Ecclesiastes 9:1 ¶ For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
The tone of Solomon’s writing seems to change again with this verse. This verse states a very precious truth to every child of God—God is in sovereign control regarding everything that is allowed to touch him/her; we are firmly in the grasp of His protective hand. I couldn’t help but think of some of my favorite verses from the book of John in light of this truth.
John 10:27-30 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”
That truth, however, does not mean that the righteous and wise will only experience love and not hate or good and not bad. Scripture affirms that good and bad (from our perspective) happens to both the one who has yielded to God as LORD in faith and the lost sinner.
Matthew 5:45 “…for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
John 9:2-3 “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”
Scripture is clear that only those who have yielded themselves to God as LORD are declared righteous, that wisdom comes from God, and that the wise fear God.
Isaiah 51:7 “Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law….”
Isaiah 54:17 “This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Proverbs 2:6 “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
Psalms 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom….”
Ecclesiastes 9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
This verse is an exclamation point to the conclusions stated in the previous verse. You can’t judge a person’s standing before God by his economic condition or the state of his health. The whole book of Job gives testimony to this truth. When you study the lives of the apostles, you find that they suffered persecution and lived simply. They weren’t successful men according to the world’s standards; they were hated more often than not. Those who preach the prosperity gospel today are ignoring a major portion of God’s word and using most of the rest out of context. They are preying upon those who know little about the scripture and appealing to their desire for material blessing to promote their own lavish lifestyles. They are certainly not encouraging people to yield their lives to the LORD out of love for sacrificing His precious Son Jesus to provide our salvation.
Ecclesiastes 9:3-4 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
In these verses Solomon is addressing the issue of death; it is inevitable for all—both good and bad. Human logic makes this observation with the attitude that the way you live makes no big difference in the scheme of things; you are going to die. So….it is far better to be a living dog (a lowly, despised creature) than a dead lion (a greatly feared and powerful creature). Those with spiritual wisdom, however, know that their choices in life have a direct impact on their eternal future. They know that without God that future will be miserable, but with God is eternal blessing. Scripture is very clear in this respect.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Luke 16:22-26 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.”
Revelation 14:9-10 “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:”
Revelation 20:15 “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Isaiah 64:4 “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.”
Psalms 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Ecclesisastes 9:5-6 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
Using human reasoning, it seems to be a valid conclusion that those who are alive have awareness of their state of being, while those who are dead have no awareness. The dead have no future. As shown in the comments on the previous verse, this is not true; death is not annihilation. As we continue on in this study, we will find that Solomon does not believe this to be the case either.
Jesus made specific reference to the fact that the patriarchs of old were still alive; physical death did not extinguish their being.
Matthew 22:32 “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Though they have no portion in what is “done under the sun” currently; they have a future of blessing under the “Son.”
Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Solomon made one of two conclusions—
Live life to the fullest. Enjoy the best that life has to offer while you can. There is nothing good awaiting you at death. OR
As stated in the NLT: “So go ahead. Eat your food and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! Wear fine clothes, with a dash of cologne! Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you in this world.”
We know that from a spiritual outlook, that Solomon’s reference to physical death as the “end of life” is not true. It is however, the end of all opportunity to invest in one’s eternal reward.
Matthew 6:19–20 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal….”
Instead of doing things “with thy might,” we are to do things “heartily, as to the LORD” (Colossians 3:23).
Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 ¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
These verses make some other valid observations about life on planet earth. Fleetness of foot doesn’t guarantee victory in a race; strength and might do not guarantee victory in battle; skill and intelligence do not necessarily put bread on the table; intelligence, diligence and skill do not necessarily produce wealth; and expertise does not guarantee a beautiful product. I think the point being made is that knowledge, talent, skill and hard work do not guarantee success. “Time and chance happen to all”; as Solomon declares in Proverbs, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1)”
Fish are susceptible to being caught in the net of the fisherman and birds in the snare of the trapper. The statement is not a reference to it being wrong to fish and hunt game for food, but it is obvious that the result is “evil” to the fish or bird that is caught/snared; the net or snare is the “evil.” So too are the times in which we live called “evil.” We live in times that have been cursed and made evil by the choice of man to sin and rebel against his Creator. The “god of this world,” “the prince of the power of the air,” and the “father of lies” is Satan—the adversary of God and man.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Ephesians 2:2 “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”
John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
Ephesians 6:11-12 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
The curse of sin not only leaves man vulnerable to the attack of wicked men and evil spiritual forces of darkness, it leaves man vulnerable to the effects of the curse upon the earth caused by acts of nature. God is still sovereign, however, and scripture records that He can and will intervene according to His purpose in protection and/or refinement of His own and in judgment of His enemies.
Ezekiel 14:21 “For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?”
