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The Book of Ecclesiastes,
Chapters 1:-12:.
By Darren Johnson
A Commentary on the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapters 1:-12:.
Publisher’s Note:
The Scripture quotations found herein are from the text of the Old King James, 1611 Authorized Version of the Bible.
Any deviations there from are not intentional.
The publisher owns the copyright and hereby gives anyone permission to reproduce or transmit in any form and any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage, retrieval system, multimedia, or Internet system, any part or all of this publication. However, he may not sell any of it for profit.
Matt. 10:8 “…freely ye have received, freely give.”
The Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapters 1:-12:. ©Darren Johnson 2017.
Table of Contents
Introduction ….........………..…….……................4
I. Ecclesiastes 1: .…………….............5-8
II. Ecclesiastes 2: ……….……...........9-13
III. Ecclesiastes 3: ….…….……........14-17
IV. Ecclesiastes 4: ….…….................18-21
V. Ecclesiastes 5: .……..…..…........22-26
VI. Ecclesiastes 6: ......………............27-28
VII. Ecclesiastes 7: …..…..……….......29-34
VIII. Ecclesiastes 8: …...……….…......35-37
IX. Ecclesiastes 9: …...………….......38-40
X. Ecclesiastes 10: .………….…...... 41-44
XI. Ecclesiastes 11: .……………........45-47
XII. Ecclesiastes 12: .…………….......48-51
XIII. Salvation Message: …....……….........52-53
Introduction
The purpose of this book is to motivate you to study the book of Ecclesiastes. The Ecclesia is an assembly of people(e.g. members of a new testament church, political assembly) whereas the Ecclesiastes is the leader of the assembly of people or the one who addressed it(e.g. the new testament church pastor, preacher, evangelist, etc.). Solomon is the current king of Israel that regularly addressed the nation on various topics and issues of his day, etc..
The book of Ecclesiastes covers everything that King Solomon experienced and learned in this life. His conclusion was that even if you gained the world in every aspect, in the end it was all empty or vanity(Eccl. 1:1-2). He concluded that the only thing in this life that was important was to fear God and keep His commandments(Eccl. 12:13-14).
For the Christian, he can apply what he learns from king Solomon to use all his resources for God. He is to sell out to God(Rom. 12:1-2) and serve him with all his heart in every aspect of his life continually. The world has nothing to offer the Christian
(I Jo. 2:15-17). It will one day be burnt up (Rev. 21:1) and the only thing left is what you did for the Lord and the rewards you received(II Cor. 5:10).
The average Christian is ignorant of the many truths found in the book of Ecclesiastes. For the Bible believing Christian, every book in the Bible is important and loaded with truths and everyday applications(II Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17).
Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
King Solomon was a preacher(II Tim. 4:2, see comments there). He preached the word of God in the power of God. Notice that being king and being holy are promoted in God’s sight(Eccl. 12:13-14, I Pet. 1:15-16). The operation of the temple(spiritual and ceremonial) by the Levitical priesthood(book of Leviticus) was separate from the civil government(civil laws, etc., Rom. 13:1-8). God wanted priests to obey the law and the king to live godly.
It was never separation of church from the state, but separation of sin from the state
(Ps. 9:17). America has lost that concept in their iniquities and hypocrisy, etc.. Sadly to say, America is governed by humanism and political correctness and not the word of God.
King Solomon was the son of David and in the line to Jesus(Matt. 1:6, Gen. 3:15). He was the successor of king David, he ruled from Jerusalem and had 40 years of peace
(I Kings 11:42, see comments there). Solomon wrote Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes. He was a bible scholar as well as a successful king.
Vanity means empty. The world has nothing to offer the Christian(I Jo. 2:15-17). It will one day be burnt up(Rev. 21:1) and all the works in it by man. The only thing that will survive the judgment(I Cor. 3:12-15) are the saved and the rewards earned for serving the Lord(II Cor. 5:10).
By the way, a good preacher will preach against carnality(Rom. 8:6) and the things of the world (Rom. 8:36). Sadly to say in America, we are infested with religion
(Mark 7:6-9) and carnal pastors who don’t qualify for the ministry(Titus 1:, I Tim. 3:, see comments there). For more information on how to live for God, download, Separation, Part I & II, at ).
Ecclesiastes 1:3-6 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
:4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
:5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
:6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
Under the sun means the labors or work of man on earth. These are the works of the flesh(school, discipline, work, personal health, raising families, accumulating wealth, etc.). Solomon realized that people reproduce from one generation to another(around every thirty years these days it seems). People are born, reproduce themselves and then die. Meanwhile the earth is still here with the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. This is true because the earth spins on its axis toward the east in space with respect to the sun, etc.. Hence, the sun disappears until the next day(hasteth to the place where it arose) when it repeats its cycle.
The wind direction is the direction from which a wind originates. Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow and meandering air currents found in the atmosphere. We have winds in all directions that are constantly whirling around the globe. A circuit means you start in one place and then travel about until you end up back where you started.
Like the sun and wind, the life and works of man basically follow the same cycle. In general they are born, live, work, reproduce and then die. The next generation just continues the cycle of life. For Solomon, the cycle of life is vain and empty without God being involved(II Tim. 3:16-17, Matt. 6:33).
Ecclesiastes 1:7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
Like the sun and the wind, rivers follow a cycle. They run into the sea and from the sea the waters find themselves back in the rivers again(streamflow).
Basically water evaporates from the oceans and returns to the atmosphere. Water returns to earth from precipitation falling on the land. Gravity takes it into the ground through infiltration. Otherwise, the water runs downhill(runoff), where a lot of it ends up in creeks, streams and rivers, which flow downhill towards the oceans. Apart from water flowing into a closed lake or being used by man for his purposes(drinking, cleaning, etc.), the streamflow of water ends up back where it starts.
Once again, the water cycle is like mankind and the nations of man. History keeps repeating itself. The saddest thing about history is that man doesn’t learn from history and in general keeps rejecting God and his charge(go to and download, The Test of Man and the Bible through the ages).
Ecclesiastes 1:8-10 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
:10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
There are many trades, occupations and services in this life. All things are full of labor. The more we study the science(chemistry, medical, engineering, etc.) the more we learn and can apply. The knowledge and wisdom(knowledge applied) of God for the things of this earth are endless like God Himself(Rev. 1:8).
The flesh is never satisfied with the things of this life. The more we see, the more we want to see(e.g. movies, videos, books, games, etc.). The more we hear, the more we want to hear(music, advice, etc.). People eventually get bored and need more to excite and satisfy their flesh(Eccl. 5:10).
In life, we have the cycle of workers and lazy people. We have engineers, mathematicians, doctors, lawyers, teachers, laborers, manufacturers, people providing services, etc.). Governments and nations rise and fall. People make money and accumulate wealth as well as lose money and wealth. People do good and bad things, etc.. The point here is that there is nothing new under the sun on earth. People and civilizations follow general cycle of birth, growth, decline and then death.
Although, technology may be increasing, remember that before Noah’s flood, they had similar progress(Gen. 6:, see comments there, Lu. 17:26-17). Remember that they lived as long as 969 years old. They were smarter as a result of what Adam knew from the garden of Eden and had more time to apply their knowledge and wisdom. Regardless of the age man lived in, in general they follow the same cycle. They are given a commission from God and in the end of the dispensation, they have utterly failed(go to and download, The Test of Man and the Bible through the ages).
Ecclesiastes 1:11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
When you forget your history(like Americans forgot about the evils of socialism and communism and why we fought WWII), you are doomed to repeat it. American liberals are producing the next KKK(Black Lives Matter), the next fascists thugs(Antifa, BAMN), the next socialism in America, the next lie(political correctness and diversity (perversity), etc.). As a result of following falsehood and rejecting the teachings of God, they are slowly destroying themselves and this once great nation
(Jo. 10:10, see comments there). In general, man forgets the past of world history and repeats the cycle.
Likewise, there are some that get saved and live for God and pass it on(Matt. 28:18-20). This is why Christianity(salvation and holiness) and the bible(original manuscripts and Old King James bible for the English speaking people) survive from generation to generation).
Ecclesiastes 1:12-15 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
:13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
:15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
So Solomon was preacher and king over the nation of Israel, ruling from the capital of Jerusalem. He is a spiritual picture of Jesus who will do the same for 1000 years during the millennium(Rev. 20:, see comments there).
Under heaven is referring to the works of man that occur under the first heaven or everything under the atmosphere. King Solomon decided to understand everything of man that is done on earth. He called it a sore travail or toil(work involving painful effort). This is the curse of Adam for mankind (Gen. 3:16-19, see comments there).
After surveying the works of man on earth, Solomon concluded that all is vanity(the quality of being worthless or futile) and vexation(the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried) of spirit. Because of the curse brought on by Adam(Rom. 5:12), man can’t make the crooked straight. He can’t undo his sin nature by his own efforts(Tit. 3:5). He can’t undo the curse of the ground. Only God can save a person, empower the saved person to act godly and regenerate the earth in the future, etc..
Wanting is defines as the lacking in a certain required or necessary quality. Because of the curse on man’s flesh and the world he lives in, the things that are lacking in this life can’t be numbered(e.g. starvation, lack of medical treatment, peace and safety, etc.). For the Christian, he has God to meet his needs in this life(Matt. 6:33) and give him a perfect eternity in the life to come(Rev. 20:-22:, see comments there).
Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
:17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
:18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
King Solomon was the richest king of his day(I Kings 10:23, see comments there). Estate means the possessions of a person. Along with having the most possessions on earth, Solomon had more wisdom than anyone on earth(I Ki. 3:5-13, see comments there). He wrote the book of Proverbs(a proverb is a short saying that expresses a basic truth or practical precept). Solomon had great experience in wisdom(knowledge applied) and knowledge(knowing facts).
Solomon gave his heart to know all wisdom as well as foolishness(madness and folly) or the things that are wrong and sinful. He made the mistake of thinking that he had to experience it before making a conclusion. E.g. I don’t have to smoke, drink alcohol, look at pornography, murder, steal, lie, cheat, fornicate, commit adultery, etc. to know that it is wrong(Ps. 19:14, see comments there). You don’t have to learn the hard way to learn something Christian, etc.. Solomon learned much wisdom and knowledge as well as the grief and sorrow that goes with it(addiction, damaged body, ruined relationships, etc.).
Also, having more knowledge and wisdom in a field won’t bring happiness. E.g. I am a Research Scientist and the more I learn the more I don’t know, etc.. Doing more makes me more effective, but isn’t the source of my inner happiness, peace and joy(Rom. 14:17, see comments there). Learning and stretching your brain cells to solve complex and hard problems is wearisome. I would rather coast into retirement, but research is what I do for a living and it needs to be done, etc.. Getting and keeping a high profile job is a lot of toil and sweat in this life, etc..
So the man with all the facts, wisdom, experience and riches is giving his opinion on the meaning and purpose of life. He tries and learns it all on earth and finds that the things of the world are lacking(Matt. 16:26).
Ecclesiastes 2:1 I SAID in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
:2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
:3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
Mirth is amusement, especially as expressed in laughter. Pleasure is a feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment. That said, it is good to laugh and be merry(Pr. 17:22). However, there is a right way and a wrong way to experience laughter and joy. Christians don't have to indulge in the things of the world(movie, music, sports, worldly entertainment, etc., I Jo. 2:15-17, see comments there) to be merry. When you are right with God doing God's will, he will bring the laughter and joy. The mistake Solomon makes is that he goes to the world to be entertained. Sin has a price tag(Jam. 1:14-15, see comments there) whereas holiness does not(II Cor. 5:10).
King Solomon found that the pleasures of the world were vain. Laughter from the world was mad or insane and the amusement from the world has no godly purpose(e.g. An amusement park). By the way muse means to think(Ps. 143:5) whereas amuse means not to think. Solomon gave himself to wine(Pr. 23:29-33) like they do in the bar rooms of America and tried to mix that with the wisdom of God.By the way, sin and holiness don't mix. Holiness plus sin is sin. Holiness is sinless(I Pet. 1:15-16). Many Christians thought they could compromise the word of God and their walk with God in the name of more converts, bigger offerings and more prestige with the community(I Tim. 6:5, see comments there). It never works out as Solomon also learned the hard way in his life.
