In our "what have you done for me lately" world, wisdom might be recognized and applauded- but usually not for very long. While the rich, the powerful, the athletic, and the physically attractive are often widely known and admired, the wise person may be more likely to labor in obscurity. 

To illustrate this point, the Teacher offered the story of a poor, but wise man who was responsible for implementing a plan that delivered his city from the attack of a superior armed force. While this brings to mind Solomon's earlier observation that a superior armed force does not necessarily guarantee victory in a military engagement, there is another point to be made within this parable.

While wisdom may be superior to strength (military or otherwise), it is not always rewarded in accordance with it's real value. This may be due to any number of external factors including things like appearance, social standing, education, and/or one's relative financial worth. Since our physical existence is temporal and impermanent, we often tend to value similar external qualities (like physical or military strength) more highly than the fundamental values of wisdom, understanding, or good reasoning. 

This is why someone may present a well reasoned, fundamentally sound, and logically consistent argument supporting a concept such as Intelligent Design or the evidence for God's existence and find that argument rejected by those who "feel" differently. Like our lives under the sun, feelings are transient and changeable and they often find a more comfortable fit within the fabric of our daily lives than the more stable characteristics of wisdom and good judgment.

This reality can sometimes result in disappointment for those who seek to help others apply Biblical wisdom. Yet those who follow Jesus can be assured that any wise counsel offered on His behalf will never go unnoticed, even if that counsel is rejected or unappreciated. As Jesus Himself once said...

"Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:35-36 NIV).

It was a day like any other day- until the swirling clouds of dust began to appear upon the horizon. It was the sign of an approaching army- and it was moving steadily towards the city. Everyone within the city limits knew what that meant. 

Within a short time, an armed force would surround the town. The municipal leaders would be summoned to the top of the city wall by a spokesman for the invaders and given the option to peacefully surrender. If the offer was accepted, everyone would become subject to a new ruler. That could mean forced labor, compulsory relocation, or whatever the new government deemed appropriate. If the offer was refused, the siege would begin. The army would construct ramps against the exterior of the city wall in an attempt to gain entrance. Battering rams would repeatedly pummel the city gates. Tunnels would be dug in an attempt to enter the city from below. 

If the city could hold out against the attack, supplies of food and water would quickly grow scarce. Economic activity would cease. Armaments would run low. All available resources would be directed towards the war effort. If the city's defenses failed, every male would be executed by the invading army. Women and children would become property of the victors and regarded as nothing more than human machines to be used and abused by members of the new regime. If a young woman of the city was found to be attractive and desirable, she might be kept to meet the physical needs of an officer. If not, she would be enslaved like everyone else. 

The gates were quickly closed and secured. Weapons were retrieved from storage. Ordinary citizens manned defensive positions and waited for the inevitable. But this time, the seemingly inevitable was not to be. 

You see, there was a man within the city. Everyone recognized him but no one gave him much thought. He was quiet and reserved, and judging from his appearance, it was clear that he had very little money. Yet he was the man who came forward with the resources necessary to save the city and it's inhabitants. Unfortunately, his lack of status ensured that he would never receive the accolades he so richly deserved for rescuing so many. 

So what's the point behind this little drama? Well, the Teacher will answer that question for us next.

As a good communicator, Solomon knew that he might quickly lose the attention of an audience if his message descended into a boring, repetitive monologue. So the Teacher worked to keep his message fresh and interesting by employing the use of something called a "parable." A parable is a teaching method that utilizes a short, simple story to illustrate an important spiritual truth or moral lesson. One example of a parabolic message can be found beginning in the passage quoted above.

While its possible that the scenario described in this passage refers to a genuine historic event, the question of it's historical nature is really just a secondary issue. The real emphasis should be placed on a good understanding of the events described within this parable and how that understanding might be applied. 

For example, virtually every reputable city in the Biblical era was enclosed by the safety and security of a wall. City walls were often massive structures that were 6 to 9 meters (20 to 30 feet) thick. The gates, just as massive, had bars with guardhouses atop the wall. Often the walls had towers. ₍₁₎  So a city without a wall was obviously vulnerable to attack, but a good wall helped offer protection from potential invaders.

One commentary describes how the practice of penetrating the defenses of a walled city took place...

"(A siege was a) prolonged military blockade of a city or fortress to force it to surrender. The purpose of a siege was to take away the advantage of the city's massive defensive walls by cutting off its supplies and contacts from the outside. Without supplies, the defending city would be forced to surrender or to attack the besieging army. The attacking army would sometimes press the siege by trying to scale the walls with ladders or ramps. Other techniques included battering down the walls or tunneling under them. But attack was dangerous because the city's defenders were well protected and could carry on the battle from a superior position.

A siege might continue for several months. To shorten a siege, the attacking army usually tried to capture a city's water supplies. These were usually situated outside the city walls. Much of the warfare described in the Old Testament is siege warfare." ₍₂₎

So things looked pretty bleak for the little town in Solomon's parable- but help was about to arrive from an unexpected source.

(1) "City" Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers

(2) "Siege" Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers

From the Teacher's limited perspective, it appeared that the events and circumstances of life were driven by a combination of fate, coincidence, happenstance, or luck. For Solomon, a favorable outcome might result from simply being in the right place at the right time while an unfavorable development could be attributed to a bad break, tough luck, or some other misfortune. In this regard, the Teacher was not very different from those who feel that their own existence rides upon the ever changing waves of "fate" today.

For example, there are many people who hold on to certain items that they believe will bring "good luck" or protection from harm in an uncertain world. Then there are others who seek to avoid contact with anything that supposedly leads to "bad luck." For those who place their trust in such things, there is the ever-present possibility of being "...trapped at some evil moment when we least expect it" (GNB) by the unpredictable variables of time and chance.

However, the Scriptures tell us something very different. For example, Psalm 31:15 says (in part) "My times are in your hands..."  which indicates that God ultimately has control over the events of our daily lives. And 2 Corinthians 9:8 tells us that "...God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (NIV). In other words, God is One who ultimately provides for our needs. 

Another problem is that Solomon's perspective actually reveals a hidden lack of faith. For instance, if we believe that human beings are simply victims of time and chance, then we are saying is that God has no real control over the course of human events- or at least that He is not powerful enough to overcome anything that might bring us trouble or misfortune.

When someone chooses to reject a relationship with the Creator, he or she may feel a need to rely on superstition or some object that will supposedly offer protection and success. This is not new of course. Back in the days of the Old Testament people often put their faith in objects (or idols) made of wood, stone, or metal instead of the one true God. Those who place their trust in Christ shouldn't fall prey to the same mistake today.

As he surveyed life under the sun, the Teacher identified one seemingly unreliable thing that he could rely upon: chance, or the unknown and unpredictable variable associated with human existence. To support this idea, Solomon offered five corresponding examples taken from different areas of life:

• In athletics, an exceptional athlete may not always win the game, race, or contest

• A superior armed force does not guarantee victory in a military engagement

• The wisest and most educated person isn't always hired for employment

• The qualities of discernment, understanding, and intellect do not necessarily ensure that someone will grow wealthy

• In business, a person with superior capability doesn't always rise to a position of leadership

The point is that talent, skill, intelligence, or ability (no matter how impressive) cannot absolutely guarantee a desired outcome- and for the person who fails to factor his or her Creator into the equation of daily life, time and chance become unknown forces that can neutralize any supposed advantage. The New Testament book of James draws our attention to this concept when it says...

"Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that’" (James 4:13–15 NIV).

Jesus also illustrated this idea by way of a parable...

"...A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. In fact, his barns were full to overflowing-he couldn't get everything in. He thought about his problem, and finally exclaimed, 'I know-I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones! Then I'll have room enough. And I'll sit back and say to myself, "Friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Wine, women, and song for you!"' 

But God said to him, 'Fool! Tonight you die. Then who will get it all?' Yes, every man is a fool who gets rich on earth but not in heaven" (Luke 12:16-21 TLB).

In Major League Baseball history, there were few contenders more qualified for the title of "Worst Baseball Franchise In History" than the New York Metropolitan Baseball Club Inc. better known as the New York Mets. The Mets started play in 1962 in a run down stadium with a roster of players that no one else wanted. The team finished that first season by losing a record 120 games and never finished higher than next-to-last place in any of the next seven seasons.

The Mets then proceeded to open the 1969 season by losing at home to a newly created team that was playing it's very first game. With 25% of the 1969 schedule completed, the team had lost more games than it had won and with less than two months remaining in the regular season, the Mets were far behind the division leader.

It was then that something truly amazing occurred. The team won 39 of the final 50 games of the regular season to capture the division title and advance to the playoffs. The Mets then surprised many observers in the baseball world by winning their very first playoff series in three consecutive games to earn the right to appear in the World Series against a powerful and heavily favored opponent. 

After losing the first game of the World Series, the Mets then went on to win the next four games to complete one of the most improbable upset victories in major sports history. The team that had never come close to winning anything in it's history had become World Champions.

Although its probably safe to say that Solomon was not much of a baseball fan, we do know that he used a similar sporting analogy to illustrate the uncertainties of life under the sun when he said, "I realized another thing, that in this world fast runners do not always win the races..." (GNB). While the sporting world provides one of the best vehicles to illustrate the reality that lies behind the passage quoted above, we can find some other examples in the military, business, and educational worlds as well- and we'll study a few of those examples next.

There are some important elements of truth that are tucked away within these verses for those who are willing to discover and apply them. For example, the Teacher counsels his readers to "Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun..." (NIV). We should first notice that this passage focuses on the enjoyment of life with one's spouse. In saying this, Solomon reminds us that a marriage partner is just that- a partner in the enjoyment of life under the sun and not the source of it.

This may seem like an unnecessary distinction unless we have the opportunity to observe the pain and devastation of a person who has built the entirety of his or her emotional life upon another person who changed, moved, or passed away. It's then that we can appreciate the importance of building our emotional lives around God first and then enjoying the friendships and relationships that He gives us for as long as He allows us to have them. 

This doesn't mean that it’s wrong to emotionally invest in others nor does it delegitimize the genuine pain and sorrow that often accompanies human loss. However, it does recognize that people change and God doesn’t- and it reminds us to make sure that the foundation of our emotional dependence is built upon God first and then upon others.

This passage also restates a theme that runs like a thread throughout the book of Ecclesiastes- the vanity, or meaninglessness of life under the sun. Since there is so much that doesn't seem to make sense in life (even for those who are in Christ), it's wise to seek out and enjoy the simple blessings that we receive along life's journey, such as...

• Eating and drinking with enjoyment (verse seven).
• Living a God-honoring life (or, "Let your garments be always white..." [verse eight]).
• Looking and dressing well (or, "let your head lack no ointment" an ancient reference to cologne or deodorant [verse eight]).
• Taking pleasure in our relationships.

Virtually anyone can enjoy eating, drinking, and dressing well to whatever extent possible, and a God-honoring life of righteousness carries it's own reward. These are the benefits that are within reach during our lives under the sun and the Teacher encouraged us to seek them out and enjoy them.

The people of Solomon's time generally ate three major meals each day just as most people eat breakfast, lunch and dinner today. The first meal was often made up of bread with a filling of fruit, cheese or olives that could be eaten on the way to work. The Old Testament version of lunch was a mid-day meal that usually consisted of more bread, cheese, fruit and olives. Finally, there was an evening meal that was normally eaten around six or seven o'clock. This course typically featured a stew made from lentils or vegetables along with thin slices of bread for dipping. This was the big meal of the day and it involved a lot more than simply just eating. You see, this meal was seen as an opportunity for people to get together socially and it was very important from a cultural standpoint. It was a time of fellowship and conversation as everyone sat down to eat together.

So in light of the problems, disappointments, and adversities that we often experience under the sun, the Teacher counseled his readers to seek enjoyment in life wherever it may be found. For instance, the simple act of sharing a meal with family or friends offers an opportunity for enjoyment that people sometimes fail to appreciate. The idea is that the good things we experience in life are gifts that God allows us to enjoy. It would be a mistake to take these simple pleasures for granted, especially when we stop to consider the amount of time spent in dealing with the problems and complexities of daily life. 

This idea builds on a concept that Solomon established earlier in the book of Ecclesiastes when he said, "...I decided that there was nothing better for a man to do than to enjoy his food and drink and his job. Then I realized that even this pleasure is from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy apart from him?" (Ecclesiastes 2:24 TLB). The point is that we should not take pleasure in these things but through them, recognizing them as God's provision for both our sustenance and enjoyment.

Another commentator expresses that idea in this manner...

"Solomon issues 'an urgent summons to action' for the righteous to delight in God’s gifts 'under the sun' ...After all, why should anyone who truly fears God have the joy of life stolen out from under him because of the unresolved perplexities still remaining in the partially disclosed plan of God?” ₍₁₎

(1) William D. Barrick, Th.D. Ecclesiastes: The Philippians of the Old Testament http://www.drbarrick.org/Website%20Files/Ecclesiastes%2009%20PBC.pdf

Whether you're making a purchase, considering an investment, or negotiating a business deal, one thing that everyone likes to have is an option. An option provides us with the ability to choose between alternatives and as the Teacher implies in the passage above, life provides many options for the living.

For example, the entire range of human emotion represents an option for the living to experience. There are possibilities to know and be known. There are opportunities to learn, grow, and improve. But the same cannot be said for those who have passed away. The dead have nothing further to gain in life and for the vast majority of those who have passed on, subsequent generations will have little remembrance of anything they may have said, done, or accomplished in life.

For the living, breathing human being who is aware of his or her mortality, this knowledge opens up the option to enjoy everything that life has to offer. So in view of the brevity of life under the sun, the Teacher offers a suggestion: "So go eat your food and enjoy it; drink your wine and be happy, because that is what God wants you to do" (NCV). 

Notice that the Teacher makes a connection between the enjoyment of eating and drinking with God's approval of these things. This is another reminder that any ability we may have to find genuine enjoyment in life must ultimately come from the hand of God. For instance, the ability to enjoy a good meal is a gift from God that we should receive with appreciation. This thought echoes another of Solomon's earlier observations: "I know the best thing we can do is to always enjoy life, because God's gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do" (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 CEV). 

But while we enjoy those blessings that God had graciously provided to us, it's important to maintain an appropriate balance. As the Scriptures remind us in Romans 14:17-18...

"...the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men" (NKJV).

Some have attempted to associate the Teacher's statement in the passage quoted above with the idea that our physical death results in the termination of all conscious existence. In other words, the statement, "...the dead know not anything" (ASV) is taken to imply that everything we may associate with our conscious existence -things like awareness, recognition, the ability to think, feel, and reason- ends when we take our final breath. But is that really what Solomon meant to imply in this passage?

First, let's consider the Teacher's viewpoint in the context of this statement. Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, our author's thesis has been repeated over and over again: everything that occurs on earth (or "under the sun" to use Solomon's terminology) without regard to God is ultimately pointless, useless, and futile. When viewed in this context, the Teacher's conclusion is undeniable- it's impossible to have any conscious interaction with someone who has passed away. 

There is also logical consideration to this observation as well. For instance, how could the Teacher know that the dead know nothing? If physical death results in the cessation of conscious existence, then how could Solomon possibly know it? The Teacher would not be so foolish as to make such a logically inconsistent statement regarding life after death unless he was actually intending to make a very different point. 

A better interpretation is offered by another commentator...

"Taken at face value, Solomon seems to be claiming that the dead have no more knowledge of anything. He wrote here, “the dead know nothing.” Likewise, the psalmist said, “in death there is no remembrance” (Ps. 6:5). But, this seems to contradict the many passages that speak of souls being conscious after death (e.g., 2 Sam. 12:23; 2 Cor. 5:8; Rev. 6:9).

The Bible teaches that the soul survives death in a conscious state of knowledge... The passages which say there is no knowledge or remembrance after death are speaking of no memory in this world, not of no memory of this world. Solomon clearly qualified his comment by saying it was “in the grave” (Ecc. 9:10) that there was “no remembrance.” He affirmed also that the dead do not know what is going on “under the sun” (9:6). But while they do not know what is happening on earth, they certainly do know what is going on in heaven (cf. Rev. 6:9). In short, these texts refer simply to man in relation to this present life—they say nothing about the life to come immediately after this one." ₍₁₎

(1) Geisler, N. L., & Howe, T. A. (1992). When Critics Ask : A Popular Handbook On Bible Difficulties (259). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

The word "hope" is a word that implies things like optimism, anticipation, or expectancy. For instance, there's always the possibility that something good may happen for anyone who gets up to face the challenge of a new day. But for those who have been laid to rest with no assurance of a future life beyond this planet, there is no hope for anything better ahead nor is there a possibility of changing anything that transpired in the past behind.

Solomon illustrates this cold, hard reality by way of an analogy: "Whoever is among the living can be certain about this. A living dog is definitely better off than a dead lion" (CEB). In the days of the Old Testament, a lion was recognized as an honorable, stately animal with a well deserved reputation as "king of the beasts." Dogs on the other hand, were viewed quite differently. 

You see, the dogs of Solomon's time were not recognized as "man's best friend" and they were not usually kept as pets as we often do today. Instead, dogs were viewed as scavengers and they were looked upon in the same way that we might view rats or mice today. In Solomon's day, packs of dogs would roam the streets, eat the garbage, fight against each other and attack people as well. Yet this is the word picture that the Teacher established for us in these verses when he said, "...a live dog is better off than a dead lion" (CEV).

The concept behind this illustration is that a person who is poor, but alive, at least has the ability to think, feel, interact, and maintain whatever capacity he or she may possess to find enjoyment in life. In Solomon's opinion, such a person was better off than an honored and respected -but lifeless- body. The idea is that even when problems and difficulties exist for those who are alive, there is always the possibility that things may improve tomorrow. But no such possibility exists for those who have departed. 

We'll examine what that difficult reality means (as well as what it doesn't mean) for those who are alive today next.

In physics, the term "escape velocity" identifies the minimum speed necessary to break free from a gravitational field. Unfortunately for the author of Ecclesiastes (and those who share his perspective), his earth-centric, "under the sun" philosophy never permitted him to achieve the "escape velocity" necessary to exceed the limitation of his intellect or personal experience. 

Like the astronomer who is far removed from the objects he studies in the heavens, Solomon had an obscure understanding regarding a Creator who influenced the events that we experience on earth. The only thing he could identify with any certainty was one observable conclusion: "This is something wrong that happens here on earth: What happens to one happens to all. So people's minds are full of evil and foolish thoughts while they live. After that, they join the dead" (NCV).

The "something wrong" or "same fate" spoken of in these passages is death. While everyone is familiar with the concept of death, it may also represent something that is not so easy to define. For example, does death represent the cessation of existence? Does it represent a departure into a mindless, formless oblivion? Well as mentioned earlier, those answers would not represent a Biblical perspective on the concept of death. Instead, the Scriptures link the idea of death with the concept of separation. 

For instance, physical death is the separation of the spirit (or the eternal "you") and your physical body. The New Testament book of James verifies this definition when it tells us, "...the body without the spirit is dead..." (James 2:26). Another type of death occurs when people are spiritually separated from the God who created them. We can see an example of this type of death in the Scriptures by looking at Genesis chapter three. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's commandment, the result was death- not an immediate, physical death (although that did come later) but spiritual death or separation from God.

1 Corinthians 15:26 identifies death as the last enemy to be defeated- but for Solomon and those who shared his "under the sun" philosophy, death was not just an enemy; it was an unvanquished victor.

No matter who you are, where you live, or what period of human history you inhabit, everyone shares something in common with every other human being who has ever lived: one day our lives on earth will end. The Teacher has painstakingly illustrated this difficult truth in the passage quoted above by contrasting the different attitudes of those who honor God and those who have no use for Him, those who follow religious observances and those who don't, and those who make solemn promises to the Almighty and those who refuse to do so.

While each of these attitudes may differ from one another, none can escape this common finality. With this in mind, we might ask,"Why bother to live a lifestyle that benefits anyone other than myself?" If there's nothing we can do to alter the reality of death, then what's the point of living anything other than an entirely self-serving life? While this may represent the Teacher's "under the sun" perspective, it misses an important point- we all share a common mortality but we may not share a common destiny. 

For instance, the person who believes in Jesus is someone who lives with an eternal perspective. For that person, the decisions of daily life are (or should be) guided by a set of core beliefs that find their origin within the pages of the Scriptures. One important principle from the Scriptures tells us that physical death doesn't represent a cessation of existence but a transitional state; a move from this temporary life under the sun to an eternal life with God (see 2 Corinthians 5:6-8). 

A person with this Biblical mindset also understands the implications of Jesus' teaching from the Gospel of Matthew when He says, "...your Father in heaven... makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45 NKJV). Therefore, when a "bad" person receives something good, a person with this Biblical perspective doesn't automatically equate that good thing with something unfair. Instead, he or she may view it as a example of God's grace towards those who have done nothing to deserve it (also see Romans 5:8). 

Unfortunately, not everyone shares this viewpoint and that will lead the Teacher to some very different conclusions next.

A casual reading of this passage would seem to indicate that God moves capriciously, or in a manner that appears to be impulsive, fickle, or unreliable. But just because it may appear as if God is moving without a plan doesn't necessarily mean that He doesn't have one. 

The Scriptures tell us that God has an agenda that He is working out on both a large scale (Psalm 33:11) and smaller scale within our individual lives (Jeremiah 29:11). Of course, the Teacher of Ecclesiastes is speaking strictly from an earth-bound, "under the sun" point of view but Jesus provided us with a parable that illustrates a very different perspective on this passage...

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash" (Matthew 7:24-29 NIV).

