Ecclesiastes 9 (4)

Pray Psalm 115.3.
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.

Read Ecclesiastes 9.7-10.

Prepare.
1. Is Solomon encouraging Rehoboam in his self-indulgent ways?

2. This passage is intended as a warning. Of what?

Meditate.
It almost – almost – sounds like Solomon is giving up, acquiescing to the inevitable. His son isn’t listening, so, what the heck, go ahead and do what you have in mind anyway.

The clause, “God has already accepted your works”, is a subtle reminder that those who choose life “under the sun” are not beyond the scope of God’s providence. God does whatever pleases Him, even where the works of vain and foolish people are concerned. God sees their works. He “accepts” them for what they are, but in the overall scheme of things, they will not amount to any lasting good. God has given Rehoboam this “vain life” “under the sun”, and, sadly, that indeed appears to be “his portion in life”. He has already tallied up the life of the fool, and it will not lead to knowledge or wisdom, but only to the grave.

As Solomon ran through this brief litany of what Rehoboam might do, we can imagine the son hearing selectively and saying to himself, “All right, that’s what I’m talkin’ about; now you’re makin’ sense, old man.” But then there’s that “under the sun” phrase, coupled with the words “vain” and “vanity” (v. 9). Solomon is not giving up on his argument; he’s setting Rehoboam up for the ironic conclusion. None of these things which Rehoboam is so hotly pursuing are anything other than vain idols. Read a dramatic pause after the word, “wisdom” in v. 10. Then imagine Rehoboam’s face suddenly turning glum as Solomon brings his thought to its conclusion.

What Solomon is doing here is a form of argumentum ad absurdum, in which, taking a person’s wayward assumptions or convictions to the extreme, we try to help them see the folly of their position. “Go on, son, do whatever is in your heart.” Keep on doing it all your life. Have fun. Indulge your passions. Make the most of your work – while you can. Because it all leads to the grave, and there, that which really matters – wisdom – is nowhere to be found.

We might think this approach a kind of taunt, but it’s really a kind and caring tactic. Fools don’t naturally take the long view; someone has to show them that the bridge is out at the end of their joy ride. It may as well be us, since we can lead them to the right way across the chasm (Jn. 14.6).

Reflect.
1. These verses look like an endorsement of foot-loose-and-fancy-free living. But are they? Explain.  

2. Why is such a life “vain” and little more than “vanity”?   

3. Is there any nugget of truth for the believer in these verses? Explain.

Remember, my brethren, that there is no confession in the grave; nor can penance be granted when the time for repentance is past. Hurry while you are still alive. Pacian of Barcelona (fourth century), On Penitents 12.1

Lord, let the works of my hands and the words of my mouth be for Your glory, as I…

Pray Psalm 115.3-8.
Make sure there are no idols in your life. Pray for the people you know, who are deceived in their pursuit of worthless idols and have not heard the Word of God.

Sing Psalm 115.4-8.
Psalm 115.4-8 (Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Idols made by men's own hand – ever to Your Name be glory –
see nor hear nor understand – ever to Your Name be glory!
They neither feel nor walk, nor can they speak or talk.
All those who serve them fall, but unto Your Name be glory!

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). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).