Isaiah 48:10 “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.”
In context here, however, I believe the reference is to the physical death of man. Just as surely as the fish or bird meets its end unexpectedly in the net or trap, so too is man subject to facing unexpected death. That truth should directly affect how we live—the choices we make.
Ecclesiastes 9:13-15 ¶ This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
His words in the previous section evidently brought to memory an event that made quite an impression upon Solomon. The memory concerned a small city that was surrounded by the army of a great king who placed it under siege and built machines intended to help him break through the city walls. Evidently there was a poor but wise man in the city who devised a plan that defeated the intents of the enemy king and his troops, and the city was spared capture. You would have thought they would have hailed the man as a great hero; instead, he remained the unknown that he was before the siege ever happened. His wise intervention was soon forgotten.
This is a sad but true commentary on the ingratitude of man toward God as well as his fellowman. The mantra of the day is, “But what have you done for me lately?” That is why the LORD has to keep allowing trials and testings in the lives of His children; it is the only way He can keep them looking to Him in faith and provision to get them through their time of need. When times are good, we tend to get too busy with “more important” things in life than spending time in fellowship with Him and seeking to serve Him rather than self.
Ecclesiastes 9:16-18 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
It seems as though Solomon understood that the wisdom of the poor is not usually appreciated. We have a tendency to pay more attention to one of strength, stature and standing. It is true that wisdom is more readily recognized and heeded when the surrounding atmosphere is conducive to listening. Those who are wise in their own eyes don’t create such an atmosphere. Those who choose to ignore wise counsel deserve what they get as a result.
We are so in need today of people who are willing to listen to the wise truth of the Savior as recorded in His word and as declared by His true servants today. Instead, the masses seem to more readily embrace the foolish words of those who are wise in their own eyes.
“one sinner destroyeth much good” – We are all to blame for the apathy that has resulted in where we are as a nation spiritually and morally, but I couldn’t help but think of Madeline Murray O’Hair and her success at getting daily prayer and Bible reading taken out of our schools. Though she wasn’t alone in the fight, she was certainly the very public voice behind the issue. Ultimately it was the Supreme Court that made the ruling that I believe accelerated the spiritual downfall and moral decay of our nation.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 ¶ Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
Reading through this chapter makes one think he is in the book of Proverbs; the manner of expression seems very similar to me.
As I read through this verse, I thought about Galatians 5:9, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” The presence of a dead fly in the perfume will turn its sweet smell into a stinky odor. In the same way, one foolish deed can ruin a person’s good reputation. This is an important truth to teach our children. It takes years to establish a good reputation, but that reputation can be destroyed in a moment—and rebuilding that good reputation will be a bit harder the second time around.
I think every Christian should soberly consider this observation from the commentary by Jamieson, Faucett & Brown: “The more delicate the perfume, the more easily spoiled is the ointment. Common oil is not so liable to injury. So the higher a man’s religious character is, the more hurt is caused by a sinful folly in him.”
Ecclesiastes 10:2-3 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
The reference to the “right hand” is a reference to strength, authority, blessing and honor in scripture.
Mark 14:62 “And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
Exodus 15:6 “Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.”
Isaiah 62:8 “The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength….”
Psalms 18:35 “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.”
Though the reference in scripture to the left hand is not always negative, there is one section of scripture that comes to mind.
Matthew 25:34 & 41 “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world….“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”
I think the context is clear that the right and left are being used as a contrast between positive and negative. The wise man’s heart is associated with his right hand, while the fool’s heart is associated with his left. Verse 3 goes on to declare that you can discern the wise man from the fool by observing how he lives and the choices he makes.
I did think it was interesting that the Hebrew for “left hand” made reference to being enveloped by the dark. Scripture often equates darkness with sin and wickedness and light with good and righteousness. The Apostle John recorded one of the clearest statements of this truth.
1 John 1:5-7 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
The wise man is obviously one who walks according to the revealed will of God, while the foolish man chooses to ignore the truth of God’s word.
Ecclesiastes 10:4 ¶ If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
Solomon is basically advising one who finds himself in trouble with one in authority over him, he should stay calm and avoid the instinct to run away in fear or respond in anger. Proving oneself calm and with self control in such circumstances goes a long way in defusing the situation and restoring normalcy.
I thought it was interesting that the Hebrew for “yielding” made reference to being curative and healing. We are so quick to associate yielding with weakness while it is actually often an action showing strength and self-control.
Ecclesiastes 10:5-7 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
I think the NLT stated the heart of the meaning the best: “Kings and rulers make a grave mistake if they give foolish people great authority, and if they fail to give people of proven worth their rightful place of dignity.”
