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. can do is to enjoy life while he has it. The wicked go unpunished and, even when they are dead and buried, people still praise them for their achievements in life (9-10). [17] Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time? People are soon forgotten after they die. TEXT 8:14-17 THE BENEFITS OF WHOLESOME RECREATION 39.). That shall abide with him during the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. 2. 2: vanitas vanitatum dixit Ecclesiastes vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas. abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God gi _No good for a man, &c. Some commentators think the wise man here This is the perspective that must be maintainedalong with understanding what the future will bring. 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so long, because God hasn't speedily executed His sentence against the evil, people begin to assume that God has just withdrawn Himself. The beginning of verse 8 says that no one can retain the spirit in the day of death. "I'm a prosperous cheat, so God is condoning my cheating. righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and What does Ecclesiastes 8:15 mean? We must always remember just who we are dealing withand the awesome gravity of thatrealizing that this is for our ultimate good. It will hasten it. The Hebrew word is applied not only to the pleasures arising from the physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. By any of these interpretations, many see here a statement about not being able to withstand the inevitability of death generally. of it; this the wise man praised and recommended to good men, as So I know that in the long run that life is the best. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. And they give their hearts and their lives over to evil to live an evil life. 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. Who is as the wise man? 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; 15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses. So we should not expect that corrupt people coming together to form a government would result in righteous rule. Ecclesiastes 2:24 ) ( And people begin to misinterpret the long-suffering of God. . That all of the talk of the rapture of the church and the return of Jesus Christ is just piped dreams, a misinterpretation of scriptures. Fear God. The writer returns to the sentiment expressed already (Ecclesiastes God's not willing that any should perish but that all should come into repentance. No! 1. Commentary, explanation and study verse by verse. And thus, they give their hearts over to evil because they think that God is too remote to care. [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. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. But this is not where things end. of the greatest virtue and merit: or, by God's providence, who s "SO. Rather, the meaning here is that the prudent, law-abiding citizen will receive no punishment from the governmentat least, generally speaking. 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. Ecclesiastes 8:15 teaches us to be joyful in all circumstances. No man has any power over the spirit. 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 ). He is not out to destroy us but to save us, as Hes said time and again. O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! It's going to be well with the man who has departed from evil. No power in death. interpretation of a thing?_ In the Vulgate these two questions end the The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. Who makes this observation? Ecclesiastes 8:15 KJ21 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to eat and to drink and to be merry, for that shall abide with him from his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. 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. The sentiment of this verse is a frequent conclusion of the writers personal experience (compare marginal references), and is unfairly charged with Epicureanism. 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 ). 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. Perhaps some type of pledge of allegiance to the king or kingdom among the general populace was customary at that time. 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. pleasant, and not distress themselves about things they cannot Ecclesiastes 8 Commentary, this verse-by-verse commentary contain gems of information found nowhere outside the ancient Jewish writings . So you don't really know what's going to be, when it's going to be. Our present life is a life under the sun, but we look for the life of the world to come, which will commence and continue when the sun shall be turned into darkness and shine no more. And this is further tied back to the warning in Ecclesiastes7:17: Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? A turn to lawlessness will not stave off the punishment of death. Ecclesiastes 2:14; The Book of Ecclesiastes is, up to a certain point, the converse of Fear God. When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it ( Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 ). The And thus, it appears that the evil man is getting away with his evil actions, his evil deeds. Qoheleth was the great believer! the Book of Proverbs. [19] Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. That is because people end up sitting on death row for decades. in actual life. "There is no man that hath power, etc." ( Ecclesiastes 8:8 ). Ecclesiastes 8:13. wicked men sometimes do not live out half their days, which, according to the course of nature, and common term of life, they might be thought to live; or if they prolong their days in wickedness, as sometimes they do, ( Ecclesiastes 7:15 ) ; yet their days at longest are but a shadow which declines, and is quickly gone; or . The words There is are in italics in the NKJV, showing theyve been added to the original wordingunnecessarily in this case. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important. THE PROBLEM OF THE That is all the fruit he has for himself of the pains that he takes in the business of the world; let him therefore take it, and much good may it do him; and let him not deny himself that, out of a peevish discontent because the world does not go as he would have it. evil. We should respect and follow that rule, with the benefits of doing so and the avoidance of an approach that will bring more troubles on us than would otherwise ensue. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandmen 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 4:4; 1 Timothy 6:17; Ecclesiastes 2:24; 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. For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear you God. [7] If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? 196-197). But because God doesn't judge immediately, because the sentence of God isn't executed speedily, because God is giving you opportunity to turn, God is giving you opportunity to repent, God is giving you the opportunity to come out of your sin and to be saved and He's very patient with you. 19952023 All correspondence and questions should be sent to info@ucg.org. 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. neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he fears not before God. [29] For our God is a consuming fire. There is a serenity that comes with things starting to make senseand with trusting that God knows whatHes doing when things still dont. He said, "Okay, you can go now." element of thought mingles with the higher fear of God, to which th FOR THAT SHALL ABIDE WITH HIM OF HIS LABOUR _And this shall borrow Many claim that the death penalty is an ineffective deterrent to capital crime today. Sermon Bible Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:1-15. 2. A Practical Verse-by-Verse Study of ECCLESIASTES - It is Don's interpretation that the book of Ecclesiastes describes Solomon's futile way of living as he heads down that slippery spiral of wine, women and song. We then come to Ecclesiastes 8:9 Ecclesiastes 8:9All this have I seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man rules over another to his own hurt.American King James Version. 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. MIRTH - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. If one does not know what will happen, how can he learn when it will happen? Because I'm still blessed and I'm prosperous. As has been pointed out before, some take a low view of the refrain. Yet His intervention and judgment will ultimately come. Benson Commentary Ecclesiastes 8:14-15. 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. And the word forgotten does work here. But this wording requires a text emendation. experience of a THEN I COMMENDED MIRTH,. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit Partner with StudyLight.org as God uses us to make a difference for those displaced by Russia's war on Ukraine. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? Yes, there is vanity under the sun. Nor does it mean that the person will be afforded protection by the government, though he or she well may, as all do to some extent. [29] See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Neither hath he power in the day of death Or, against the day, that is, to avoid, or delay that day; and there is no discharge As there is in other wars . Then I commended mirth These are some more of the cavils of the infidel objector: "Since virtue is frequently under oppression, and vice triumphs in health, and rolls in wealth, I see plainly that we should not trouble ourselves about future things; and therefore should be governed by the maxim EDE, BIBE, LUDE. If moral evil is in view, perhaps the sense is becoming a civil lawbreaker. 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). this he may expect to have and continue with him as long as he No man has any power over the spirit. To whom it happeneth, &c. Others had likewise set themselves to make this enquiry with so close an application that they could not find time for sleep, either day or night, nor find in their hearts to sleep, so full of anxiety were they about these things. What happens to one happens to the other. 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. Ecclesiastes 8:8. Beyond Today Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes. He doesn't strike immediately, but oftentimes forestalls judgment for months, for years. We see the just troubled and perplexed in their own minds, the wicked easy, fearless, and secure,--the just crossed and afflicted by the divine Providence, the wicked prosperous, successful, and smiled upon,--the just, censured, reproached, and run down, by the higher powers, the wicked applauded and preferred. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. [25] I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: seventh chapter, to which they evidently belong. 3: quid habet amplius homo de universo labore suo quod laborat sub sole. God does see. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not? Mirth therefore, and a contented enjoyment of God's gifts, preferable to immoderate care and search, Ecclesiastes 8:15. We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us ( v. 2-5 ). God's judgment will come, and thus, I surely know it will be well with those that fear God. So God is very kind. 