King Solomon decided to lay a hold of folly which means lack of good sense; foolishness. By the way, sin is pleasurable for a season(Heb. 11:25, see comments there). There is temporary pleasure in getting drunk on wine. Then you have to pay the tab(loss of income), throw up, deal with addiction, etc.. Sin makes the body feel good(smoking, recreational drugs(smoking, marijuana, crack, cocaine, heroine), etc.. However, it is the cost that follows that is more than people planned to pay(Gal. 6:7-8, financial costs, destroyed bodies, finances and relationships). King Solomon indulged in the pleasures of the world(see, feel, hear, touch, taste, etc.). He tried it all as they say and in the end it was worthless to himself and to God.
Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
:5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
:6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
:7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
:8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
:9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
:10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
King Solomon decided next to achieve greatness in the world to find personal satisfaction and fulfilment. He did it all in the world(see, feel, hear, touch, taste, etc.). He tried it all as they say and in the end it was worthless(Rom. 14:17, see comments there).
Solomon built great works: houses, vineyards, gardens, orchards(with trees of all kind of fruits) and pools of water(water the wood that brought forth trees). He basically built a successful business in this life that involved construction and farming. He had great possessions: great and small cattle, silver, gold and peculiar treasures of kings and of the provinces(e.g. diamonds, various jewels, jewelry, sculptures and paintings, etc.). He obtained people who worked for him: servants, maidens, servants born in his house, men singers and women singers, those that could play instruments as well as the instruments themselves(e.g. Orchestra, choir, etc.). He had all sorts of musical entertainment that his day could afford, etc.. So Solomon built a great company with thousands of employees as well as his own professional group of musicians and singers.
Solomon achieved greatness in his time and was greater and more famous than anyone in his day in Jerusalem. By the way, Israel was the most powerful nation on earth at the time. He was the envy of everyone on earth in his day. Solomon's wisdom remained with him through all this. He didn't get dumber or fall into any of the traps of life from lack of wisdom(investments, personal injuries, etc.). He took and experienced everything his eyes desired. He experienced every joy. He rejoiced in his labor or hard work and relished in his great accomplishments in this life.
In spite of all his accomplishments and experiences with his personal business and vocations, he was still unfulfilled. All was vanity and vexation of spirit with no spiritual profit under the sun. E.g. this is why billionaires and successful business people are unhappy. They achieved the ultimate success and found there was no total satisfaction at the finish line.
Personally, the only thing that matters in the end is my ministry for the Lord. Work, wealth and the physical fruits of this life are just tools God gives me to better serve Him and promote salvation and holiness(Neh. 8:10, see comments there, Matt. 6:33, Ps. 37:4). By the way, for the Christian, holiness is like gravity. Learn from the world as they jump off the cliff trying to defy it. Don't experience it and learn the hard way, etc..
Ecclesiastes 2:12-16 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
:13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
:14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
:15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
:16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
Solomon realized that life is a cycle of wisdom(knowledge applied and acting wise with a sound mind), madness(acting crazy with and unsound mind) and folly(acting foolishly). Man will choose one or the other at every moment of his life. Solomon concluded that wisdom was greater than folly like light excels darkness(Jo. 3:20-21, Gen. 1:3-5, see comments there). Notice that light is the opposite to darkness like wisdom is the opposite of folly.
The wise man follows the facts and not feelings, like left wing political liberals in the U.S.(BLM, Antifa, Planned Parenthood, illegal immigration, DACA, political correctness, etc.). The wise man thinks and sees with his head. He is not influenced by drugs, sex drive, social standing, political power, money, etc.. He does right on purpose, even when it doesn't feel good(e.g. I get up in the morning and go to work regardless how I feel about it). The fool walks in darkness(Jo. 3:20-21). He follows the things that are sinful(abortion, homosexuality, evolution, global warming, socialism, communism, worldly entertainment(I Jo. 2:15-17), if it feels good do it, etc.. However, the great equalizer under the sun or in life on earth is that everyone eventually dies. Wisdom can't keep you alive in the flesh. In modern days, everyone is dead before their 125th birthday.
Solomon realized that as far as how much time you have on earth(average life span is 79 years in the U.S.) it is roughly the same on the average. After you are dead, the wise man like the fool is forgotten along with all of their works in this life by man. E.g. apart from famous historical figures, the millions that have died over the last thirty years, their lives have mostly if not completely have been forgotten. Except for possibly a few precious memories of your family and close friends, the rest of their lives are mostly forgotten. Solomon found the forgotten memory of each individual man on earth as vain. That said, God doesn't forget one detail of life and will one day judge all for everything they did right and wrong(Rev. 20:12-15, II Cor. 5:10, see comments there).
Ecclesiastes 2:17-19 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
:18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
:19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
As a result of realizing how life under the sun works(cycles, everyone dies, every labor in the flesh is vain, etc.) king Solomon began to hate life itself. Work under the sun is grievous(severe and serious) because of the curse of the first Adam(Gen. 3:17-18). To Solomon everything in life became a vexation
(the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried) and empty. By the way, this is why God sent the second Adam(Jesus Christ, I Cor. 15:45, see comments there), to restore the paradise that was lost by man because of sin.
The king realized that all of his wealth gotten by hard work would be passed on to his heir(primarily his son who would succeed him as king and probably included all of his children, etc.). His kingdom would either be ruled by a fool(king Rehoboam, I Kings 12:, see comments there) or a wise man. Either way, this person would benefit off the fruits of Solomon's labor without working and suffering for it.
By the way, this is why you raise your kids in the fear of the Lord. So they will take your wealth after you are dead and use it wisely for the Lord. Otherwise, like in some cases, the children or heirs waste the money on foolish and carnal living. Christian, you didn't sacrifice your whole life, so a fool could enjoy it after you are dead.
Ecclesiastes 2:20-23 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
:21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
:22 For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
:23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
So king Solomon was in despair(the complete loss or absence of hope) about his life and the labors thereof. Remember he built many successful businesses in equity (fairness), wisdom and knowledge (Eccl. 2:4-9). Yet, it will all be left to the person after him who didn't work for it. He found this not only empty, but a great evil.
The point here is like in American culture. We have people who have an entitlement mentality. They think they deserve welfare(food stamps, section 8 housing, child care, rent and utility assistance, free education, etc.). There is great wisdom when you work and invest hard to earn your money. You learn the value of the dollar and the foolishness of giving it to a moocher, lazy person, illegal alien and/or welfare dead beat, etc..
E.g. I learned great lessons in graduate school getting my Ph. D. living off of a shoe string as they say. Every 25 cents was accounted for and every transaction was scrutinized. I learned how to invest my money starting with $2000 dollars. I took chances and learned some hard lessons. However over time, I figured it out as they say and now at age 50 I am on easy street. Why should I give my hard earned money to a 25 year old fool with an attitude, etc..
King Solomon pointed out that the person who labors in this life on earth for himself sacrifices rest and comfort to get and stay ahead. What is the point of all the sorrow and travail in his labor. Plain and simple, if you are not living for God and doing his will, you are just wasting your time(Eccl. 12:13-14). This is the great equalizer. Knowing that on judgement day that God will reward every millisecond of holiness after you get saved, makes you want to work hard(II Cor. 5:10, Rom. 12:1-2). To the lost and/or carnal person under the sun, he is just working for himself for the benefit of this life only. He won’t get to enjoy the results of all of his hard work. On the flip side, the Christian will get to enjoy every detail of it forever, Hallelujah!!!(Rev. 20:-22:, see comments there).
Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
:25 For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?
:26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
King Solomon concludes that while on earth, man should eat and drink while enjoying the fruits of his labor. For the Christian he can do this while serving the Lord(Matt. 6:33). A person is blessed by God when he can enjoy the ride as they say or the benefits that he earns along the way on life’s journey, etc.. Also, the Christian can enjoy himself regardless of his circumstances(Phil. 4:11-13, see comments there). By the way, the Christian doesn’t have to sin to enjoy himself(Rom. 14:17). Ah, the benefits of being saved and serving God in holiness. Now holiness is keeping the commandments of God in the power of the Holy Ghost. The commandments of God are the Old King James bible for the English speaking people(Ps. 12:6-7, 19:14, see comments there).
If anyone had the power to enjoy the fruits of his labor, it was king Solomon. He had forty years of peace over a nation that was the mightiest and richest on earth in his days. For the sinner, his sinful habits catch up to him(Jam. 1:14-15, see comments there). Also, notice how rich, healthy and/or famous people still have issues with unhappiness. True happiness is not found in the world(Rom. 8:6). For the saved, God gives him knowledge(Pr. 1:7), wisdom(Pr. 9:10) and joy(Rom. 14:17) in this life. These things make life very peaceful and enjoyable, etc..
On the flip side, the sinner gets travail(painful and laborious effort(Pr. 13:15). His efforts and wealth are heaped up to be given to someone who is good before God. For Solomon it is vanity and vexation of spirit to see someone labor and suffer for nothing. E.g. I have seen lost people lose their health and wealth in this life over the things of this world. I have seen them worry, fret, be anxious, lose sleep, etc. for the things of sin
(Phil. 4:6-7, see comments there, etc.). The lost person can get saved(II Cor. 6:2) and start receiving the godly benefits. What a waste of life if you die lost(Rev. 20:12-15, Mark 9:43-48, see comments there) or a saved person forsakes the Lord to live for himself(I cor. 3:12-15, see comments there).
Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 TO every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Seasons are like cycles(Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter repeating in that order). Like a train follows a schedule, there is a schedule in heaven on the events of history. E.g. in the book of Revelation,
Rev. 1:-3: talks about the present and the current new testament church age, Rev. 4:-19:, talks about four views of the seven year tribulation, Rev. 20: talks about the 1000 year millennial rule of Christ and Rev. 21:-22: talks about eternity. Any fulfilled prophecy in the Old Testament happened according to God's timing and glory, etc.. Also, God gives life and takes it away(everyone is born, lives and then dies). In farming, seeds are planted at the right time in the right place to get maximum yield(harvest)
().
There is a time to kill(e.g. Execute a law breaker, go to war against another nation, etc.). There is a time to heal(e.g. post-surgery, after the doctor gives you medicine, physical therapy, chiropractor, massage therapy, acupuncture, prolotherapy, R.I.C.E.-rest, ice compression, elevation, etc.). There is a time to break down(e.g. Demolish an old building, take the vehicle to the junk yard, throw clothes away, 2nd law of thermodynamics, etc.) and a time to build up(E.g. Refurbish electronic products, repair the house and car, repair clothing, etc.).
Ecclesiastes 3:4
There is a time to cry or weep. E.g. when a loved one dies, a tragedy occurs(physical, financial, spiritual, etc.). Sometimes crying gets it out of your system so you can go forward. There is a time to laugh. E.g. It is good to laugh at yourself sometimes. Laughter accompanied with holy fellowship and humor is a good way to relax from your days labors or break time, etc.. Laughter is a type of holistic medicine(Pr. 17:22, feel good with no side effects). There is a time to mourn(E.g. a week or month after a close loved one dies(like a spouse). People sometimes need time to move past a loss of a job, income, a tragedy in their life and/or a death of a loved one(Numb. 20:29). There is a time to dance. Now there is a right way(Ex. 15:20-21, see comments there) and a wrong way(Ex. 32:19-23, see comments there) to dance. Dancing for and to the Lord is a good way to celebrate and relax from your labors. Going to a carnal party and/or bar room is not a good way to celbrate especially when alcohol is present, worldly music and women with very little clothes on(go to and download, New Testament Church Music).
