 22). He speaks as one who eagerly awaits the resurrection age (Rom. 8:23).
  2. The “vanity” of life. The book begins and ends with the exclamation, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Eccles. 1:2; 12:8). The phrase pictures something fleeting and elusive. All the endeavors and pleasures of earthly life are only temporary. When one sees the consequences of sin in this fallen world, one is left in utter frustration, anger, and sorrow. The more one tries to understand life, the more mysterious it becomes (1:12–18).
  3. Sin and death. By sinning, human beings forfeited the righteousness they originally had before God (7:29), and thus all people are sinners (7:20). Death was a result of the fall. The Preacher is only too aware of this dreadful reality that affects everyone (e.g., 2:14–17; 3:18–21; 6:6).
  4. The joy and the frustration of work. God gave Adam work to accomplish prior to the fall, but part of the punishment of his sin was that his work would become difficult (Gen. 2:15; 3:17–19). Both realities are seen in the Preacher’s experience, as he finds his work to be both satisfying (Eccles. 2:10, 24; 3:22; 5:18–20; 9:9–10) and aggravating (2:18–23; 4:4–8).
  5. The grateful enjoyment of God’s good gifts. The Preacher spends a great deal of time commenting on the twisted realities of a fallen world, but this does not blind him to the beauty of God’s world (3:11). Nor does it cause him to despise God’s good gifts of human relationships, food, drink, and satisfying labor (5:18–20; 8:15; 9:7, 9). These are to be received humbly and enjoyed fully as blessings from God.
  6. The fear of God. The fact that “all is vanity” should drive people to take refuge in God, fearing and revering him (7:18; 8:12–13; 12:13–14).

Outline

  1. Introduction and Theme (1:1–3)
  2. First Catalog of “Vanities” (1:4–2:26)
  3. Poem: A Time for Everything (3:1–8)
  4. Fear God, the Sovereign One (3:9–15)
  5. Second Catalog of “Vanities” (3:16–4:16)
  6. Fear God, the Holy and Righteous One (5:1–7)
  7. Life “Under the Sun” (5:8–7:24)
  8. The Heart of the Problem: Sin (7:25–29)
  9. More on Life “Under the Sun” (8:1–12:7)
  10. Final Conclusion and Epilogue (12:8–14)
The Global Message of Ecclesiastes

The Global Message of Ecclesiastes

Life in a Broken World

The book of Ecclesiastes explains the world in all its complexity, confusion, and frustration with striking honesty. “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity,” declares the Preacher, echoing the cries of many who have seen, experienced, and recognized the dreadful fallenness of our world (Eccles. 1:2). The global reality both then and now is that our broken world is filled with oppression of the powerless (4:1), oppression of the poor (5:8), and violation of justice and righteousness (5:8). There is nothing new under the sun (1:9), no lasting earthly glory (1:11), no ultimately fulfilling pleasure (2:1–11), and no certainty in life except that it will end in death and judgment (2:14–16; 3:18–20; 6:6; 12:14).

In a fallen world there are many painful and complicated questions, but the message of Ecclesiastes is that there is an answer. That answer is not an easy one, but it is simple: fear the Lord (Eccles. 3:14; 5:7; 12:13–14). Though this world is filled with oppression and injustice, ultimately it will be well for those who fear God (8:12) and it will not be well for the wicked (8:13).

This world is filled with both blessings and challenges, neither of which provides ultimate answers or clarity about the meaning of life. If this world is all there is, then all is vanity. But when we trust the Lord in the face of circumstances that discourage us from doing so, we have a sure hope that we will one day be restored to him. Indeed, from a whole-Bible perspective, there is one who is the way (John 14:6), who is the comforter (2 Cor. 1:3), who is wisdom itself (1 Cor. 1:24). We will not easily figure God out, nor can we fathom all that he does (Eccles. 3:11). He is not a subject to be scrutinized or solved, nor are his ways easily comprehended (8:17). But God has spoken to us in his Son, who gives us the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

Purpose in Life and the Purpose of Life

The message of Ecclesiastes is that however difficult things may be because of the curse upon mankind in this fallen world, there is purpose and grace for all. There is enduring hope and satisfying life as we walk with God. The very gifts of God that, apart from God, prove hollow and disappointing, can be enjoyed truly and satisfyingly—not as the main purpose of life but as a means to know God in a deeper way. Our message to the world is that there is purpose in life regarding the blessings we receive from God such as food, drink, and work, but that these blessings are not the purpose of life.