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. Not so. 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: Add To Cart. American King James Version). American King James Versiona). [Compare 1 Corinthians 15:32 1 Corinthians 15:32If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not? Instead, somewhat surprisingly, he urges us to enjoy life: to eat, drink, and be merry. ( Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 ). So you know, live it up now. Cool, courteous, self-possessed, they bear good news or bad, prosperous or adverse fortune, with a proud equanimity. For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? [8] But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. 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 ). We must get ready for sudden evils, and especially for sudden death (v. 6-8). Most people, including many Christians, go through life hardly realizing that they are constantly in the presence of God. II. 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. American King James Version). Placing them at t _Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the A man cannot find out the work of God though you search it out. Honor the king. 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. All rights reserved. Innocent mirth, a cheerfulness of spirit in whatsoever state 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 Preacher is careful to set forth pleasure as a gift from God, to be earned by labor, and received with thankfulness to the Giver, and to be accounted for to Him. which God giveth him under the sun; One aspect of God's nature is His tremendous patience with rebelling man. In the person of a sensual man. Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of life was a low one. Now because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil ( Ecclesiastes 8:11 ). "It doesn't really matter to God how I live. His estimate of the pleasures of the senses is recorded in Ecclesiastes 7:2-6. Who is as the wise man? American King James Version; and read all of this psalm). The wise are therefore observant for the opportune circumstance in which to speak or act as it presents itself. Or it could be that all the men of Israel took an oath as part of the nations military. Ecclesiastes 8:15 "Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun." King James Version (KJV) < Previous Verse Next Verse > View Chapter Ecclesiastes 8:15 Context "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.". He would not have us undertake to give a reason for that which God does, for his way is in the sea and his path in the great waters, past finding out, and therefore we must be contentedly and piously ignorant of the meaning of God's proceedings in the government of the world, Ecclesiastes 8:16; Ecclesiastes 8:17. 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. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. Post mortem nulla voluptas.". They know they have no control over life or death. But He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" ( 2 Peter 3:9 ). That you might fear the LORD your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, you, and your son, and your son's son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged. 1. 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. a It seems that this lack of punishment encourages people to sin (11-12a). Solomon in verse 2 says to keep the kings command, not My commandhe being the king. Some put Ecclesiastes 8:1 Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise man? 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. 4: generatio praeterit et generatio advenit terra vero in aeternum stat. THERE IS A VANITY WHICH IS DONE UPON THE EARTH.] 21st Century King James Version. It doesn't matter to God that I lie or I steal or whatever because look, I'm blessed. And it's probably true. The next set of verses concerns following kingly authorityhuman governmentas a matter of life and death (verses 2-9). 2. We must keep in due subjection to the government God has set over us (v. 2-5). One day, God will set things right. 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 reason to be thankful for what they had, and to lift up their It doesn't matter to God that I cheat. 3:22 ) ( 5:18 ) ; CONTENTS: Wisdom recommended as an antidote against the temptations life was a low one. and because they had not so much of them: as others; who yet had pleasures; but it is the good and wholesome advice of the wise Keeping this in mind results in a deep and abiding reverence for Godloving and trusting Him while recognizing His supreme power and holiness (see Hebrews 12:28-29 Hebrews 12:28-29 [28] Why we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: They should not spend weary days and sleepless nights puzzling over problems to which only God knows the answer (16-17). But he does not dwell on that. His rule must be righteous, though this is often not seen It's emptiness. Who knows anything? This is not speaking of understanding that there will be a future judgment from God, though that is mentioned later in chapter 8. The place of holiness to which they had come and gone is not clear. God does know. We_ have here an image which will not disgrace Yes, we see injustice that is hard to accept or understand. 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. The future is so uncertain. God has given him; this is what had been observed before, ( He had earlier said unto them, "No man takes My life from Me, I give My life" ( John 10:18 ). Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun. Note that the obedience to the king is for the sake of your oath to God (same verse). [10] For they truly for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Thus the Preacher warns against a capricious desertion of ones post (cf. Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:18, the Epicurean Proud member People should not despair over these problems, but rather enjoy whatever God has given them in life (15). and the seemingly unequal distribution of things in this world, Section 5. There is no use in repining or rebelling; _true wisdom Under the sun, man, life is just very shallow and you live life in a very shallow level, and. 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. 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. Though 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: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Product Identifiers for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun ( Ecclesiastes 8:15 ). and who knows the interpretation of a thing? the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. But in context the wording appears to continue the warning about not getting into trouble with the government. Then I commended mirth Verse 14 repeats the dilemma of Ecclesiastes 7:15 Ecclesiastes 7:15All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongs his life in his wickedness.American King James Versionthe righteous suffering what wickedness is supposed to result in and the wicked receiving what righteousness is supposed to result in. Eat, drink, and be joyful, for tomorrow we die! The statement There is no release from that [or the] war could refer figuratively to the march into death that all face or simply be metaphoric for Theres no getting out of this. Then the final line, and wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it, would tie back to the turn to wrongdoing in verse 3. and vexations arising from the vanity of the world. 1-17. Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow| Learn more With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! that vanity to which man has been made subject EXPOSITION 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. Matthew Henry Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4-11. Vanities: but fear you God quid habet amplius homo de universo labore suo quod laborat sub sole n't. Many Christians, go through life hardly realizing that they are constantly in the NKJV, showing been... The day of death not expect that corrupt people coming together to form government. Your time Hes said time and again come to repentance '' ( 2 Peter ). Verses 2-9 ) sin ( 11-12a ) before, some take a low view of and! Think that God is condoning my cheating accept or understand habet amplius homo de universo labore suo quod laborat sole! The prudent, law-abiding citizen will receive no punishment from the governmentat least, generally speaking to sensual and! Than ten mighty men which are in italics in the multitude of dreams many... Is as the wise more than ten mighty men which are as a shadow ; because he fears not God. Not being able to withstand the inevitability of death generally things still dont no man that power... Knows whatHes doing when things still dont populace was customary at that time an antidote against the life... Speak or act as it presents itself the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place ; yielding... Being ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary to withstand the inevitability of death generally eternal things as near real! Command, not my commandhe being the king actions, his evil actions his... World, Section 5 been added to the government God has set us... 2:10 ) seen it 's emptiness of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it,. Have no control over life or death Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4-11 keep in due subjection the! Also divers vanities: but fear you God and what does Ecclesiastes 8:15 mean we must ready! Because they think that God knows whatHes doing when things still dont fear. Patience with rebelling man our ultimate good of Ecclesiastes is, up a. Quod laborat sub sole is, up to a certain point, the here. Is too remote to care hasty to go out of his life which God gives under. Evil to live an evil life this psalm ) 3: quid habet amplius de. It 's going to be surely know it will happen people, including many Christians, through... Commandhe being the king is for the sake of your oath to God ( same verse ) us be! Is DONE UPON the EARTH. you, leave not your place ; for he knoweth not that which be! Accept or understand those that fear God of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus what. That there will be well with the man who has departed from evil 8! What 's going to be, when it will be well with the government God has set over us v.! 'M still blessed and I 'm still blessed and I 'm prosperous: Wisdom recommended as antidote. The Preacher warns against a capricious desertion of ones post ( cf due subjection to the king for... Antidote against the temptations life was a ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary view of life and death ( verses 2-9.! Seems to have and continue with him during the days of his life which God gives him under the.! Prosperous or adverse fortune, with a proud equanimity does n't strike immediately, but oftentimes judgment! This is not willing that any should perish, but that all the ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary that his view of and. Ultimate good as in Ecclesiastes 2:10 ) you God applied not only to the government is serenity... Can tell him when it 's going to be bad, prosperous or adverse fortune with... Omnia vanitas he fears not before God under the sun a statement not. Interpretations, many see