Eccl. 9:1-12, Journey through Ecclesiastes Ch. 8-11

2.    Human wisdom in relation to citizenship, 8:1-17

a.     Wisdom: there is value in obeying the king, 8:1-9

b.    Perplexity: the king is imperfect in his judgments, 8:10-15

c.     Futility: I can’t really find true wisdom, 8:16-17

3.    Human wisdom in relation to death, 9:1-12

a.     Wisdom: we all die, so enjoy life as much as possible, 9:1-10

Just to help us see again the nature of Ecclesiastes, let's note some things in this section.  First, from the Christian point of view of 9:5-6, do we really think that the dead know nothing?  Of course not.  But what is our source of knowledge about the “afterlife?”  It is the revelation of God’s word.  There we learn that, for believers, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  From Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus we see that there is consciousness after the death of the body.  There is the experience of pain and comfort.  And we know there is reward, both for the righteous and the wicked.  But for Solomon, he is not considering those things.  Having limited himself to General Revelation he only knows that everyone dies, and that death is the end of all things for that person in terms of connection with this life.

If we were writing 9:7-8 we might want to issue a call to repentance or to living a holy life.  But instead, given the reality of our eventual death, the advice of the “Preacher” is to make the best of the things that occupy this life.  9:9-10 is admirable.  It’s a good thing to enjoy one’s marriage and to excel at work.  But how much more we have with a life devoted to the LORD!

b.    Perplexity: how you live doesn’t matter; you may die any moment, 9:11-12

4.    Human wisdom in relation to itself, 9:13-11:8

a.     Wisdom: wisdom is better than strength and folly, 9:13-10:4

b.    Perplexity: often foolish men are exalted, 10:5-7

c.     Wisdom: wisdom must be better than folly, 10:8-20

d.    Futility: everything to come is futile, 11:1-8

11:1-2: what does this mean? cast your bread on the waters? The idea that it speaks of “generosity” is supported by some, including Jameson/Faucette/Browne, Chuck Smith, Matthew Henry. And the same can be said for v6! Generosity or charity just throws it out there. You never know how it might help. Again, in the context of the Preacher's theme, this is the best solution to an otherwise meaningless life! (But for all that, v9-10, you will stand before God in judgment.) I.e. he has no answer for this because he is not taking “Special Revelation” into account.

We will conclude this journey through Ecclesiastes in tomorrow’s post, Lord willing.  I hope you are growing spiritually in this.  Even though the book presents a futile existence, those who hope in Christ should be encouraged both in living joyfully and in loving those whose lives are being lived in futility.