Purpose in life. There is a proper place, time, and perspective for each season in life and for each blessing from God (Eccles. 3:1–8). The blessings of common grace are to be recognized as coming from the very hand of God. Work and its enjoyment are blessings from God (2:24; 3:22; 5:18–20). There is purpose in life for work, but neither work itself nor the hoarding of possessions are the purpose of life. When work becomes the governing purpose of life, when envy is our driving force, or when we seek satisfaction in wealth, we are left disappointed (2:18–23; 4:4). There is purpose in life for other gifts of common grace such as food, drink, and relationships (2:24–26; 3:12–13; 5:18–20; 8:15; 9:7, 9). The proper enjoyment of such gifts comes from God, who alone satisfies (3:13; 5:19).

The purpose of life. This then is the purpose of life: to fear God, who is sovereign (Eccles. 3:11, 14), holy in heaven (5:2, 7), and judge of all (12:13–14). He is the Giver of gifts and the one who grants even the ability to enjoy these gifts (5:19). In receiving such gifts of life we are to find our greatest joy in him (5:20).

The Global Church’s Mission to a Broken World

The book of Ecclesiastes provides a brutally honest and refreshing message for the global church to proclaim to the world. In one sense the Christian message is other-worldly, yet it also addresses the sober realities that face each society and every individual in every generation. The message of the gospel not only affirms the disappointments of life, it also offers the only true hope for meaningful living.

The Giver and the gifts. There is a Creator to be worshiped (Eccles. 12:1). He has made all things. Life is to be enjoyed as being from him and to him. The world must recognize the blessed common grace they have received in creation, life, work, and possessions. They should enjoy such blessings, but not as the purpose of life. The global church has a message of hope for a world that is “striving after wind” (1:14). Clinging to the gift rather than worshiping the Giver is meaningless. The wealthy are not to be envied, for they find neither ultimate satisfaction nor eternal security in their wealth (5:10–17). It is far better to enjoy fellowship with the Giver rather than simply enjoying his gifts, however good they may be.

The ultimate gift. Enjoyment of God is available ultimately because he sent his Son to die on behalf of sinners. There is none who is righteous before God (Eccles. 7:20). No one can escape death (2:16; 9:3, 12). God’s ways cannot be easily or fully fathomed (3:11), but he has indeed revealed himself clearly and gloriously in the person of his Son Jesus Christ (John 14:9). In the Son we have seen the one who both demonstrates and also empowers what it means to truly fear and enjoy God. There is grace abundant for all who recognize the vanity of their selfish living and remember and fear their Creator (Eccles. 12:1) and Redeemer (Isa. 54:5).

A sure hope. While Ecclesiastes sobers us with the reminder that this fallen world is filled with injustice, it also offers hope. Christians are to be active in seeking justice and encouraging the oppressed within society (Isa. 1:17). But we need not despair at the imperfect justice of this world because God will bring final and perfect justice one day (Eccles. 3:17). For the oppressed and the victims of injustice this is indeed good news. It is not vanity to fear and follow God (8:10–13). To those in the global church who suffer under persecution for the sake of the gospel there is the comfort that God does indeed see them, take care of them, and remember them.

A sovereign Lord. There is one who is in control. God is in control when times are good and when times are bad (Eccles. 7:14). We are not in control—which is a great blessing, despite the ways in which we often seek to control our lives. Our message to the world is to abandon striving after control and to embrace the one who is in control. Every building and work of art will one day turn to dust, but there is one who is eternal and whose works last forever (3:14). Our message to the world is to abandon the quest for self-glory and the accumulation of possessions and to embrace the blessed and wise God-centered life of sober hope.

This is the glorious Christian vision for life that the church must embrace and display for the world to see.