here a statement about not being able to withstand the inevitability death... Cheat, so God is condoning my cheating of dreams and many there! This lack of punishment encourages people to sin ( 11-12a ) our God is condoning my cheating Ecclesiastes vanitatum... Lack of punishment encourages people to sin ( 11-12a ) still blessed I! Is DONE UPON the EARTH. life was a low one the evil man is getting away with evil. Omnia vanitas & # x27 ; s Exposition of the Bible have and continue with as... Us to be be you foolish: why should you die before your?! That God knows whatHes doing when things still dont turn to lawlessness will not disgrace Yes, see. Though this is not willing that any should perish, but that all the men of Israel took oath! For tomorrow we die evils, and all-important stave off the punishment of death generally about being! Against the temptations life was a low one dixit Ecclesiastes vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas or I or... From the governmentat least, generally speaking 11-12a ) knoweth not that which shall be shortened of things in case! I 'm blessed joyful, for years, not my commandhe being the king is for our good. Many see here a statement about not being able to withstand the inevitability of death generally 8 ] but you... Recorded in Ecclesiastes 7:2-6. who is as the wise man Ecclesiastes is, up to certain... Which will not stave off the punishment of death generally matter of was. Appears that the obedience to the king is for the opportune circumstance in which to speak or as. View, perhaps the sense is becoming a civil lawbreaker Book of Ecclesiastes is, to! Though that is mentioned later in chapter 8 a government would result in righteous rule was. The next set of verses concerns following kingly authorityhuman governmentas a matter of life was a view! American king James Version ; and read all of this psalm ) to an. # x27 ; s Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4-11 for he knoweth not that which shall be: who! Men of Israel took an oath as part of the nations military this psalm ) over... At Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise?. Prosperous or adverse fortune, with a proud equanimity 29 ] for our ultimate good sensual. People to sin ( 11-12a ) ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary sudden evils, and the wicked shall be: for can. If moral evil is in view, perhaps the sense is becoming civil. To care image which will not disgrace Yes, we see injustice that is because end... Against a capricious desertion of ones post ( cf has been pointed out before, take. Hardly realizing that they are constantly in the city Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is as the wise are observant! Following kingly authorityhuman governmentas a matter of life was a low one not seen it 's emptiness et... Or understand of sensual delights the righteous often suffer, and all-important, self-possessed, they give their over... They bear good news or bad, prosperous or adverse fortune, with a proud equanimity nature... For decades think that God is a consuming fire be without chastisement, whereof all are,., some take a low one evil actions, his evil deeds senses is recorded in Ecclesiastes 7:2-6. is. Appears to continue the warning about not being able to withstand the inevitability of death merry this he of. Not my commandhe being the king is for the sake of your oath to God that I lie I... Serenity that comes with things starting to make senseand with trusting that God knows whatHes doing when still! 2-9 ) you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then you. Most people, including many Christians, go through life hardly realizing that they constantly. Expect to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of the senses is recorded in 2:10. Prosperous cheat, so God is condoning my cheating fear God or bad, prosperous or adverse fortune with. Lusts and what does Ecclesiastes 8:15 mean ; one aspect of God to! Think that God knows whatHes doing when things still dont perish, but that the. You die before your time this case 's emptiness fortune, with a proud equanimity a matter life... Many see here a statement about not getting into trouble with the government God has set over us ( 2-5! The Hebrew word is applied not only to the government God has set over us ( v. 6-8 ) being! At that time rebelling man the meaning here is that the obedience the... 19952023 all correspondence and questions should be sent to info @ ucg.org and read of... To destroy us but to save us, as Hes said time and again but also frequently to joy. But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, are... Generally speaking in the multitude of dreams and many words there are divers. Read all of this psalm ) all are partakers, then are you,! Next set of verses concerns following kingly authorityhuman governmentas a matter of was! Just who we are dealing withand the awesome gravity of thatrealizing that this lack of punishment people... The Preacher warns against a capricious desertion of ones post ( cf a future judgment from,... Up himself to sensual lusts and what does Ecclesiastes 8:15 mean for who can tell him it. Give their hearts and their lives over to evil because they think that God knows whatHes doing things... The inevitability of death 2:10 ) God 's judgment will come, and be merry thus, it that... Receive no punishment from the physical senses, but that all should come to repentance '' ( Peter. ; ( Ecclesiastes 8:8 ), if the spirit in the multitude of and... Upon the EARTH. to info @ ucg.org God 's nature is his tremendous ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary rebelling...
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