Although the homes in Jesus' parable may have appeared similar, they were not identical. While the same storm came against both homes, the difference was in the foundation that each was built upon. This tells us that a life that's built upon the solid foundation of Jesus' teachings doesn't necessarily receive an automatic immunity from the common storms of everyday life or the unpredictable variables of daily existence. For example, if a Christian never had a financial issue, physical ailment, employment problem, or never wrecked a car, failed at school, or lost a loved one, then Christianity would probably be a lot more appealing- not necessarily because of anything related to Jesus but simply as a vehicle to obtain a more favorable life.

The key element missing from the Teacher's "under the sun analysis" analysis was faith- and without faith, it is impossible to please God (see Hebrews 11:6). Those who claim to trust and believe in God shouldn't be surprised if God provides an opportunity to demonstrate that commitment through the storms of life.

For instance, the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes represents something of a dilemma for the person who considers the Scriptures to be nothing more than a collection of fantasies, myths, and legends. As a former judicial professional, political leader, business executive, and artist, the author of Ecclesiastes presents some impressive credentials- and he employed those unique qualifications to undertake a rigorous and exhaustive examination of the political, social, and economic realities of the world as we know it. In the end, the results of this examination were undeniable: "...as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere" (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

The issue is that the religious and non-religious both face a similar problem: each must attempt to offer the best explanation for the realities of life and the seemingly unexplainable variables of our daily existence. In chapter nine, our author will return to his examination of the human condition of life under the sun in an attempt to provide that answer. He will offer a consideration for all who face the inescapable reality of death and he will invite his readers to consider the limitations of our ability explain the events of life...

"This, too, I carefully explored: Even though the actions of godly and wise people are in God’s hands, no one knows whether God will show them favor. The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad, ceremonially clean or unclean, religious or irreligious. Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who make promises to God are treated like people who don’t" (Ecclesiastes 9:1-2).

The fact that a person finds prosperity in life doesn't automatically imply that he or she is virtuous, ethical, or above reproach. Of course, the opposite is also true as well, for adversity doesn't only affect the dishonest, immoral, or unprincipled. Although it's generally true that someone will eventually reap the consequences of his or her conduct (for good or bad), that does not always seem to be the case, at least as far as we can tell. The Teacher ascribes this situation to God with the implication that He sometimes chooses to act in a capricious manner. We'll examine that statement more closely next.

There was something that set Solomon apart from the average commentator, pundit, or critic that we may be familiar with today. You see, Solomon was not content to observe and describe the human condition under the sun; he wanted to know why that state of affairs existed. Unlike the self-styled philosopher with a fondness for superficial comments and idle observation, Solomon was a man with a deep desire to know and understand- and he expressed that desire through a systematic process of discovery. He not only wanted to know how things were; he wanted to know why things were.

To accomplish this, Solomon "...carefully considered how to study wisdom and how to look at the work that is done on earth (even going without sleep day and night)" (GW). But despite his best efforts, the Teacher ran up against a restraint that his intellect could not overcome: his limitation as a finite human being. The problem facing Solomon is the problem facing every other member of humanity; human beings are finite and limited in our knowledge, ability, and experience. The Teacher came to this reluctant conclusion when he admitted, "I also saw that no one can understand all that God does. People can try and try to understand the things that happen here on earth, but they cannot. There may be wise people who claim to understand the meaning of these things, but they are wrong. No one can understand it all" (ERV).

While the Teacher arrived at this conclusion from his earth-bound perspective, God communicated a similar truth through the pen of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah when He said, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV). But while it may be true that finite human beings cannot grasp everything regarding an infinite God, it is still possible to know some things about God even if we will never achieve a complete understanding of all that He does.

There is a big difference between knowing some things about God and saying that we can't know anything about God- and what we can know about God is evident through His creation and through the pages of the Scriptures.

While it may not appear very significant at first glance, Ecclesiastes 8:15 provides us with an important reminder concerning the importance of context in the application of the Scriptures to everyday life. The word "context" is defined as "the part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning." ₍₁₎ In other words, the surrounding chapters and verses of the Scriptures help to determine what each individual Bible verse really means. You see, without a good contextual basis for interpreting the Scriptures, it's possible to make the Bible say some very unbiblical things.

For example, if we looked at Ecclesiastes 8:15 as an isolated passage, then we might understand it to be an endorsement of the kind of lifestyle that consists exclusively of pleasure, enjoyment, and laughter. But if we approached this verse in context along with the rest of the book of Ecclesiastes, then we would know that Solomon had already tried (and rejected) that idea...

"I said to myself, 'Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.' But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, 'Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?' After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world" (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3).

Solomon experimented with a "party all the time" attitude but he ultimately found that this was something that “...also proved to be meaningless” (NIV). With this in mind, we can say that a better approach to the meaning of this verse would be to say that it counsels us to simply enjoy life while we can. Instead of indulging in a self-indulgent lifestyle to escape the futility of life under the sun, its better to recognize the good things we receive in life as gifts from the Lord that we can be thankful for. 

While it is impossible to find true meaning in material possessions, it is possible to enjoy those material things as gifts from God. The main difference is one of perspective: the unrighteous eat, drink, and be merry without regard to God but the righteous do so because of God.

(1) American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language 3rd Edition

From Solomon's earth-bound perspective, he found it difficult to understand the fact that the corrupt and unprincipled were sometimes treated with great honor. At the same time, the Teacher noted that the virtuous and upright were sometimes regarded with the disdain that should have been reserved for the wicked and immoral. Yet this reality should not have come as a surprise to the Teacher for the Scriptures identified this paradox of human existence almost from the beginning. 

If you're familiar with the Scriptural accounts in the book of Genesis then you may be familiar with the story of Cain and Abel that appears in Genesis chapter four. In that chapter, we're told that "Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain... Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil" (Genesis 4:1-2). So Cain and Abel took different professions but they also chose different spiritual directions as well...

"When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. 

This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. 'Why are you so angry?' the LORD asked Cain. 'Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master'” (Genesis 4:3-7).

Later on we read that "...Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let's go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him" (Genesis 4:8). So Abel was a righteous person who had been treated as if he had done something wrong. This Biblical account should have alerted Solomon to an important truth: the fact that the unrighteous are sometimes treated righteously (and vice versa) is not as meaningless as it might appear. Can and Abel's example reminds us that this reality ultimately results from humanity's decision to abandon it's Creator and pursue a path independent of Him.

If you live in an area of the world that experiences seasonal changes then you're probably familiar with the difference in the sun's appearance as we move later into the calendar year. As the seasons progress from summer through fall and then into winter, the days become shorter and shadows tend to lengthen as the sun appears closer to the horizon. Yet even as the days grow shorter and colder, there is comfort in the fact that spring will soon return with new life and growth. 

The Teacher utilized this analogy of lengthening shadows to illustrate the differences between those who choose to honor God and those who don't. Even though an ungodly person may reach the autumn of his or her life without any apparent indictment for wrongdoing, the life of the ungodly ultimately amounts to little more than a shadow, an image without any real substance or accomplishment. The unrighteous leave the shadow of their accomplishments and accumulated possessions behind upon their exit from this world, unlike the Godly person who reaches the winter of life and looks forward with anticipation to the "spring" of a new life in heaven. 

The ungodly person also must contend with a sense of futility as the sun sets on his or her life. Consider the dilemma of the person who has chosen to suppress the truth of God's existence. As mentioned earlier, many such people accept the idea that a Creator doesn't really exist and that our own existence is just a product of random chance. If those beliefs are true, then it means that human beings are really nothing more than cosmic accidents. It also implies that everyone came from nothing and ultimately returns to nothing when he or she passes away. This inevitably leads to a sense of futility in life. 

While the Teacher's "under the sun" perspective clearly impressed this sense of futility upon him, he did maintain one small flicker of hope: "Still, I know with certainty that it will go well for those who fear God, because they fear him" (Ecclesiastes 8:12 GW). But if an unrighteous person casts a long shadow, then the sun is surely going down for that person without the hope of a sunrise.

But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows" (Ecclesiastes 8:10-12).

Its clear that Solomon was dismayed by the existence of those who abused their authority over others. Yet there were a few other perplexing issues for the Teacher as well. For example, he said, "I also saw great and beautiful funerals for evil people. While the people were going home after the funeral services, they said good things about the evil people who had died. This happened even in the same towns where the evil people had done many bad things. This is senseless" (Ecclesiastes 8:10 ERV). 

For Solomon, the issue was two-fold. First, he recognized that there was an outpouring of respect for people who "... frequented the Temple" while pursuing a lifestyle that dishonored God. In other words, there were those who were honored despite the fact that they had pursued a life of religious hypocrisy. The second problem was that such people were actually praised in the very same place where their hypocrisy was known and displayed. It seems that the Teacher was especially bothered by the fact that these people apparently believed that they could get away with such hypocrisy and still receive the praise of others. 

But this was not just a spiritual lament- it was a societal issue as well: "Because God does not punish sinners instantly, people feel it is safe to do wrong" (Ecclesiastes 8:11 TLB). Just as the deceptively religious person did not receive instant judgment for his or her hypocrisy, the failure to administer justice swiftly led to certain other consequences as well. For the religious and irreligious alike, the mindset was the same: "Nothing bad has happened to me. Either God doesn't see, God doesn't know, or God doesn't care. Maybe God doesn't even exist at all."

However, the mere fact that God has not acted in a situation doesn't mean that He can't or won't act. Choices have consequences- and the Teacher will remind us of that reality next.

It's often been remarked that "power corrupts." Solomon certainly recognized the general truth of that statement when he said, "I saw all of this as I considered all that is done here on earth. Sometimes people harm those they control" (NCV). For instance, a person might misuse his or her leadership responsibility within a family relationship. We might see other examples within business or social relationships. Unfortunately, we might see similar misuses of authority within religious institutions as well. The truth is that any organization inhabited by sinful and imperfect human beings has the potential to experience such abuses to some degree. 

The New Testament gospel of John devotes an entire chapter to the account of an attempt by the religious authorities of Jesus' day to discredit Him in the eyes of the people (see John chapter eight). In that instance, the religious leaders of Jesus' day misused their authority in response to the perceived threat that Jesus represented to their power structure and system of tradition that helped sustain it. As a result, these leaders eventually convened a meeting in which it was said, "What shall we do? For this man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe Him and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation" (John 11:47-48 NKJV).

For these men, the overwhelming desire to maintain their authority led them (to paraphrase the words of the Teacher) to use their "...power over man for his destruction" (BBE). We can see a similar example in Acts 4:1-3...

 "The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day" (NIV).

These religious leaders apparently felt that they were the only ones who had the right to communicate the word of God- and it led them to misuse their leadership positions and put the Apostles in jail. The Teacher recognized the potential for such abuses as a characteristic of life under the sun but he also recognized one small glimmer of hope as well. We'll see that glimmer of hope a little later in this chapter.

Think about the efforts that people make in an attempt to gain control over their lives. For example, we work to coordinate our busy schedules. We set an agenda for the next day, the next week, or the next month and then record it so we won't forget. Business executives perform time studies to identify inefficiencies while busy parents coordinate multiple sports, music, and youth group activities for their children. We work to pursue long term career and retirement goals that we believe will provide us with a "future" and the expectation of many good years of life ahead. 

But as we work to establish these long and short term objectives, how many of us stop to consider an important question: how much time we really have? For instance, how many of us seriously consider the possibility that we may not live past next week or next month or next year? Unless there is some genuine potential for a life threatening event, the answer to that question is probably not very many.

While we may work diligently to control the agenda of our lives, the Teacher reminds us that there is at least one thing that we can't schedule: "No one has the power to keep their spirit from leaving or to stop their death" (Ecclesiastes 8:8 ERV). A number of other Biblical translations go on to illustrate that challenge in starkly poetic terms... 

• "There is no way to avoid the war against death" (GW)
• "That is a battle we cannot escape; we cannot cheat our way out" (GNB)
• "There is no discharge in that war" (KJV)

From his "under the sun" perspective, the Teacher realized that death represented an undefeated opponent. Yet, there is one human being that death has failed to master. That man said, "...I lay down my life — only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord..." (John 10:17-18 NIV). That man, of course, was Jesus Christ and "...just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection" (Romans 6:4-5 NIV).

If a government chooses to overstep it's authority and implement laws that conflict with clear Biblical teaching, a Christian's responsibility to obey the laws of God must assume the highest priority. One place to find a good example of this concept in action is within the New Testament book of Acts. But before we get to that part, let's look at some important background information first. 

Acts chapter four records an incident within early church history that involved the Apostles Peter and John. These men had been brought before a group of judges collectively known as the Sanhedrin. The Apostles had been forced to undergo this legal action following their involvement in the healing of a disabled man. The Sanhedrin served as a kind of "supreme court" during that time and after a period of testimony, Acts 4:18 provides us with the following information...

"Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, 'Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard'" (NIV).

In the following chapter -Acts chapter 5- we find another important exchange between the Apostles and the Sanhedrin...

"Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 'We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,' he said. 'Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.' Peter and the other apostles replied: 'We must obey God rather than men!'" (Acts 5:27-29 NIV).

So while the Teacher of Ecclesiastes counseled his audience to "(o)bey the king’s command..." (much as Paul the Apostle later did in Romans chapter 13), it's important to consider the entirety of the Scriptures with regard to this statement. Should we be forced to make a choice like Peter and the other apostles in the book of Acts, we are responsible to follow God's teaching as found within the Scriptures, even if that teaching should conflict with human law.

Romans 13:2-5 reminds us that God is ultimately responsible for establishing all governmental authority. This means that those who oppose the authority that God has established indirectly place themselves in opposition to God as well. So as a general rule, Christians are responsible to obey the laws of the nation in which they live. The reasoning behind that principle goes like this: when we obey the law, we are obeying God indirectly for it is God who gives each government the power to make those laws in the first place.

The Apostle Peter provides us with some additional counsel as he discusses this subject in 1 Peter 2:13-17...

"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king" (NIV).

While it's true that a Christian is responsible for obeying the laws of his or her country, we should also remember that a Christian's ultimate responsibility lies with the highest authority. That Authority is God Himself. For example, when a government engages in practices that are clearly unbiblical or refuses to allow it's people to maintain the freedom to acknowledge and follow God, then that government (in whatever form it takes) has effectively forfeited it's authority to govern. 

Our responsibility to obey God ultimately takes priority once a nation's laws begin to conflict with the Laws of God. If a government chooses to overstep it's authority and elects to implement laws that conflict with clear Biblical teaching, then that government has wrongfully assumed a position greater than or equal to God- and our responsibility to God must then assume the highest priority.

We'll take a closer look at a Biblical example of this concept in action next.

A look at the Bible's teaching on our relationship to government tells us that there is a mutual accountability that exists between a government and it's citizens. Jesus illustrated this concept in a conversation He once had with Pontius Pilate just prior to His crucifixion. John 19:6-11 records this conversation between Jesus and the Roman governor for us:

"As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw (Jesus), they shouted, 'Crucify! Crucify!' But Pilate answered, 'You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.' The Jews insisted, 'We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.' When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. 'Where do you come from?' he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 'Do you refuse to speak to me?' Pilate said. 'Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?'

Jesus answered, 'You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin'" (NIV emphasis added).

While Pilate may not have realized that he was subject to God's authority, Jesus reminded him that he was still subject to that authority whether he understood so or not. A look at Romans 13:2-5 also provides us with some further insight on this subject...

"Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience" (Romans 13:2-5 NIV).

We'll consider some potential limitations to this responsibility next.

Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble" (Ecclesiastes 8:2-6).

Ecclesiastes 8:2-6 begins a brief section that discusses citizen-government relationships. Now given the fact that Solomon served as king of Israel, it may seem unusual for him to speak in the manner of an outsider on this subject. However, this approach becomes less unusual if we assume that his intent was to write for the benefit of a wider audience. If this is the case, then his use of "the king" in a generic sense (as seen in the passage quoted above) was meant to include other governmental leaders as well. Since Solomon led the nation of Israel during the most successful period in it's history, he was someone who was certainly well positioned to offer advice on this subject. 

One important aspect of Solomon's counsel is his view that we are not to follow these governmental edicts out of loyalty to the government but out of loyalty to God. For instance, he says, "... Keep the king's word, and that, because of the oath of God" (MKJV). The New Testament book of Romans also builds on this idea by saying... 

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God" (Romans 13:1 NIV).

Even someone with a limited grasp of history knows that many different types of governmental entities have existed throughout the ages. For instance, governmental forms such as monarchies, dictatorships, and democracies are just a few examples of the different types of governments that have existed over the years. As we see in the New Testament passage quoted above, the Scriptures tell us that no government exists anywhere that God has not put into place. This also suggests that there is an accountability that exists between God and whatever governmental form He has allowed to come into existence. That accountability works like this: every citizen is subject to the governing authorities while the governing authorities are subject to God, the One who has given them that authority.

We'll talk a little more about this mutual accountability next.

A professional athlete was once asked how he handled the pressure of an important game. The player responded by saying that he didn't feel very much pressure to perform during a game because pressure was something that resulted from being unprepared. Since this athlete had studied his opponent and knew his team's game plan thoroughly, he felt very little pressure once he stepped on the field. He knew that his team had a good opportunity to win if he simply executed the plays the team had practiced.

Without realizing it, this player effectively illustrated one of the truths behind the passage quoted above. For instance, consider the example of a person who is unprepared to meet a particular circumstance in life. For that person, the chances are probably good that he or she will not feel confident or assured in dealing with that situation. Or how about the person who is facing a difficult problem with few good answers- he or she is likely to feel feel tense, uneasy, or apprehensive in handling that challenge. In situations like this, our facial expressions and body language often reveal the reality of those emotions behind our outward appearance.

Now let's contrast those examples with the example of a person who is well-prepared for a challenging circumstance or situation. The person who knows that he or she has the right answer is most likely to feel relaxed, confident, and assured. A wise person who is well-prepared also tends to express that wisdom through his or her facial expression and body language as well, for a "...man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed" (ESV). 

A truly wise person is someone who is likely to be gracious, gentle, and patient in helping others understand- and the only place to discover real, unchanging wisdom in a constantly changing world is to seek that wisdom through the pages of the Scriptures. When things occur that we can't easily explain or understand, the Word of God provides a strong anchor in the midst of such uncertainties. The Scriptures provide illumination for all who follow it's wisdom...

"If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success" (Proverbs 3:4-6 TLB).

It seems that people are often taught to believe that human beings are basically good and that "bad" behavior is simply a result of various social or environmental influences. Of course, most people probably are "good people" in the sense that they aren't intentionally cruel, sadistic, or merciless. And it's also true that social and environmental factors may have a big effect on someone's behavior for better or worse. But as much as we might like to think of ourselves as "good people," the truth is that the Scriptures tell us that people are not "basically good."

Romans 3:10-12 explains that concept in this manner: "As the Scriptures say, 'No one is good-no one in all the world is innocent. No one has ever really followed God's paths or even truly wanted to. Every one has turned away; all have gone wrong. No one anywhere has kept on doing what is right; not one'" (TLB). A few verses later in Romans we're told that, "...all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard" (Romans 3:23 NLT). This means that everyone, everywhere has fallen short of what they could and should be before God. It also means that all human beings (even the "good" ones) have done wrong- sometimes purposely and sometimes without realizing it. 

If this is the case, then how are we to understand the Teacher's statement that "...God has made man upright" (MKJV)? Well, easiest way to reconcile these concepts is to think in terms of human nature as opposed to human individuality. You see, the issue started when the very first human couple made a conscious decision to disobey God and do something that He had specifically warned them not to do (you can read that account in Genesis chapter 3). Unfortunately, everyone since that time has followed this same ill fated example as well. In the resulting pursuit of this futile attempt to navigate a path away from the Creator and circumvent His original plan, humanity has "sought out many schemes" (ESV), "many inventions" (KJV), "many complications" (CEB), and "many devices [for evil]" (AMP).

So whenever we experience the emptiness, futility, and banality of life under the sun, we should stop to remember who is actually responsible:"God made men and women true and upright; we're the ones who've made a mess of things" (MSG).

For some, Ecclesiastes 7:28 contains nothing more than a sexist and chauvinistic statement that helps serve to invalidate the Scriptures as an outdated remnant of an patriarchal society. But how many people fail to pursue one critical question regarding this verse: How did the Teacher come to this conclusion? 

You see, it's important to first identify what this passage does and doesn't say. For example, Ecclesiastes 7:28 doesn't say that good women are non existent; it simply tells us that Solomon hadn't found any. This probably says a lot more about Solomon's attitude towards the women of his acquaintance than the relative worth of males vs. females.  

So what might have occurred in Solomon's life to shape and influence a statement like this? Well, remember that Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (a sort of secondary wife or legal, live-in girlfriend). It's also probable that Solomon acquired many of these wives through various political or trade alliances (see 1 Kings 3:1 and 1 Kings 11:1-3). Since its unlikely that Solomon sought these women for who they really were, it shouldn't be surprising to learn that he failed to value them very highly.

Then there were Solomon's concubines. These were the women who generally made up the king's harem, or the group of women who were exclusively available to the king to meet his physical needs. Every woman who had been chosen to serve as the king's concubine knew that she had been chosen specifically for one reason: her physical appearance. Her personality, her intelligence, or her value as a person mattered very little, if at all. Deep down, each concubine knew that she served as little more than an object with one purpose- meeting the king's physical needs. These realities surely must have had an effect on the attitudes of these women towards Solomon and that certainly must have affected the way that he perceived them as well.

In Mark 10:6-9, Jesus was quoted as saying, "at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (NIV). If Solomon had chosen instead to follow God's original plan for marriage relationships rather than marrying for political or business purposes, its unlikely that he would have maintained the attitude he displayed in Ecclesiastes 7:28.