Ecclesiastes Fact #1: Ecclesiastes

Fact: Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes encourages God’s people to trust him in a fallen and often confusing world, in which sin and heartache touch every corner of the globe. We are to “fear God and keep his commandments” (12:13), even when we cannot understand everything that is going on around us.

Ecclesiastes Fact #2: Vanity, vanities, and vain

Fact: Vanity, vanities, and vain

The words vanity, vanities, and vain occur nearly 40 times in Ecclesiastes. Their literal meaning is “vapor” or “breath,” so they are used to describe things that can be fleeting or elusive, like the search for meaning and purpose in life.

Ecclesiastes Fact #5: “Eat, drink, and be merry”?

Fact: “Eat, drink, and be merry”?

“Eat, drink, and be merry”? Ecclesiastes advises those who serve God to enjoy his gifts of food, drink, comfort, married life, and honest work (9:7–9; compare 2:24–26; 3:13; 5:19–20).

Ecclesiastes Fact #4: The peaceful shadows of old age

Fact: The peaceful shadows of old age

The peaceful shadows of old age. The righteous will enjoy a long and peaceful old age, like the shadows of evening (8:13). There is no such hope, however, for the wicked.

Study Notes

Eccles. 8:1 Who is like . . . and who knows? True wisdom is rare. If one possesses such wisdom, it is obvious to others.

Study Notes

Eccles. 8:2 Keep the king’s command. The verb “keep” here means “protect” or “keep watch over.” The king’s counselor should restrain the king from making foolish decisions on account of his oath to God.

Study Notes

Eccles. 8:3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. When a king gives an unwise command, his counselor should not necessarily leave his service. At the same time, the counselor should not be so eager to obey the king that he becomes involved in an evil cause.

Study Notes

Eccles. 8:4–6 Given the power of kings, it takes a great deal of courage to question the wisdom of the king’s decision. The wise counselor, however, will find the proper time and the just way for doing so.

Study Notes

Eccles. 8:7–8 It is risky to offer correction to the king. But the counselor should remember that no man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. He should not let the king’s power intimidate him into keeping quiet.

Study Notes

Eccles. 8:10–13 The Preacher has already pointed out that people do not always get what they deserve in this life (3:16; 4:1; 5:8). But this does not mean that it makes no difference how one lives, for it will be well with those who fear God.

Ecclesiastes Fact #4: The peaceful shadows of old age

Fact: The peaceful shadows of old age

The peaceful shadows of old age. The righteous will enjoy a long and peaceful old age, like the shadows of evening (8:13). There is no such hope, however, for the wicked.

Study Notes

Eccles. 8:14–15 It is a puzzling vanity that the wicked appear to escape judgment and receive blessings. It is equally puzzling that the righteous sometimes receive the treatment the wicked deserve.

Study Notes

Eccles. 8:17 True wisdom includes the humility to admit that man cannot fully understand all of reality in a fallen world.

S3:036 Ecclesiastes 8

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Ecclesiastes 8

This passage grapples with a very tricky question—why do hypocrisy and evil seem to prosper in the world when God tells us that He is just, loving, and in control? This question is one of the most cited obstacles to faith in God among skeptics. If those of us who claim Christ are being honest, we often struggle with it, too.

Elsewhere in the Bible, we are told that things will generally go better for those who obey God's commandments and follow God's design for the world and our lives and that things will not go well for those who break those commandments. However, Ecclesiastes 8 acknowledges that actions and consequences don't seem to line up in our broken world (Ecclesiastes 8:12). People who seek to obey and honor God can still get sick, lose their house, and be hurt in relationships. It can be even more upsetting to see people break God's laws without apparent consequences (Ecclesiastes 8:10-11). Sometimes, life seems easier if we do it their way instead of God's way.

Our response to this is very important. Some will decide that God isn't really loving, just, or powerful; and they will follow the lawbreakers (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Others will trust that God, being great and holy, has timing and ways that we cannot fully understand right now (Ecclesiastes 8:16-17) and that we can trust Him to keep His promises (Hebrews 10:23). That is what it means to fear the Lord—we can be honest with Him about our fears and doubts. We ultimately acknowledge that He is the one and holy God, and we are not.