Ecclesiastes 3:5-6 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Casting stones away probably refers to clearing an area for construction(houses, buildings, other structures, farming, etc.). Gathering stones together could refer to sharpening stones(for blades, etc.), marble(for building purposes), as well as other stones for various uses, etc.. There is a time to embrace (hug someone or hold closely in terms of celebration, show affection to your opposite sex spouse and/or family member, etc.) and a time to refrain from embracing(to avoid fornication, people of the opposite sex should avoid touching for social purposes, I Cor. 7:1, see comments there).
There is a time to get. In life, we get services(grants and/or scholarships for education), money(gift, inheritance), opportunities(jobs, investments), etc. for free. There is a time to lose(pay taxes, pay for unexpected expenses, pay for the actions of another, lose opportunities because of your own actions whether good or bad, etc.. There is a time to keep(e.g. investments for the long haul(precious metals, stocks, bonds, savings, store up food and other supplies, etc.) and a time to cast away(unload a bad investment, forsake the public schools of America(Pr. 22:6), false religion(II Cor. 6:2) and politics(Democrats and Republican establishment neo-con globalism, etc.).
Ecclesiastes 3:7-8 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Rend means to tear whereas sew means to fasten together. In the fabrics and/or clothes making industry, they know just about everything when it comes to sewing. Likewise, carpenters, seat/furniture refurbishing, etc. now a lot about tearing down parts of a structure before fixing and/or, rebuilding it. You tear away the bad and replace it with the good which is built in its place. In life, we need to tear away from sin from our lives and sew in holiness(Rom. 8:6, see comments there).
There is a time to speak(e.g. When arguing over key legislation, giving advice and recommendations on projects at work, disciplining your kids, correcting an employee, teaching a student, giving good advice to someone, etc.. There is a time to keep silent. E.g. when someone is upset and acting out in emotion or irrationality. Let them come down first and regain their sober mind before you speak. A person may be busy at the moment with something else(work, family, investments) and telling them something can wait until they have en extended break of time, etc.. Sometimes people aren't mature enough to hear the advice you have to give them or the need just hasn't arrived yet. People are most interested in hearing advice about what stocks to buy or what kind of car to get when they have the money to available to spend and not when the purchase is over a year away, etc..
There is a time to hate. Christians should hate sin(homosexuality(Rom. 1:27), evolution and global warming(I Tim. 6:20), abortion(Gen. 25:23), false religion
(Mark 7:6-9), carnality(Rom. 8:6), worldliness(I Jo. 2:15-17), etc.. There is a time to love (the truth, I Cor. 13:6), obeying God's commandments(Jo. 14:15), your children(Pr. 13:24), spouse(Eph. 5:25), show general compassion to others for the right reasons(I Cor. 13:4-8, see comments there). There is a time of peace(other people, Rom. 12:18 as well as other nations(work out trade and peace agreements that are mutually beneficial to both countries) and a time of war(II Sam. 8:1-11, see comments there).
Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
:10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
:12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
King Solomon asks the question on what is the profit or gain for the person that labors. Travail means toil or painful effort. Sweat and exhaustion are the result of Adam's sin(Gen. 3:17, see comments there). God makes everything beautiful in its time. E.g. the fields white onto harvest, a nice sunny day, the creation of God in general on earth, etc.. God sets the world in the hearts of men. The nature desires to profit and be rich(Matt. 6:33). However, God's creation(Gen. 1:, see comments there) is so elaborate that man can never figure it out(micro-organisms, atoms, how the earth was formed and how it makes things grow, etc.). This is why there are so many sciences that are studied in school that relate to things on earth, etc.. Therefore, it pays to get a hold of God and get His knowledge and wisdom(Pr. 1:7, 9:10).
Ecclesiastes 3:17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
God judges the righteous and the wicked in this life and the life to come. God has His own timetable on when the judgement of a person and/or nation occurs. Fulfilled prophecy and past blessings and curses on people are the guarantee of the future. The good news is that no rewards can be lost in eternity. Hence, everything a Christian does is eternally preserved and rewarded to the point where it always pays to serve and sacrifice for the Lord(Jo. 14:15, 21, Rom. 12:1-2, II Cor. 5:10).
Ecclesiastes 3:18-20 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
:20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
God shows man that He is righteous, but man is a liar(Rom. 3:4, see comments there). God made everything perfect and the sin of man ruined it(download, The Test of Man and the Bible through the Ages, at ). Man compared to God is likened to a beast(animal) compared to man. God is eternal, man is mortal with a soul and spirit and the beast has a spirit but no soul(act on instinct). An estate is the belongings of a person. In terms of man, this would include his personal abilities and behavior as well as his possessions.
Man is like the beast in that it is born, it lives and dies. They both have instinct, spirits and the breadth of life. They desire food, protection and safety, etc.. In this regard, man is not superior to the beast. Man and animal are made from the dust of the earth(Gen. 2:7, 19-20, see comments there). Hence when they die, their bodies decompose back into the dust again. King Solomon said that under the sun on earth all is vain, because everyone eventually dies regardless of their status in life or accomplishments. Death is the great equalizer.
Ecclesiastes 3:21-22 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
:22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
When man dies, his spirit and soul go to heaven, whereas his body goes to the grave. One day, they body will be made immortal(I Th. 4:17-18, see comments there). When the beast dies, his spirit and body go to the grave. Remember that the animal or beast has no soul and he was created from the ground. What God does with all the animal spirits is probably dissolve them back into nothing. After all, that was how he created them. For the animal, all it has on earth is the life that it has and that is it.
So king Solomon concludes that there is nothing better than to rejoice in the portion that God has given you on earth or under the sun. God gives every man gifts and talents
(Rom. 11:29) as well as the ability to work and prosper. However, after you are dead, you can't see nor enjoy the fruits of your labor that you left behind. That is for the next generation to enjoy. Spiritually, the Christian will enjoy his place in the millennium as well as the rewards of obedience in eternity. This is why I labor and strive every day for the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 SO I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
:2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
:3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
Oppression means prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control. We see this in communist and fascist countries where the authoritarian political power oppresses the people with force, taxes and lack of good services, while pretending to represent the people. This sounds like the far left Democrats in the U.S. Who project onto others what they are guilty of themselves. They cry KKK, yet Black Lives Matter is the black KKK and the democrats were the founders of the white KKK not to mention had slavery in their platform(1840, 1864). Under Obama, the economy got worse, the deficit doubled, we lost respect globally with our foreign policy, health care got worse, etc..
Others who oppress would be gang members on a community(e.g. MS13), bullies at school who use force to get their way, people in charge who take advantage of those under them for their benefit(e.g. Work, school, church, etc.). Those who are oppressed have no comforter under the sun on earth and are subject to the torture(hence they cry out with tears). Those who oppress are insecure in their ways, teachings and control and are always worried who will try to take them out(from within or without). Hence, they have no comforter, but for a different reason. Comfort means a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint. The oppressor creates discomfort for all over time regardless who is in charge and being oppressed. This is why the U.S. Fought WWII, because of the oppressive global forces of communism and fascism(which now occupy the liberal democratic party in the U.S.).
King Solomon points out that the dead are better off than the living because they neither are oppressed nor oppress. They are free of the troubles of this world. Furthermore, Solomon claims that the unborn are better than the living and the dead because they never experienced the oppression or being the oppressor in life that everyone at some point experiences. Oppression is an evil work. However, if you get saved and serve the Lord, you have a spiritual Comforter(Jo. 14:26, see comments there) that will get you through every moment of oppression with joy. Also, He will teach you how to lead without oppressing others, etc..
Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
:6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
King Solomon points out that there are those who are envious or jealous of those who do right works or make a nice living the right way. E.g. the welfare recipient is jealous of what the college graduate has as a result of working his way into a good paying salary with benefits. The moocher thinks the world owes him a living without earning it(education and labor). This is what is wrong with the entitlement generation who thinks the government owes them a living. They criticise capitalism for not working. The problem is that they are not working or working smart. They want the high paying job without the sacrifice it takes to get there. They want a prosperous business and/or investments without doing the work and/or research to get there.
Sadly to say, the liberal democrats made a voting block out of these people to use them to gain more power and money in the U.S.. They use identity politics to push a false narrative of oppression and inequality rather than focusing on people’s lack of discipline, law breaking behaviour(illegal aliens), lack of skills and desire to better themselves, etc.. This is how socialism and communist governments creep in and destroy the nation as a whole.
The fool or not wise person folds his hands. This implies he isn’t working with his hands(agriculture, computer, etc.) because he is lazy and lacks a desire to work. Furthermore in America, the welfare deadbeats are given free housing(section 8), food(food stamps), day care assistance, etc.. The last I heard in Hawaii, the average welfare deadbeat gets the equivalent of 60K a year salary in welfare benefits. Why work when uncle Sam(sucker) or the tax payer is going to pay and work for it, etc..
However, the fool is eating his own flesh or destroying himself because he is stuck in the bondage of dependency. Sadly to say, he is more likely to pass on his foolishness to his children who will continue in the cycle(generational welfare).
It is better to earn a basic living and have peace and quiet in your life, than to make a fortune and be full of travail and vexation of spirit(worry, anxiety, constant pressures to perform, long hours, etc.). E.g. In 1995 I had a choice to work for the oil, insurance and/or pharmaceutical industry and make double what I make now. Otherwise, I could keep my statistician(now research scientist) job in exchange for peace, joy and happiness.
My fellow graduates envy me because of this. After 10 years they understood now why I did what I did. I have time for any other activity I choose and have more than enough to pay my bills and have money left over when I retire for a decent retirement. In other words, there is more to life than money(free time, less stress, spend more time with others-family, friends, church, etc.).
Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
:8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
King Solomon observed the person who was alone(not married and living alone). By the way, living alone isn’t a sin or a curse. Like anything else(getting married), if you are serving the Lord and experiencing God’s blessings(Rom. 14:17), you are doing just fine. That said, the single person with no descendants(sons, daughters), who is always working hard, is not satisfied with getting wealth and doesn’t see what or who he is laboring for is vanity.
The point here is that your hard work should have a purpose and an end result
(II Cor. 5:10). E.g. I now a Christian man who is single and he works hard for the benefit of the ministry of the new testament church. He is saving for his retirement, but if he dies early, he has Christians(spiritual brothers and sisters) in the ministry in his will. That way, when he dies he will still be a blessing. Hence all of his work has purpose and meaning in one way or another. So make all you can, give all you can and save all you can while serving the Lord. Be smart with your possessions and estate after you are dead.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Teamwork is more productive than individual effort. You have twice the resources (money, brains, possessions, connections, education, etc.). Even is sports, it is the team that works the best together, not necessarily the most talent that wins championships. When there are two people involved, if one falters the other can step in to make up the difference in the short and/or long run.
E.g. When raising children, if one spouse is sick, the other spouse can do double time while the other spouse is recovering. Single parents always need child care and have to handle all of the family responsibilities(not shared with a spouse). When you are alone and you get into a situation(health, money, job, etc.) you only have yourself to rely on. However, if you are connected with a good new testament church, other church members can in the short run step in to help to lessen the blow, etc..
In marriage, the couple of man and woman sleep together and have each other’s body heat in addition to the blankets to keep them warm. The single person needs extra blankets or has to turn up the heat when it is cold to account for the difference. Note that in Solomon’s day, they didn’t have electricity but fireplaces to generate heat in the homes or fans to generate the cooler air, etc..
In warfare on the battlefield, in business activity, and/or in any other activities, two people working together are harder to defeat than one person by himself. In battle, it is easier to defeat a foe with two working together versus just by yourself.
In the textile industry, thread can be made of combinations of fiber. E.g. Thread with a core of polyester and an outer wrap of cotton, spun polyester, or rayon combines the characteristics of both fibers. Fiber combinations make the fabric more durable(harder to tear and destroy). Hence the threefold cord is better than a single cord or thread.
E.g. I remember in marital art practice having to fight three people at once. Focusing on three moving targets is way harder than one moving target that knows how to fight back. If I knocked down one person in a street fight, I couldn’t finish him off because of the other two people fighting me, etc.. In business, it is hard to defeat the creative minds working in unison(two or three). God promises to show up when two or three agree in prayer(Matt. 18:20).