Although Solomon clearly seemed disillusioned by his relationships with others under the sun, Scriptures such as John 13:34-35 and I John 4:20-5:1 help to remind God's people that every Christian is a member of the same family no matter what other differences may exist. However, its been said that you can choose your friends but you can't choose your family- and the same types of interactions that can take place between the members of your personal family also have the potential to occur within your church family as well. 

For instance, do you have another family member who annoys you? That can happen within your church family as well. Do you have someone within your personal family who encourages you, supports you, and makes you feel loved? That can take place at church too. Have you ever had a disagreement with someone in authority within your family? That's also a possibility within your church family too.

While many of the good things that can occur within your personal family can also can take place at church, the opposite is also true as well. In fact, there are probably members of your church family who are really not like you at all. In other words, there are some who may respond differently in a particular situation. They may not process information or communicate in a similar way. They may be more or less mature than you and they may not hold the same attitudes and opinions either. But these realities shouldn't affect our basic responsibility to love one another and find a way to get along in Christ. 

Romans 12:10 says, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves" (NIV). This doesn't necessarily mean that we will always be best friends with one another and there may be times when wisdom requires us to minimize our interaction with others in order to maintain the best possible relationship (see Acts 15:36-41 for an example). However, it helps to remember that love always seeks another person's highest good and rather than give in to the type of disillusionment that Solomon obviously felt towards others, we can use those relationships with the other members of God's family to edify them and grow in our own relationship with Jesus. 

As Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, "…where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

No matter what your occupation, there seems to be a familiar crticism that is common to many different walks of life: "I don't like dealing with people." This may seem to be an unusual complaint in a social networking age where the average person can often boast of hundreds of friends, but its really not so absurd when you actually stop to think about it. 

For instance, a professional athlete, movie star, or popular recording artist may have to deal with a large number of adoring (and occasionally unbalanced) fans. He or she may become a target for scammers, groupies, or other hangers-on who are eager to help a famous person spend his or her money. It often becomes difficult for such people to lead "normal" lives without engaging professional security to protect against the demands of those who are total strangers. The irony is that once someone's popularity increases, the more inaccessible he or she must often become.

But the rich and famous are not the only ones who experience the problems that often arise in dealing with others. For example, a customer service representative may have to respond to the harangue of an irate consumer. A technician may have to deal with the unreasonable requirements of a particularly demanding client. A manager, salesperson, or administrative assistant may become the focal point of a business owner's inability to control his or her emotions. 

Everyone knows what it's like to be treated rudely, discourteously, or impolitely by others. Everyone is familiar with the disillusionment that comes when we discover that others are not what we expected them to be. Everyone has experienced the communication issues, misinterpretations, or misunderstandings that often add to the stress of interacting with others. Like the professional boxer who "covers up" to protect against the blows of an opponent, its common for people to retreat to a position of isolation to avoid the injuries that often arise from our involvement in human relationships.

This reality seems to be at the heart of Solomon's lament in verse 28: "I found one man in a thousand that I could respect..." (GNB). The good news is that this depressing reality doesn't need to represent the normal state of affairs for God's people today- and we'll see why next.

Given what we know about Solomon's relationship choices, it shouldn't surprise us to read his lament in the passage quoted above. Because Solomon chose to get involved in relationships with women who didn't share his faith, here's what eventually took place...

"So the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the Lord had commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, 'Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant'" (1 Kings 11:9-11 NKJV).

This unfortunate reality may help to account for Solomon's conclusion in the passage quoted earlier:"I found that some women are worse than death and are as dangerous as traps. Their love is like a net, and their arms hold men like chains. A man who pleases God will be saved from them,but a sinner will be caught by them" (NCV). Perhaps it was Solomon himself who fell into the trap of such women and experienced a fate (to use his words) "worse than death."

These observations help remind us of the need for wisdom in our personal relationships. For example, a Christian who is involved in a personal relationship with a non-Christian may feel confident that his or her dating partner will eventually get serious about a relationship with Christ. While this is always a possibility, the unfortunate reality is that the non-Christian partner is the one will often have a greater influence in these types of relationships. 

The man or woman who chooses to enter a relationship with another solidly committed Christian is someone who is (or should be) be moving in the same spiritual direction as his or her partner. On the other hand, a person (like Solomon) who chooses to enter a relationship with someone whose priority is something other than Christ will find him or herself moving in an opposite direction. That doesn't work well for relationships as Solomon discovered to his great regret.

In one sense, the Teacher of Ecclesiastes was not unlike the type of fictional investigator that might be found within the pages of a detective novel. Like a good detective, the Teacher also searched for clues, examined the evidence, and studied the facts of the case at hand. But this investigation was far from a simple murder mystery. This was a case of the human condition under the sun- and like some detective novel investigators, the Teacher also met some shady characters along the way...

"I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare" (Ecclesiastes 7:26).

Over the course of his investigation, Solomon began to acquaint himself with some women of questionable character. Unfortunately, the Biblical record shows that Solomon had an unfortunate habit of getting involved in personal relationships that were very bad for him. As Solomon turned away from God as he grew older, those choices led to serious consequences...

"But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites — from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel,'You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.' Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. 

For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David" (1 Kings 11:1-6 NKJV).

Because Solomon made the choice to get involved in personal relationships with women who did not share his faith, a series of events were set into motion that would affect Solomon and untold others as well. We'll look at the impact of those choices next.

As is true with many things, what you find will often depend on where you look. For example, the New Testament book of Colossians offers some important advice to anyone (like the Teacher) who is searching for real wisdom...

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ" (Colossians 2:8 NIV).

Although you might not realize it, everyone has philosophies about things. The problem is that any philosophy can be good or bad depending on the wisdom that it's based on. For example, Colossians 2:8 tells us that there are certain philosophies that are not only empty but also deceptive. The Scriptures tell us that such philosophies are built on human tradition and the basic principles of this world. For example, ideas like "if it feels good, do it," and "if it feels right, it can't be wrong" represent some common philosophies that are based on human tradition and the basic principles of this world.

You see, each of these ideas makes an unjustified implication. They each imply that "feelings" are the ultimate arbiter of what is good or right. These philosophies effectively serve to suppress any notion of an objective, God-given standard of right and wrong and help to relieve those who would prefer to live without God of the nagging suspicion that they might eventually have to give an account for their choices. 

This also explains how the Teacher began to get off track in his search for wisdom. At one point in his life, Solomon knew where to find access to true wisdom. We can verify this through his other writings in Ecclesiastes and the book of Proverbs. But as we said earlier, what you find often depends on where you look and when the Teacher decided to eliminate God from the equation of his life and assume an "under the sun" philosophy, he found himself facing a philosophical dead end: "I cannot understand why things are as they are. It is too hard for anyone to understand" (ERV).

If our search for knowledge and wisdom begins with the presumption that God does not exist and that Jesus is irrelevant to our world today, then we are in danger of disregarding something that the Bible warns us of in Colossians 2:4...

"I am telling you this so that no one will be able to deceive you with persuasive arguments" (NLT).

Sometimes, the less we know about what others say and think, the better off we are. That seems to be the main idea behind the passage quoted above. While access to the information that others possess can often be a good thing, access to the opinions that others hold can sometimes hurt more than help. Perhaps this is one reason why some other Biblical translations render Ecclesiastes 7:21 as,“Don't listen to everything that everyone says...” (CEV) and,“Don't take everything that people say to heart...” (GW).

This is important because people sometimes hold thoughts and opinions that are based in ignorance. Others may possess a viewpoint that has been colored by envy or jealousy. There are some who intentionally make negative, inflammatory, or hurtful statements that are deliberately calculated to injure someone else. Then there are those with opinions that have been adversely affected by pain, emotional stress, or other factors. A person with good judgment is someone who will take those potential influences into consideration when evaluating the opinions of others.

Whenever we learn that others have said something regarding us that is less than accurate, the best response is to ask God to provide the wisdom to respond in an appropriate manner. Our example should always be Jesus Himself who "...never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly" (1 Peter 2:23).

But there's something else to take into consideration as well...

"For you know how often you yourself have cursed others" (Ecclesiastes 7:22).

Here the Teacher offers a brief warning to those with a tendency towards self righteousness or anyone who may be tempted to establish one set of personal standards and another set of standards for everyone else. The person who is aware of his or her shortcomings in this area is also someone who is best able to deal graciously with the foolish, ignorant, or insensitive remarks of others. One commentator from another generation sums it up like this...

"Be not desirous to know what people say; if they speak well of thee, it will feed thy pride, if ill, it will stir up thy passion. See that thou approve thyself to God and thine own conscience, and then heed not what men say of thee; it is easier to pass by twenty affronts than to avenge one. When any harm is done to us, examine whether we have not done as bad to others." ₍₁₎

(1) Matthew Henry Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible

There is "strength in numbers" as the old saying goes, but from the Teacher's vantage point, wisdom was even better. That's because wisdom (or the knowledge and ability to make the right choices at the opportune time ₍₁₎) offers an advantage in every situation. A wise person who knows what to do with the facts is someone who has the ability to use good judgment in application of knowledge.

A look at some of Solomon's other Old Testament writings tells us exactly where to find true wisdom...

"Every young man who listens to me and obeys my instructions will be given wisdom and good sense. Yes, if you want better insight and discernment, and are searching for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure, then wisdom will be given you and knowledge of God himself; you will soon learn the importance of reverence for the Lord and of trusting him.

For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding. He grants good sense to the godly-his saints. He is their shield, protecting them and guarding their pathway. He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision every time. For wisdom and truth will enter the very center of your being, filling your life with joy" (Proverbs 2:1-10 TLB).

Earlier in the Scriptures, the Teacher said, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10 NIV). The Scriptures also tell us that God (who is the source of all true wisdom) is willing to generously share His wisdom as well: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5 NIV).

This reality led the Teacher to make a further acknowledgment: "There is no one on earth who does what is right all the time and never makes a mistake" (GNB). This Old Testament observation has a similar parallel in the New Testament where we read, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1John 1:8 KJV). So a truly wise person is someone who recognizes his or her shortcomings and is willing to turn to God for help in overcoming them.

(1) OT:2451 Chokmah Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

One Biblical translation renders Ecclesiastes 7:18 by simply saying, "Keep to the middle of the road..." (CEV). Of course, the problem for anyone who tries to keep to the middle of the road is that he or she is always in danger of being run over.

So does Solomon mean to imply that a little wickedness is OK as long as we're not too wicked? Or that there is such a thing as too much wisdom? Well, here's how one scholar deals with this perplexing question...

"How is it possible to be too righteous? ...Jesus commanded His followers to be “perfect just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). God said, “You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45). But, Solomon instructs us not to be “overly righteous” (Ecclesiastes. 7:16). How can someone be too righteous? Surely one cannot be too just or too loving? 

(The solution is that a) person cannot be too righteous, but he can be overly righteous. The Pharisees were a good case in point. They were so righteous that they were self-righteous. For, “being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, [they] have not submitted to the righteousness of God (Romans 10:3)." (1)

For example, being "overly righteous" doesn't necessarily permit someone to escape the problems and difficulties associated with life under the sun. If it did, then people would pursue righteousness simply to maintain a life of ease and comfort. Since wicked people sometimes prosper and virtuous people sometimes perish, a life of righteousness won't provide an automatic exemption from the trials of life.

Another way to look at this idea is to say that just because wicked people sometimes fail to receive immediate punishment for their wickedness doesn't necessarily mean that it's OK. People sometimes seem to think that they can act in the most vicious, unethical, and inhumane ways imaginable because they assume that God doesn't exist, or if He does exist, then He doesn't really care. In fact, Solomon will talk a little more about this kind of attitude in the next chapter of Ecclesiastes when he says, "Because God does not punish sinners instantly, people feel it is safe to do wrong" (Ecclesiastes 8:11 TLB).

For people who feel that way, the Teacher had one important word of advice: "Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time?"

(1) Geisler, N. L., & Howe, T. A. (1992). When Critics Ask : A popular handbook on Bible difficulties (258). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

When a guilty person is punished, it's not unusual to hear someone remark that he or she "got what they deserved." Yet one of the great paradoxes of human existence is that people don't always get what they deserve, at least as far as we can tell. For instance, you might expect that a kind, generous, God-honoring individual would be honored with a long, healthy, and prosperous life while the cruel, mean-spirited, and immoral person would receive punishment for his or her ungodly actions. But this is not always the case. Sometimes the honorable perish while the wicked prosper, a reality that the Teacher found senseless, (CEV), useless (GNB), and pointless (GW).

Yet Solomon wasn't the only Biblical personality to make this observation...

"... I almost stumbled and fell, because it made me jealous to see proud and evil people and to watch them prosper. They never have to suffer, they stay healthy, and they don't have troubles like everyone else...Yet all goes well for them, and they live in peace. What good did it do me to keep my thoughts pure and refuse to do wrong?" (Psalm 73:2-5, 12-13 CEV).

Like the Teacher, the Psalmist also struggled with this seeming contradiction- until he had a change of perspective...

"It was hard for me to understand all this! Then I went to your temple,and there I understood what will happen to my enemies. You will make them stumble, never to get up again. They will be terrified, suddenly swept away and no longer there. They will disappear, Lord, despised like a bad dream the morning after" (Psalm 73:16-20 CEV).

As the Psalmist began to seek his answers from God's viewpoint, the truth became clear. While it may sometimes seem as if people will never have to answer for the wrong things they have done, no one can escape the justice of his or her Creator forever. The Scriptures tell us that God "will give to each person according to what he has done" (Romans 2:6). The Biblical book of 1 Timothy also touches on this idea when it says,

"The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden" (1 Timothy 5:24-25 NIV).

Unlike the Psalmist however, Solomon chose to maintain an "under the sun" frame of reference- and we'll take a closer look at that difficult perspective next.

Its been half-jokingly said that there is nothing certain in life except death and taxes. While that old saying certainly recognizes the reality of life under the sun, there are some more serious insights hidden away within the passage quoted above for those who are willing to uncover them.

For example, the problems, inconveniences, and difficulties of life can often make it difficult for us to enjoy the good things that God has given us. We fix one problem only to be presented with another. We devise "work arounds" to do what needs to be done in order to complete a task. We finish unraveling one of life's complications only to be presented with another one. As Jesus Himself once said, "Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34 NIV) and for some, this reality can dampen their appreciation for the blessings that we have received and can be thankful for.

It can be easy to get so caught up in anticipating the problems of tomorrow that we miss out on the good things happening today. It's also easy to become so accustomed to the blessings we already enjoy that we begin to take those things for granted. Knowing this, the Teacher provides us with some wise counsel: "In the day of prosperity be joyful..." (KJV). In other words, we shouldn't fail to appreciate the good things we've received and can be thankful for. Those good things provide pleasure and satisfaction for those who take the time to recognize them. They also help to preserve us "in the day of adversity" (KJV).

While we can't always explain why things happen the way they do in life, one thing we can say is that God definitely has a purpose behind the events and circumstances of our lives, even if we don't know what those purposes may be. Even when the circumstances of our lives may appear otherwise, God is able to make all things work together for our ultimate benefit. As Jesus once said in a teaching He shared with his followers...

“'So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" (Matthew 6:31-33).

This passage contains another subject that Solomon has drifted into on more than one occasion throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. You see, once he had exhausted every other option in his attempt to find meaning in life, Solomon had no other alternative but to acknowledge and accept God's sovereignty over the affairs of humanity. So having come to this reluctant conclusion, the Teacher employed a rhetorical question to exhibit what he had discovered- humanity's inability to alter God's ultimate purposes:"If God makes something crooked, can you make it straight?" (CEV).

Perhaps the greatest illustration of this truth can be found in the Old Testament story of Isaac and his sons Esau and Jacob. Late in Isaac's life, he decided to pronounce a blessing upon his eldest son Esau. That blessing included the firstborn's share of Isaac's money and property and the rights to the promises that Isaac had received from God through his father Abraham: "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them. Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be'" (Genesis 15:4-5).

The problem was that Isaac was determined to give this inheritance to Esau even though God had earlier told his wife Rebekah that his younger son (Jacob) would have authority over his oldest son (see Genesis 25:23). Since Esau was Isaac's favorite son (Genesis 25:28), transferring his inheritance to Jacob probably wasn't something that Isaac really wanted to do. Later on in Genesis chapter 27 we read how Jacob eventually managed to deceive his elderly, blind father into giving him the inheritance that his father had originally planned to give to his older brother Esau.

When Isaac realized that he had been deceived, the Scriptures tell us that ”Isaac trembled violently..." (Genesis 27:33). So why would Isaac respond to this act of deception in such a traumatic fashion? Well, Isaac tried to implement a specific course of action and ignore God's intent for this situation, but he was eventually caught and exposed in a trap of his own design. Even though Isaac tried to manipulate these circumstances to suit his personal preference, God easily worked around him to accomplish His purposes. 

In this way, Isaac lived out the truth of Ecclesiastes 7:13 centuries before the Teacher ever wrote it: "Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked?" (MKJV).

A brief visit to an internet search engine will quickly reveal dozens of stories of people who overcame seemingly impossible odds to claim a large monetary prize in a lottery or other game of chance. These winners have come from all walks of life but a number of them have at least one thing in common: many of these men and women eventually lost all the money they had won through unwise financial management.

These modern-day accounts help to illustrate the ancient truth found within the passage quoted above. From the Teacher's point of view, wisdom was the engine that powered the best use of one's financial resources. But if he had to choose between the two, he would select wisdom over money. That's because wisdom is something that will always retain it's value no matter how bad the economy may be. 

You see, financial resources can be lost or stolen. Assets and investments may depreciate. Money might lose its value or disappear in a bad business deal. These realities provide wisdom with a benefit that other resources simply do not possess. In fact, Solomon expanded on this idea in the book of Proverbs when he wrote, "How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver" (Proverbs 16:16 NIV).

A combination of wisdom and money often helps to providethe ability to manage the most productive life possible under the sun. For example, money provides for our physical and material needs while wisdom helps ensure that we make the right choices at the right time with our resources. In fact, wisdom might even help protect someone from potentially life threatening situations. This is another truth that Solomon identifies within the book of Proverbs when he says, "Fools start fights everywhere while wise men try to keep peace. There's no use arguing with a fool. He only rages and scoffs, and tempers flare" (Proverbs 29:8-9 TLB).

While there may be many who are eager to proclaim their wisdom in the area of financial management, those who follow Christ have access to the greatest wisdom available. That's because the New Testament book of Colossians tells us, "In (Christ) lie hidden all the mighty, untapped treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:2 TLB).

How is it that each new generation seems to feel that life was so much better at an earlier time? Even though Solomon reigned as king of Israel from about 971 B.C. to 931 B.C. (or about 3000 years ago), he was still familiar with something that people continue to say 300 centuries later: "Why were things better in the old days than they are now?" (GW).

It seems that many people find a great appeal in the idea of a return to a past where life was supposedly better. One reason to explain the allure of those "good old days" may be found within the natural rhythms of life. As the culture changes and new generations rise up to replace the older generations, it's common for people to feel as if they are living in a world that has become increasingly unfamiliar.

Perhaps these individuals have found that the music has changed, the language of the next generation is different, or that many of the familiar landmarks of their youth have been torn down or fallen into disrepair. In a world that is constantly changing, these realities may generate a desire to return to a familiar past that was supposedly "better."

But in Ecclesiastes 7:10, the Teacher travels to this dream world of the good old days, grabs his collective readers by the collar and drags them back to reality with this statement: "Never ask, 'Oh, why were things so much better in the old days?' It's not an intelligent question" (GNB). One reason to explain the foolishness of this question can be found within our tendency to be selective in our memories. You see, the "good old days" may not have been as good as we remember them to be. One commentator illustrates this idea by saying, "It has been said that “the good old days” are the combination of a bad memory and a good imagination, and often this is true."  ₍₁₎ Of course, the irony for those who prefer to return to a past that never really existed is that today represents the "good old days" for future generations.

(1) Rob Salvato True North Part 7 http://media.calvaryvista.com/salvato-rob/studies-books/21-ECC-2010/21-ECC-007-001.htm

In today's online media environment, an angry outburst, violent quarrel, or heated altercation can instantly turn into a "viral video" for hundreds of thousands of people to laugh at and ridicule. For this reason alone, the advice found in Ecclesiastes 7:9 carries great value for the 21st century reader: "Don't be quick-tempered- that is being a fool" (TLB).

But apart from this, things like injustice, wrongdoing, or the mistreatment of others can often result in legitimate feelings of anger. These feelings are not wrong in themselves but the Biblical book of Ephesians tells us that all anger -even justifiable anger- must be handled in a healthy, God-honoring way. Here's how it's done according to the Scriptures...

“When you are angry, don’t let that anger make you sin, and don’t stay angry all day. Don’t give the devil a way to defeat you" (ERV).

If you are angry over some circumstance or situation, the right way to handle it is to deal with it quickly. People who choose not to respond in this manner often allow some small injustice to simmer and continue until those feelings grow into an outburst of uncontrolled anger. For instance, people usually don't lose their temper all of a sudden unless they have chosen to allow small feelings of anger to build up inside them over time. Once that happens, it usually takes just a small offense to trigger a larger explosion of anger.

This is relevant because as Jesus once said during His famous Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9 NIV). Here is some more good advice from the Scriptures for dealing with feelings of anger...

"A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes" (Proverbs 14:29 TLB).

"But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too" (Mark 11:25 TLB).

"Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ" (Ephesians 4:31-32 TLB).

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires" (James 1:19-20 NIV).