While the author of Ecclesiastes says we can't fully understand why some lawbreakers and hypocrites seem to prosper (Ecclesiastes 8:17), he is very clear that God's judgment for sin and blessing for righteousness is certain (Ecclesiastes 8:13). Let us be thankful that, rather than pronouncing judgment on us right away for our sins, God has graciously given us time and His Son so that we might receive that blessing through faith. Let us seek to share Him with those around us!

This month's memory verse

Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

– Exodus 34:6b

Discussion Questions

1. Who or what do you fear/respect/trust the most? Who gets the final say in your life when God's way is different from what seems best to you?

2. Give some examples from the Bible of people who seemed to be punished for doing the right thing. How/why do you think they persevered? What was the ultimate result?

3. Why do you think God doesn't punish evil right away? (Hint: See 2 Peter 3:9-10.)

4. Do you trust that God has already punished sin through Jesus Christ for those who trust in Him? Is there anything stopping you from having your sins forgiven by trusting in Christ?

5. If you have trusted in Jesus, consider praying for those you know who do not fear God and look for chances to tell them about Him.

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

MS

Michael Scaman

Substitute teacher Oliver Cromwell arrived at the Lit class to get down to business and discuss Ecclesiastes 8 saying with English from hundreds of years ago: Who is wise and who knows the interpretation of a thing, asks the book and should humble the reader even if they are the King Charles of England be that the King Charles I of the House of Stuart from my day or your King Charles III of the house of Windsor. in your time. Prince William as well. Eager students, behold the timeless wisdom encapsulated in Ecclesiastes 8, where the Preacher muses upon the rarity of true wisdom, reminding us that it shines forth unmistakably in the countenance of those who possess it. As we delve into the passage, let us ponder the Preacher's counsel regarding obedience to authority, echoing the importance of respecting the king's command, a lesson applicable even within the confines of our classroom. In the corridors of power and in our own daily lives, let us emulate the wisdom of the Preacher's counsel, learning the delicate art of discerning the opportune moment to offer counsel and guidance, navigating the complexities of human interaction with prudence and tact. As we reflect on Ecclesiastes 8, let us humbly acknowledge our human limitations, recognizing that amidst life's mysteries, there are truths beyond our comprehension, compelling us to approach the world with humility and reverence. Lastly, let us heed the Preacher's profound insights into the value of fearing God, for it is this reverence that illuminates our path, guiding us through life's uncertainties and grounding us in a moral compass that transcends the fleeting vanities of the world. God save the King. Bell rings. Class dismissed.
HS