Ecclesiastes 4:13-14 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
:14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
It is better to be wise and poor than to be rich and powerful, yet foolish. With wisdom, a person can obtain riches and power(Pr. 8:11-21). Foolishness is sinful
(Pr. 24:9) and it leads to destruction as well as loss of health, wealth and power. If you don’t know how you lost your resources(lack of wisdom), you won’t have the ability to get it back(Pr. 1:7, 9:10). E.g. The old foolish leaders(Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders) will not listen to advise or counsel against their failed leadership and policies(no more admonished). We need fresh congressional representatives who are wise, not beholden by special interest and lobbyists, who will put the needs of the taxpaying American first(like Donald Trump and Rand Paul, etc.).
usually goes in one direction(downward destruction).
A person who previously suffered in prison for standing against oppression, corruption and for what is right will be a great strong leader. E.g. One good thing about the American founding fathers is that they gave up their wealth and positions while pledging their honor to produce a better nation apart from the Old British empire. When what you fight for costs you something, you are more committed to the cause and will sacrifice anything good to promote good, etc.. This is the opposite of the far left who call the founding fathers racist while they forment their bigotry and racism against the law abiding tax paying citizen. This is how a prisoner like Joseph became king and prospered as second in command in Egypt(the world’s super power of their day, Gen. 41:, see comments there) whereas we have seen over time how kings have been defeated and/or their countries have been decimated economically because of their foolish policies(Dan. 5:18-31, etc.).
Ecclesiastes 4:15-16 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
:16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
King Solomon points out that the second child will stand up in the kings stead(the place of a person or thing as occupied by a successor or substitute). This implies that the firstborn messes up somehow and the second born has to fill in the gap as the firstborn. Also, in life, the second born child usually learns from the mistakes of the firstborn child as he grows up and benefits from the wisdom. As a result, he is more qualified and does a better job than the firstborn. In terms of inheritance or succession, the wise kid usually gets the most, etc..
The number of people who were born, lived and died on earth are no doubt in the billions and the real total has only been estimated(not counted, hence there is no end of all the people, etc.). The point here is that the billions that are born after the king passes will eventually forget about the accomplishments and well as failures of the current king. In other words, what man learns from history is that man doesn’t learn from history.
E.g. In America, liberals push revisionist history or history that caters to their political agenda. Hence the have fake history and don’t learn from those of the past. This is why we see the rebirth of communism, socialism and fascism amongst the far left Democrats while ignoring the obvious global history against such nonsense that occurred in the last 100 years, etc.. Solomon rightly concludes that it is vanity and vexation of spirit when you forget your world history. You are doomed to repeat it!!!
Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 KEEP thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
:2 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.
:3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
The house of God would be the temple or tabernacle(portable temple) under the Mosaic law. It would be the new testament church under the new testament covenant. When a Christian goes to church, he should be more ready to hear from God and the word of God(II Tim. 3:16-17) than to give an offering in time and/or money in his foolishness(Ps. 51:17, see comments there). Evil is something that brings sorrow, trouble, or destruction. By not obeying God's word and/or doing God's will for your life can cause evil in your life in the future(Gal. 6:7-8, Jo. 10:10, Jam. 1:14-15).
Rash means the displaying or proceeding from a lack of careful consideration of the possible consequences of an action. Hasty means to be done or acting with excessive speed or urgency. When a Christian speaks he should speak righteously and graciously(Lu. 4:22, II Tim. 4:2). He has two ears and one mouth for a reason(should be listening more than talking, etc.). When you speak rashly without thinking and/or from emotion, you will say things that will get you into trouble and/or you will later regret. Likewise we should think before we speak to God. We should write up a prayer list so when we go to God we are precise and efficient in what we ask for and talk about.
When you have a lot of business activity(sales, etc.) you start to dream big on how you can expand and make more money, etc.. Likewise the voice of a fool is known by his multitude of words or constant talking. There is a time to speak(e.g. Presentation to a person and/or group, giving counsel, teaching, talking with your family members, etc. and there is a time to keep quiet(you don't have to give your opinion to everyone about everything, etc.).
Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
:5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
:6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
:7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
A vow is to solemnly promise to do a specified thing. When you promise to do something for God(give your time and money) then you do it immediately. You don't defer or do it later(procrastinate). God has no pleasure in fools(a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person). A fool makes commitments and promises he has no intentions to keep(like your average Democrat in congress).
With God, it is better to keep your mouth shut than to make a promise and not keep it. This way, you will think twice and be very sure that when you make a commitment and/or life commitment, you will keep it, etc.. When you speak irrationally, wrongly, foolishly, and/or without commitment, it can lead to sin. E.g. you make a bet, challenge, promise to do something that involves compromise, etc.. When you don't follow through relationships get damaged and it leads to other sins, etc.. The mouth speaks what is in the heart(Lu. 6:45). Sin starts with the heart, etc.. The angel(Heb. 1:14) is God's representative and helper. If you make a commitment and don't follow through you are sometimes wasting the angel's time who was sent to help. This will cause God to be angry with your voice and he will destroy the works of your hands(Is. 45:7, see comments there).
King Solomon warns that when people talk too much(excessively about nothing) and have several dreams(always want to pursue some thing or get rich quick scheme, etc.).
Chasing too many dreams and talking too much leads to all kinds of vanities or vain thing, etc.. A Christian should focus on fearing God(Heb. 12:28-29) and focusing on His will. When he does that, God will lead him, take care of him(Matt. 6:33) and he will get the desires of his heart(Ps. 37:4).
Ecclesiastes 5:8-11 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
:9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
:11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
A province is a principal administrative division of certain countries or empires. In the U.S., you have a mayor who appoints the chief of police(who is over the local police department). The governor supersedes the mayor, whereas the president supersedes the governor. The point here is that when you see oppression of the poor and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a providence(city, state, etc.), there is a chain of command. Eventually oppression and perversion make it to the top when a problem occurs and is dealt with. We should not wander at the problems in life, but realize that God set up a governmental structure to deal with things(Rom. 13:1-8). God is over the president by the way, etc.. Likewise in the court system, you have the local judge, the circuit judge and then the supreme court, etc.. God is over the supreme court by the way, etc..
God gave man the earth to live and prosper in it(Gen. 2:8, 15). Everyone from the general laborer to the king benefits from a good harvest, etc.. When a country is prosperous, they have more wealth for other things(e.g. a stronger army, better roads, general public structures and services for all, etc.).
Greed is an intense and selfish desire for something. When you love silver(real money or hard asset) with a greedy nature, you will never have enough of it(excessively hoard it). Likewise, he that loves abundance with increase(always wants to make a million dollars off of every deal, etc.) will be consumed by his greed.
E.g. I have and have had a conservative aggressive strategy to save for my retirement and to advance myself in life. I literally slaved myself in my youth to get a Ph. D.. Now that I have one, I got and kept a job that I enjoyed and was easy and low stress to maintain. I could make double the salary if I would have gotten greedy and worked my self to death, etc.. Likewise with investments, I like precious metals(over the decades gain over 5% a year) and dividend paying stocks that don't openly invest in sin(Pepsi, Energizer, Honeywell, General Dynamics, etc.), but over time make money(clear over 8% a year on average). I also buy and sell precious metals to increase my profit over the 5% average gain. As a result, I have all the money I could every use and have money left over to give a nice inheritance to other Christians and/or the ministry. The lack of greed has made me content and brought great stability, peace and joy in my life while experiencing a nice middle class prosperity(Phil. 4:11, see comments there).
When a country produces more goods, there will have to be people there to consume them. Otherwise, what is the point of making more. All the owner sees is the increase of goods and those who eat them. The owners can only eat so much in their life. Now, there is nothing wrong with being excessively rich because you work hard and smart(e.g. The billionaire club in America). It is what you do with your wealth for the Lord that counts. Remember that king David was a multi-billionaire in today's U.S. Dollars terms
(I Ch. 29:1-5, see comments there) and gave billions to the ministry before he died towards the temple building and its accessories, etc.. His wealth had a godly purpose and a godly impact on the nation while he was alive and after he was gone.
Ecclesiastes 5:12-13 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
:13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
The person who labors or puts in a good days work six days a week, won't have trouble sleeping at night. A person who enjoys his work and isn't greedy will be satisfied and content whether he eats a lot or a little, whether he makes a living or great wealth. However the rich man who worries about his riches will get insomnia. He will always be worrying about whether he will lose some of it or get more. E.g. When I first started out in the precious metals side business, I would worry about what if situations and always second guess myself. After two years, crashes nor great increases no longer affected me. Likewise, at work, I learned to let go of a job at the end of the day and pick it up the next working day. Always striving and stressing to get a little farther ahead will cause excessive worry and anxiety that will affect your ability to sleep well(I Pet. 5:7).
When you get obsessed with your wealth, you have a tendency to be excessively cheap with your spending. When you get greedy, it affects your morality and the decisions you make in general. E.g. I am frugal with my money and aggressive with saving money and investments. However, I have a nice vehicle, a safe place to live, I eat fairly well and take my vitamins. I am not afraid to spend my money on things that can make my life better and more enjoyable. I am not afraid to give to the ministry of the Lord, etc.. Use your wealth as a weapon for the Lord.
E.g. Have money in the bank so you can pay cash for a new vehicle and every purchase below that, etc.. You will have more money and you will be in a better negotiation/choosing situation when you don't have to buy it right away or have several options, etc.. On the flip side, don't drive a junker all your life when you can afford at least a program car with a warranty. Spend money on your health and eating better. It will help you have a longer and healthier life. Spend money on your kids when it matters. Don't have a cheap skate testimony, but a wise and frugal spender testimony. Use your possessions for the Lord(e.g. I bought a seven passenger van so I could have a small church van route to pick up/drop off kids for junior church, etc.). Save and invest all you can, work all you can and invest in the Lord all you can, etc.. Ask yourself, why is God giving you possessions and increase. You are God's steward, so use it for the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 5:14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
:15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
People who are greedy end up making stupid decisions trying to get richer and sometimes go bankrupt. Also, they can lose a lot of money and be financially average or poor again. If he loses all of his wealth, he doesn't even have money to give to his kids after he is dead. So he suffers to get rich and never enjoys the fruits of his labor and dies poor and a failure. Also, the parent doesn't spend time teaching his kid moral and financial wisdom so that after he dies, the kid gets the inheritance and blows it on irresponsible living.
This is why, I have a 'secure your bottom or worst case scenario' strategy. E.g. I have made enough money in my precious metal business that all the silver, etc. that I own is pure profit(I can only lose my profits and nothing else). Likewise in my 401k, I put my 6% match in a trust fund(currently pays 1.76%) and the other 6% in a brokerage link(I choose the stocks). I can never lose the salary I put in(just the salary my company matched). I have a monthly budget where my needs and basic wants are met with an option that goes towards increased investing, emergencies and/or other wants. In other words I keep a balanced approach so I am enjoying the Lord and what he has blessed me with while serving Him in His wisdom and knowledge. Also, regardless of when I die, someone and/or some ministry will benefit more or less accordingly. This way, God is glorified regardless when I die and how much money I have saved, etc..
Every person is born into this world as a naked baby. He came into the world without any money in his hand and he will leave the world without any money in hand. The money that God allows us to have is to be used and enjoyed for His glory. By the way, this is why in Egypt you have tombs of Pharaoh with excessive riches inside. They thought they were going to take it with them, etc.. False religion(Mark 7:6-9, see comments there) leads to false concepts that can falsely affect your labor and investments.
Ecclesiastes 5:16-17 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
:17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
All points refer to the background of a person born in into this world. He will begin with a certain amount of wealth and guidance from his family as well acquired innate gifts and intelligence at birth. As a result of training and decisions, he will prosper or not to a certain degree in various aspects of life(social, political, spiritual, financial, family, occupation, etc.). The way the newborn came in with growth and ability is the same way he will go out. If you live to be a senior citizen(79 years is the average U.S. Lifespan) at some point you will start losing your abilities to think and work effectively. Your ancestors will most likely die before you and you will spend some if not all of your wealth in retirement. When you die, you will leave this world with what you came in with(nothing). The question king Solomon then asks is what is the point of working hard for the wind(things that don't last past your death). By the way, laboring for the Lord lasts forever(II Cor. 5:10, see comments there).
