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The Story: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 approved what you do”, is a subtle reminder that those who choose life “under the sun” are not beyond the scope of God’s providence. God works all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1.11) which He always necessarily approves, and He rules the rebellious and pious alike. As Solomon ran through this brief litany of what Rehoboam might do, we can imagine the son saying to himself, “All right, that’s what I’m talkin’ about; now you’re makin’ sense, old man.” But Solomon is setting him up for the ironic conclusion. Read a dramatic pauseafter the word, “wisdom” in v. 10. Then imagine Rehoboam’s brightening face suddenly turning glum as Solomon brings his thought to its conclusion.
The Structure: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 hell holds no such comforts. 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 the “bridge 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).
How do people respond when you talk with them about hell? Do you think unbelievers need to understand, at the very least, that the Bible has a great deal to say about hell, and who will be going there?
Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “This Way to Happiness: Ecclesiastes 9,” simply click here.
T. M. Moore
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.