Ecclesiastes 8 (4)

Pray Psalm 116.12-14.
What shall I render to the LORD
For all His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people.

Read Ecclesiastes 8.8, 9.

Prepare.
1. To what “spirit” is Solomon referring in these verses?

2. Why is a life of wickedness futile and vain?

Meditate.
Death: It looms in the minds of mortal men and haunts their every waking moment (Heb. 2.15). No man can know or determine when his spirit will leave him, and he will ultimately die. Just as uncertain are the events that can hasten death – war and various evils. If you trust in evil to bring you happiness in this life, you will be dismayed to learn that evil will not save you from itself.

Solomon says that he understood this even as he was wandering around in the shadows and swamps of his “under the sun” existence (“All this I have seen…”, v. 9). Rehoboam knew it, too; it simply wasn’t convenient for him to keep it in mind. Like a good dad, however, Solomon was impelled to remind his son of the ultimate issues of life, and to warn him yet again that his foolish lifestyle would not avail him in the face of man’s ultimate threat.

Our generation prefers to avoid the thought of death. We euphemize it – “passing away” or “crossing over”. We do our best to postpone it by staying in shape, eating right, and masking or cutting away the indicators of advancing age. Preaching today avoids much talk of death and what comes after. We understand that the modern world scorns those who preach “hellfire and brimstone”. We prefer to focus on the bright, happy, hopeful side of the Good News.

But, as Solomon knew, the Good News is only truly good against the bad news – that it is appointed for men once to die, and then the judgment (Heb. 9.27).

But then comes the Good News again – at least for those who forsake their “under the sun” lifestyle and look to God and His salvation: Christ has borne our judgment, so that we need not fear dying and may live every day unto Him.

Reflect.
1. Why do people fear dying? Christians may have some qualms about the manner of their dying, but do we need to fear death? Why not?

2. Should our presentation of the Gospel include warnings about death and judgment? Explain.   

3. Look at verse 9. Every believer is a “ruler” in their own Personal Mission Field. How can we avoid doing harm to others by the way we rule our lives?

There is no one who has the power to cause the soul to remain within him or who has the power to take it from other living beings. This depends on providence. Didymus the Blind (313-398), Commentary on Ecclesiastes 240.20

Help me to live obediently, fully, and confidently today, Lord, as I…

Pray Psalm 116.15-19.
Praise and thank God for departed saints who have influenced your life in Christ. Resolve to be such a positive influence in the lives of those to whom God is sending you today.

Sing Psalm 116.15-19.
Psalm 116.15-19 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God Who Reigns Above)
How sweet to Him when saints depart – save me, Your servant, Savior!
From sin You loosed my wand’ring heart; I praise Your Name forever!
On You I call, my vows to pay; here in Your presence I would stay
Your praise to offer ever.

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).