Ecclesiastes 8 (3)

Pray Psalm 116.3, 4.
The pains of death surrounded me,
And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I found trouble and sorrow.
Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!

Read Ecclesiastes 8.5-7.

Prepare.
1. How does Solomon use harm, misery, and uncertainty in these verses? What is he trying to accomplish?

2. How would you answer the question in the second part of verse 7?

Meditate.
Like many young people, Rehoboam perhaps believed that everything he was hoping and dreaming and anticipating, as he waited to inherit his father’s throne and wealth, would work out just as he imagined. But he couldn’t know the future any more than any other man, and he needed to face that fact.

All kinds of things can go wrong and derail our cherished plans. But the one who keeps the command of the king – and, by intimation, of the heavenly King (v. 5) – can expect that all will be well with him, even though trial and adversity may be his lot in this life (Rom. 8.28). The reminder of Solomon’s argument from chapter 3 – a time and place for everything (v. 6) – is meant to renew the point of that passage: God is in charge; God works out the details, not men. A man’s lot is to trust in God and walk in His commands. What He commands must be our guiding light in life, for only then can we be certain that we will not succumb to evil.

The message running through these verses – implied by the reference to chapter 3 – is as palpable as heavy dew. Solomon is assaulting Rehoboam’s flippancy, arrogance, and finitude, albeit indirectly, in an effort to knock a little sense into his head. He thinks he’s got it all figured out, but Solomon wants to remind him that only One can say that. Solomon is bringing his son down, reminding him of his humanness, and, hence, of his susceptibility to all the uncertainties men might face, hoping to point him beyond his folly to God.

Reflect.
1. Compare the first part of verse 5 with Romans 8.28. What do these verses together teach? How should that encourage us in our daily lives?

2. Sometimes judgment increases misery (v. 6). How does Hebrews 12.3-11 support that idea? Is misery always a bad thing, given what we learned in question 1? Explain.   

3. Christians can’t know the future any more than anyone else. How do we live with that uncertainty?

God has, in wisdom, kept away from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes. We must all die, no flight or hiding-place can save us, nor are there any weapons of effectual resistance. Ninety thousand die every day, upwards of sixty every minute, and one every moment. How solemn the thought! Oh that men were wise, that they understood these things, that they would consider their latter end! Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8.6-8

You know the future, Lord, and all things besides. Help me to obey Your Word, so that I…

Pray Psalm 116.1-6.
We have no reason to fear death, as long as we keep our eyes on the Lord. Thank Him for the gift of eternal life, and claim His rest and peace for your soul.

Sing Psalm 116.1-6.
Psalm 116.1-6 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God Who Reigns Above)
I love the Lord because He hears my cries and pleas for mercy.
Because He bends to me His ears, my prayers shall ever thus be.
The snares of death encompassed me; hell’s grip could not unloosened be;
Distress and anguish pressed me.

I called to God, “O Lord, I pray, my soul redeem with favor!”
The Lord is gracious in His way, and righteous is our Savior.
His mercy to the simple flies; He lifted me up to the skies –
I rest in Him forever!

T. M. Moore 

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).