It's hard to disagree with Solomon's observation in the verse quoted above. For example, the person who is beginning his or her secondary education can surely agree that graduating is better than the first day of classes as an incoming freshmen. For a hard working employee, the end of a workday is better than the moment when the alarm clock sounds to begin the day. A dedicated athlete doesn't look forward to beginning a grueling and demanding practice session but to finishing it.

Of course, anyone who has a half finished project or unachieved goal can also appreciate the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 7:8. To illustrate this, let's consider the example of a person with a vision or idea of something that he or she would like to accomplish. Even if the work on that idea, project, or goal begins with great enthusiasm, that person may eventually find that other priorities take precedent. Perhaps the work may be derailed by some unanticipated costs. He or she may discover that a greater time investment will be required or perhaps the job turned out to be much bigger than originally expected. Or it may be that he or she lacks the necessary skill to complete the goal. Any of these possibilities can eventually result in a half-finished project followed by this response: "I'll get around to finishing that someday."

That's why (in the words of the Teacher), "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof" (KJV). To finish something often requires important skills like perseverance, dedication, hard work, discipline, and the ability to plan ahead. "Finishing" often requires another important quality as well: patience, or the ability to endure through a difficult situation. It's no coincidence that the New Testament book of Galatians identifies patience is one of the characteristics of a God-honoring lifestyle...

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV).

Finally, while we might normally identify humility as the opposite of pride, it's interesting to note that Ecclesiastes 7:7 chooses to contrast pride with the concept of patience instead. The implication seems to be that an impatient person's real issue is with an exaggerated sense of self-importance, or "pride." In any event, we would be well served by this reminder from the Scriptures: "Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall. Better poor and humble than proud and rich” (Proverbs 16:18-19 TLB).

Whether it's at school, at work, on the field, or anywhere else, no one enjoys being criticized. Yet few would disagree that certain types of criticism can often be valuable. No matter how difficult it may be to hear, good, constructive criticism from the right source can often help someone become the very best that he or she can be. Unfortunately, those who refuse to accept any type of criticism may find it difficult to grow, mature, and improve. While it may be easier to listen to those who tell us what we want to hear, "easier" does not always mean "better."

For example, the Teacher provides us with vivid word picture in the passage quoted above when he says, "The laughter of a fool is like the crackling of thorns burning under a pot. Even this is pointless" (GW). If you've ever had the opportunity to start a campfire outdoors, then you may know that a thorn bush makes for a very poor fuel source. While the thorns may ignite quickly and produce lots of noise as they snap and pop, they actually create very little heat and are extinguished very quickly.

In a similar manner, the praise and laughter offered by a foolish person can be compared to a campfire fueled by a thorn bushes- there seems to be something initially but eventually you find that there's very little substance. In the words of one commentary, "...the “laughter of a fool” can be taken in both ways: (1) In comparison to the sober reflection of the wise, the laughter of fools is morally useless: the burning of thorns, like the laughter of fools, makes a lot of noise but accomplishes nothing; (2) the laughter of fools is fleeting due to the brevity of life and certainty of death" ₍₁₎

Another foolish characteristic is mentioned next...

The "bribe" mentioned above refers to the inducement that's offered to prompt someone to say or do something that's favorable to another. In many instances, this can mean substituting the truth for something else. So while it's been said that "money talks," the language spoken by a bribe is often just a lie.

(1) Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://bible.org All rights reserved. http://net.bible.org/#!bible/Ecclesiastes+7:2

It's possible to look at these verses and find the stereotypical image of a sour, joyless person; a caricature of the church-going individual who doesn't know how to have fun and is both depressed and depressing to be around. However. a closer look at these verses indicates something very different- they remind us that sorrow has an advantage that laughter does not provide.

You see, people handle the futility of life under the sun in a variety of different ways. Some deal with the difficulties and pressures of life by turning to alcohol abuse or drug usage. In fact, Solomon documented his own personal experimentation in this area when he said, "After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine... In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world" (Ecclesiastes 2:3). For Solomon, life became a non stop party but eventually he found that this “...also proved to be meaningless” (NIV).

Other people immerse themselves in work or a business that helps provide a feeling of meaning, purpose, and achievement in life. Solomon also tried this approach as well: "I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards" (Ecclesiastes 2:4). But in the end, Solomon the Teacher was forced to this conclusion: "So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless" (Ecclesiastes 2:22-23).

Then there are those who attempt to cope with the pain and difficulty of life with jokes, wisecracks, or by making fun of all that transpires in life. For such people, life is a farce; a daily parody that is ripe with opportunity for satire, ridicule, and mockery. But Solomon attempted this and found it just as meaningless: "So I said, 'Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?'” (Ecclesiastes 2:2).

In this context, each example detailed above has something in common: they each represent an attempt to mask the reality of life's futility. Instead of trying to camouflage that reality, Solomon instead chose to face the issue head on and that led him to the conclusion that we see in the passage quoted above: "Sorrow is better than laughter; it may sadden your face, but it sharpens your understanding" (GNB)

Unless you've been attending a social gathering that has gotten seriously out of hand, most parties don't provide the kind of atmosphere that encourages people to think about the reality of death and the brevity of life under the sun. On the other hand, a funeral, a memorial service, or a burial procession does far more to focus someone's attention on his or her own mortality. In the words of one commentator, every funeral anticipates our own ₍₁₎ and serves to illustrate the fate that awaits everyone who draws breath under the sun.

Of course, many people consider death to be something that's exceedingly remote, assuming they think about death at all. Yet how many of us actually stop and consider an important question: how much time do we really have? The reality is that life can pass very quickly and while we might have the expectation of long life, there are no guarantees....

This reality is also touched on in the New Testament book of James where we read...

While it's easy to mask the fragility of life in a variety of ways, the Teacher felt that it was better that "...the living should always remind themselves that death is waiting for us all" (GW). The person who takes that counsel seriously is someone who is most likely to make good decisions regarding the direction of his or her life. Those who put their faith in Christ have this promise from the Savior as well...

(1) Eaton, Ecclesiastes, quoted in Barrrick http://www.drbarrick.org/Website%20Files/Ecclesiastes%2007A%20PBC.pdf

There are probably few people who don't appreciate a birthday party with family or friends. But hidden away behind the idea of a birthday celebration is an important but often unseen principle- a party to celebrate the day of one's entrance into the world helps provide us with a sense of worth and validation as individuals. It says that the day of our birth was important and worthy of recognition, even if it's only among a few friends.

Because of this, it may be difficult to understand why the Teacher would make a statement like the one we see quoted above: "The day of death is better than the day of birth." (NCV). One key to understanding this reference might be found in looking at what the author is attempting to accomplish in making this statement. In this instance, the Teacher has contrasted two important dates in the life of every human being -the date of birth and the date of death- in order to examine their differences and provoke thought among his readers.

Based on what we've seen throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, we could say that the Teacher holds this belief for one simple reason: the date of birth signifies the beginning of a futile life under the sun while the day of death signals an end to that meaningless existence. Of course, a Christian might also say that the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth as well but for very different reasons...

"Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever" (2 Corinthians 5:8 CEV).

"We are without fear, desiring to be free from the body, and to be with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8 BBE).

"If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more" (Philippians 1:21 CEV).

While these New Testament perspectives were difficult to comprehend in the B.C. world of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher did have a few other good reasons to support his premise- and we'll start to look some of those reasons next.

Money is capable of providing many things, but one thing that money can’t buy is a good reputation among others. While its possible to hire a public relations consultant to improve our image or use whatever financial leverage we possess to influence the things that people say or do concerning us, money can't change the private thoughts and opinions of others. To paraphrase the Teacher, the most expensive cologne or costliest perfume can do nothing to cover the stench of a bad reputation.

However, this idea of "a good name" goes beyond what others may think of us. You see, our society and culture often places a great amount of value on the talents or other things we may possess. For example, a person of great athletic ability, physical attractiveness, or financial wealth often maintains a good name and reputation among others. But for all we know, the athlete may have achieved his or her success through the use of performance enhancing substances. The physically attractive may be self-centered and egotistical. And the financially wealthy may have achieved his or her wealth in an unethical fashion despite the good reputation that he or she may possess.

This is important because in God's economy, our true reputation is not on based what we may possess, but on who we really are as individuals. The New Testament book of 1 Peter explains it like this...

Over the past six chapters, we've seen the Teacher use many different literary devices in his attempt to document his struggle to find meaning in life. But the next section of Ecclesiastes will find our author narrowing his focus to one particular literary form- a form that fast paced, 21st century readers are sure to appreciate. That literary form is known as a proverb.

We've already noted that one of Solomon favorite teaching methods involved the use of proverbial statements. This method entails the use of short, memorable statements that are designed to communicate a spiritual truth, important observation, or moral lesson from everyday life. A proverb often makes use of tools like observation, comparison, personification (or the technique of giving human qualities to a place or thing), and other literary devices to help drive home an important truth. Some familiar non-Biblical examples of proverbial statements would include sayings such as "haste makes waste," "out of sight, out of mind" and, "actions speak louder than words."

Although those non-Biblical proverbs (and others like them) can often represent good advice, only the Proverbs found within the pages of the Scriptures are fully authorized by the ultimate Authority.

This also means that we'll find no long winded sermons or deep theological discussions over the next few chapters of Ecclesiastes. Instead, we'll discover a collection of timeless bits of practical advice and general statements concerning the way things usually turn out depending on our choices. These statements arrive like bullet points and they force the reader to consider their application quickly before the next one arrives. For the modern day reader in today's lightning fast age of information, this means that the next few chapters of Ecclesiastes will arrive in a form that is both familiar and highly practical.

As we enter the second half of Ecclesiastes, we'll find our author moving back towards an acknowledgment of God as the only real source of meaning and purpose in life. One subtle example of this shift in perspective is found by looking at the questions contained within the verse quoted above: "...who knows how our days can best be spent?" and "...who can tell what will happen on this earth after we are gone?" While there may be no shortage of people who are willing to provide their opinion in answering those questions, there is only One who is truly qualified to speak on those subjects.

You see, we often think we know how to decide what's best for us in life, but concepts like "best" or "good" are only as reliable as the information that those decisions are based on. The problem is that people rarely have all the information they need to make good decisions.

Because of this, we are often forced to make decisions based on whatever information is known to us at the time. If more information becomes available later on, the wisdom or foolishness of a particular decision might easily be seen. This is why people are often heard to say things like, "If I only knew then what I know now…" after making a bad decision. Experience (or inexperience), personal bias, peer pressure, and the advice and opinions of others may also serve to influence the decision making process for better or worse

This is why the questions of Ecclesiastes 6:12 help shift our focus from an "under the sun" perspective to a viewpoint that acknowledges God and His plan for our lives. By asking "...who knows how our days can best be spent?" and "...who can tell what will happen on this earth after we are gone?" Solomon has left the answer unstated but unavoidable: "No one, except God"

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (NIV). While we may not have the ability to understand everything that occurs during our short existence here under the sun, God is worthy of our trust in providing wisdom and direction for our lives.

A number of years ago, a prominent athlete for a well known sports team was criticized for some comments made following a particularly difficult loss. This athlete was well known as an outspoken Christian and someone who openly discussed his faith in Christ. However, this player was also known as a person who liked to talk at length and he was often quoted in the newspapers of that time.

In the locker room following the team's defeat, this athlete was asked to summarize the reason for his team's loss. The player proceeded to describe the team's failure in a manner that was later criticized as thoughtless and insensitive towards one particular group. In the face of that criticism, the athlete later apologized for his careless choice of words.

In the days following that episode, two fans were discussing the player's remarks. One fan had difficulty understanding why the player had chosen to say what he did. "I thought he was religious" the fan said. "Why would he say something like that?" The second fan replied by saying, "He is religious but when you talk as much as that guy does, it's only a matter of time before you say something stupid."

This real life parable helps to provide a good illustration for the verse quoted above. While the primary meaning of this passage involves a statement about the futility of life under the sun, there is a secondary application for those who are willing to look a little deeper. In saying, "The more words there are, the more pointless they become. What advantage do mortals gain from this?" (GW), the answer is assumed to be nothing. So this helps to remind us to choose our words carefully lest they multiply and devolve into something pointless.

Although the Teacher has already covered this theme within the book of Ecclesiastes, this basic idea is also found in other Scriptural passages as well...

"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise" (Proverbs 10:19 NIV).

"Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him" (Proverbs 29:20 NIV).

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19 NIV).

In Matthew 12:36 Jesus said, "I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say" (GW). That by itself should provide enough encouragement to think carefully before we speak.

"Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere" (Ecclesiastes 2:9-10).

So if everything is meaningless, then what's the point of life? This question led the Teacher back to a familiar (but fatalistic) response...

"Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny" (Ecclesiastes 6:10).

Having tried (and failed) to find meaning in life apart from his Creator, Solomon had little choice but to return to acknowledging God as the Source of meaning in life. The problem was that his "under the sun" view of God's relationship to humanity was more robotic than human. Solomon's point was that any attempt to argue or complain about God's predetermined direction would only lead to frustration and disappointment. This is something that the Teacher has struggled with before- and it's something that people often struggle with today.

One way to address this concept is to return to something we established earlier. The fact that God knows our choices in advance does not necessarily mean that we are no longer free to make those choices. Instead, we could say that God directs human history by incorporating our free choice into His ultimate plan. In other words, God controls the world by what He knows people will freely do- and knowing what people will do with their freedom is not the same as ordaining what they must do against their freedom. In this way, God works "...so that people are reverent before him" (Ecclesiastes 3:14b CEB).

But there's another aspect to Solomon's argument. You see, people sometimes seek to contend with God regarding the circumstances and events of their lives. Some may even anticipate the opportunity to "put God on trial" in the afterlife and stand in judgment over His choices for their lives. But as we pointed out earlier, some things in life may initially seem bad but actually turn out to be good- and some things that originally seem to be good actually turn out to be bad. Only God knows the end from the beginning and He is the one who ultimately "...works all things together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28 ISV).

Have you ever had the experience of walking near a kitchen, restaurant, or other location where food was being prepared and enjoyed the aroma of a delicious meal as it was being created? The ability to take pleasure in a good meal is a blessing from God that should never be taken for granted. Yet even the most satisfying and enjoyable cuisine imaginable will still leave someone hungry after just a short while. No matter how much effort we put into satisfying our appetite, we still must work to eat on a daily basis.

This fundamental truth exists for everyone, regardless of race, culture, social, or economic status- everyone must work to eat. This cold, hard reality presented the Teacher with a difficult question:"What advantage does a wise person have over a fool? What advantage does a poor person have in knowing how to face life?" (Ecclesiastes 6:8 GW).

As a teacher, author, and communicator, Solomon had a rich supply of literary devices available to effectively convey his message. In this instance, the Teacher chose to employ a rhetorical question, a figure of speech where a question is asked for emphasis or effect. This question was not designed to obtain any information because the answer was clearly implied; a wise person has little or no advantage over a fool or someone with limited resources because they both share the same ultimate fate: death. It's not that wisdom fails to offer any short term advantages but that wisdom fails to offer any ultimate advantage over those who are foolish.

"Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind" (Ecclesiastes 6:9).

Another Biblical translation renders the first part of this verse in a somewhat more poetic form: "Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire" (RV). The idea is that it's better to have relatively little and really enjoy what you possess instead of living in an unrealistic dream world that's filled with everything you might like to have someday. As the Teacher said earlier, "Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead" (Ecclesiastes 5:7). To do otherwise, "makes no more sense than chasing the wind" (CEV).

William Shakespeare's play Hamlet contains one of the most well known quotations in all literature: "To be, or not to be, that is the question." However, the verses quoted above tell us that the Teacher of Ecclesiastes pondered a similar question thousands of years earlier. For Solomon, the question was this: was it better for someone to die at birth rather than live out a worthless existence under the sun?

From the Teacher's perspective, there seemed to be very little point in living if everything in life is meaningless. Even if someone were to attain all the external characteristics of success in life, how would that person ultimately be better off than a child who died at birth? This is ground that Solomon has already covered in the book of Ecclesiastes and for him, the idea of a meaningless world was so painful and depressing that death or a state of non-existence seemed to be the best option of all. One commentator summed up this thought process when he said, "Better to miscarry at birth than to miscarry throughout life." ₍₁₎

Solomon based this reasoning on two observations about life under the sun, or a life lived without the acknowledgment of God. First, a child who dies at birth will never experience the ultimate futility of an empty and unfulfilling life, even if that life is filled with things that are supposed to bring happiness and satisfaction. Secondly, a stillborn child will never have to live with the realization that his or her life will soon be forgotten after death. In the words of another commentator, "If life is nothing more than a meaningless journey to death, then a stillborn (child) is better off, for that child reaches the end of the worthless journey with less pain." ₍₂₎

These verses point the way to a depressing reality for the person who lives his or her life without regard for God or an afterlife: if this life is all there is to our short, painful, unfulfilling existence, then death may seem to be the best option of all.

(1) Eaton, Ecclesiastes : an introduction and commentary quoted in Guzik, Commentary on Ecclesiastes http://enduringword.com/commentaries/2106.htm

(2) Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1997). The Nelson study Bible : New King James Version. Includes index. (Ec 6:3). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

In addition to a large number of children and a long lifespan, the Teacher mentions one additional item that marked the conclusion of a seemingly fulfilling Old Testament life: "...an honorable burial" (GW).

For instance, when Sarah, the wife of the great patriarch Abraham passed away, Abraham purchased an expensive burial site for use as her final resting place. Later on, Abraham, his son Isaac and daughter in law Rebekah, and grandson Jacob along with Jacob's wife Leah were laid to rest there as well (see Genesis 49:29-32).

However, the best example of this mindset may have been displayed by Jacob's son Joseph. Even though God had placed Joseph in a position of honor and prominence within the Egyptian government, the importance of securing a final resting place in the land that God had promised to give to his ancestors was at the forefront of his mind at his time of death...

"Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, 'God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.

So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt" (Genesis 50:24-26).

While this passage clearly focuses on Joseph's faith in God to fulfill the promises He had given to his forefathers, his desire for a final resting place in the Promised Land -the land of his birth- seems clear as well. And even though Joseph’s coffin remained in Egypt for the next four centuries, God made certain to grant his request:

“When the people of Israel left Egypt, they brought the bones of Joseph along with them. They took the bones to the town of Shechem and buried them in the field that Jacob had bought for one hundred pieces of silver from Hamor, the founder of Shechem. The town and the field both became part of the land belonging to the descendants of Joseph” (Joshua 24:32 CEV).

In the days of the Old Testament, a large and growing family was viewed as a valuable asset and sign of God's divine favor. Children were essential to maintaining the lineage of each family in a society where the record of someone's genealogy was more than just an interesting hobby- it represented as an important legal and historical account (see Genesis 10 and Luke 3:23-38). Children also served as shepherds, shepherdesses, and farmers and helped the family maintain a local economy that was largely focused on ranching and agriculture.

So the idea of a man with one hundred children served to represent a person who had been blessed almost beyond belief. But then again, Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred secondary wives (or concubines- see 1 Kings 11:3) so perhaps this illustration isn't as far-fetched as it may appear.

If the overwhelming abundance of children wasn't enough for this hypothetical illustration, the Teacher also went on to add the additional benefit of a long life. Later on in verse six he will build on this idea by saying, "He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment." A two thousand year lifetime was more than twice as long as the oldest recorded lifespan in the Scriptures (see Genesis 5:26-27) so the idea of a greatly extended lifetime served to reinforce the concept of a person who had been blessed well beyond any reasonable expectation.

These illustrations help to paint the word picture of someone who "had it all" in life. A person who enjoyed the pleasure of a hundred descendants, each one carrying his own personal genetic distinctiveness forward for centuries to come. A person who enjoyed the good health necessary to support a two thousand year lifespan. A person who clearly enjoyed "the good life" with all the outward signs of a prosperous and satisfying life.

Unfortunately, it's been said that all good things must come to an end and the Teacher will go on to take that idea into account as part of his illustration as well. In the world of Solomon's day, the way someone died was almost as important as the way that he or she lived, and we'll see how the importance of an “honorable burial” (GW) will factor into the Teacher's illustration next.

On the surface, it might seem grossly unfair for God to allow someone to possess something but keep that person from enjoying what He has given them. But before we jump to conclusions concerning God's motive in this area, let's first stop to consider what He might be trying to accomplish.

For instance, Jesus once offered the following counsel in the New Testament gospel of Luke: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15 NIV). He then followed this advice with a short story (or "parable") that was designed to illustrate an important spiritual truth:

“The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:16b-21 NIV)

Like the rich man who was denied the opportunity to enjoy the riches he possessed, God may sometimes choose to keep someone from enjoying his or her blessings in order to focus that person's attention on the Giver, instead of the gift. Others may fail to find enjoyment in their possessions by using those things in a way that doesn't honor God...

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures" (James 4:1-3 NIV).

These examples help remind us to keep an important recommendation from Romans 15:4 in mind: "...everything that was written in the past was written to teach us..." (NIV).

Solomon displayed a great number of God-given talents, skills, and abilities during his reign as king of Israel. For example, the Old Testament book of 1st Kings describes Solomon as a wise judge (1 Kings 3:16-28), a skilled executive (1 Kings 4:1-20), a prolific poet and writer (1 Kings 4:32), and a prominent botanist (1 Kings 4:33). Yet hidden among these capabilities is another of Solomon's talents that may be easy to overlook: his keen sense of observation and analysis.

Most people recognize the value of experience in making good judgments. The problem is that experience often comes from making bad judgments. Although Solomon definitely made some bad judgments in life (see 1st Kings 1:1-11), he was able to address this problem by using his ability to observe, analyze, and learn from the experiences of others.

In this instance, Solomon observed a common experience that he identified as evil (KJV), unfair (CEV), and a serious injustice (GNB): "God gives great wealth, riches, and honor to some people; they have everything they want. But God does not let them enjoy such things..." (Ecclesiastes 6:2 NCV).