The person who labors for this life will experience much sorrow and wrath(extreme anger) with his sickness. As you get older(over 50), your body as a whole starts going down hill in strength, health and energy. It can be very frustrating at times if you don't know how to handle it. Fortunately for the Christian who knows he will get an eternal body at the rapture(I Th. 4:17-18, see comments there), isn't so worried and affected. It says that he eats in darkness(Jo. 3:19-21). When you labor for sinful desires you will live your life in darkness(eating, drinking, worldly entertainment, etc.). You will have no real purpose in life and never be completely fulfilled.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
:19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
:20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
King Solomon rightly concludes that it is comely(pleasant) and good for a person to eat and drink and to enjoy the fruits of his labors(Amen to that!!!). God wants to bless the Christian like a father wants to bless his children with gifts, food, shelter, peace, safety, etc.). The father wants his kids to be happy and enjoy their lives. Likewise, God wants his children(Jo. 1:12) to enjoy their lives with the blessings thereof. This is God's portion to the Christian for serving the Lord.
In life, the gift of God is to be given riches and wealth as a result of your labors and
having the power to enjoy and eat of your blessings. In eternity, the Christian will have fellowship with God, which includes eating and enjoying the spiritual rewards from our labors for God while on earth. When God answers the Christians prayers in the joys of his heart(Ps. 37:4), his years will seem like only a few days(Gen. 29:20, see comments there).
Ecclesiastes 6:1-5 THERE is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:
:2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
:3 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.
:4 For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.
:5 Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.
King Solomon states that it is a common evil for God to give to man riches, wealth and honor, yet doesn’t give him the power to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Instead a stranger to the man enjoys it instead. E.g. It’s like me paying taxes to fund illegal aliens and the lazy entitlement class of under achievers. Also, it is like the person who slaves to be a multimillionaire than suddenly dies of a heart attack. The point here is that if you don’t enjoy the blessings that God has given you on earth, than you have missed the boat. Sometimes people get so caught up in life that they forget to enjoy the ride. Then they die unexpectedly.
King Solomon says that a persons who was born as an untimely birth(miscarriage), is better off than the person who has long life, 100 children and his soul isn’t filled with good(doesn’t enjoy the fruits of his labor).
Note that the miscarriage is still a person(not a fetus, Gen. 25:23) and he comes into the world in vanity(miscarriage) and leaves in darkness(dies before experiencing life out of the womb). He has a name that will be covered in darkness in this life because he never had a chance to make a life for himself, etc.. Because the unborn child into this world never saw the sun, he has more rest than the person who labored his entire life. By the way, unborn babies and miscarriages, aborted babies, etc. go to heaven
(II Sam. 12:23, see comments there).
Ecclesiastes 6:6-9 Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
:7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
:8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
:9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
If a person live 1000 years in two lifetimes or 2000 years in one lifetime, what is the point if he just suffers through it. If you are saved, at least you get an eternal reward for your sufferings(II Cor. 5:10, see comments there). The lost person suffers and then suffers eternally(Mark 9:43-48, see comments there). God wants the Christian to fellowship with Him(Jo. 14:21, 23, see comments there) and be a testimony of God’s blessings and peace(Rom. 14:17).
King Solomon points out that man in the flesh labors to satisfy his sin nature or fleshly desires. However, the appetite(desire for more) is never satisfied because the flesh can never be satisfied. Total satisfaction and contentment can only come from the Lord
(Phil. 4:11-13, see comments there).
The wise and fool are the same in that both labor and both can enjoy the fruits of their labor. Likewise, the rich and the poor are the same in that they have similar trials, tests and tribulations as well as successes, etc.. This is why poor people(have little or no wealth) can be happy and rich people are miserable. One is enjoying the ride and content while the other one is always unhappy because they are not content. Riches or lack thereof is not the source of happiness. Neither is honor among men(fame, etc.) the source either.
King Solomon says that the sight of the eyes or things you can see and lay hold off(present possessions, fruits of your labor, family, etc.) are better than the wandering desire of what you don’t have. So the moral of the story is to enjoy what you have and if you don’t get more, worrying about it won’t help any(I Pet. 5:7, Phil. 4:6-7, see comments there). Hence, chasing your always unfulfilled fleshly desires is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ecclesiastes 6:10-12 That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
:11 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
:12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
King Solomon points out that in the past, everything has already been named by God. God knows the heart and life of man(Jo. 2:24-25, Rom. 3:4, see comments there). Man can’t contend with God. God is eternal(Rev. 1:8), more powerful(Gen. 17:1) and wiser( Isa. 9:6) than man(Pr. 21:30). In this life, many things can go wrong(health, wealth, mentally, socially, etc.). Likewise, things can go right(various types of success) and man can still be unfulfilled in the flesh. Hence, there are many things and combinations of things that can increase the vanity in one’s life. Hence, without God in his life, man isn’t better off with more things, etc..
God knows what man needs and what is good and best for him. God has a plan for the life of each individual man(II Cor. 6:2, Jo. 10:10, see comments there). God knows the future in this life and the life to come and can perfectly direct each living person alive today if they will just listen(II Tim. 3:16-17, see comments there). Man in the flesh living in the world(I Jo. 2:15-17, see comments there) doesn’t have a clue. Man is like a shadow without God. He has no substance(shadow), but is just projecting darkness onto the world(Jo. 3:19, see comments there).
E.g. This is why the U.S. became the most powerful nation in the world, because we taught the King James Bible as a textbook in the public schools, etc.). Now, the bible is out and LGBT(sic) perversions are in(Rom. 1:17, Lev. 18:22), etc. and are country is falling apart(Pr. 14:34, Ps. 9:17).
Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 A GOOD name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
:3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
:4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
It is better to have a good name or reputation(e.g. Works hard, reliable, loyal, wise, knowledgeable, kind, caring, spiritual, etc.) than precious ointment(e.g. An expensive perfume). What counts is who you are on the inside not who you are on the outside, etc.. The day that you die is better than the day you are born, because the trials and tribulations of this life are over. Also, a Christian goes to heaven after he dies to live in a sinless bliss.
The funeral home is a house of mourning. The classy restaurant where you eat to celebrate a great accomplishment is a house of feasting. The funeral home is better in that it reminds you that you will die one day and your time here for God is short. You are not promised tomorrow and must hence sell out and serve the Lord today(Rom. 12:1-2). The house of feasting is enjoyable for a day and then it is over(temporary enjoyment). Dying affects everyone and the living take it to heart(take it seriously).
Sorrow means a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others. Laughter is the sound you make when you are greatly amused or happy. Sorrow is better in that it sobers you up in terms of life and the trials and tribulations you face. It makes you tougher, try harder and/or more resilient after a setback. Laughter is a temporary joyful relief as a result of a celebration of accomplishment or just being amused while taking a break.
The wise of heart are in the house of mourning to remind themselves and others of man's final end on earth and what happens afterward. Hence, sell out to God and serve Him with everything you have while you are alive. Likewise, the heart of fools is in the house of mirth(amusement). Their mind is on the temporary pleasures of life and not the sober reality of meeting God face to face one day to give an account(Rev. 20:12-15,
II Cor. 5:10).
Ecclesiastes 7:5-8 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
:6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
:7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Rebuke means to express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions. Being told that you are wrong is the best thing you can get. Doing wrong will hurt you in the long run. The bible tells you what is wrong(II Tim. 3:16). The song of fools(e.g. Country, rock and rap music whether secular or called Christian) will make the flesh feel good about itself(go to and download, Ne Testament Church Music).
When camping, you put kindling or whatever burns to start your fire and then you put the pot(to cook your food) over it. The laughter of a fool is likened to kindling burning. It is temporary, it is abundant and it has limited value(here today gone today). Seeing people oppressed(e.g. tax payers in this country as well as white police officers(Blue Lives Matter) drives the wise person crazy. A country built and sustained on falsehood will be made weak and eventually fall apart(Pr. 14:34, Ps. 9:17). A gift is given by someone usually to gain favor. Sadly to say, most gifts aren’t sincere but are given in hopes of getting something in return, etc.. A true gift, like salvation, is free(Eph. 2:8-9, see comments there).
When something ends, it means you have finished the course, the job, the project, the challenge, etc.. It is a time of relief, joy, accomplishment, etc.. Finishing is better than starting something, because you don’t always finish what you start and you aren’t always successful at what you start, etc.. Likewise, the patient in spirt(Is. 40:31, see comments there) waits for the right time. He is likened to the person who finishes a long and hard task before he achieves his purpose. However, the proud in spirit(Jam. 4:6, see comments there) is proud in the moment and has no idea what the future holds(like someone starting something new). The moral here is to stick it out to the end and then you can celebrate.
Ecclesiastes 7:9-12 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
:10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
:11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
:12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
Hasty means done or acting with excessive speed or urgency; hurried. The point here is to control your anger. Uncontrollable anger leads to sin(Eph. 4:26, see comments there). Fools can’t control themselves, but wise people can. There is a time and reason to get angry(Matt. 5:22) and to stand up and speak out for what is right, etc..
If you are doing what you should in the Lord, life should be getting better(worry less, more heavenly minded, etc., Col. 3:2, see comments there). You should have more rewards in heaven than ever. If things are not getting better or you can’t spiritually see the bigger picture(II Cor. 5:10) than you are not wise nor asking the right questions in this area.
An inheritance(money and/or possessions) are good if wisdom(knowledge applied) is accompanied with it. The mistake that parents make is that they don’t pass on the wisdom to their kids on how they got money and possessions in the first place. E.g. I know a man who spent thirty years to save a nice inheritance for his kid. The kid spent it all in three years and was just as dumb as he was when he got it. Parents, if you got rich through the stock market, then explain it to your kids so they can continually make money off the stock market, etc.. Pass on the wisdom of making good financial decisions as well as investments, etc.. It will bless them for the rest of their lives and then they can pass it on to their kids.
Wisdom is a defense in that it can keep you out of trouble. E.g. How you talk to others, avoiding scams, making good decisions that can save you time, money and energy later. This includes marrying the right person, buying the right car and/or house, investing in the right things, getting the right job, etc.. Money is a defense in that if you have it, you don’t have to borrow and pay interest to get it. When you buy a car, you are not dependent on a bank or the mercy of getting a deal. You can walk in and walk out and write the check when you are ready. With money you can buy supplies ahead and usually stock up when a sale occurs(save future money). You can use your money to make money(CD, dividend stock, side business, precious metals, etc.). Remember that the borrower is servant to the lender(Pr. 22:7).
King Solomon points out that the excellency of knowledge(knowing the facts) is that when applied correctly(wisdom), it gives life to them that possess knowledge. E.g. If I know medical symptoms, I can go to the right doctor at the right time and save time and money. If I know what I need I school, I can take the right courses and finish sooner, etc..
Every good decision gives and saves a person more time, money and energy which can be used for other good things, etc..
Ecclesiastes 7:13-16 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
:16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Man has made the straight crooked(Gen. 3:, Rom. 5:12-14, see comments there), whereas God has made the crooked straight(Rom. 5:15-17, see comments there). This is the work of God and the whole theme of the bible for salvation(Acts 10:43) and consecration(Pr. 28:13).
The Christian should be joyful when things are going well or prosperous. However, when things are not going well, they are to consider what is causing the adversity. We are to understand the problem and then adjust for it. E.g. Financial changes, physical changes, governmental changes, etc. can greatly change your life going forward. You can benefit and/or lose your shirt if you don’t adjust when the circumstances change. War breaks out, you lose some freedoms, what they teach at school changes for the worst, you are persecuted for being a Christian, the stock market crashes, etc.. God sets one person over another(Rom. 13:1-7, see comments there). God is always testing man to forge him in the fire and make him more spiritual(Gen. 22:1-18, see comments there).
