ecclesiastes 8:15 commentary

evil. 3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight. SUN EXCEPT TO EAT AND TO DRINK AND TO BE MERRY, AND THIS WILL STAND BY sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide We should receive each days joys as Gods good gifts and rejoice in them. But ultimately, it will go only this way when God sets everything right. 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 . counsels obedience to the powers that be_,_ and submission to the [12] For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom gives life to them that have it. Matthew Henry Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:4-11. 1. MIRTH - Better, Gladness, or joy (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. Though he be very confident of success, though he think to know it, yet he shall not; he cannot find it out. [21] Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you: Prudence before kings (Ecclesiastes 8:1)_ Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 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 [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? The Targum interprets it of the joy of the law; because a man hath no better thing under the sun than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry; of earthly things there is nothing better than for a man freely and cheerfully, with moderation and thankfulness, to enjoy what God has given him; this is what had been observed before, Ecclesiastes 2:24; and is not the language of an epicure, or a carnal man, who observing that no difference is made between the righteous and the wicked, that it is as well or better with the wicked than the righteous, determines to give up himself to sensual lusts and pleasures; but it is the good and wholesome advice of the wise man, for men to be easy under every providence, satisfied with their present condition and circumstances, and be cheerful and pleasant, and not distress themselves about things they cannot alter; for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life. And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. [7] If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? being much better than to fret at the prosperity of the wicked, 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. Ecclesiastes/Song of Solomon - Leaders Guide. Koheleth seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of life was a low one. American King James Version; and read all of this psalm). They know they have no control over life or death. sun, than (n) to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall Yes, we see injustice that is hard to accept or understand. We_ have here an image which will not disgrace If one does not know what will happen, how can he learn when it will happen? So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun. In order to keep with what He said, "No man takes My life," when He was hanging there on the cross after He cried, "It is finished" ( John 19:30 ), "Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit" ( Luke 23:46 ), He bowed His head, and it said, "And He dismissed His Spirit." "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.". Verse 11 explains why evil grows worse and worsebecause justice is not swift. They begin to scoff at it, even as Peter said they would. pleasant, and not distress themselves about things they cannot He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does. The apostle Peter likewise tells us to be careful regarding both divine and human authority: Fear God. 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. People should not despair over these problems, but rather enjoy whatever God has given them in life (15). American King James Version). His reply is not an observation, but the answer of faith. He believes what he cannot seethat one day all will be well for everyone who lives in the fear of God (Ryken, p. 196). American King James Version). Ecclesiastes 8:10 i _Then I commended mirth_ As before in chs. man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face So you know, live it up now. That is because people end up sitting on death row for decades. Honor the king.American King James Version). 21st Century King James Version. The question in Ecclesiastes isn't about the existence of God; the author is no atheist, and God is always there. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. . There is a vanity which is done upon the earth Either by wicked potentates, who do commonly advance unworthy men, and oppress persons of the greatest virtue and merit: or, by God's providence, who sees it fit for many weighty reasons so to manage the affairs of the present world. The king stands as the authority. Benefits of wisdom, respecting government and [1.] He maintains his patience, moreover, in spite of the moral burdens he carries that might otherwise cause him to act impetuously (v. 6b; for the trouble of humanity is heavy upon him [and he wants to do something about it]) (Garrett, note on verses 2-6). Ecclesiastes 10:4 Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses.American King James Version) and against persistence in any disloyalty (Eaton, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, note on Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 [2] I counsel you to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. which God giveth him under the sun; 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 and raiment, and with this he should be content. To go from someones presence elsewhere signifies disaffection or disloyalty . CONCLUSION: Heavenly wisdom makes a man a good man, Ecclesiastes 8:1. God does see. Some translate the word ruach here as breath (of life) rather than spirit, but that would not change the point here. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. As has been pointed out before, some take a low view of the refrain. Beyond Today Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 2:14; he asks. 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. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. . Yes, we have a lot of hard work to do. PrivacyPolicyTerms ofUse. What happens to one happens to the other. and who knows the interpretation of a thing? And He is patient and merciful towards us as we struggle to walk in His ways, even despite our many and ongoing failures. 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. [8] But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. He had power over His Spirit to dismiss it. And the word forgotten does work here. There is no man that has power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither has 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. 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: The message here is: Do your best to stay out of trouble! All 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. 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 . and because they had not so much of them: as others; who yet had in whatsoever state condition men are; serenity and tranquillity of in actual life. It doesn't matter to God that I cheat. this he may expect to have and continue with him as long as he 1. 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. [3] Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatever pleases him. God puts up with so much. Furthermore, the verses in chapter 8 do not seem to speak of human government rectifying problems so much as of us taking care to not run afoul of government (we will see similar verses in this regard in chapter 10). Eat, drink, and be joyful, for tomorrow we die! Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV - So I commend the enjoyment of life, - Bible Gateway Read the Bible Reading Plans Advanced Search Available Versions Audio Bibles Study Tools Scripture Engagement More Resources Explore More Newsletters Devotionals Bible Gateway App Bible Audio App Bible Gateway Blog Bible Gateway Plus Store Bibles Deals More Passage Solomon in Proverbs 10:7 Proverbs 10:7The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.American King James Versionwrote, The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. Perhaps the frustration in Ecclesiastes 8:10 Ecclesiastes 8:10And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.American King James Versionis simply that the wicked were able to die and receive a proper burial after a long life without having to face up to what theyd doneall the while having been permitted in life to be regularly in Gods temple, a sacrilege and mockery of religion. The fear of the LORD prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. Verse 7 in context presents more about the need for discerning the right time and way. 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. Rather enjoy whatever God has given them in life ( 15 ) hasty to go of. Seems to have had a suspicion all the time that his view of was., even despite our many and ongoing failures the boldness of his sight up sitting on death row decades! 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