I think this truth is in great evidence today as we look at many of the appointments that President Obama (now Biden) has made. I know that God has some purpose for allowing these men to hold the office of President in our country; I’m just afraid it might be a case of reaping what we have sown. I will continue to pray for them to come to a true understanding of God’s word and respond with a soft heart, and I hope that there are many Christians joining me in that prayer.
Ecclesiastes 10:8-11 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
The CJB is a little easier to understand: “He who digs a pit may fall into it; he who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. He who quarries stones may get hurt by them, he who chops wood puts himself in danger. If the [hatchet’s] iron [blade] is blunt, and [its user] doesn’t sharpen it, he will have to exert more effort; but the expert has the advantage of his skill. If a snake bites before it is charmed, the snake-charmer has no advantage.”
In this section of verses Solomon is basically stating that life is full of risks, but those risks can be limited when we use wisdom. Preparing well, taking safety precautions and making use of good instruments facilitate achieving one’s objective efficiently and without mishap.
Other translations made the last verse much easier to understand; it is basically saying that there is no benefit to the snake charmer in charming a snake after it bites. It helps to know that the Hebrew for babbler means master. This seems to be saying that one’s expertise can be useless if not utilized in a timely manner.
Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 ¶ The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
This is another of many sections of scripture that speak to the importance of controlling one’s tongue. The words of a wise man are characterized by graciousness—showing kindness and mercy. He is looking to accomplish good with what he says.
The words of a fool, however, are characterized by destruction—both to himself and those to whom he speaks. It brings to mind a common saying, “Open mouth, insert foot.” The wise man recognizes that the more you say, the more apt you are to find those words turned against you. The foolish man just loves to hear himself talk; he is not that interested in listening or in considering the possible consequences of having those words used against him.
This brings to mind Solomon’s words from chapter 5: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”
And these words from the Proverbs:
Proverbs 21:23 “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
Only God knows the future, and only a foolish man would claim to know anything about the future other than what God has revealed.
Proverbs 27:1 “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
Ecclesiastes 10:15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Foolish people weary themselves by investing time and energy in things that are of no real benefit. This is a direct result of embracing the wisdom of this world and rejecting the wisdom of God as revealed in His word.
The IVP New Bible Commentary was helpful with this verse; it states: “Towns are conspicuous but the fool misses the way even to what is obvious.”
Ecclesiastes 10:16-17 ¶ Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
In these verses Solomon is drawing a contrast between immature, inexperienced leadership and mature, sober leadership. A leader who is immature and is ruled by his flesh will not provide the leadership necessary to protect his nation by implementing practices that will promote its health and welfare. A leader who is mature and self-controlled is more likely to provide the leadership necessary to benefit his people.
Age is not necessarily the defining factor in this context. Some children are mature and wise beyond their years, while some adults are immature and foolish. I couldn’t help but think of King Josiah, who ascended to the throne at age 8, as I read these verses. Though he was very young, scripture tells us that he “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.” (2Kings 22:2) He was young, but he was wise.
Psalms 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
Wiersbe: “An immature king will gather those who will indulge his immaturity. But noble leaders surround themselves with noble officers who will put the good of the country first. Real leaders use their authority to build the nation, while mere officeholders use the nation to build their authority.”
Ecclesiastes 10:18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
This verse is a commentary on laziness. A building that is left unattended by its lazy, inattentive owner will soon fall into disrepair. Idleness is a serious sin and the character trait that resulted in the destruction of Sodom.
Ezekiel 16:49 “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.”
Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
At first read, I connected this statement to worldly wisdom; but as I continued to think about it, I realized that it is a very wise man that understands this to be the mindset of those in this world—those who have no spiritual understanding. To avoid being entrapped by the deceit of the enemy, you have to be able to recognize his traps. The enemy has been very successful in establishing a mindset of “It’s all about me” and in promoting success as the attainment of wealth. Those who have lots of money know that money doesn’t answer all things. There are many things money can’t buy, and these are the things that are of true value in life—the most valuable being sincere love. Money can’t buy peace of mind, though many have tried. Money can’t buy true friendship; just ask anyone who has lost his money and position of prestige.
Paul was very clear in advising Timothy against the temptations that come with wealth.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Ecclesiastes 10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
I would assume this verse to be the source of the old saying, “A little bird told me.” If so, it finds its roots in a wise admonition against even thinking bad thoughts about those in authority over you. Why? Because “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34)
Our thoughts are the source of many of our words. And if you choose to voice those thoughts—even in the bedroom, a place of privacy—you are at risk of having your thoughts revealed to that authority. I marveled at how much more serious is this admonition today with current technology. I recently reread 1984, by George Orwell. As I teenager I remember thinking how far-fetched this guy’s imagination was. Today I view him as a man of prescience and amazing insight to the inventive abilities and character of man.