Ecclesiastes 8 (7)

Pray Psalm 116.1, 2
I love the LORD, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

Read Ecclesiastes 8.16, 17.

Review Ecclesiastes 8.

Prepare.
1. What can we not find out “under the sun?” Why?

2. What did Solomon learn from his pursuit of wisdom?

Meditate.
Verse 16 is a kind of summary of Solomon’s quest for wisdom, which he has been unpacking since chapter 2. My sense of the phrase “applied my heart to know wisdom” is that this refers to the time of Solomon’s coming to his senses, after the self-indulgent period of chapter 2. “Under the sun” people can’t figure out the scheme of things with any kind of lasting satisfaction. God will not allow them to because they have turned away from Him. This is not to say that unbelievers can’t learn anything; it’s just that they can’t learn it according to the wisdom of God.

God’s ways are mysterious, and they do not make sense to unbelieving people. Only from the “under heaven” perspective can we know that God is wise, good, sovereign, loving, and just, and that all works are His works. He does all things well – everything in its place (Eccl. 3). Our calling is not to be able to know everything, or to figure everything out; rather, we must trust in Him and let His Wind blow us where He will, as we devote ourselves to seeking wisdom.

We are witnessing in our day the supplanting of one philosophical era – modernism – by another – postmodernism (and even postmodernism is now considered by many to be blasé). Ours is an age of uncertainty and confusion because old beliefs are being rejected while the new ones have not yet worked out the answers – and never will. This is why we have so much tribalism and conflict, even in Western societies.

Postmodernism will be rejected in its turn. Meanwhile, the Church continues preaching and teaching the faith once for all delivered to the saints. Believers rest in God and His truth and know peace, joy, contentment, industry, fruitfulness, and blessedness. We do not pretend to know all the answers, but we know Him Who does. Trusting in Him and resting in His Word, we live above the philosophical debates of the day – not unmindful of them, nor uninvolved, simply unaffected in any way that threatens our peace and wellbeing, or that distracts us from living for our King and His Kingdom.

We are called to pursue wisdom, and if we do so “under heaven”, we will surely increase in the knowledge of God, and of all His good and perfect will.

Reflect.
1. How do we account for the fact that unbelievers can discover and learn many good and useful things?

2. How does the good and useful knowledge that unbelievers discover fall short of being complete and wise?

3. How would you counsel a new believer to devote himself to the pursuit of wisdom? Why should he?

Solomon equates God’s work with the activity that takes place on earth. Therefore it should not be surprising that humans cannot fathom God’s activity (3:11; 7:25–29; 11:5–8). The Hebrew word translated attempts can also be translated claims or thinks in this context (see 2 Chr. 13:8 where the word is translated think). Earl Radmacher (1931-2014), NKJV Study Notes on Ecclesiastes 8.17

Help me to apply my heart to wisdom, Lord – to be completely devoted to it, so that I can…

Pray Psalm 116.1-19.
Seek the greater salvation of God – that “cup of salvation” – that He has prepared for you. Give Him thanks, and call on Him to keep you in the path of wisdom.

Sing Psalm 116.1-19.
Psalm 116.1-19 (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!

Full well the Lord has dealt with me; my soul from death He delivered.
My weeping eyes, my stumbling feet, He has redeemed forever.
Forever I before His face shall walk with those who know His grace,
And dwell with them forever.

Afflicted, I believe His Word, though lying men would undo me.
What shall I render to the Lord for all His blessings to me?
Salvation’s cup I lift above and call upon the God of love
And pay my vows most truly.

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).