King Solomon observed that sometimes in life, the just dies in their righteousness(doing right, e.g. a martyr) and a wicked person prolongs his life in his wickedness(doing wrong, e.g. bribes a judge to get out of paying for a crime). Also, Solomon warns mankind from being over a lot in righteousness. With great tasks comes great accountability and responsibility.
E.g. A Christian, like a research scientist, needs to know his current boundaries. That is what he can do right now and what is within his range of researching and figuring out in the near future. There are some jobs I wasn’t ready for ten and twenty years ago, but I can handle it now. Some jobs I probably could never do properly or at all. Knowing your strengths and weakness and how to become stronger and less weak over time can keep you from destroying yourself by taking on more than you can handle, etc..
Ecclesiastes 7:17-18 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
:18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
When a person is given to his wickedness and/or foolishness, it can shorten his lifespan. E.g. Drug and/or alcohol abuse, excessive smoking, participating in dangerous activities, etc.. How many teenagers and/or college kids died before their time because of their foolish behavior. How many people in entertainers died before they were 50 because of drugs, alcohol and/or sexual diseases. Christian, beware of the liberal lies of the sixties(sex(fornication and adultery, Heb. 13:4), drugs and rock and roll). Indulging in the sinful flesh has dire short and long term consequences(Gal. 6:7-8), etc..
It is good to learn from the mistakes and stupidity of others. Learn from the backward God forsaking party animals. Where are they know. Where are the bible believers who stuck God out for the right reasons. In the end, he that fears the Lord(Heb. 12:28-29) comes out on top in this life(Pr. 4:5-9) and the life to come(II Cor. 5:10).
Ecclesiastes 7:19-22 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
:21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
:22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
Wisdom gives a person strength in that it gives a person a guarantee of success
(Pr. 8:11-12). E.g. If I know how to invest my money, I will eventually become rich. Whereas if I am foolish with my money, I will eventually blow it all. The strength of ten mighty men, e.g. body builders, can only go so far. If I have wisdom on the job, I will always be successful and hence have a secured good paying job. If I am wise at school I can pass anything with at least a B grade.
King Solomon noted that all have sinned in this life(Rom. 3:10-11, see comments there). Also, it is not wise to take to heart everything a person says. Sometimes people just run their mouths(just say stuff to say stuff) and not really mean what they say. A lot of times people are talking out of ignorance, emotion and/or trying to impress someone else, etc.. Words are cheap, actions are real. Solomon himself was guilty of the behavior where he cursed someone in the heat of the moment.
Ecclesiastes 7:23-24 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
:24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
King Solomon proved the things of life through wisdom or knowledge applied
(Pr. 9:10). He tried to be wise, but he realized that wisdom is something you learn through study, hard work, application, etc.. It is not something you can buy at the local pharmacy or grocery store, etc.. He asked the question how a person can find something out that is far off(great distance) and exceeding deep(far below). E.g. as a research scientist, I know that some problems that I have solve happened after I had 15 years of experience on the job training accompanied with my Ph. D.(that took ten years). However, there are other problems that seem far off and exceeding deep from my current place of statistical wisdom, etc.. By the way, this is why I treat other people in other disciplines with great honor and respect(medical experts, mechanical experts, good cooks(Amen!!!)). For a fee, I can access the blessings of their wisdom that I would never obtain in this lifetime, etc..
Ecclesiastes 7:25-26 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
:26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
Because of the value of wisdom, king Solomon sought it out with all of his heart. He learned what was available and researched the rest(like a research scientist does). Likewise, he learned the wickedness of folly, foolishness and madness, etc.. By the way, this is why a Christian should attend a good bible believing KJV only fundamental church. They will teach you the bible(II Tim. 3:16-17, see comments there), good knowledge and wisdom(Pr. 1:7, 9:10) and foolish behaviors to avoid(Gal. 6:7-8). You won’t learn this at the public and private schools that forsake God and/or promote religion(Mark 7:6-9, see comments there).
King Solomon learned that the woman who has a heart full of snares and nets(always trying to trick, deceive and manipulate the man into doing things as well as put him into bondage by her demands and lifestyle, etc., is more bitter than death(I Kings 11:1-12, see comments there). The person that fears God and pursues a godly woman will get married to a godly woman(Pr. 31:10-31). He will be blessed in the short and long term.
Ecclesiastes 7:27-29 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
:28 Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
King Solomon called himself a preacher. In Israel, the Levites ran the priesthood and Solomon ran the civil government. Notice that separation of church and state means that the priesthood doesn’t run the government nor the government doesn’t run the priesthood. This is called separation of powers. Notice that God wants government officials to be holy(II Tim. 4:2) and the priesthood(the new testament church under the guidance of local church pastors) are to run the spiritual efficiently(like government is supposed to be and not like the U.S. Congress(2017). The idea of using the concept of separation of church and state to get the bible out of the public schools and other places was a cleverly promoted lie that liberals used to get what they wanted while destroying this country in the process, etc..
King Solomon found out the account(a report or description of an event or experience), by counting individually one by one. King Solomon found 1/1000 men fit the criteria, but no women met the criteria. In his search, he realized that God made man upright(Gen. 2:, see comments there), but man has since sinned and seeks out many inventions for his own benefit(Rom. 3:10-11, 14-18, see comments there).
So in Solomon’s life, he found only a handful of men(1/1000) that feared and trusted the Lord. Unfortunately, he didn’t find any women, which were his downfall
(I Kings 11:1-12). This doesn’t mean that there weren’t any wise women in his days, but that he evidently was looking in all of the wrong places. E.g. wise women hang out at the bible believing KJV only fundamental churches and not the bar rooms, etc.. Wise women are serving the Lord and not chasing the desires of the world(I Jo. 2:15-17).
Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 WHO is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
:2 I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
:3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
:4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
The wise man is known by his shining face or confidence and sureness about himself.
When you know how to apply knowledge correctly, it makes you more bold or willing to take chances and/or take on problems.
King Solomon advised others to keep the king's commandment or obey the civil authorities of government, especially when God promises to punish the evil doer
(Rom. 13:1-7, see comments there). When in the sight of the king, a person is to not be hasty or quick to leave nor promote anything evil. The king has the power and authority to do what pleases him in terms of executing judgement. There is power in the word of the king(president, pharaoh, prime minister) to do good or bad. In the case of the king, no man can question his authority. In the U.S. The president is over the executive branch of government, Congress is over the legislative branch of government and the court system is over the judicial branch of government(separation of powers).
Ecclesiastes 8:5-8 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
:6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
:7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
When you do right(whether obey the bible[spiritual law] or government[civil law]). By the way, the bible is the highest authority and is over all including God(Ps. 138:2, go to and download, Proper Authority). A wise man's heart can discern both time and judgement for everything in life, etc.. Because of this fact, the misery of man is great upon him. E.g. There is a time to go to school and learn. There is a time to get a job, raise a family, invest your money, go to the new testament church, etc.. In school the judgement is the test scores and final grades, for the job it is your performance evaluation, for your family it is how the kids turn out at age 20 overall and with the new testament church it is how much are you growing spiritually, etc.. To achieve great results, one must work hard and toil constantly. Hence there is great misery in trials and tribulations.
A person doesn't always know the time and occurrence of things(e.g. Opportunities to advance oneself, time frames to achieve, etc.). In life, the best job isn't just waiting for you outside after you graduate. You have to pursue it and figure it out. Usually the best job requires that you work your way up the ladder with a good education and lesser jobs.
If at any point along the way you mess up, you break the chain and miss out on the final destination. You may only get one chance to get there. That is how life works in many areas, etc.. God created the spirit of man(Eccl. 3:19-21). God gives life(I Tim. 6:13) and he takes it away as he sees fit(Job 1:21, see comments there). The spirit of man didn't evolve and isn't explained by the fairy tale called evolution(I Tim. 6:20). You can't fight God and win(Rev. 20:12-15). King Solomon points out that wickedness(Pr. 11:4-6) doesn't deliver those that are given(practice it habitually) to it.
Ecclesiastes 8:9-11 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
:10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.
:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
King Solomon noticed that under the sun there is a time where a man rules over another to his own hurt or damage. Remember that the goal in life is not to be in charge, or to get the highest position possible, but to do God’s will and find your content spot in life. People who are overly ambitious will bite off more than they can chew and end up making their lives worse. E.g. I like being a research assistant who assists in getting projects finished and not the person who is in charge and has to lead. It is a lot less stressful and more enjoyable for me. Not to mention I have all the spare time in the world to serve the Lord, etc..
When a wicked person is buried(e.g. senator Ted Kennedy), they are soon forgotten. There opportunities to get saved(II Cor. 6:2) and then get right with God(Pr. 28:13, I Jo. 1:9) are over. They are in hell, will get judged in the future(Rev. 20:12-15) and then sent to the lake of fire. This is vanity and emptiness.
King Solomon pointed out that when a sentence(from a judge for a committed crime) is not executed speedily, it encourages man to commit more crimes. E.g. The U.S. border and immigration laws aren’t enforced, kids aren’t disciplined with the rod in school(Pr. 22:6), the lies of Black Lives Matter and Antifa aren’t exposed and punished with the legal system, voter i.d. is not enforced, leniency on drug possession and distribution etc.. We have massive corruption in the U.S. because certain laws are enforced at certain times to certain degrees, whereas other laws are not enforced. In the U.S., the laws on the books are becoming more suggestions(a rule that can be broken isn’t much of a rule). As a result, as long as you don’t get caught or caught to often(business expense), crime pays in America(just ask a congressman(special interest groups, lobbyists, etc.).
Ecclesiastes 8:12-14 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
:13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
:14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
King Solomon says that in this life and the life to come, it is always good to fear the Lord and keep His commandments(Eccl. 12:13-14, II Tim. 3:16-17). The sinner who practices sin habitually and prolongs his days in this life, is never as good as the person who serves the Lord. The sinner only benefits in the flesh in this life. He loses out on the spiritual blessings of this life and the life to come. Also, his sin eventually catches up to him(Jam. 1:14-15, Gal. 6:7-8, see comments there). But even if it didn’t, you are still better off serving the Lord in the long run(eternity, II Cor. 5:10).
The days of the wicked are like a shadow. A shadow is just the projection of blocked light of something bigger(Jo. 3:19-21). The sinner is projecting darkness on the face of the earth(I Jo. 2:15-17) and blocking the bigger picture(God and his commandments) from shining through(I Jo. 1:7). Fear is a strong emotion caused by great worry about something dangerous, painful, or unknown that is happening or might happen(Heb. 12:28-29, see comments there). Christians are to fear and reverence God and not just reverence him. Christians should be terrified of the judgement of God(Ex. 20:18-20, see comments there).
King Solomon said that it is a vain thing on earth when the judgement of the wicked happens to a just person. E.g. in the U.S., grandmothers and family businesses that refused to participate in gay weddings because of their moral convictions were harassed and fined. Conservatives that were harassed by the Obama Administration through the IRS(politically motivated). Likewise, it is a vain things when the wicked get the reward of the righteous. E.g. A person receives an honorary doctorate degree because of their backward liberal views. Black Lives Matter getting a seat at the DNC, when they are a domestic hate and terrorist organization(attack the police and the innocent in the name of racism(sic)). People who lie and cheat in the business world to get ahead and are successful, etc.. This is vanity and emptiness in this life.
Ecclesiastes 8:15-17 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
:16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
:17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
Mirth(amusement) was commended by king Solomon because that under the sun, the best thing a person can do is to eat, drink and be happy. It is a gift from God to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Solomon through wisdom examined the business of others on earth. Some lose out on sleep to get ahead. That said, God is doing so many things simultaneously on earth that a person couldn’t possibly keep up with it and find it out. However, God can see all(II Ch. 16:9, I Ch. 28:9, see comments there) and do all. Hence, stick with God and do his will(rom. 12:1-2).
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.
