29/4/22. Study 22. Ecclesiastes 9:1-10

 But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. ² It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. ³ This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. ⁴ But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. ⁵ For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. ⁶ Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.

⁷ Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.

⁸ Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.

⁹ Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. ¹⁰ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

 

1. What is the "all this" in v.1? How does Qoheleth summarize his understanding about life here?

"All this would refer to 8:16-17, where he says that he applied his heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth". He saw the impossibility of understanding everything because God obscured it.

His assurance is that despite the lack of full understanding of present life (with unjust rewards and sufferings), and the uncertainties of the future ("love or hate", cf.  6:12, 7:14,  8:14), the righteous and the wise are in the hand of God. He omits mention of the wicked here, so this statement may be taken as a promise of God's providential care. 

Here is a precious promise for us - despite appearances to the contrary, God does hold us in His loving care.

 

 

2. What is Qoheleh's point in v.2-3?  Where has he made this point before? What additional thought does he bring into the picture?

Both righteous and wicked people will die. This is vanity (2:14-16, 3:19-21). He makes 6 contrasts, most of which are quite clear except for "he who swears is as he who shuns an oath". This probably means that those who are willing to put their truthfulness to the test vs. those who dare not testify to the truth.

The additional, pessimistic note he makes is that "the hearts of the children of men are full of evil, and madness" (cf. "they have sought out many schemes", 7:29, "the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil." 8:11) while alive, then they die.

 

3. What does v.4-6 teach us about death? Doesn't this view contradict other passages of Scripture?

• The dead have no hope
• Death is kept in mind by the living.
• Life is much preferred to death, even in humble circumstances ("a living dog is better than a dead lion". All the potential and capabilities owe have are lost in death.
  
• The dead have no consciousness
• The dead have no reward
• The dead are forgotten
• Their feelings and thoughts are lost forever. Death is final.
  
• They can no longer participate in life.

The OT understanding of death (the grave, Sheol) e.g. in Ps 6:5 31:12, 88:5-12 Is 26:14 is not a positive one. Yet there was an anticipation of resurrection (Is 26:19, Da 12:2, Ps 17:15) for the righteous. There is the hint of retention of consciousness after death (2 Sa 12:23 "But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”, Gen 25:8, 17, 35:28, 39:29-33, Nu 20:24-26, Deu 35:50 "gathered to his people" or Jdg. 2:10; 2 Ki. 22:20; 2 Ch. 34:28 ‘to be gathered to (one's) fathers’ )

The NT gives a clearer picture of life after death: the thief on the cross (Lk 23:43), death as better than life because of Christ (1 Cor 5:8, Phil 1:21, 1 Thes 5:10). For the Christian, death is 'sleep'.

Qoheleth does look forward to a judgment of the righteous and wicked (3:17, cf. 11:9, 12:14). From an earthly perspective, death is truly the end of life under the sun.

4. Qohleth returns in v.7-10 to his conclusion that life should be enjoyed (cf. 2:24-26, 3:12, 5:18-20, 8:15). What new variations does he add to his previous advice?

• He makes it clear that "drinking" is of wine. 
• We should adopt an attitude of joy (v.8, cf. Mt 6:17, Is 61:3, 2 Sa 14:2)
  
• We enjoy life with our spouse (i.e. with relationships that are precious to us)
  
• We work hard at what lies to hand

We do this not only because life is unjust and the future uncertain, but because death is certain.

 

5. What does it mean that "God has already approved what you do"? 

God's favour rests on us. A right attitude to enjoyment of earthly pleasures requires God's gifting and therefore God's approval (God will not give what He has not already approved of)

6. Why do many people fear death? How do you feel about your own death? How does the fact of death help us to live better?

Death may be feared because it leads to the unknown, because it is final, or because it ieads to loss of what his valued and enjoyed in life.

Our eventual death must lead us to full enjoyment and gratitude for life, as well as responsible living because we only have a limited time to lead, and a God to account to.

We celebrated Winnie's and Qin's birthdays!