From a strictly horizontal perspective (or "under the sun" to use Solomon's wording), it would certainly seem very unfair for God to allow someone to possess something without the capacity to enjoy it. But what if we were to employ some observational skills of our own to ask why God would allow something like that to occur?

Well, a few possible answers might be found within the Old Testament book of Proverbs:

"Ill-gotten gain brings no lasting happiness; right living does" (Proverbs 10:2 TLB).

"The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it" (Proverbs 10:22 NIV).

"The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble" (Proverbs 15:6 NIV).

If the blessings we have received are causing us trouble, then it may be time to adjust our vertical perspective to determine if we are using those blessings in the way that God intended. We'll take a look at a few New Testament responses to this question next.

How can someone find the most enjoyment "...in all the toil with which one toils under the sun" (NRSV) ? Well, one method would involve an honest self-assessment of the skills that God has provided. In other words, take some time to prayerfully survey your talents and abilities. 

For instance, what do you “see” that other people don't see? What do you notice that isn't being done? What burdens you? What pains you? What drives you? What is it that animates you, energizes you, and makes you feel like you've accomplished something after you've completed it? What would you continue to do even if no one else noticed or cared? The answers to these questions can often help you find the work that God has called you to do.

The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:16, "…just preaching the Gospel isn't any special credit to me-- I couldn't keep from preaching it if I wanted to. I would be utterly miserable. Woe unto me if I don't." (TLB). Communicating the gospel was God's calling on Paul's life- it was something that God internally motivated him to do. While Paul did hold a regular job (at least for a while), that responsibility was simply a part of what God had called him to do. Any other career path would have left him miserable. like Paul, the person who finds God's calling and acts on it receives a true gift from Him along with the satisfaction of being involved with the fulfillment of God's plan. 

But there's something else to consider...

"God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past" (Ecclesiastes 5:20).

Mistakes. Bad choices. Missed opportunities. These regrets exist for everyone and for some, the mistakes of the past may negatively affect the future that he or she might have otherwise enjoyed. But the person who places his or her faith in Christ has this promise from the Scriptures...

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJ).

A Christian who is actively fulfilling God's call on his or her life shouldn't have to look back with remorse on the mistakes of the past for that person has little time for regret over a past that has passed away.

Well, here is what he found...

"Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot" (Ecclesiastes 5:18 ESV).

If we could change our perspective towards life and work from a limited, temporal viewpoint (or "under the sun" to use Solomon's terminology) to an outlook that acknowledged God and His plan for our lives, how might that impact our attitude towards life? Well, we can find one example by looking at the record of Paul the Apostle's life in the Scriptures. 

In his second message to the church in Corinth, Paul had this to say...

"We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you" (2 Corinthians 10:13 NLT).

In speaking of "...the boundaries of the work God has given us”, Paul infers that he had a clear understanding regarding his God-given responsibilities. In fact, this calling was so clear that Paul could identify the limits of the work that God had given him to do. Regardless of how difficult, tedious, or menial this work may have been on a day-to-day basis, this knowledge enabled Paul to find meaning and fulfillment in his work for three reasons:

• He saw his work as a responsibility given to him by God
• He understood what his responsibilities entailed
• He knew what lay outside those responsibilities

In light of this, here's a question- do you know what Paul did to earn a living? Well, Acts 18:3 tells us that Paul was a tentmaker by trade. During his travels, Paul would help to support himself by making tents for people to live in. He would measure and cut and stitch to make a living and then engage in his ministry responsibilities. One assignment provided Paul with a paycheck and the other provided little financial support (at least not regularly), but each was a responsibility that he had received from the Lord.

From Solomon's perspective, the best way to make the most of a bad situation under the sun was to look for the common pleasures of everyday life and find enjoyment in those things. If this sounds familiar, then it may be due to the fact that he made a similar point earlier in the book of Ecclesiastes when he said, "The best thing we can do is eat and drink and enjoy what we have earned. And yet, I realized that even this comes from God" (Ecclesiastes 2:24 GNB).

The problem with this idea is that the concept of accepting "our lot in life" is usually associated with something undesirable like a dead-end job or the drudgery of a life filled with unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. It often generates the image of a person who finds very little enjoyment in his or her life situation but is resigned to accepting it as their fate.

But before accepting an attitude of resignation regarding "our lot in life," we should first stop to consider an important point: the truth is that very few people ever get to do the things they'd really like to do- and even fewer have the opportunity to make a living at it.

You see, everyone has dreams of what they'd really like to do if they given the opportunity. Unfortunately, very few people ever realize those dreams because everyone has limitations. There are physical limitations, financial limitations, time limitations, and other restraints that prevent us from doing what we'd really like to do. Another problem (if we really want to be honest about it), is that most people probably lack the talent, skill, or ability to do the things they'd really like to do if they could.

This means that the lives and occupations of untold numbers of people are largely influenced by what they can do to make a living rather than what they'd really like to do. So the person with a life that is largely defined by his or her work under the sun may have to contend with the dissatisfaction that is often associated with the idea of accepting our lot in life.

But what if we were to look at our lives and occupations as an assignment rather than a sentence? We'll look at a Biblical example that illustrates this idea next.

From his "under the sun" perspective, Solomon the Teacher saw very little benefit to be gained from our life and work here on earth. But a look at Jesus' teachings from the New Testament helps provide us with a very different perspective...

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV).

"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Luke 12:33-34 NIV).

A person who invests only in material things must leave those things behind when he or she passes away. But Jesus taught that we can gain real, eternal value by making our investments in people instead. A generous, God-honoring lifestyle that assists others, cares for those in trouble, and helps to provide for those in need will eventually produce real eternal rewards. A lifestyle that is motivated by God's love and duplicates His care and concern for people will help produce imperishable benefits for us long after we leave this planet. 

The other alternative is illustrated by one of Jesus' parables...

"The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '

"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:16-21 NIV).

An honest, hard-working person may not have everything in life but he or she can usually sleep pretty well at night. Such a person often has little need to lay awake with concern over the best way to support, manage, and protect his or her wealth or possessions. 

These sleepless nights may represent one potential consequence associated with the accumulation of money or possessions. But there are a few other things to be concerned about as well...

"There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver. Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children" (Ecclesiastes 5:13-14).

The person who understands the temporary nature of wealth might be be tempted to hoard it. But as we've already seen, the act of building up a lot of money or possessions without regard for the God who is the ultimate Provider of those things is foolish. A better idea would involve alternatives like saving, investing, or other aspects of wise financial management. In fact, Jesus once used the example of three investors (two wise and one foolish) as an important teaching element in one of His parables.

The problem is that such investments often carry an element of risk. There is always the possibility that an investment could be lost through "some misfortune" (NIV), "evil circumstance" (Darby), or "a bad business deal" (CEV). For the person whose life is built upon the accumulation of money, possessions, and little else, that loss of financial wealth leaves little or nothing to pass along to those who follow. However, a God-honoring person (wealthy or poor) still maintains a rich spiritual heritage to bestow upon the next generation. 

This inability to find real satisfaction through material possessions may contribute to the sense of hopelessness and frustration that people sometimes experience below the surface of their lives under the sun...

"We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us. And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind. Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud—frustrated, discouraged, and angry" (Ecclesiastes 5:15-17). 

In Luke 12:15, Jesus was quoted as saying, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own” (NLT). One problem with the idea of using material possessions as the true measurement of our worth is found in Ecclesiastes 5:10-11:"He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness! The more you have, the more you spend, right up to the limits of your income..." (TLB).

This passage identifies something that we might refer to as a "materialistic paradox." Remember that a person who needs an abundance of money or possessions is bound to become discontented at some point. That's because something newer or better than what he or she already possesses is sure to eventually appear. Once those newer or better things emerge, more money will be needed to purchase them. That can only lead to a cycle of disappointment and dissatisfaction- and it means that the person who needs a lot of "stuff" in order to be content is surely headed towards eventual discontentment.

But there's another problem as well: "The more wealth people have, the more "friends" they have to help spend it. So the rich really gain nothing. They can only look at their wealth" (Ecclesiastes 5:11 ERV). This is just another way of stating a basic economic reality: the more you own, the more your expenses increase. More money often means more accountants, more lawyers, more property managers, and more financial consultants- and each of those people receive a paycheck as well.

Then there are others who are eager to identify people with financial resources in order to gain access to those resources and help spend them. This is really nothing new for as a commentator from an earlier generation once remarked,“Servants, friends, flatterers, trencher-men, pensioners, and other hangbys that will flock to a rich man, as crows do to a dead carcase, not to defend, but to devour it.” ₍₁₎

There is also the resentment that others often hold against those who are rich. As the Teacher pointed out earlier, some people are motivated by their envy of what others possess- and since wealthy people generally tend to possess more, they become natural targets for the jealousy and resentment of others.

So while it may be easy to assume that more money will solve more problems, it's also possible for money to create as many problems as it solves. Sometimes all you really gain is the knowledge that you are rich (GNB).

(1) John Trapp quoted in Commentary on Ecclesiastes Davd Guzik

For many people, the most important thing in life is money. Although they may be reluctant to admit it, the truth is that making money -along with the status and possessions that go along with it- is the top priority among many people today. But does wealth really represent the ticket to happiness? The New Testament book of 1 Timothy says this...

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV).

It seems that some people are always buying, trading, or upgrading just to have the latest model or version of something. In fact, there are those who just don't seem to be happy unless they have the newest or latest item to impress their friends. On the other hand, there are others who are perfectly happy with the things they possess- until they meet someone who has something better. That's when the struggles with discontentment and jealousy often begin.

You see, it's possible to have a lot of money yet still not be truly rich. It's also possible to have many possessions yet still not be truly wealthy. In spite of what many people believe, having a lot of "stuff" doesn't necessarily make someone a happier person. That's why the person who lives a God-honoring lifestyle that accepts what God provides with an attitude of thankfulness has a tremendous advantage over the person who needs a lot of money or things to be happy.

Of course, another problem associated with accumulating a lot of money and possessions is that we can't bring any of it with us when we die. This is illustrated by the wise old saying that tells us that we'll never see a funeral car pulling a trailer on the way to the cemetery. That's a clever way of restating what the Scriptures have already told us in the verses quoted above- you can't take it with you when you go. Remember that we didn't bring anything into this world when we came into it and we won't be able to take any of the "stuff" we've accumulated here when we leave this planet.

The Teacher will go on to spend most of the remaining verses of this chapter reminding us of two things: 1.) Great wealth will eventually prove to be worthless and 2.) A life of materialism ultimately proves to be unrewarding. But before we get to that, Solomon first has a few words to say about the oppression of government bureaucracies under the sun.

Governmental forms such as monarchies, dictatorships, and democracies represent just a few of the different systems of civil authority that have been established over the years. While some of these models have clearly been better than others, it's also true that each has been far from perfect. This idea was cleverly illustratrated by the former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill who is once reported to have said, "Democracy is the worst form of government -- except for all the others."

In looking at the relationship of a government to it's citizens, Solomon was brutally realistic regarding the issues that affect human politics and policies. He said, "Don't be surprised when you see that the government oppresses the poor and denies them justice and their rights" (Ecclesiastes 5:8 GNB). Whether that oppression filters down through layers of government bureaucracies or layers of government corruption, those at the bottom of the societal chain (such as the poor) are often made to suffer the most.

The Teacher also held no illusion regarding the possibility that an ideal political system or utopian society might somehow be achievable under the sun. Instead, he faced the cold, hard reality of human government: "One officer is cheated by a higher officer who in turn is cheated by even higher officers. The wealth of the country is divided up among them all" (NCV).

In Solomon's time, a typical government was led by a king, just as we see mentioned in verse nine above. Unfortunately, this verse has proven to be an extremely difficult one to translate. The general idea seems to be that everyone -even the king- is still dependent on the produce that God supplies to the farmer who tills the field of a kingdom. But even while layers of bureaucratic corruption may exist throughout government, "the good earth doesn't cheat anyone—even a bad king is honestly served by a field" (MSG).

Big dreams can sometimes turn into useless or pointless activities if those dreams are not tempered by a desire to accomplish God's will in our lives. You see, it's possible for someone to be a dreamer but not necessarily a doer. The New Testament book of James touches on this general idea when it says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22). This reminds us that a knowledge of God and the Scriptures carries a responsibility to live according to that knowledge. 

The following verses in James then go on to say this...

"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:23-25 NIV).

So as an alternative to this idea of "dreaming rather than doing," the Teacher counsels us to "Fear God instead." In our modern vocabulary, this word “fear” is often used to refer to a general sense of apprehension or state of being afraid. But listen to something that Jesus once said regarding this responsibility to fear God...

"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! (Luke 12:4-5 NKJV).

Did you notice how Jesus separated the words “afraid” and “fear” in the verses quoted above? He said, "...do not be afraid of those who kill the body..." but "...Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell..." (emphasis added).

When the word “fear” is used in this kind of Biblical context, it refers to the idea of reverence, honor, or respect. So when we read about this responsibility to “fear God,” it means that we should honor and respect Him above everything else. Remember, it's been said that a person who fears (or respects) God need not fear (or be afraid of) anything else.

The type of promise spoken of in this passage is more commonly referred to as a "vow." This word identifies "...a gift or offering promised to be given to the Lord. It usually was a sacrifice or free-will offering... that was often promised during times of pressure." ₍₁₎ One verse from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy tells us this is something that God takes very seriously...

"When you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not put off doing what you promised; the LORD will hold you to your vow, and it is a sin not to keep it. (Deuteronomy 23:21 GNB).

While it may seem as if "vows" are mostly limited to things like marriage ceremonies today, the reality is that people are often tempted to bargain with God by making vows when seeking His help with a difficult situation. For example, it's not unusual to hear someone say, "God, if you get me out of this situation, then I'll promise to..." when faced with a serious problem. But an attitude like that tends to turn our relationship with God into little more than a business arrangement. It implies that if God is willing to do something for us then we'll do something for Him.

Instead of relating to God in this manner, it would be much better to follow Jesus' advice on this subject...

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one" (Matthew 5:33-37 NIV).

That's a recommendation that the Teacher would definitely agree with...

"It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. Don’t let your mouth make you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved" (Ecclesiastes 5:5-6).

(1) NET Bible Notes Ecclesiastes 5:4 http://net.bible.org/#!bible/Ecclesiastes+5

The right way to approach God in prayer is with an attitude of humility, recognizing that He is worthy of respect, honor, and worship along with the knowledge that He is the One who can handle every need we may have. Now does this mean that we shouldn't pray long prayers or pray for the same thing more than once? Well, if you have the same need today as you did yesterday, then it's OK to bring that need before God again and ask for His wisdom. In fact, Jesus addressed this very subject in a parable that He shared with His disciples...

"One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must keep praying until the answer comes. 'There was a city judge,' he said, 'a very godless man who had great contempt for everyone. A widow of that city came to him frequently to appeal for justice against a man who had harmed her. The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she got on his nerves.

I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself, `but this woman bothers me. I'm going to see that she gets justice, for she is wearing me out with her constant coming!' Then the Lord said, 'If even an evil judge can be worn down like that, don't you think that God will surely give justice to his people who plead with him day and night? Yes! He will answer them quickly! But the question is: When I, the Messiah, return, how many will I find who have faith [and are praying]?'" (Luke 18:1-8 TLB).

Matthew 7:7 tells us, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (NIV). That word "knock" refers to the act of "knocking" or "rapping" on a door. Now people don't usually knock once at a door, especially if they know someone is home. People generally knock multiple times and usually continue until someone answers the door. In a similar way, Jesus promises to open His door to you in prayer if you will knock upon it in genuine way.

So if you have an ongoing need, keep on knocking in prayer until you receive an answer- and don't forget to thank God for that answer when it arrives.

It's been said that if you want to know the right way to communicate with God, there are two important things to remember. First, you should stop to remember who God is. Next, you should stop to remember who you are. 

A person who acknowledges God as the almighty, all powerful Creator of the universe and accepts the fact that he or she would have nothing (and be nothing) without Him is likely to be someone who has the right attitude towards communicating with God in prayer. This verse also brings to mind one of Jesus' teachings on the subject of prayer...

"But when you pray, do not use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him" (Mark 6:7-8 NIV).

So what exactly is a "vain repetition"? Well, a vain repetition is a habitual prayer spoken without much thought. It's a shallow prayer made without any real emotional, spiritual, or intellectual involvement. You see, in Jesus day it was common for those who worshiped many gods to pray according to some set rule or formula. Those seeking help from the "gods" would mechanically recite the supposed greatness of their deity while continually reminding their god of their devotion and the good things that he or she had done.

It was thought that long prayers with many words would help make someone more deserving in the eyes of his or her god. It was then hoped that this god would be moved to listen and act on those prayers. Of course, such prayers weren't very genuine- they simply served as a vehicle to get what the "pray-er" wanted from his or her god.

However, Jesus taught that things should be very different among those who follow the one true God. Rather than mindlessly repeating some routine words, we should approach God in sincerity, bringing our needs before Him in a real and personal way. This means that there is no need to try and flatter God or give Him mindless compliments in prayer. That's insincere-  and God knows it. Instead, we should be honest and upfront with God as we bring our needs to Him in a respectful and reverent way.

Many people believe that it's possible to establish a right relationship with God by doing (or not doing) certain things. For instance, some believe that it's necessary to follow a religious ritual or observance in order to be made right with God. Some believe that their charitable giving and good works will make them acceptable to God. Then there are others who are not particularly religious. Such people often believe that the "good" things they've done in life will outweigh the "bad" things they've done and will be enough for them to gain entrance into heaven.

The problem is that if people begin to do things for God without the knowledge of what is acceptable to Him, then those actions may simply amount to nothing more than a foolish sacrifice. Such people may feel as if they are doing something good and acceptable for God but in the words of the Teacher, they are "...too ignorant to know that they are doing evil" (AMP). The Scriptures illustrate the issue like this...

"Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness" (Romans 10:3 NIV).

So the question is, "What is this 'righteousness of God' and how are we supposed to submit to it?" In other words, what's the right way to approach God and know that we'll be accepted? Well, the New Testament book of 1 Timothy provides us with the answer...

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus..." (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV).

If we desire to be accepted by God, then its essential to know how we should approach Him. The Scriptures tell us that the only right way to approach God is through the Mediator that He has appointed- and that Mediator is Jesus. Now, a "mediator" is someone who arbitrates, reconciles, and works out the differences between two parties. Jesus is our mediator because He paid God's death penalty on our behalf and opened up the way through which we can approach God and have a relationship with Him. As Jesus Himself said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

Its interesting (but not surprising) to note that this passage begins by telling us tells us that we should watch our step when going to the house of God. This implies that we should think carefully about the way that we conduct our lives before God before we ever get to church

You see, it’s hard to believe that someone’s spiritual beliefs really mean anything if those beliefs are restricted to the four walls of a church building. After all, how much is someone's “Christianity” really worth if that person stops being a Christian at home, on the job, at school, or on the field? In fact, we have a word that describes people who are “religious” inside church but avoid being that way outside church- we call such people hypocrites.

Instead, we should make certain to "watch our step" before God outside of church and not just when we get there. A person who does this is someone who is more likely to listen and learn from God's Word instead of simply airing his or her thoughts and opinions, just as the above Scripture implies. This is important because "to listen" "is an important and common Hebrew term... It means 'to hear so as to do.' It focuses on actions, not just information." ₍₁₎ The person who refuses to do this is in danger of offering what Solomon identifies as "the sacrifice of fools."

You see, a foolish person may insist on saying, "I have my own way of following God" instead of listening to His Word and adjusting his or her behavior accordingly. The problem with this is that no one has "their own way" of following God.

We don't approach God on our terms; we approach God on His terms- and His terms are given to us in 1 Timothy 2:5: "...there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus..." If we wish to be accepted by God, we must approach Him through the Mediator that He has established- Jesus Christ. Any attempt to approach God in another manner is to offer "the sacrifice of fools."

(1) Bob Utley, Commentary on Ecclesiastes pg.53

• Listen carefully
• Think before you speak
• Don't make promises you can't keep
• Let your words be few

To give us an idea of how these principles might be applied in our daily lives, the Teacher will start by using the example of our relationship with God...

"As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few" (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2).

We said earlier that Solomon was someone who took the time to watch and learn from the activities that were taking place around him- and that led him to direct his attention to the area of spiritual observance. The Teacher's observation in this area clearly helped to lead him to the conclusions that we see in the passage quoted above.

Some other translations render the opening verse of chapter five as, "Guard your feet..." (LITV) or, "Walk prudently..." (NKJV). In common, everyday language, we might understand the idea of this passage as "Watch your step..." Of course, this represents good advice whenever we exit a train, plane, escalator or other vehicle, but its important to remember that there is a valuable spiritual application behind this expression as well.

Just as our physical steps help lead us to a particular destination, our internal choices direct us towards certain destinations as well. For example, Solomon advises us to, "Be very careful when you go to worship God. It is better to listen to God than to give sacrifices like fools" (ESV). The implication is that a person who doesn't listen or is careless in his or her relationship with God will eventually arrive at one or more foolish decisions. Solomon refers to one such decision as "...the sacrifice of fools" (ASV) and we'll identify the idea behind that term next.

In sports, entertainment, and politics, fame and recognition is often temporary, at best. Athletes become too old to play, celebrities fade into obscurity and established political leaders are replaced with new faces with fresh policy ideas. In fact, this reality is so completely ingrained within human culture that we've developed clichéd expressions to help describe it.