God is in control. The works of the righteous and wise in the hand of God(Eph. 2:10, see comments there). Love and hatred are learned from the bible(I Cor. 13:4-8, Ps. 7:11) and not from the history of man(Rom. 3:4).
By the way, nothing happens in this life that God doesn’t allow. He can interfere and stop anything at any time if He wishes. Man has free will. However, the point here is that God’s word will stand and He will make sure of that(I Pet. 1;23, see comments there).
All people are alike in that they are born and then they die. It doesn’t matter whether you are righteous(saved and obey God’s word) or wicked, whether you are good and clean(do right - Jo. 14:15, get right - I Jo. 1:9) or unclean, or whether you sacrifice to the Lord(under Mosaic law, Rom. 12:1-2 - New testament church covenant) or sacrifice not. Regardless whether you are good or a sinner(I Jo. 3:4) or fear the oath or swear falsely(Lev. 19:12, see comments there) you will die one day(Rom. 6:23).
King Solomon noted that the heart of the sons of men is full of evil and madness is in their heart while they live. Afterward all die and either go to heaven or hell. –FYI, if you would like to be 100% sure that you will go to heaven when you die, read the Salvation Message at the end of the Book for the solution.
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.
When you are alive, there is still hope to serve God in some capacity. Hence a living dog(picture of a lost person) has more hope to do good in this life than a dead lion(picture of a faithful Christian) who is no longer alive. Solomon is talking about a person’s potential in this life to get saved and then after serve the Lord. Dead people can’t and don’t serve the Lord regardless of who they once were, etc..
The living person knows that one day they will die. However, a dead person is dead and their spirit and soul have gone to heaven or hell. If they were saved, they can’t serve the Lord anymore and earn any more rewards(II Cor. 5:10). The physically dead person’s memory is forgotten(thoughts and experiences) and their love, hatred and envy is perished(their body is in the grave). As a result, they have no portion or position in this life, etc..
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.
:8 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.
: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.
A Christian who serves the Lord(Rom. 12:1-2) wholeheartedly can eat with joy and drink with a happy heart. Life is great when you know you have God’s stamp of approval. By the way, grape juice is unfermented wine(Isa. 65:8, see comments there).
The white garment is a picture of the righteousness of the saved person(Rev. 19:8, see comments there). An ointment is a smooth oily preparation that is rubbed on the skin for medicinal purposes or as a cosmetic. The Christian is anointed with the Holy Spirit for service(Eph. 5:18).
King Solomon tells a person to enjoy his wife or the relationship that he has while he is alive on earth. This is the portion to man under the sun or on earth along with the fruits of his work or hard labor. Otherwise, life is empty without God and your service to Him.
Furthermore, the king charges a person to work with all your heart and give it your best effort because once you are dead you are dead. In the grave, the human body can’t operate or work. There is no device(a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose), knowledge, or wisdom(Pr. 1:7, 9:10) in the grave.
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.
:12 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.
In life, certain things can happen(accidents, surprises, opportunities, tragedies, benefits, breaks, diseases, defects, etc.). It has nothing to do with our behaviour(swift-how fast and quick we are to do something, strong, wise, full of understanding - wisdom applied to life, skill set - natural and learned talents). E.g., when some unfortunate events happens in my life beyond my control, I like to say that’s life or that is life that is supposed to always happen to someone else and not me(yeah right!!!).
Man doesn’t know the day he will die(likened to being snared in an evil time). He is like a fish(Hab. 1:14) that one day is caught in a fish net and killed or a bird caught in a snare(bird trap). That said, since the Christian is only promised today, he should serve the Lord every day with all of his might, etc..
Ecclesiastes 9:13-15 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
:14 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:
:15 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.
King Solomon told the story of a little city with a few men in it that were besieged by an army led by a great king. Bulwark means a solid defensive wall-like structure. The city was saved by the wisdom(knowledge applied) of a poor citizen of that city. He was able to reason with the king to withdraw his army and save the city from destruction. Yet the people of the city in time forgot the wisdom of the wise poor man and went back to their old ways(what man learns from history is that man doesn’t learn from history).
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.
:17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Because of the testimony of the poor wise man, king Solomon concluded that wisdom is better than strength. Remember that the poor wise man’s word defeated a conquering army of a king. Yet, his wisdom is despised and his words are not heard in future generations. E.g. in the U.S., we have forgotten why we fought and won WWII. The far left has embraced the ways of communism, socialism and supremacy(liberal KKK).
Hence the words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of a leader among fools(any far left liberal democrat mayor and governor in any state in the U.S.). The people are foolish if they elect a fool to rule over them in terms of civil law, etc.. Yet the wise man will always be heard because he is right and he has the solution to the problem(Pr. 9:10). Hence wisdom is better than weapons of war. However one sinner or fool(e.g. king Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and successor) destroys much good(through one bad decision, divided the nation of Israel in half, I Kings 12:, see comments there).
Ecclesiastes 10:1-3 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.
:2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
:3 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.
Apothecary means the art of preparing medicines and drugs. Dead flies in a ointment (usually for the skin) will send a stinking smell in the air. Likewise a little folly or foolish behavior will send a stinking smell for a person with a reputation for wisdom and honor. E.g. A well decorated and honored military person has an affair with his female secretary. A successful businessman cheats on his taxes to save a few million dollars, etc..
The right hand is a picture and symbol of a greater blessing(Gen. 48:13-10), the power of God(Ex. 15:6), strength(Ps. 20:6) and honor(Ps. 110:1, Heb. 1:13). Hence, having your heart in your right hand is a picture of trusting and serving the Lord in wisdom
(Pr. 9:10) whereas having your heart in your left hand is a picture of behaving like a fool (Pr. 24:9, Ps. 14:1, etc.). Furthermore, a fool by his behavior or the way he conducts himself in public shows that he lacks wisdom and he is a fool.
Ecclesiastes 10:4-7 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
:6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Man has a soul and spirit. When a ruler of any kind(civil, spiritual, etc.) rise up or oppose you for any reason, the best initial reaction is to stay seated and yield to their complaint. If you react irrationally or in haste, you will make the matter worse. If it is a misunderstanding, you can reason with the leader. If you can't convince him, then just submitting to the demand will lessen the blow, etc..
E.g. I was pulled over one time by a police officer under suspicion that I was a drug dealer and another time under suspicion that I was a pimp in Lafayette, LA. I didn't cry out that I was being harassed and discriminated against, but obeyed the policeman's orders until he was convinced that I was innocent. I was frisked and questioned both times. It turned out I was just in the wrong neighborhood at the wrong time.
King Solomon pointed out an error in authority or an evil that takes place. This happens when folly or foolishness is set in great dignity(worthy of honor and respect). E.g. in the U.S., black KKK or supremacy(Black Lives Matter) is given a seat at the white house(under Barrack Obama) and a place with the Democratic National Convention(DNC). Yet, the police officers are shamed and disrespected.
Likewise, rich sit in a low place whereas poor people are exalted(socialist polices led by socialist minded people(Bernie Sanders). This is another reason why America elected Donald Trump as president, because he is successful and making money, etc.. In spite of his 'make America great again' ideas that make an individual richer as well as the country richer, the moon bat politicians(GOP establishment neo-con globalists & democrats) oppose them(obstruction).
Princes are made princes usually because of their honor, wisdom and experience in great affairs of state, etc.. Servants are made servants usually because all they can get is a entry level unskilled labor job. Hence, you exalt a prince and not a servant. Being exalted is symbolized by riding on a horse and not walking by foot, etc.. Likewise, smart and influential people for good should be exalted and not the dumb and inexperienced people when running a nation, etc.. When the wrong people get in charge of a government with the wrong qualifications, disaster usually follows, etc..
Ecclesiastes 10:8-10 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
:9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
:10 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.
People who try to entrap others usually mess up and in the end get busted(become prey as a result of setting their own trap). E.g. you lie about an employee to get ahead and you are later exposed as a liar(get fired, reprimanded, demoted, etc.). A hedge is built to keep things out(wildlife, illegal aliens, etc.). Hence, when you destroy a hedge it allows a serpent(snake) to break through and bite a person(the one who breaks the hedge). Spiritually, God sets moral boundries for the Christian. Boundries are for our protection as well as a marker on how far we can roam freely in this life in our behaviour
(I Pet. 1:15-16). When we cross the boundry or destroy it, it allows the curses and destruction of the world to enter in(Jo. 10:10, see comments there). E.g. the boundries of sexual behaviour(Heb. 13:4), marriage(Matt. 19:5-6), etc.. For more information on good Christian boundaries, download Separation, Part I & II at .
Stones are set up as a mark of where the property line ends(Pr. 23:10), etc.. A person who moves stones in equivalent to someone trying to steal property(a neighbour is increasing his land ownership). In America property crime is a serious offense. Hence when you get caught, you are in big trouble.
Cleave means to split with a sharp instrument or penetrate. When cutting wood, a person needs to be careful with the wood splinters that fly out afterwards(debris could hit him). Spiritually, wood is a type of lost person. When cutting wood or rebuking and correcting a lost person, be careful that they don’t try to fight back in spite(e.g. a woman in revenge makes a false sexual harassment claim). Christians should be above reproach in every area of their lives so they are not endangered when the cut the wood(lost person) with the bible(Heb. 4:12, see comments there).
Ecclesiastes 10:11-13 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
Enchantment is casting a spell on something. Evidently serpents can be enchanted (According to the research, a snake cannot hear music. However, they can be enchanted by a melody only known by the Indian Irula snake charmers). That said, a serpent doesn’t need an enchantment to attack a person. Likewise, a babbler(talks excessively without really saying anything meaningful or to utter meaningless or unintelligible sounds) is like a snake. He eventually will cause harm in his speech to the person listening to him. On the flip side, the words of a wise man are gracious(courteous, kind, and pleasant). Listening to wise words usually leads to a person following the advice of a wise man, which leads to blessings. Likewise, listening to a babbler or fool usually leads you to following his advice, which leads to curses(I Cor. 15:33, see comments there).
Notice that the talk of a fool will eventually destroy the fool himself. E.g. people who promoted foolishness(LGBT, evolution, abortion, false religion, socialism, etc.) will eventually be exposed and be destroyed by their own teachings(Jam. 1:14-15, Gal. 6:7-8, see comments there. The talk of a fool is bad from beginning(foolishness) to end(mischievous madness). E.g. Look at the foolish talk and logic of Black Lives Matter (hands up don’t shoot was proven false in court). There false claims of oppression and police brutality make them look more crazy and crooked by the day, etc..
Ecclesiastes 10:14-17 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
:15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
:16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
:17 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!
A fool is full of words(Eccl. 5:3, see comments there). Because of his so many words and claims, etc., a person can draw no logical conclusions from his speech(what will happen in the future, in the present). Neither can a fool be told he is wrong(Prov. 26:3-4).
A fool doesn’t know how to work effectively nor how to conduct himself in front of others. Hence is labor or job performance is a drag on everyone else trying to perform well. His comments can get everyone in trouble or cause trouble for everyone(stricter rules, less income for the company, more work to cover the fools inefficiency, etc.).
The land or country is in woe(great sorrow and distress) when they have a child for a king(Isa. 3:12, see comments there). Likewise, if princes eat in the morning for pleasure, they are not working very hard for the people and only care about their own entertainment. Likewise, a prince that eats for strength(eats because he needs to-nourishment, not because he wants to-pleasure) in due season will be working hard and defending the needs of his citizens, etc.. Also, a land is blessed when the king is the son of nobles(he was raised in the ways of royalty and ruling a country). A successful country is run by a man of great wisdom and experience in good things(Donald Trump) and not in foolishness and lack of experience in good things(Barrack Obama).
Ecclesiastes 10:18-20 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
: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.
Slothful means lazy. Because of laziness(not maintaining the structure), a building will fall apart. By not working(idleness), a person’s own home will fall apart. In life, the second law of thermodynamics teaches that everything is breaking down over time(opposite of what evolution teaches, I Tim. 6:20). Hence, you always have to make new things, refurbish things, repair things, maintain things(cars, houses, computers, boat, land, etc.). This is why a hard working industrious employee is valuable and sometimes hard to find, etc..