Hugh Stephenson

In the late 1990’s a report came out that the two highest selling drugs in the US were Prozac and Viagra. Now this was a development that gave me much to think about. At this point the wealth and affluence that had been created by the tech boom was at an unprecedented level. It was as if money was falling from the sky. There was a great increase in the sale of luxury homes, expensive jewelry, hot cars, fancy vacations etc etc. Financial advisors, (like me), were invited to “research trips” to luxury resorts in the Bahamas, Europe, Hawaii and many other such places. (Yes, I went on them!) The growth and spread of material wealth was everywhere. So why were the sales of Prozac and Viagra growing so rapidly? Back to Maslow- https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html The two words at the top of the pyramid that grab me are -Purpose -Meaning What seems clear to me is that having a life with purpose and meaning is very different than having a life with a lot of material good as well as ease and comfort. Also, I note purpose and meaning are intangible/spiritual where much of the rest of the pyramid is tangible/material. To me, there are hints in each chapter that Solomon understands this. He’s now closer to the end of his life than the beginning, (me too). It seems very likely he has experienced every physical and worldly pleasure that there is to have. And found it wanting. Me too, (but at a massively lower level.) I went on every trip I was offered. I accepted every dinner invitation that I received. The experiences were amazing. Many were exhilarating. But…they were all short lived. There I was again having come down from another “sugar high”. So, what’s the enduring spiritual truth behind this material contradiction? Again, I see Solomon hint at it. Verse 6 - “For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him.” Verse 12 - “…yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him.”
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Did you ever take Behavioral Psychology in high school or college? That’s the course with the rat(s) in a box and they press a bar to get food or water…or an electric shock. I was told recently about an interesting experiment- Two boxes- both had water laced with cocaine- A rat was put in one cage. No other rats were with him. He was free to roam and play. Several rats were put in the other cage. They also were free to roam and play. The rat in the first cage repeatedly pressed the bar to get the cocaine laced water. One and over again. The rats in the second cage never pressed the bar. They didst need to. They continued to wander around, roam, and play. They did not need an external substance to cope with “life”. They had other rats. Instinctively, they knew the power of relationships. I see this is Matthew 4 when Jesus is tempted in the wilderness- Satan comes at him after 40 days of fasting. Jesus is vulnerable. I’m guessing He’s physically weak and emotionally fatigued. Satan tempts Him with food, money, and power. And just like in the garden with Eve, Satan misstates what God has said to try and manipulate Him. Jesus does what I should do- He uses the words of God as the defense of against the temptation of Satan. As the 2nd person of the Trinity, Jesus is in the closest possible relationship with His Father in heaven. That’s the key. The rats in the 2nd cage understand that it’s their relationships that sustain them. Not the material coping mechanisms that take their mind away from the fear and anxiety. So what’s the key here?
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Did you ever take Behavioral Psychology in high school or college? That’s the course with the rat(s) in a box and they press a bar to get food or water…or an electric shock. I was told recently about an interesting experiment- Two boxes- both had water laced with cocaine- A rat was put in one cage. No other rats were with him. He was free to roam and play. Several rats were put in the other cage. They also were free to roam and play. The rat in the first cage repeatedly went to get the cocaine laced water. Over and over again. The rats in the second cage never went. They didn't need to. They continued to wander around, roam, and play. They did not need an external substance to cope with “life”. They had other rats. Instinctively, they knew the power of relationships. I see this is Matthew 4 when Jesus is tempted in the wilderness- Satan comes at him after 40 days of fasting. Jesus is vulnerable. I’m guessing He’s physically weak and emotionally fatigued. Satan tempts Him with food, money, and power. And just like in the garden with Eve, Satan misstates what God has said to try and manipulate Him. Jesus does what I should do- He uses the words of God as the defense of against the temptation of Satan. As the 2nd person of the Trinity, Jesus is in the closest possible relationship with His Father in heaven. That’s the key. The importance of relationships. The rats in the 2nd cage understand that it’s their relationships that sustain them. Not the material coping mechanisms that take their mind away from the fear and anxiety. So what’s the key here? An episode of Real Truth Real Quick from many years ago helped me immensely- The take-a-way for me was to focus on the most important of my relationships. Here’s the link. http://realtruthrealquick.com/christian-priorities/ I’m confident it will bless you as it has blessed me.
HS