For example, how often have you heard statements like, "easy come, easy go," "here today, gone tomorrow," or "come and gone" to describe the short-lived nature of things like money, celebrity, or success? In Solomon's example seen above, he used the temporary nature of political power as a vehicle to illustrate this reality.

While its not certain if the Teacher is providing us with an allegory or a real life example in this passage, the story of a poor young man who rose from prison to become head of state serves to illustrate an important point. For a while, everyone was captivated by this "rags to riches" story. But then another young man (who no doubt had an equally compelling story) emerged and the first youth was soon forgotten.

The idea is that while it may be possible to achieve popularity for a while, it's virtually impossible to maintain it. Because of this, it's useless (GNB), senseless (ERV), and pointless (GW), for someone to center his or her life around the approval and acceptance of others.

For instance, take the example of a Christian whose number one priority is to be popular and well-liked by others within his or her social circle. While being popular and well-liked are good things, we should recognize that it will never be entirely possible to be Godly and popular in a world where most people would really prefer not to think about God at all. 

A God-honoring person must sometimes be willing to break from the crowd (and possibly sacrifice some popularity) in order to speak the truth or do what's right. And since long-term popularity isn't achievable anyway, the choice should be easy: "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29 NKJV).

In athletics, a coach or manager will often compliment a young player by describing that player as "coachable." This term describes an athlete who is willing to receive instruction and then translate it into improved results on the field, court, or ice. The opposite of a coachable athlete would be the kind of player who refuses to receive any guidance or instruction.

While we don't know much about Solomon's involvement in sports, we do know that he had some knowledge of the political version of a non-coachable athlete because he refers here to a "foolish old king who won't listen to advice" (CEV). The necessity of receiving good counsel was something that Solomon clearly recognized for he once said this in the book of Proverbs...

"My child, hold on to wisdom and good sense. Don't let them out of your sight. They will give you life and beauty like a necklace around your neck. Then you will go your way in safety, and you will not get hurt. When you lie down, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, you will sleep in peace. You won't be afraid of sudden trouble; you won't fear the ruin that comes to the wicked,because the Lord will keep you safe. He will keep you from being trapped. (Proverbs 3:21-26 NCV).

The book of Proverbs also tells us where to find the source of all good counsel and instruction: "How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord! Only fools refuse to be taught" (Proverbs 1:7 TLB). You see, it's possible to be smart but not very wise. Even though Solomon was the most brilliant person who ever lived (see 1st Kings 3:11-12) he still recognized that true wisdom comes only from God. 

Solomon also wrote quite a bit about the importance of choosing our friends, acquaintances, and advisors carefully...

• "Be with wise men and become wise. Be with evil men and become evil" (Proverbs 13:20 TLB). 
• "The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray" (Proverbs 12:26 NKJV). 
• "Keep away from angry, short-tempered men, lest you learn to be like them and endanger your soul" (Proverbs 22:24 TLB).

This may be why the Teacher felt that a "poor youngster with some wisdom is better off than an old but foolish king who doesn't know which end is up" (Ecclesiastes 4:13 MSG).

For instance, he first reminded us that "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor" (Ecclesiastes 4:9 ASV). In other words, two people working together can often be more productive than two solitary people working alone. Two people together can also provide help for one another in time of need: "If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is all alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up" (Ecclesiastes 4:10 GW).

Next, Solomon reminded us that a friend can help provide comfort when the world is cold: "Also if two lie together, then they have warmth; but for one, how is he warm?" (Ecclesiastes 4:11 GW). Finally, two or more people can find security together in a group: "An enemy might be able to defeat one person, but two people can stand back-to-back to defend each other. And three people are even stronger. They are like a rope that has three parts wrapped together--it is very hard to break" (Ecclesiastes 4:12 GW).

So having looked at human relationships in connection with labor and possessions, the Teacher will now turn his attention to a subject that he knew all too well: the temporary nature of political power...

"It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice. Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison" (Ecclesiastes 4:13).

This was a subject that Solomon could speak on from personal experience. You see, one source provides us with the following information regarding the later years of Solomon's reign as king...

"Years before Solomon's death, his heavy taxation of the people brought unrest and rebellion. Surrounding nations began to marshal their forces to free themselves of Israel's tyranny, but the most serious uprising came from within the nation itself. Jeroboam, a young leader who had the support of Egypt, led ten of the twelve tribes out of Israel to the north. 

When Solomon's son Rehoboam ascended the throne after his father, Jeroboam returned to lead a successful civil war against him. The result was a division of Solomon's United Kingdom into two separate nations-the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel." (1)

(1) "Solomon" Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers

If you've ever spent much time alone, then you know how valuable it can be to have someone to assist you when you need help. One good example is the fact that two people working together can often accomplish more than twice as much as a single person working alone. But there are other, less obvious examples as well. For instance, a single person might not dress, cook, or clean for their own benefit, but a good marriage partner might inspire that person to excel in those areas and improve the quality or his or her life.

The Teacher also has a few other examples too...

"If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble" (Ecclesiastes 4:10).

Travel was often dangerous in Solomon's day. Roads could be hazardous and travelers of that time often had to be alert for the threat of thieves or wild animals along the way. Therefore, it made good sense for people to journey together in groups or at least in pairs. That provided mutual protection and safety for travelers when moving from place to place.

"Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?" (Ecclesiastes 4:11).

It wasn't always easy to provide warmth on a cold night in the Old Testament period. Severe cold can easily kill a human being and in the ancient world, people were much more exposed to the elements than they often are today. In a poorly constructed home, a shelter, a tent, or out in the open, the ability to stay warm in severe weather could often be a matter of life and death. During these times, people would often deal with the cold by sleeping in their clothes while huddled together for warmth. So this idea of a cold, solitary person was something that an ancient reader could immediately identify and agree with.

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two cans stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

While the idea of a triple braided cord is often used to symbolize the marriage commitment of a husband and wife to each other and to God, Jesus provided us with another good application of this idea in Matthew 18:20 when He said, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from about 971 B.C. to about 931 B.C. Yet even though Solomon lived almost 3000 years ago, his observations about life and work under the sun still remain true today.

You see, there are many Godly men and women who work long hours to provide for their families today. While these hours may sometimes be difficult and tiring, such people honor God by trusting Him to provide for their needs and by giving Him the priority in their lives. But there are others who labor equally long and hard with a completely different perspective.

For instance, let's take the example of a person who is determined to become wealthy and make it to the top of the business world. When someone makes the decision to place this kind of success at the forefront of his or her life priorities, other things like family, friendships, and a relationship with Christ can often become secondary or non-existent.

Another problem is that a climb up the corporate ladder often never ends. For example, there is always a better office, a more prestigious position, or a greater opportunity available for the person who is willing to sacrifice a little more. As a result, its easy to become more isolated, more focused on "success," and more preoccupied with a career goal to the exclusion of everything else.

In fact, it's possible to become so preoccupied with "success" that we often fail to ask one simple question: "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" In looking at this verse, one commentator from the 17th century observed, "Frequently, the more men have, the more they would have; and on this they are so intent, that they get no enjoyment from what they have." ₍₁₎ 

The person who achieves business or financial success at the expense of family, friends, or relationships loses the satisfaction and pleasure that he or she might have gained from these things- and in the words of the Teacher, "This also is vanity and a grave misfortune" (NKJV).

Of course, the Teacher understood that there would be some who might choose to disagree with this conclusion, so he made certain to prepare himself with a defense in the following verses. We'll take a look at that defense next.

(1) Matthew Henry Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible

If you've been following along in our look at this portion of Ecclesiastes, then you may have noticed a progression in the Teacher's thought process within this chapter. First, he looked the pain and suffering of those who had been treated unjustly. From there, he moved on to the example of a person who is driven by an attitude of envy and jealousy with no rest from the work of keeping up with others. Now, he will turn his attention to another individual who has no rest- the solitary person whose main goal in life is to gain as much financial wealth as possible.

To do this, Solomon introduces us to a character who probably represents someone that he observed through his business relationships: the recluse, loner, or unsocial person who has no interest in relationships or anything other than making money. He says, "For example, some people don't have friends or family. But they are never satisfied with what they own, and they never stop working to get more. They should ask themselves, 'Why am I always working to have more? Who will get what I leave behind?' What a senseless and miserable life!" (CEV).

Perhaps the most obvious literary example of this personality type can be found in the character of Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens' classic work, A Christmas Carol. In it, Scrooge is described as follows...

"Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grind- stone, Scrooge! A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster."

While we may no longer use this kind of archaic language to describe such people, this doesn't necessarily mean that such people no longer exist. You see, Solomon clearly knew of similar personalities during his lifetime and Charles Dickens must have drawn upon his knowledge of actual Scrooge-like people in developing his characterization of Ebenezer Scrooge. The reality is that such people still exist in our 21st century world- and we'll look at one such example next.

After spending the previous verse talking about the fact that people are often pushed to achieve success by the envy of what others possess, Solomon now turns his attention to another extreme: "The fool won't work and almost starves but feels that it is better to be lazy and barely get by, than to work hard, when in the long run it is all so futile" (TLB).

While the person in our first example was consumed by his jealousy and envy over someone else's success, the lazy person in our second example faces self-destruction through his refusal to work and provide for his needs. Solomon uses the imagery of a pair of folded hands to effectively communicate this thought, a word picture that brings to mind the idea of a person who is inattentive or uninterested.

So is there a balance between these two extremes? Well, this is where the Teacher will start to do a little teaching of his own: "Better is a hand filled with rest than two fists with travail and vexation of spirit" (MKJV).

One of Solomon's favorite teaching methods involved the use of something called a "proverb." A proverb is a short statement that communicates a spiritual truth, important observation, or moral lesson from everyday life. A proverb will often make use of things like comparison, personification, or other, similar literary devices to make its point. One good example of this can be found here in Ecclesiastes 4:6 where "One handful..." is used to represent a small amount while "Two handfuls..." is meant to communicate the idea of taking as much as possible.

The idea behind this illustration is that it's possible to have more with less. The "more" part refers to things like peace and contentment, while the "less" portion refers to the trouble and difficulties that often accompany the envious desire to attain more. Or to put it another way, "...it is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time with both hands, trying to catch the wind" (ERV).

Of course, the best way to set the right priorities in this area is to follow Jesus' recommendation...

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:31-33 NIV).

Is your desire to achieve success marked by respect for others- even your competitors? Are you humble in success? Are you quick to acknowledge God's blessings, knowing that without them, you could never achieve anything? Is your success motivated by an internal desire to honor God with your abilities or are you pleased to see others fail as a result of your success?

The answers to these questions are important because God not only looks at our actions, He also examines the motives behind our actions as well. For example, our external actions may sometimes mask a hidden agenda. When this happens in a relationship, we may say that people "are playing games with each other." In other areas of life, we may suspect that another person has an "ulterior motive" behind his or her external words or conduct.

While some people may be highly sophisticated in hiding their true motivations, nothing is hidden from God. That's because the New Testament book of Hebrews tells us, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:13 NIV). Knowing this, its good to ask ourselves if we are really driven by a sincere desire to honor God with our talents, skills, and abilities or are there other, not-so-good motivations?

In his classic book The Screwtape Letters, author C.S. Lewis relates a fictional series of letters from a senior devil to his young apprentice. As part of his advice on how to best tempt a human being that has been assigned to him, the senior devil character provides us with some insight into the attitude that God (whom he refers to as "the Enemy") wants us to have in this area...

"The Enemy wants to bring the man to a state of mind in which he could design the best cathedral in the world, and know it to be the best, and rejoice in the fact, without being any more (or less) or otherwise glad at having done it than he would be if it had been done by another. The Enemy wants him, in the end, to be so free from any bias in his own favour that he can rejoice in his own talents as frankly and gratefully as in his neighbour's talents."

What drives a person to become the best that he or she can be? What motivates someone to become a person of excellence in life? What inspires you to be successful?

While the answers to these questions may be different for everyone, there are some general motivations that seem to be common for most people. For instance, some are motivated by an internal desire to do the very best they can. Some are motivated by the need to earn the approval of a coach, teacher, or other authority figure. Some are motivated by the thought of what might happen if they don't succeed. Others are motivated by the best reason of all- a love for God and a desire to honor Him with their lives.

However, the Teacher of Ecclesiastes identified another reason to explain why some people are driven to achieve success in life:"I have also learned why people work so hard to succeed: it is because they envy the things their neighbors have" (GNB). From the elementary school pupil who is driven to obtain a better grade than the student who sits at a nearby desk to the corporate executive who is motivated to outdo the accomplishments of a competitor, people are often pushed to achieve by their envy of what others possess.

This motivation to succeed often seems to be generated by an internal desire to obtain superiority over others in different areas of life. You see, the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, and the friends we choose can all be influenced by this driving force of envy and jealousy over what others possess or what they have achieved. This kind of attitude was summed up by a former owner of the San Diego Chargers football team who once said of some fellow owners,"I never objected to those people (who tried to win at all costs); the people I didn't care for were those people who tried to win by spending double and triple all costs." ₍₁₎

For instance, there's nothing wrong with a strong desire to win an athletic competition. But there are some athletes who are not content to simply win- their idea of success is to see other athletes lose. This is just one way to illustrate how the determination to succeed can grow into something inappropriate and unhealthy. 

We'll talk some more about this idea of "success driven by envy" next.

(1) Gene Klein First Down And A Billion pg. 91

Paul's deeply personal revelation in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 provides us with an insight into challenges we sometimes face in living a life that honors God. So what should we do when the pressures of life start to close in on us? How should we respond in those times when we just feel like giving up? Well, Paul goes on to provide us with the answer in the continuation of this passage from 2 Corinthians...

"...But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many" (2 Corinthians 1:9b-11 NIV).

When God allows us to experience troubles and hardships in life, it helps to remember that He always has good reasons for doing so. For example, God may allow difficult times to enter our lives to strengthen us (2 Corinthians 12:10) and to increase our trust in Him (Psalm 50:14-15). Sometimes God uses difficulties to help us develop patience (Romans 5:3-5) and endurance (Hebrews 10:35-38) or to serve as an example to others to show them the right way to handle trials and problems (2 Thessalonians 1:4). Sometimes God may even allow difficulties in our lives for the purpose of helping others who will one day go through similar trials (2 Corinthians 1:3).

This "above the sun" perspective helped Paul overcome the difficulties of life under the sun and led him to conclude with this...

"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest blessing upon us forever and ever! So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 TLB).

"So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living. But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil that is done under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 4:2-3).

For Solomon, the idea of a meaningless world where oppressors had the ability to victimize the powerless was so painful and depressing that death or a state of non-existence seemed to be the best option of all. But the painful experiences and hardships of life under the sun wasn't something that was limited to Solomon alone. This reality is something we all experience- and there are times when the problems, trials, and difficulties of life seem so overwhelming that its easy to wonder if it wouldn't have been better to have never been born.

While it's true that people can often avoid a lot of pain and suffering simply by reading God's Word and applying it in their lives, the reality is that a relationship with God doesn't always provide an automatic immunity from things like unfairness, difficulties, or problems. To see an example of this, you don't have to look any further than something that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church that met in the town of Corinth, a letter that we know today as the Biblical book of 2nd Corinthians...

"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death..." (2 Corinthians 1:8-9a NIV).

So Paul tells us that there was a time when the circumstances and situations of life had become so difficult that he "...despaired even of life." In other words, there was a time in Paul's life when he felt like he wanted to die. And if Solomon could have seen Paul's experience from his perspective under the sun, he certainly would have agreed that Paul may have been better off dead.

But there was a big difference between Solomon and Paul. You see, Paul had God's perspective from "above the sun" and we'll see how that perspective made a difference for Paul next.

It's one thing to say that "...there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work" as Solomon did in Ecclesiastes 3:22. But what happens when this becomes impossible due to the actions of an oppressive person or group? After all, it still may be possible to find happiness and satisfaction in a "job well done" even though a life lived without God will ultimately prove meaningless. But the abusive tyranny of a powerful person or group can make life feel like it's worth not living.

The oppressors mentioned here refer to those who exploit, defraud, or extort others who cannot fight back. ₍₁₎ Since these oppressors fail to recognize the basic dignity that accompanies every human being made in God's image, such people feel free to act deceitfully against others if given the opportunity do so. From the cruelty of a schoolyard bully to the social injustices of a repressive government, these "oppressions that are done under the sun..." serve to rob others of hope. With no one to help them, these "tears of the oppressed..."  go on to become the visible sign of that internal pain.

Now this may seem like a hopeless situation- and for the person whose viewpoint is limited to life here under the sun, it probably is. But a Christian's viewpoint isn't subject to such limitations- and this provides access to an "above the sun" view from God's perspective. For example, here's a little of what the Scriptures have to say about God's attitude towards those who use their ability to exploit the powerless or less fortunate...

"What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so. When you want a piece of land,you find a way to seize it. When you want someone’s house,you take it by fraud and violence. You cheat a man of his property, stealing his family’s inheritance. 

But this is what the Lord says: 'I will reward your evil with evil; you won’t be able to pull your neck out of the noose. You will no longer walk around proudly,for it will be a terrible time'” (Micah 2:1-3 NLT).

Remember that our influence and authority over others carries great responsibility- and those who misuse that influence or authority will have to answer to God for it.

(1) OT:6231 `ashaq — to press upon, to oppress, to violate, to defraud, to do violence, to get deceitfully, to wrong, to extort (from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

In today's fast paced age of technology, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the tremendous volume of available information. To deal with this problem, people often develop strategies to allow them to quickly identify what they need to know. 

For instance, a busy student may skim over a long reading assignment to rapidly identify potential test questions. An overworked executive may survey a long list of e-mails in order to separate the important items from the unimportant items. A fast moving traveler will often scan a news item for a bullet point that will provide him or her with a quick summary of important information.

While these strategies may be useful for business or travel in our 21st century age of information, they aren't very good for identifying important Biblical truths- and a person who skims over the opening words of Ecclesiastes chapter four may be missing out on an important insight. For instance, how did Solomon come to the conclusions of this passage? Well, the first three words of this passage provide us with the answer: Again, I observed..." (NLT). Other Biblical translations phrase the opening words of chapter four in this way: "I looked again..." (CEV), "Again I saw..." (ESV), and, "I returned and considered..." (NKJV).

In other words, Solomon took the time to watch and observe what was going on. He wasn't oblivious to his surroundings. He wasn't only concerned with the things that interested him. He wasn't exclusively interested in his friends, his needs, or what was going on in his life. Instead, he took the time to watch what was happening around him and learn from it.

Solomon's example reminds us that people often fail to see because they don't take the time to look- and in the words of baseball great (and sometimes philosopher) Yogi Berra, "You can see a lot just by looking." 

So Solomon stepped out of the confines of his personal life to see what was going on in the world around him- and what he found wasn't pretty: "I saw that many people are treated badly. I saw their tears, and I saw that there was no one to comfort them. I saw that cruel people had all the power, and I saw that there was no one to comfort the people they hurt" (Ecclesiastes 4:1 ERV).

We'll look at Solomon's response to this unfortunate truth next.

However, the book of Ecclesiastes is one Biblical book that just about anyone can identify with. For instance, the book of Ecclesiastes doesn't require someone to be a scholar, an academic, or a theologian to understand it's message. You see, this book provides an open door to spiritual truth that just about anyone can walk through. That's because anyone -even those with very little life experience- can easily identify with the truths behind the Teacher's words as recorded for us here. 

The reason for this is simple- everyone can identify with what its like to live a life "under the sun." Remember that the phrase "under the sun" (along with the similar term "under heaven") appears often throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. Theses terms are important because they tell us that our author's viewpoint is limited to our time here on Earth and the circumstances and experiences of our lives. They also serve as a metaphor ₍₁₎ for a life lived without regard to God or the afterlife. 

The term "under the sun" will go on to appear four times in chapter four as our author looks at four important areas:

• Oppression and mistreatment 
• The motivational forces of jealousy and envy
• The problem of loneliness
• The temporary nature of popularity

These issues are things that anyone who has spent time living "under the sun" will quickly recognize...

"Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless" (Ecclesiastes 4:1).

It may be easy to move past the opening words or verses of a chapter (as in the passage we read above) in order to get right to the "important" things that follow. But a person who "skims" a Biblical passage in search of Biblical truths may be missing out on some important insights- and we'll look at one example of this from Ecclesiastes chapter four next.

(1) a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.” ("metaphor." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 07 Nov. 2011. <Dictionary.com  http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metaphor>).

While human beings may hope for a better eternal destiny than a common animal, who can really say? As far as we can tell from our earthly viewpoint, the eternal destiny of a human being is no different from that of a chicken, an iguana, or a cockroach. Of course, this subject brings up a common question for many people:"How can anyone really know what happens after we die?"  Well, one good way to answer that question is to think about a person who is a planning a trip to an unfamiliar destination

You see, when someone wants to travel to a place where he or she has never been before, that person will often try to find someone who has already visited their planned destination. Then he or she can ask about the best route to take, problems to watch out for, and where to stay after their arrival. 

In a similar way, a person who knows Jesus has the same kind of advantage as the traveler in this illustration because Jesus has already been to the other side of death and come back to tell us about it (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 and Revelation 1:18). 

For instance, Jesus provided us with the route to take when He said, "'I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me'" (John 14:6 RSV). He has also warned us about some problems that we might face along the way by saying, "'...Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come announcing themselves to be the Messiah, and saying, 'The time has come.' But don't believe them!'" (Luke 21:8 TLB). 

Jesus also let us know about what we can expect when we arrive at our final destination when He said, "There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren't so, I would tell you plainly" (John 14:1-3 TLB).

So Jesus' death and resurrection provides hope both now and in the future for those who place their faith and trust in Him. But for those with an "under the sun" worldview, "...the best thing people can do is to enjoy their work, because that is all they have" (Ecclesiastes 3:22 NCV).

