## Ecclesiastes, Part 7

## Eccl. 8,9

2. In View of God's providence. (8:1-9:18)

a. Four Suggestions 8:1-17

1) Seek Wisdom. v1-5a

a) "who is the wise man?" in other words, who compares to him or who is his equal or understands a matter as well as he can?

b) "maketh his face shine" makes him a source of blessing to others cf. Nu. 6:25

c) there is wisdom in submitting to the king ( or unto those who are in authority over you).

d) God will punish rebellion: so realize as a wise man, that submission will bring God's blessing on you, and that there is a time appointed and a judgment set to vindicate any inequities.

2) Prepare for death.v5b-8a

a) to every purpose there is a time and judgment.

b) man is limited whether he be wise or even if he be a ruler.

c) death is that limit, "no discharge in that war".

3) Avoid wickedness. v8b-13

a) it will not deliver from death.

b) because the sentence against evil is not executed speedily, men are not averted from wickedness.

c) many continued to remain in their wicked ways and eventually died and were forgotten.

d) BUT, Solomon declares that "it shall not be well with the wicked".

4) Accept the will of God. v14-17

a) Solomon notes that sometimes wicked men prosper and just men have trouble; this is vanity in the things of this world.

b) Solomon tells us that rather than fretting over this, man should enjoy the blessings of God on his life; whatever they may be.

c) Solomon tells us that he spent night and day trying to understand the work of God, but it is still out of reach.

b. Four Observations. 9:1-18

1) All things come alike to all. v 1-6

a) many events are beyond the control of men they are "in the hand of God".

b) one event comes to all: death!

c) the living have an advantage over the dead, because the dead have no further opportunities in life.

d) Note: better to be a dog and have life, than a lion and be dead.

2) Life is to be enjoyed. v7-10

a) enjoy your life, approved by God (not apart from God).

b) when you have an opportunity to do anything, do it to the best of your ability.

3) Life is full of surprises. v11-12

a) the issues and length of life are unpredictable.

b) God has, in His wisdom, kept us in the dark that we may be always ready.

4) Wisdom is better than strength. v13-18

a) an example is given

b) a few quiet words of wisdom far exceed foolish clamouring...

c) just as wisdom is greater than weapons of war...sin destroys the good.