Hugh Stephenson

VERY helpful teaching from the notes. Themes - The grateful enjoyment of God’s good gifts. The Preacher spends a great deal of time commenting on the twisted realities of a fallen world, but this does not blind him to the beauty of God’s world (3:11). Nor does it cause him to despise God’s good gifts of human relationships, food, drink, and satisfying labor (5:18–20; 8:15; 9:7, 9). These are to be received humbly and enjoyed fully as blessings from God. Eccles. 8:10–13 The Importance of Fearing God. See Introduction: Key Themes. The Preacher has already pointed out that people do not always get what they deserve in this life (3:16; 4:1; 5:8), and here he notes that the wicked— who do not fear God—apparently do not get punished for their sins but instead live long lives (8:12) and receive the treatment due to the righteous, such as an honorable burial (v. 11). While God undoubtedly has a reason for allowing this to happen, he has not revealed it to mankind; hence it is an inexplicable vanity (v. 10). One ought not to conclude from this, however, that it makes no difference whether or not one fears God: the Preacher insists that it will be well with those who fear God and that it will not be well with the wicked. The Preacher trusts divine revelation to be more reliable than his own empirical observation and knows that, ultimately, justice will be done (vv. 12–13; see also 3:17). Eccles. 8:14–17 The Limits of Human Knowledge. The puzzling situation described in vv. 10–13 leads the Preacher to draw a larger conclusion regarding the limits of human understanding. Eccles. 8:14–15 Not only is it an inexplicable vanity that the wicked appear to escape judgment and receive blessings (vv. 10–13), there is also no satisfying explanation for the fact that the righteous receive the treatment due to the wicked. Since this mystery cannot be completely solved, one should not become so obsessed with attempting to unravel it that he neglects to enjoy God’s gifts. Eccles. 8:17 man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. True wisdom includes the humility to admit that man cannot fully “figure out” (see note on 3:11) all of reality in a fallen world. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. The value and limitations of wisdom ch. 8 This chapter begins by lauding wisdom (v. 1), and it ends by showing that it has limitations (v. 17). "At every turn this chapter will face us with our inability to call the tune and master our affairs. On one level after another we find ourselves pinned down, hunted down and disorientated."[185] The limitations of wisdom 8:10-17 -Wisdom can enable a person to avoid the king's wrath (vv. 2-9), -but it cannot enable him or her to understand fully why God deals with people as He does (vv. 10-17). An interesting perspective on the idea of “under the sun”, versus “beyond the sun”. "Thus, since God has made the is, the ought, and the what will be unattainable to man through either the use of reason or experience, all that man can know of them is through that which God reveals. True understanding and resultant well-being, then, comes only from the beyond the sun perspective that God provides."[186]
GJ

greg jones

Great dive this morning. Without going into specific answers I thought about the first three questions in the context of reading Ecclesiastes in the following context. Reading Ecclesiastes 8 and imagining Solomon talking to Uriah concerning his mother Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, his father David, the king, and what turned out to be Uriah’s fate. (2 Samuel 11) Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? In hindsight, or with foreknowledge, or knowing the interpretation of a thing, would Uriah have made some different choices? That’s the brutal honesty that Ecclesiastes has the power to bring on its original readers as a reflection on how they identify with their past. Ecclesiastes is a book that recognizes the need to examine some of the things that are a reflection of who it’s original readers are, and for that matter who we are, that is God’s people. Ecclesiastes knows that God’s people will fanatically follow things that should be good when they believe it honors a greater thing. Sometimes, they do that, rather than this, radically change fanatical behaviors. There’s a difference between radically changed people and fanatically unchanged people and the fanatical will never know without reflection.
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thank you, David! Verse. 15 bottom-lines it as far as living "under the sun": "[T]here is nothing better on earth for a person to do except to eat, drink, and enjoy life." I really appreciate this quote I found in the NET Bible notes responding to this verse: "Each day’s joys should be received as gifts from God’s hands and be savored as God permits." This perspective encourages us to immerse ourselves in an attitude of gratitude, which can lead to a continual feast of joy. I love the idea of savoring the simple daily gifts from the hand of God. Several years ago (pre-Covid) my husband lost his sense of taste and smell. I no longer take the gift of experiencing "deliciousness" for granted because I live with someone who can't. (Till he receives his new body on the new earth!)
AL

Amy Lowther

1. I have had a variety of fears in my life, but my fears have decreased ALOT since I decided to trust and respect God with them. God gets the final say in my life when there is a discrepancy. 2. Jesus was punished for trying to do the right thing. He believed in and encouraged everyone to believe in God and in themselves. Jesus wanted everyone to do their best with what was available to them. Though Jesus died, His life persevered to be honored and respected. Jesus reminds us if we sin, we can be forgiven and do better. The ultimate result of Jesus is life we experience today. 3. God wants us believing in ourselves, doing what is right, using the gifts He gave us from birth so we increase our value for ourselves and God. 4. I believe Jesus died for our sins so we would live on not sinning. 5. I pray for my father to see his spring work like God and to do his best. I pray for my mother to stick with him through his work seeing it like God. David - Thank you for sharing your ideas. I like your point that, “God has graciously given us time and His Son so that we might receive that blessing through faith”. Well said!