If God does not exist and our lives are restricted to all that takes place "under the sun" then its natural to assume that human beings are really nothing more than highly evolved animals. And even though human beings have been responsible for some great accomplishments, in the end, a human being and an animal "both breathe the same air and both ultimately die" (TLB). This is why death has sometimes been referred to as "the great equalizer." In death, a great human and the lowliest animal both suffer the same fate.

Now most people probably don't spend a lot of time thinking, "If this life is all there is to our existence then I'm really no better off than an animal." Nevertheless, a person who doesn’t believe in the existence of God or an afterlife has to deal with the impact of those beliefs every day. That's because our true beliefs are expressed through the choices that we make and the way that we feel about life even if we're not always conscious of it.

You see, people act on what they really believe even if they don't immediately realize the reasoning behind their actions. For example, if someone believes deep down that life is ultimately pointless, then that belief is sure to lead to actions and feelings that reflect that conviction. And if human beings are really nothing more than highly developed animals, then there’s really no reason why we shouldn't act like them.

Now someone might respond to this idea by saying,"Well, if you want to believe that 'god' exists because that belief gives you a sense of meaning and purpose in life, then that's OK for you." But that response misses something important: if God really doesn't exist, then any human desire for His existence won't make Him real. On the other hand, if God does exist, then any human desire for His "non-existence" won't make Him disappear. Either God is real or He isn't. Either our lives are limited to our existence "under the sun" or they're not. Our thoughts and feelings and desires don't do anything to affect God's existence or non-existence.

If there is one thing that virtually everyone can agree on, it's the fact that injustice exists in our world today. Because of this, it's easy to ask, "If God is good and just, then why is there so much injustice in our world today?"

Well, the short answer to that question is that just because God hasn't executed justice doesn't necessarily mean that He won't execute justice. Remember that Solomon has already told us that, "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). If this is true, then it means that a just God will establish a time to execute justice as well- or to use the words of Ecclesiastes 3:17, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work" (ESV).

Sometimes this justice is partially executed within the course of human history, such as when a criminal is justly punished for a crime. But this justice may sometimes be administered later as well. The New Testament book of 1st Timothy touches on this idea when it says, "The sins of some people are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment. The sins of others follow them there" (1st Timothy 5:24 ISV). While it may sometimes seem as if people will never have to answer for the wrong they have done, no one gets away with injustice forever. The consequences always come; it's just a question of when, for as we're told in Romans 2:6, God "will give to each person according to what he has done."

"I also thought about the human condition—how God proves to people that they are like animals. For people and animals share the same fate—both breathe and both must die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless! Both go to the same place—they came from dust and they return to dust (Ecclesiastes 3:18-20).

From a strictly horizontal viewpoint, what real advantage does a human being ultimately have over a cow who eats grass in a field? Well, if your perspective is limited to all that takes place "under the sun" then you may see no real advantage- and we'll talk more about the effects of that mindset next.

The Axiological argument for God's existence says that there are certain moral absolutes that transcend (or go beyond) every human culture and that these moral absolutes originate with a transcendent moral source. This transcendent moral source is generally identified as "God." Those moral absolutes are then expressed as "prescribed behaviors" that tell us “what ought to be” and “what ought not to be” for every society and culture. 

The famous author C.S. Lewis once used his own personal experience to help illustrate this idea...

"My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line..." (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity).

The "straight line" that Mr. Lewis talks about represents those moral absolutes that prescribe right and wrong behavior- what we should and shouldn't do. Like a straight edge, these moral absolutes help us determine when the actions of an individual or society have become "crooked." So what are some examples of these moral absolutes? Well one example would be this: "It is wrong to kill someone without reason."

One moral absolute that transcends every culture is the universal belief that it is wrong to intentionally end the life of another human being without any reason. While cultures may differ in their definition of "good reason," every society and culture recognizes that it is wrong to kill someone without any reason. This universal moral law is sometimes expressed when a government or individual stands accused of "crimes against humanity" in facilitating the unlawful deaths of others. The idea is that the act of killing someone without good reason is an absolute moral wrong that is understood and accepted by every society and culture.

Here's another example: "It is wrong to be unjust." Now "justice" is defined as, "the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness." ₍₁₎ Again, we may differ on what actually constitutes "injustice" but the principle remains the same. If injustice exists, then there must be a separate absolute standard that tells us when certain actions become unjust. 

Remember C. S. Lewis' earlier quote: "...how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line..." If there is no objective moral law to tell us that its wrong to be unjust, then the concept of injustice no longer exists and every action -no matter how cruel or unfair- becomes "right."  ₍₂₎

(1) Dictionary.com, 

(2) Some of the information provided concerning th Axiological argument for God's existence was adapted from the excellent study materials provided by pleaseconvinceme.com

The Axiological argument for God's existence uses the presence of values or morality to prove the existence of God. In this context, a "value" is a reference to the worth or importance of something while the term "morality" identifies a standard that describes what someone should or shouldn't do. We can state the Axiological argument for God's existence in three easy points:

1. There are objective or absolute moral laws that exist for all humanity ("objective" means existing independently of perception or an individual's conception).
2. Every law must originate from somewhere (sometimes stated as “every law must have a law giver”). 
3. Therefore, there must be an objective or absolute source from which these absolute moral laws derive.

The idea behind the Axiological argument for God's existence is this: there are certain moral absolutes that transcend (or go beyond) every human culture. But in order to transcend every human culture, these moral absolutes must originate from a source that transcends every human culture as well. This transcendent moral source is generally recognized as "God."

To put it another way, we could say that the existence of an absolute moral law implies the existence of a Being who established that law and tells us what kind of behavior is just, right, and fair. In order to do this, we first have to show that there are certain moral absolutes that exist for everyone at all times and in all places. This brings us to the idea of "described" and "prescribed" behavior.

The idea of described behavior is easy because it's something that we experience every day. Described behavior means that we simply look at an ethical or moral choice and talk about what we see. Described behavior doesn't try to identify whether a choice is right or wrong- it simply reports on what someone chose (or chose not) to do.

The idea of prescribed behavior is pretty easy as well. Prescribed behavior doesn't just identify someone's choice- it goes beyond the described choice to determine what that person should or shouldn't do. For instance, if you've ever said, "You were wrong to do that," then you are already familiar with the idea of prescribed behavior. That's because prescribed behavior tells us what we should and shouldn't do.

Prescribed and described behaviors don't only exist for individuals- they also exist for societies and cultures as well. We'll talk about how this ties into the Axiological argument for God's existence next.

Although the events of life seemed to repeat in an unending cycles, Solomon noticed that there was one area where there seemed to be very little order: the area of law and justice. As the Teacher observed the world around him, he said, "I have also noticed that in this world you find wickedness where justice and right ought to be" (Ecclesiastes 3:16 GNB).

Of course, any discussion on a topic like this has to begin with certain presumptions. For instance, terms like "justice," and "right," and "wickedness" imply that certain standards of right and wrong exist. In other words, something "good" or "just" corresponds to a standard that is right and correct and something "bad" or "unjust" doesn't. 

Pretty simple, right? But how about this: how do we even know that concepts like "right" and "wrong" really exist? Well to answer that question, let's consider this statement...

"Concepts like 'right' and 'wrong' do not exist."

Now here's the question: is that statement is right? 

Do you see where we're going with this? We can prove that the concepts of "right" and "wrong" exist simply by answering this question. You see, if that statement (or any statement) can be right or wrong, then we at least know that those concepts definitely exist. ₍₁₎ So now the question becomes,"What standard should we use to determine right from wrong?" This question is more important than it may appear because it has implications that go far beyond a simple question.

For example, if human beings represent the ultimate moral authority in the universe, then ideas like justice, rights, and lawfulness become concepts that are defined by the group or individual. In other words, once a group or individual decides that certain actions are correct, just, right, or fair, then they are. On the other hand, if the God of the Scriptures exists, then He represents the ultimate moral authority and precepts like justice and fairness are derived from Him.

This idea helps forms the basis of an argument for the existence of God known as the “Axiological” argument for God's existence. The prefix “Axio” refers to the “study of values” and the Axiological argument uses the existence of values or morality to prove the existence of God. The Axiological argument for God's existence can be stated in three points and we'll look at those points next.

(1) Of course, someone could reply to this question by saying, "I don't know." But the next question would then become, "Is it right to say that you don't know?"

If everything God does lasts forever (CEV), then isn't it true that our lives consist of nothing more than carrying out a pre-programmed assignment from God? Well, here's how one commentator answers that question...

"God’s determination and human freedom are not necessarily an either/or situation; they can be a both/and situation... (we) may contend that God controls the world by what he knows men will freely do. Knowing what men will do with their freedom is not the same as ordaining what they must do against their freedom" ₍₁₎

The fact that God knows our choices in advance does not necessarily mean that we are no longer free to make those choices. Instead, we could say that God has directed human history by incorporating our free choice into His ultimate plan. In other words, God controls the world by what He knows people will freely do- and knowing what people will do with their freedom is not the same as ordaining what they must do against their freedom. In this way, God works "...so that people are reverent before him" (Ecclesiastes 3:14b CEB).

"What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again" (Ecclesiastes 3:15).

This verse presents an important challenge for translators and different versions of Ecclesiastes 3:15 have handled this challenge in a number of different ways...

• "God requires an account of what is past. (NKJV). 
• "God seeks what has been driven away" (ESV). 
• "God will call the past to account" (NIV). 
• "God repeats what has passed" (HCSB). 
• "God seeks that which has passed by [so that history repeats itself]" (AMP).

One thing is clear: as the Teacher began to place his focus on God, he quickly came to the realization that the events and choices of the past were not as meaningless as he once thought them to be. Solomon saw how the great events of human history and commonplace occurrences of everyday life seemed to repeat in unending cycles- but he also viewed God as the unseen conductor orchestrating the choices of our lives to serve His purposes. 

Those choices -large and small, routine and extraordinary- have ultimate consequences for everyday life. You see, if there is a God who serves as the ultimate judge of our choices and decisions, then everything we've ever said or done carries real meaning and importance- and "God will call the past to account."

(1) Geisler, N. L. (1976). Christian Apologetics. Includes index. (231). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

"So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God" (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13).

While finite human beings may never be able to fully grasp everything concernng an infinite God, there are some things that we can definitely comprehend. A few of those things are mentioned in the passage quoted above. While these verses serve to forecast the ultimate conclusion of the book of Ecclesiastes, they also help to remind us of some important truths regarding life and work.

You see, these verses tell us that the ability to find enjoyment in life is really a gift from God. While it may be easy to focus on the negative aspects of life here under the sun, its important to take time to recognize the blessings God that has given to us and thank Him for them. For instance, the ability to enjoy a good meal and find a sense of purpose in our work are gifts from God that we should receive with appreciation. This is especially important in light of what comes next...

"And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him" (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

One good way to understand the idea behind this passage is to think in terms of something under construction. While human beings may sometimes produce work that is cheap, mediocre, or temporary, God's purposes are substantial, thorough, and permanent. In fact, anything God does is so perfect that it can never be improved upon by adding or subtracting from it. God's work demonstrates His character and this is something that should generate respect for Him just as the quality and expertise of a skilled craftsman generates respect for him or her.

However, its also possible to look at this verse with a sense of resignation. After all, if "...everything God does will last forever. There is nothing to add to it, and nothing to take from it" (NLV), doesn't that imply that human beings are really just living out a pre-programmed existence? If nothing God does can ever be changed, then why bother to choose anything? We'll consider that question and look at the answer next.

In Genesis 1:26 we find God's first recorded statement regarding humanity:"Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness..." (NKJV). This tells us that the human race first began with a concept in the mind of God. This basic truth is so important that someone's decision to accept or reject it will have a great effect on the direction of his or her life.

You see, there are many who feel an overwhelming sense of futility. "Futility" is defined as, "useless and without purpose" ₍₁₎ and that's how some people view life. Such people see the world as a place without reason, without purpose, and without hope for the future. You see, if a Creator doesn't really exist and our own existence is just a product of chance, then it means that human beings are really nothing more than cosmic accidents. It also implies that everyone came from "nothing" and returns to "nothing" when he or she dies.

Now anyone who seriously thinks about the meaning of these beliefs must eventually come to terms with an important question: "If I came from nothing and then return to nothing when I die, then what does everything I do in-between add up to?" This is the question that Solomon wrestles with throughout the book of Ecclesiastes.

But the problem is even deeper than that. No other living creature struggles with the need for meaning in life as humanity does. No other living creature has a similar concept of ideas like "eternity" or "forever." Unlike other living creatures, human beings have the ability to contemplate the possibility that our actions will have consequences that extend beyond our physical lives.

The reason for this is found within the two Scriptures quoted earlier: God has created humanity in His image and has placed eternity within our hearts. In other words, human beings resemble, model, and represent the eternal God who created us- that's why we can grasp the idea of eternity. But that knowledge by itself doesn't necessarily provide life with meaning. That's because finite human beings can't fully grasp the plans of an infinite God during our lives here under the sun (see Isaiah 55:8-9). As one version of the Scriptures puts it, "He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does" (Ecclesiastes 3:11 GNB).

(1) The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company

"What do people really get for all their hard work?" (Ecclesiastes 3:9).

If this question sounds familiar, then it's probably because it is a restatement of a question that's been already asked in chapter one, verse three (1:3): "What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?" In other words, "Is there any lasting value to be gained from all our efforts here on earth?" This is more of a rhetorical question but it does serve one important purpose: it helps our author shift his viewpoint in a significant way...

"I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11a).

The monotonous responsibilities of life seem unfold in a way that no one can change or escape- periods of life and work that quickly become burdensome, difficult (CEV), and hard (CEB). Yet despite these things, Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us that God is engineering a plan that will ultimately make everything beautiful in its own time.

Now this may be a difficult statement to accept in today's age of landfills, junkyards, and toxic waste sites. But remember that this verse tells us that "God has made everything beautiful for its own time." The local municipal garbage dump wasn't always a municipal garbage dump- and it won't be in the future. God has made "everything beautiful in its time" (NIV) and the time is coming when that will be true of every polluted, contaminated, or deteriorated area once again.

"He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11b).

Unlike those who believe that this life is all there is to human existence, Solomon clearly accepted the concept of an afterlife when he said, "(God) has put a sense of eternity in people's minds" (Ecclesiastes 3:11 GW). The difficulty for Solomon (or others who deny the existence of God) is that it is impossible to find any real meaning to our existence "under the sun" without this eternal perspective. As one commentator puts it, "We cannot grasp fully all of God's plans. Consequently because we cannot see the full consequences of our works beyond the grave our labor, lacks ultimate gratification." ₍₁₎

(1) Dr. Constable's Notes on Ecclesiastes p. 16 <http://biblestudyfiles.com/01%20-%20Old%20Testament/21%20-%20Ecclesiastes/21%20-%20Ecclesiastes.pdf>

Ecclesiastes 3:8 can be a difficult verse to assess. For instance, if God is a God love (1 John 4:8), then how can the Scriptures tell us that there is a time to hate? Well, let's see if we can answer this question by looking at one of Jesus' teachings on this subject...

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-- yes, even his own life-- he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26 NIV).

This is a situation where a little knowledge regarding the languages that were originally used to author the Bible can really be helpful. In this instance, the original word for "hate" in this verse can have different meanings depending on the context. For example, this word can mean...

• To detest. ₍₁₎ 
• To love less (as in, "I hate turnips more than broccoli"). ₍₁₎
• A feeling of strong antagonism and dislike. ₍₂₎

Since the Ten Commandments tell us that we are supposed to honor our parents (Exodus 20:12), the first definition ("to detest") can't apply. The third definition ("A feeling of strong antagonism and dislike") also doesn't apply here. That leaves us with the second definition ("to love less") which definitely fits the context. So this verse tells us that Jesus' followers must put Him first in all things. Everything else -even someone's own life and family- must take second place to following Him.

The Scriptures also tell us that there is something else that we should hate...

"Let those who love the LORD hate evil" (Psalm 97:10 GW).

 "Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts" (Amos 5:15 NIV).

 "Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good" (Romans 12:9 CEV).

One dictionary defines evil in part as,"the quality of being morally bad or wrong; that which causes harm, misfortune, or destruction, (or) something that is a cause or source of suffering, injury, or destruction." ₍₃₎ To these definitions, we might add one more: "Evil is the absence of something good that should exist." In other words, when something good should exist but doesn't, then what's left is evil.

So while the Scriptures instruct us to love others (even our enemies- see Matthew 5:44), Ecclesiastes provides us with a reminder that there are certain things (like evil) that we should hate as well.

(1) NT:3404 miseo Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc. 

(3) American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language, Third Edition

It's sometimes difficult to know when to speak out and when to remain silent but the Scriptures provide us with some information that can help us make good decisions in this area. For example, one good time to remain silent occurs whenever the opportunity to spread gossip takes place. You see, the best way to eliminate gossip is to refuse to participate in it. Intsead, Jesus provided us with a better rule to follow...

"If your brother or sister in God's family does something wrong, go and tell them what they did wrong. Do this when you are alone with them. If they listen to you, then you have helped them to be your brother or sister again" (Matthew 18:15 ERV).

When dealing with a situation that could lead to gossip, the right move is to keep silent and speak to others privately. Jesus also provided us with another good incentive to remain silent and refuse to take part in gossip...

"I promise you that on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless word they have spoken" (Matthew 12:36 CEV).

The word used for "careless" in this passage means worthless or lazy. In the verse following Matthew 12:36, Jesus goes on to say, "Your words now reflect your fate then: either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:37 TLB). So Jesus tells us that we will have to give an explanation for every idle, careless word we've ever spoken- and that by itself should provide enough incentive to know when to keep silent.

On the other hand, Ecclesiastes 3:7 reminds that there is an appropriate time to speak up. For example, the right time to speak out may occur when instances of... 

1. Injustice (the violation of what is truthful, right, or lawful)
2. Defamation (the act of injuring or destroying someone's reputation)
3. Prejudice (to favor or dislike something without good reason)
4. Unrighteousness (the act of breaking of God's law[s] or dealing fraudulently with others) ₍₁₎ occur.

Another example when it may be appropriate to speak out takes place when a government's laws begin to conflict with the laws of God. For instance, if a government engages in practices that are clearly unbiblical or refuses to allow it's people the freedom to acknowledge and follow God, then a Christian's responsibility to obey God must take priority. If a government's laws begin to conflict with clear Biblical teachings, then a Christian's ultimate responsibility lies with the highest authority. That authority is God Himself- and in such instances, it may be "...time to speak out" (Ecclesiastes 3:7 GW).

(1) NT:94 Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.

A wise person knows that there is an appropriate time for an embrace and a time when an embrace would not be appreciated. One way to help tell the difference can found in the New Testament book of Romans where we're told to, "...give preference to one another in honor" (Romans 12:10 NASB). A person who gives preference to the emotional and social needs of others is someone who is most likely to know when there is "a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing" (ESV).

"A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away" (Ecclesiastes 3:6).

While there is a time to search for something lost, its also possible to become so preoccupied with something lost in the past that it begins to affect the future that someone may have enjoyed. In situations like this, the Teacher reminds us that there is "a time to keep, and a time to cast away" (ESV). This may refer to physical possessions, but it also may refer to the regrets we often hold over something we have lost. Remember that God's grace can allow us to move forward and cast away anything with a time that's passed.

"A time to tear and a time to mend" (Ecclesiastes 3:7a).

The act of tearing one's garment was recognized in those days as a culturally appropriate expression of deep personal distress or emotional pain. This response was often seen during a period of mourning and the process of repairing a garment that had been torn in this manner was a sign of closure indicating that the mourning period had been completed.

"A time to be quiet and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:7b).

A person who says the wrong thing at the wrong time can cause all sorts of damage but Solomon's counsel actually goes far beyond the words we say.

Remember that the words we speak are just another form of communication- and its possible to say a lot without ever speaking a word. For instance, have you ever written a letter to someone in anger and later regretted it? Have you ever felt sorry that you pushed the "send" button on a post, status, or email? In today's age of social media, it especially helps to remember the Teacher's counsel: "There is a time to be silent ..." (ESV).

When you think about it, this idea of "tearing down" and "building up" is something that takes many different forms throughout our lives. For some, it may mean the demise of a building or a place that holds many memories. It could mean the end of a relationship that has grown unhealthy. It might even mean moving from a life that has been established in one place to begin again in a new place. While these changes may often be difficult, Solomon is quick to remind us that the act of tearing down is countered by the opportunity to build up as well.

"A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

Anyone who has ever laughed at an inappropriate time will recognize the truth behind this verse. And while there are times when laughter and dancing are appropriate, its equally true that things like weeping and sorrow have their place in our lives as well. While there is no "right way" to handle the grieving process, this passage tells us that there are times when it is appropriate for us to demostrate grief in a way that is genuine and appropriate for the situation.

"A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones" (Ecclesiastes 3:5a).

Back in the days of the Old Testament, a field had to be cleared of large stones and other debris before it could be planted. Once those stones were collected from a field, they could then be used to help construct walls, pathways, or even someone's home. This meant that an Old Testament landowner didn't always plant and didn't always build- there was a time that was appropriate for each type of activity.

Now it seems that the Teacher understood that the constant replication of "a time for this" and "a time for that" would quickly become boring and repetitive for his audience. So like a good author, he worked to maintain his reader's interest by reversing these negative and positive attributes for us once again...

"A time to embrace and a time to turn away" (Ecclesiastes 3:5b).

