Ecclesiastes - Study 3
Ecclesiastes 10-12
Study 3 of 3
The book of Ecclesiastes is a particular and focused argument. The Teacher was full of ethos, desiring his audience to enjoy life to the full. How can one have such an experience? The Teacher proposed that, in light of the cursed situation of life, “under the sun,” only by fearing God can one find satisfaction in human existence. His exhortation was thus that all fear God from their earliest days; “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth” (12.1), he said.
The Teacher transitioned his argument to the conclusion by summarizing some of the perplexities of life “under the sun” (ch 10). The scenarios he presented show both the crookedness and unrighteousness of life, and the blessings and joys that one may enjoy. How then should one live? How should one respond to the variegated situations life may bring? While one may think that the Teacher advised his audience to live robustly (ch 11). While one might expect his words to be especially discouraging to the young—who have so much of life “under the sun” yet before them, he said: “In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don’t know which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them will be equally good” (v. 6); and:
“Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the sights of your eyes; but know that for all of these things God will bring you to judgment. Remove sorrow from your heart, and put away pain from your flesh, because youth and the prime of life are fleeting” (vv. 9-10).
The teacher concluded his lesson by providing both emotional and logical appeals to his proposition (ch 12). In light of the sadness of failing health that will come upon everyone (vv. 1-8)—and the fact that in the end, “Everything is futility” (v. 8)—the Teacher exhorted his audience toward a singular conclusion: “Fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil” (vv. 13-14). Because sin had so devastated both nature and humanity, this alone is the recipe for satisfaction in life.
The apostle John records that in Jesus’ day many opposed Him because he claimed to be equal with God. After healing a man on the Sabbath, Jesus said, “My Father is still working, and I am working also” (Jn 5.17). Jesus then took up the issue of eschatological judgment—the very matter on the mind of the Teacher at the conclusion of Ecclesiastes. It becomes clear from Jesus’ teaching that He would administer judgment on all, according to the will of the Father. It is thus right to conclude that in the storyline of Scripture, if one is going to fear God and enjoy life on earth, they must fear Jesus Christ; He said:
“I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does these things in the same way. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing, and He will show Him greater works than these so that you will be amazed. And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to anyone He wants to. The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (Jn 5.19-23).
“The one who believes in Me believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me. And the one who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness…For I have not spoken on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a command as to what I should say and what I should speak. I know that His command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me” (Jn 12.44-46, 49-50).
*For a complete list of references, please see scripturestoryline.com