The Book Of Ecclesiastes Pt. 38 A Believer's Contentment In Work, Marriage And Life

Each believer in Christ is safe and secure in the hand of God. 

Ecclesiastes 9:1-3  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. 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. 3)  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.

Solomon began this chapter by thinking about the one event in life that occurs to all people, rich and poor, powerful and oppressed. He is speaking of death and writing from a perspective of life without knowing God, his view is pessimistic.

The world's view is that as long as your alive, you have hope. 

Ecclesiastes 9:4-6  For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5)  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. 6)  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.

Those who are still alive have hope, from a worldly perspective. What kind of hope? A hope of gaining more wealth and things, or a hope of experiencing new things. 

Some may hope to obtain a better lot in life than their current situation while others may seek to learn some new thing.

Solomon tells us that a living dog is better than a  dead lion. That is, while we still live we still have hope. The distinction is where that hope rests. 

For a believer in Jesus Christ, our hope is firmly fixed in heaven. It is an eternal hope secured by the promises of God. It is the hope of eternal life with God through repentant faith in Christ. 

For an unbeliever, hope is found in the worldly things we just mentioned. It is a fading hope because the things of the world cannot satisfy what our soul is longing after. Only God can fill that void. 

The memory of the dead fades over time and all their works, whether good or evil, pass from memory. 

Solomon wrote from a perspective of how empty and vain life is when a person chooses to live without knowing God. Yes, such a life is fruitless, purposeless and self centered.

There is a much better life God offers to all who hear the gospel of Christ and believe. It is new life in Christ, It is walking in newness of life. It is a life filled with joy, purpose, meaning and a settled hope.

The believer can enjoy the blessings God gives to us. 

Ecclesiastes 9:7  Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. 

Solomon connects back with verse one, speaking about the righteous man who by faith believes God. He is wise because he knows God. 

All the saints of God are safe in His hand. His works are accepted of God because he placed his trust in Jehovah. 

Therefore, the believer in Christ can enjoy the blessings of life that God gives him. He may eat his food, drink his beverage, and be happy in his heart. His life is not driven by sensuality like the culture.  

Acts 2:44-47  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45)  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46)  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 

We have a picture of what Solomon is telling us about. The early church experienced the joys that accompany a life of faith. They took care of each other. 

They shared meals together, and they spent much time worshipping, praying and listening to the apostolic teaching. 

Have a good testimony. Enjoy marriage!

Ecclesiastes 9:8-9  Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. 9)  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. 

The idea here is always having our garments washed and pure from the stain of sin. It is desiring a good name in the sight of God, by being a man or woman of integrity. This is compared to the oil of anointing, that we may enjoy blessing from God.

Enjoy marriage as the blessed institution that God designed it to be. Husbands and wives should love each other to the fullest each day, rejoicing for the mate God has given them. 

Oh, what a blessing our wives are to us. 

Proverbs 31:10-12  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11)  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12)  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 

Solomon wrote about the great blessing a virtuous wife is to her husband. He can trust in her always, because she will always do him good all the days of her life. 

Use our talents and skills as God intended. 

Ecclesiastes 9:10  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.

Then, Solomon urges us to diligently apply ourselves to our work. Whatever gifts, talents and skills that God blessed us with, let us use them.

We can be productive workers and provide for our families. We can glorify God who made us to work six days a week. We can find purpose and meaning in the work that we do.

Ephesians 5:15-17  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16)  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17)  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 

The New Testament offers similar encouragement. Walking circumspectly is the idea of being prudent and cautious so that we avoid being rash or impulsive like a fool. 

Believers are to redeem the time wisely, because the days are increasingly more evil. We know what God's will is for us through reading the scriptures.

Therefore, whether at work, at home, or working on some project, we are to glorify God in what we are doing. 

Colossians 3:23-25  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24)  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25)  But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. 

In like manner, Paul tells us clearly, whatever we are doing should be done with our best skills and energy, as unto the Lord. Our Lord will reward us for our faithful service. 

However, if we do shoddy work, or we live in ungodliness, then the Lord will judge us for those shortcomings. 

This connects with the believer's potential to earn rewards or lose them, based upon our heart motivation when serving God (See 1 Corinthians 3:9-15).

Thoughts to Ponder...

Sometimes we can listen too much to the depravity going on in our cultures. This can cause us to lose sight of heaven and God's glory.

Therefore, let each believer in Christ thank God for His provision for our lives. 

Let us enjoy the food and drink that He allows us to have. 

Let us seek to live a godly life. Let us enjoy our marriage to the fullest as God intended. 

Let us remember that whatever we are doing, should be done for our Lord.

Bob