In some cultures, an embrace is part of the social fabric of everyday life while in other cultures, the act of hugging another person is highly inappropriate. A wise person knows that there is a time for physical affection and a time to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of those who might not appreciate an embrace. We'll look at one way to help make that determination next.

If you’re like most people, then you probably have an instinctive understanding that a "right time" and a "wrong time" exists for many things. For instance, a farmer doesn't plant his or her crops in the middle of winter and then attempt to harvest those crops in the summer. That's because the farmer understands that the seasons dictate "...a time to plant, and a time to pull up what is planted" (Ecclesiastes 3:2 MKJV). The problem is that people sometimes fail to realize that this idea also extends to other, not-so-obvious areas like work, relationships, and everyday decisions in life.

If you look at the structure of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, you'll find that each of these verses follow a certain format. In other words, the twenty-eight "times" mentioned within these verses follow a structure inside the framework of this passage. For instance, the chapter begins with the thesis (or proposition) quoted above in verse one: "Everything on earth has its own time and its own season" (CEV). Verse two continues by setting the parameters for human life under the sun: "There is a time to be born and a time to die" (ERV). It then continues with a positive or constructive element followed by a negative or destructive element: "A time to plant and a time to harvest."

The next few verses continue with a list of positive, favorable, or constructive activities followed by negative, unfavorable, or destructive counterparts. But this time, those positive and negative attributes are listed in reverse order: "A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones" (Ecclesiastes 3:3-5a).

In this context, the word "time" carries the idea of a particular circumstance, situation, or event in life. Like the passing seasons, these periods leave and return throughout the lives of all humanity. For instance, verse two tells us that there is a "time to put to death..."(BBE). This verse carries the idea of a death that occurs through the execution of a convicted criminal or the prosecution of a just war, while "...a time to heal" recurs often in the lives of doctors, nurses, and countless other medical professionals.

We'll look at a few more examples to illustrate this idea next.

Now for most people, this situation might sound like a dream come true. After all, there are probably few people who haven't considered the possibility that more friends, more money, or more possessions would mean more real happiness. But even with all these advantages, Solomon was finally forced to ask a difficult question:"So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless" (Ecclesiastes 2:22-23). 

So having come to these dead-end conclusions, the Teacher decided to turn his attention to something else- the problem of a calendar that seemed to follow the same repetitive series of events under the sun...

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

If passage sounds familiar, then it may be due to the fact that these verses formed the basis for a famous American folk-rock song from another generation. And while its nice to know that God's Word once helped to produce a hit record, there are a few more important things hidden away within these eight verses- and we'll start our look at those things next.

It’s been said that the “best things in life are free” and there is a lot of truth to that old saying. For instance, the Scripture quoted above tells us, "The best thing we can do is eat and drink and enjoy what we have earned. And yet, I realized that even this comes from God" (Ecclesiastes 2:24 GNB). You see, the ability to enjoy any good thing in life comes from God. Having nice things without the ability to enjoy them is worthless and without God, everything in life is ultimately pointless and futile. Building up a lot of money or possessions without regard to the God who is the ultimate provider of those things is foolishness.

What Solomon found was that the desire to achieve and attain more and more ultimately results in dissatisfaction and the desire for still more. It's only when our possessions are viewed in the light of the eternal, can we really derive the ultimate pleasure from them. Perhaps this is why the Apostle Paul gave the following advice to a young leader named Timothy in the Biblical book of 1st Timothy…

"Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money. Money cannot be trusted. They should put their trust in God. He gives us all we need for our happiness. Tell them to do good and be rich in good works. They should give much to those in need and be ready to share. Then they will be gathering together riches for themselves. These good things are what they will build on for the future. Then they will have the only true life!" (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NLV).

One commentator was quoted as saying, "The natural man who has never taken God seriously falls into the delusion that this world is all that there is." ₍₁₎ Unfortunately, our author was someone who also fell into this delusion- but we can avoid this same trap by listening to and learning from his experience.

(1) Gleason L. Archer, Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties

Now if everything we've read up to this point wasn't already bad enough, our author comes to one final realization concerning earthly wealth- the more possessions you have, the more time you must spend maintaining them. One Biblical version of Ecclesiastes 2:23 puts it this way: “Then at night our thoughts are troubled. It just doesn't make sense" (CEV). For instance, have you spent the night awake with concern over something you possesed? Well, that seems to be what Solomon had in mind when he said, “even in the night his heart takes no rest” (NKJV).

To illustrate this, let's take the example of a person who is continually driven to obtain the newest, latest, or best example of some product or service. While this person may be satisfied with their purchase for a while, he or she is bound to be disappointed at some point. You see, there will always be something newer or better than whatever it is that person already has- and upgrading usually doesn’t come easily or inexpensively. Solomon came to this same realization centuries ago when he discovered that having a lot of "stuff" will often result in a lot of sleepless nights spent thinking about how to manage it.

So now that we've almost reached the end of Ecclesiastes chapter two, perhaps it might be a good time to step back for a moment to ask a question: “How do you feel after reading these things?” Well, if you're like most people, you'd probably have to say that it's been pretty depressing journey so far. The truth is that it can be a bleak, disheartening, and discouraging task to read the things we've talked about so far. 

And you know what- it's supposed to be that way! The point is that a life lived strictly on a horizontal level without regard to the Creator will eventually lead any rational person to the depressing conclusions we've just read.

You see, Solomon has spent almost two entire chapters discussing things like labor, money, possessions, wisdom, foolishness, and building projects- but he has done it all from his limited human perspective. Only now, as we approach the end of chapter two, will he begin to consider God and His perspective. We'll see how this addition of the Creator changes Solomon's perspective next.

Earlier in chapter two, Solomon spoke extensively about the possessions that he had accumulated. Now it's time to answer this question: "Who gets all this stuff when I'm gone?"

First, he considered the fact that his descendants may not manage their inheritance wisely. He said, "I came to hate everything for which I had worked so hard under the sun, because I will have to leave it to the person who replaces me. Who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? He will still have control over everything under the sun for which I worked so hard and used my wisdom. Even this is pointless" (Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 GW)

In the end, Solomon's fears turned out to be justified. As it turned out, Solomon's son did not deal wisely with his subjects during his tenure as king. If you're interested in reading the details of that story, you can find it in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings, chapter 12.

Next, Solomon stopped to consider a very difficult reality. That reality had to do with the fact that those who received his inheritance expended no effort to obtain it... 

"Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy. So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless" (Ecclesiastes (2:21-23).

Jesus' parable of the prodigal son provides us with a good illustration of the underlying truth behind these verses. If you're not familiar with the story, then you can read about it in Luke 15:11-32. Perhaps the prodigal son would not have wasted his time living a reckless lifestyle if he had worked to secure the inheritance that he received.

The word "foolishness" or "folly" as seen above is defined as something, "resulting from or showing a lack of sense; ill-considered; unwise." ₍₁₎ So why would Solomon spent time evaluating such a concept? Well, the teacher was clearly willing to consider any possible answer in his search to discover meaning in life and "foolishness" like pleasure, building projects, alcohol, and wealth was given full consideration.

But while the subject changed, the answer didn't...

"I discovered that wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness. Wisdom is like having two good eyes; foolishness leaves you in the dark. But wise or foolish, we all end up the same" (Ecclesiastes 2:13-14 CEV).

So wisdom (in the short term at least) was found to have more value than foolishness, a truth that most people instinctively realize. For instance, if you are a wise person who chooses to eat a healthy diet, that choice will probably cause you to live a longer and healthier life than you would if your diet consisted entirely of Ring-Dings and Pepsi-Cola. Nevertheless, Solomon concluded that wisdom has only limited or temporal value- and here's why... 

"I thought to myself, 'If the destiny that waits for the fool waits for me as well, then what is the advantage in being wise?' So I thought that even this is pointless. Neither the wise person nor the fool will be remembered for long, since both will be forgotten in the days to come. Both the wise person and the fool will die" (Ecclesiastes 2:15-16 GW).

The problem is that a wise man and a fool both share at least one thing in common: each will eventually die. While a wise person may delay death, he or she can never prevent death. But if that depressing reality wasn't bad enough, there was another problem:"There is no eternal memory of the wise any more than the foolish, because everyone is forgotten before long..." (Ecclesiastes 2:16 CEB). 

While there may be some short term benefits to living a wise life, wisdom cannot guarantee that a wise person's life will be remembered after he or she has died. As far as our author is concerned, all of our human accomplishments simply go with us to the grave. And of course, this same fate befalls both the foolish and the wise, much to Solomon's disgust as we'll see next.

(1) "foolishness." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 05 Oct. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/foolishness>.

King Solomon was surely the wealthiest man on earth in his day, yet he found no lasting satisfaction from the wealth and possessions he had worked to accumulate. And while many things have changed since the days of Solomon, there is at least one thing that remains the same- money doesn't buy true happiness. 

Perhaps you may be familiar with the famous quote that was attributed to John D. Rockefeller, a man who was among the wealthiest people of his time. Mr. Rockefeller was alledgedly once asked, "Sir, how much money is enough money?" Rockefeller is said to have replied, "Just a little bit more."

Solomon would undoubtedly agree with that answer, for later in the book of Ecclesiastes he will make this observation regarding wealth...

"He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness! The more you have, the more you spend, right up to the limits of your income. So what is the advantage of wealth-- except perhaps to watch it as it runs through your fingers!" (Ecclesiastes 5:9-10 TLB).

So having tried and dismissed a lifestyle centered around things like drinking, partying, public works, and the accumulation of wealth as the keys to happiness under the sun, Solomon next stopped to consider the relative worth of wisdom and foolishness... 

"So I decided to compare wisdom with foolishness and madness (for who can do this better than I, the king?). I thought, 'Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness. For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark.' Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate. Both will die. 

So I said to myself, 'Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!' For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten" (Ecclesiastes 2:12-16).

Now at this point, Solomon may well have said to himself, "Look, I've tried everything else, I might as well consider what it's like to live like a fool."  We'll see the results of that experiment next.

Believe it or not, there are three chapters of the Bible (the Old Testament book of 1st Kings, chapters five, six, and seven) that describe the extent of King Solomon's building projects. For instance, Solomon spent seven years constructing the temple of God in Jerusalem. This magnificent building was 100 feet (30.5 m) long and was constructed of stone overlaid with wood and precious metals. He also spent thirteen years constructing his own personal residence, a palace that was one hundred fifty feet (46m) long, seventy-five feet (23 m) wide, and forty-five feet (14 m) high. 

In addition, it's thought that Solomon may have been responsible for building reservoirs near the city of Bethlehem where three pools (or cisterns) still bear his name today. ₍₁₎ These reservoirs would help to irrigate the groves and vineyards he planted and supply the city of Jerusalem with water as well. But despite these impressive accomplishments, the Teacher still found no lasting value in these works for he was forced to continue his search...

"I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!" (Ecclesiastes 2:7-9).

So Solomon not only accumulated a variety of things but he also acquired a variety of people as well. These people were not part of a life-simulation computer game where virtual humans interact in a make believe world- these were living human beings that Solomon actually owned. He also turned to the accumulation of wealth in his quest to find the key to lasting happiness for he said, "I also piled up silver and gold from the royal treasuries of the lands I ruled" (GNB). 

Of course, making money -along with the status and privilege that goes with it- is a top priority among many people today. But does the accumulation of wealth really provide the ticket to happiness? Well, we'll get that verdict next.

(1) Barnes Notes Ecclesiastes 2:6, A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown Ecclesiastes 2:6

After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world" (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3).

For Solomon, the search for meaning in life wasn't just an attempt to indulge himself in everything that life had to offer under the sun. Instead, he undertook a methodical, businesslike approach to the search for meaning in life by separating himself from his "experiments" in order to consider the evidence and render an appropriate judgment. 

So what were the results? Well, Solomon first evaluated a life consisting exclusively of pleasure, enjoyment, and laughter. In other words, Solomon just partied all the time just as many people do today. But ultimately he found that this “...also proved to be meaningless” (NIV).

Next Solomon considered the value of a life centered around the consumption of alcohol. In Ecclesiastes chapter two, verse three (2:3) he said, "I wanted to find out what was best for us during the short time we have on this earth. So I decided to make myself happy with wine and find out what it means to be foolish, without really being foolish myself" (CEV). Of course, things have not changed very much in this respect have they? Most people probably know someone (or at least have known of someone) for whom the consumption of alcohol was a major part of life. Today there are bars, pubs, taverns, clubs, and restaurants that are filled with people who are attempting to cheer themselves with wine (to use Solomon's terminology). And it's still not working.

So having tried the drinking and partying lifestyle, Solomon next turned towards something else: building projects and public works... 

"I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves" (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6).

It may be easy to think that Solomon's "building projects" consisted of a few houses and some nice landscaping- but that would be far from reality. We'll see just how extensive Solomon's building program actually was next. 

I said to myself, 'Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them.' So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind.

The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow" (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18).

This passage finds Solomon taking another approach in his attempt to find meaning in life. To do this, our author will use what we might refer to as the tools of analysis and evaluation. In other words, Solomon will begin to engage in things like research, appraisal, reason, and critical assessment in his attempt to discover life's meaning- and he will apply those tools in a number of different ways...

• He starts by telling us exactly what he plans to do: “I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven” (NKJV). 
• His tools will include the instruments of observation and examination: ”I have seen all things that are done under the sun..." (NKJV).  
• Finally, his search will be powered by the engine of his intellect:“My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge” (NKJV).

Although Solomon possessed an outstanding mind and a strong desire to know the truth, one thing he discovered is that knowledge by itself failed to infuse life with real meaning. In fact, it could be said that Solomon actually discovered that the opposite was true, for he found that, "The more you know, the more you hurt; the more you understand, the more you suffer" (Ecclesiastes 1:18 CEV).

So it seems as if he's hit a dead end- but The Teacher is determined to press on. And even though he has considered and dismissed things like labor and academic achievement in his attempt to find true happiness, there are still other avenues left to be explored- and we'll travel those avenues with Solomon next in chapter two.

In the scale of human experience, there is very little that is truly "new" in the sense of something that has never existed before. The reality is that a lot of what we call "new" is really just something old that's been packaged in a different box. One reason for this is that fact that people often don't know or remember what happened to others in previous generations- or to use the words of Ecclesiastes 1:11, "There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow" (NKJV).

To illustrate the truth of this Scripture, take a moment to think about your family members who have preceded you. Some may know very little (if anything) about their family, while others may be able to provide many details about parents, grandparents, or other family members. 

But what about your great-grandparents; the mother and father of your grandparents? Do you know anything about them? How about the parents of your great-grandparents; do you even know their names? Well, unless you've done some genealogical investigation, the chances are probably good that most of us know very little about the family members who preceded us less than a hundred years ago. 

This essentially means that all of the day-to-day details of our ancestor's lives- their hopes, dreams, aspirations, and everything that made them who they were- passed away with them. They only live on in the memories of those who knew them and perhaps a few old letters or photographs. 

But this sad reality doesn't only apply to people of other generations because what is true for them will be true of us as well. While today's age of social media may allow us to document our lives at great length, eventually there will be no one left who ever knew our generation personally. There will be no one left to speak of the countless hours invested in our lives and dreams under the sun- or as Solomon says, “There is no remembrance of men of old.”

This depressing reality will help lead our author to try a different approach- and we'll look at that approach next.

The person who lives in the "here and now" without regard for the idea of God or an afterlife will find it difficult to argue with the conclusion that anything we accomplish in life will ultimately prove to be worthless. 

For example, have you ever considered what (if any) lasting impact your work today will have? Have you ever really thought about what the average person does in a typical day and how much of those efforts will continue after he or she is gone? For instance... 

• You wake up, you go to work and produce the product, provide the service, or make the sale. Then you go home.
• You wake up, you feed the children, run the house, pay the bills, cook the meals, and put the children to bed when the day is over.  
• You wake up, you go to school, you go home, do your homework, go to practice, and go back home.
• Then you get up the next day and do the same thing all over again. 

These things are typical of life and work "under the sun." While its possible to find some value in the tasks of our day to day lives (as Solomon will later demonstrate), "Generations come and generations go, but the world stays just the same" (Ecclesistes 1:3 GNB). And just in case you've missed the point, Solomon will go on to restate this idea in a more poetic form...

"The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. 

Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content" (Ecclesiastes 1:5-8).

So even nature seems to follow the commonplace routine of our day to day lives. The sun rises and sets, the wind blows in circles, and the rivers run into the seas- but the rivers never seem to run out and the seas never seem to fill up. This tiresome, monotonous activity is something that leads to Solomon to observe that, "Everything is boring, so boring that you don't even want to talk about it" (Ecclesiastes 1:8 NCV).

"These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem. 'Everything is meaningless,' says the Teacher, 'completely meaningless!' What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes" (Ecclesiastes 1:1-4 NLT and following).

Did you notice that immediately after he identified himself, the very next thing our author writes is...

• “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (NKJV)
• “It is of no use! All is for nothing.” (NLV)
• "Completely useless! Everything is useless." (NCV)
• "Absolute futility. Everything is futile." (HCSB)
• “Absolutely pointless! Everything is pointless.” (MSG)

How did a man who had as much as Solomon come to such a conclusion? Well, this is a theme that he will continue to restate throughout this book: "All is vanity." Now a trip to the dictionary defines the word "vanity" as lack of real value; hollowness; worthlessness and something worthless, trivial, or pointless." ₍₁₎  Some synonyms for the word vanity in this context would include words like, futility, uselessness, or ineffectiveness. 

So what occurred in Solomon's life to give him such a cynical, fatalistic viewpoint? Well, he tells us that his opinion was developed (at least in part) by one simple question: "What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 1:3). This is the first appearance of the phrase, “under the sun,” an expression that will be used repeatedly throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. In fact, this phrase (along with the similar term "under heaven") appears not just once or twice, but thirty-two times throughout the twelve chapters of this book. 

From a literary point of view, this terminology is important because it tells us that the author's viewpoint is limited to our lives here on Earth and everything that occurs "under the sun." This idea will help Solomon lay the groundwork in developing the main point of this book: a life lived without regard to God and the afterlife (or "under the sun" to use Solomon's terminology) is ultimately pointless, useless, and fruitless.

(1) "vanity." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 29 Sep. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vanity>

Any concern regarding Solomon's authorship of Eccelesiastes may become less of a problem if we assume that the author's intent was to write for the benefit of a future audience. For example, the statement, "I... was king of Israel..." would help future readers verify his authority to speak following his death. His advice on how to relate to the king in chapter eight would also help instruct future generations on the right way to interact with governmental leaders. For these reasons, this study will support the traditional view that the book of Ecclesiastes was authored by King Solomon.

If you read through the Old Testament accounts of Solomon's life, you'll find that his reign was very prosperous and peaceful. We're also told in 1 Kings chapter 3 that God provided Solomon with great wisdom to rule over His people. This not only included great intelligence and technical skill, but also the ability to make the right choices at the right time. In fact, Solomon's wisdom was said to be so great that representatives from all the kings of the earth came to hear what he had to say (see 1 Kings 4:34).

Unfortunately, Solomon did not continue in the wisdom that God provided him and eventually turned away from God as he grew older. Because of this, the later years of Solomon's life proved to be very difficult. You see, Solomon had chosen to become involved in relationships with women who did not share his faith (1 Kings 11:1-2). These relationships helped turn him away from the one true God and as a result, he began to worship the false gods of the surrounding nations (1 Kings 11:4-8). The fact that Solomon chose to reject a relationship with the one true God in exchange for these counterfeits may help to explain some of what he will write about later in this book. 

As a work of literature, the book of Ecclesiastes is written in a style known as "first person narrative," a method that allows the author to directly share his thoughts, opinions, and personal experiences. Ecclesiastes also belongs to a category of Biblical books known as "wisdom literature." This category includes other Old Testament works such as Proverbs and Job, two books that also feature a number of spiritual insights gained through personal experience.

One more thing: be sure to watch for two important phrases that are repeated throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. Those two phrases are "Under the sun," and "Under heaven." These seemingly unimportant terms will have a great impact on much of what The Teacher will tell us throughout this book.

In the original language used to write the book of Ecclesiastes, the author is identified simply as Qoheleth, a word that is difficult to translate but carries the idea of someone who leads or speaks to a congregation of others. Some possible translations of this word include, "The Teacher," "The Preacher," or perhaps even "The Leader." In fact, the title "Ecclesiastes" is taken from the Greek form of Qoheleth that refers to one who speaks publicly in an assembly.

While its possible that Qoheleth served as a personal name, its more likely that this word was used as a sort of executive title, much as we might use a designation such as "Your Honor," or "Your Excellency" today. Although the author of Ecclesiastes never refers to himself by name throughout the book, there is one piece of identifying evidence in the opening sentence of chapter one: "These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem" (Ecclesiastes 1:1 NLT). This would establish the author's identity as Solomon, the son of King David who reigned as king of Israel from 971 B.C. to 931 B.C.

While many scholars believe that Solomon personally authored the book of Ecclesiastes, there have been some objections to the idea that he was the one who was actually responsible for producing this work. Those who object to the idea of Solomon's authorship generally believe that the style and grammar of Ecclesiastes point to a later author who wrote as if he were King Solomon. One example to support this is found in the Ecclesiastes 1:12 where we're told, "I, the Teacher, was king of Israel, and I lived in Jerusalem" (NLT). Since Solomon served as king of Israel until he died (1 Kings 11:42-43), it would seem to be incorrect for him to say, "I... was king of Israel..."

Another objection can be found later on when we're told, "Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would. ... the king can do whatever he wants. His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it." (Ecclesiastes 8:2-4 NLT). The concern here is the assumption that Solomon (as king) would not refer to himself as a third person in this manner.

We'll look at one possible response to these objections next.