A feast or a great preparation of various foods and drinks is made for laughter and celebration. Wine(unfermented grape juice) makes the heart merry(Prov. 23:29-33, alcohol for pleasure does not in the long run). However, money answers all things. As the old saying goes, put your money where your mouth is, etc.. Money has power(to purchase goods and obtain services) and when you show someone the money, they usually are willing to serve and do for others whatever they are asked within reason, etc.. As the old saying goes, money talks, but nonsense walks, etc..
King Solomon charges a person not to curse the king in word and/or thought. Likewise, don’t curse the rich in your bedroom. Cursing people who are in position to do you harm, have a way of finding out what you say in secret. E.g. A king has spies. They pretend to be on your side to hear your view(Exod. 22:28, Acts 23:5, see comments there). Afterward they report back to the king, etc.. Like a bird flies away with food or nest building material in his mouth, so will a person who overhears or hears your cursing will bring it to the person being cursed for his benefit and your harm, etc..
Ecclesiastes 11:1-3 CAST thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
:2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
:3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
Casting your bread(pictures your wealth and fruits of your labors) in terms of investment upon the waters of life(e.g. stock market, precious metals, real estate, etc.) can lead to great returns. As a result, you will find it after many days. Also, when you give to the Lord in tithes an offerings(waters of God, Eph. 5:26, see comments there), God will bless your faithfulness(Lu. 6:38, Mal. 3:10-12).
When you are not selfish with your possessions(give to 7 or 8 others), you will make friends that will be there in your time of need(day when evil finds you financially, etc.). It is good to make friends with others because there will be times when you will need each other or benefit greatly from your friendship, etc..
King Solomon points out that clouds that are full of rain will eventually empty themselves or release their rain upon the earth. They don’t hoard water, but spread it on the earth for the earth’s benefit(cause plant growth, etc.). Likewise, the Christian shouldn’t hoard the blessings of God, but preach the word(II Tim. 4:2) and give it away to all who will listen as fast and efficiently as possible. In other words, you are not building an empire with a ministry named after yourself(Matt. 10:8).
Also, a tree that falls(e.g. when being chopped or affected by a hurricane, etc.) will fall in the direction it is pushed in(gravity takes over). Man is like a tree(wood, a picture of humanity). He is influenced by his surroundings and teachings, etc.. Influence man with the bible and he will be more likely to fall in the direction of the bible in his life. On the flip side, teach him to be a sexual pervert(LGBT teachings starting at 3 years old in some schools) and he will more likely grow up and become a sex pervert(Hebr. 13:4).
Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
:6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
People who are not hard and/or industrious workers will look for excuses on not to work or work hard. E.g. the will use bad weather for an excuse(although it doesn’t keep them away from the ballpark when they want to entertain themselves, etc.). These are the people who do the minimum to get by and get paid. They are low quality employees. Agriculture workers know when the rain and wind will hinder their productivity based on years of experience, etc..
God makes the baby(not a fetus, Gen. 25:23) grow in the womb over around nine months. God makes the spirit and soul for that matter and he puts it into man at conception. Evolution doesn’t take the works of God in the flesh and spirit into account. God is infinite in power and detail and no one can figure out God completely(Rev. 1:8, see comments there). God is the creator of the universe(Gen. 1:, see comments there).
The farmer sows the seed in the morning. A person should wake up every day and get to work or sow his seed. Given we don’t know what the evening will bring, it is better to get everything done the first minute and not the last minute, etc.. Likewise, it is good to work all day(morning and evening). We don’t know what the future holds, so work hard and work ahead. When trouble and/or famine arrives, you will be able to afford not working(sick leave) or unexpected expenses(hurricane damage). Likewise, when you work hard, you have no idea what your yield will be. It may be that the morning will be more profitable than the evening or one day or week will be more prosperous than another day or week, etc.. Basically, work all you can and save all you can. You don’t know what the future will bring.
Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
:8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
Light is good for the body(vitamin D). Just like God is light(Jo. 1:7) and God’s word brings light(Ps. 119:105), light or holiness is good for the Christian(I Pet. 1:15-16). Likewise, it is good for the eyes to behold the sun or the daylight. We can work during the day and be prosperous(Jo. 9:4, see comments there).
In a man’s life, there will be many dark days(hard labor, unfortunate circumstances, tight financial budget, disasters, hardships, disappointments). E.g. I gave five years of my life to get a Ph. D. in Statistics(blood, sweat and tears, etc.). I am enjoying the benefits of it now(fun job, low pressure, high paying, great benefits, secure retirement, eat good, have lots of free time, etc.). However, I never forgot how hard I worked and what it cost me to obtain my position and standing in this life. Also, doing a bible commentary series(currently finished 61 books, plus 55 chapters of Psalms) and a television show cost me a lot of time, experience and discipline. However, in the end I came out on top and am enjoying life to the fullest, etc..
The future brings man only more vanity. You get old and fall apart. That is why you work hard and enjoy the ride. Don’t take the blessings of God for granted(Matt. 6:33,
Ps. 37:4).
King Solomon warns the young man who walks in the ways of his heart and sight of his eyes. E.g. Young adults are into the things of the flesh and the world(I Jo. 2:15-17, see comments there). They are usually given to worldly entertainment, alcohol, rock music and fornication, etc.. In the U.S., they have forsaken the Lord in mass and have turned into the millennial snowflake generation, etc.. Instead of planning for their future (expenses, education, raising a family, employment), they are playing around in their foolish pleasures.
Unfortunately, one day they wake up and their parents are no longer supporting them. They are out on their own in a cruel and dog eat dog competitive world. They find themselves dependent on welfare and lack the education to advance themselves. Then the bills and health problems hit and they are stuck in a never ending rut, with no way out. Also, because of sin, they will have problems raising their kids and getting along with their spouses. Drug and alcohol abuse may take their toll, etc.. They need the wisdom and knowledge of God and find themselves back in the new testament church learning things they should have learned over 10 years ago.
King Solomon charges the young person to labor in their youth and forsake the excessive joys of childhood and youth. This will teach them character, skills and make them more productive and industrious citizens. When they are older they will escape the evils of the flesh and the sorrows of the heart from not being prepared for life. This is the problem with the youth in America and the millennial generation. They weren’t taught what they needed in high school and college or they goofed around and now are in a world they are not prepared for.
Ecclesiastes 12:1-4 REMEMBER now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
A saved person is to remember and serve the Lord in his youth. A day is coming when he won't be as healthy and be able to do the things that good health affords when serving the Lord. E.g. I used to travel regularly as an evangelist until I hurt my back. I got my back fixed, but it wasn't strong enough to keep up my rigorous driving schedule. As a result, I used the television and internet platform to evangelize(no driving required) instead.
Furthermore, at age 51, I no longer have the energy and strength of a 31 year old. Hence, I adjusted accordingly. A day will come, if the Lord wills, that I will turn 71 years old and I won't be able to do what I did when I was 51, etc.. A day will come where I will be on my death bed and everything will be weak where living in the flesh will lose its pleasure(that is the cycle of life my friend). The point here is that I will be 51 years old for one year and then it is over. Serve God to the fullest while you are 51 and any younger age for that matter, because you only get one chance at it.
Ecclesiastes 12:2-4 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
:3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
:4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
The sun, light, moon and stars were created by God(Gen. 1:1-19, see comments there) to shine light in the universe(on earth and in outer space). However, a day is coming when God will destroy his original creation to be replaced(Rev. 21:1). Likewise, the clouds that return after a rain(weather cycle, not global warming) will one day cease along with the earth.
A day will come when the keepers of the house(housemaids, servants) will tremble because the owner of the house will die and/or his land sold(unless captured in the spoils of war). Hence they have to find a new job somewhere else. A day will come when a strong person becomes weak(it starts at 40 years old and accelerates at 50 years old). A day will come when the grinders(We have machines now in agriculture/farming that do the grinding) will cease because the number of laborers are few. When there is no grinding it means that there is a certain degree of crop failure(pestilence, weather related), the boss can't pay the bills anymore and/or the land has be captured in war(spoil), etc.. A day will come when the doors will be shut in the streets(the town shuts down due to lack of economic activity - ghost town or shut down by war) and the grinding low(high unemployment due to the economic situation. A day will come when the activity of the city is so low that you can hear a bird chirping in the morning and very few people will be celebrating their lives in song(great depression and disheartening times).
Ecclesiastes 12:5-6 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
:6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
A day will come when men will be afraid of that which is high(government, God, those in charge of the nursing home, etc.). When you get older, you are more dependent on the government protection and services. When you hit 85 years old you are more dependent on nursing home services. Because of corruption and abuse, people fear what evil will befall them in their old age, etc.. As you get older, you realize you will die one day and face God and give an account(II Cor. 5:10-saved, Rev. 20:12-15, lost). If you are lost or not living for God, you should be afraid of what God will do next, etc..
There will come a day when the almond tree flourishes(it takes almonds 6-8 months to mature and be ready for harvest after they sprout) and the grasshopper will be a burden(grasshoppers are plant eaters that prefer grass(used for livestock grazing) and cereals(harvested as crops)). A day will come when your desire will fail or you lose the drive to work and achieve(usually after 70 years old). A day will come when man will die(grave-long home, you will be there awhile until God raises your body for judgement) and the mourners of the dead will mourn in the streets, etc..
A day will come when the silver cord will be loosed(the thing that keeps the soul and spirit in the body). When you die, your body gives up the soul and spirit. A day will come when the golden bowl, the pitcher at the fountain, or the wheel at the cistern will be broken. As you get older, things get old and break or break down. Also, you have to sell your assets(like gold) to pay your bills in your old age when you can’t work. A pitcher is used for carrying large amounts of liquid like water, a cistern is used to store liquids like water and a golden bowl is a picture of your prosperity(used for special feasts or just presenting). Also, a wheel on a cart is used to transport things. If the wheel breaks, the cart loses its value(like a car breaking down, etc.).
Ecclesiastes 12:7-8 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
:8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
A day will come when man dies and returns to the grave(Gen. 3:19, see comments there). A day will come when the plant dies and decomposes back into dust again(the cycle of the life). When a person dies, the soul and spirit go to either heaven or hell. If you go to hell, your spirit one day will stand before God for your final judgment
(Rev. 20:12-15, see comments there). Hence, everything in this life is vanity because it ends one day and is forgotten by man. However, it is not forgotten by God and will be judged by God one day.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
:10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
King Solomon referred to himself as the preacher(II Tim. 4:2). A good king, prime minister, president, etc. will be pro-bible(like Trump) and not anti-bible(like Obama & the DNC). Solomon was wise because he feared the Lord(I Ki. 3:7-12, see comments there). He taught the people of Israel knowledge(Pr. 1:7) as well as wisdom(Pr. 9:10). He gave good advice and sought out the solutions to problems in life, etc.. He wrote most of the book of Proverbs. A proverb is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, that expresses a truth based on common sense or experience.
King Solomon or the preacher used acceptable words, upright writings and words of truth. He didn’t use slang and/or vulgarity, but his words and writings were true and holy. This is the opposite of what you get from Hollywood, CA nowadays whether in movies or music. Most athletes don’t use good speech or write well. However, Solomon had the power of the pen and used it to exalt and promote the bible(II Tim. 3:16-17). He wrote some of God’s word which is perfect and true(Ps. 19:14).
Ecclesiastes 12:11
A goad is a something that pains as if by pricking(thorn) or something that urges or stimulates into action. God’s word rebukes(tells you what you are doing wrong) and corrects(tells you how to get the wrong right again). Usually when you are doing wrong (e.g. fornication, Heb. 13:4, see comments there), you don’t like it when you are told you are wrong(especially when the bible is quoted). Hence, wise men like Solomon use words to provoke people to get their act together, clean up their act, etc..
Nails fasten things together(like wood and metal). God’s word keeps your life together, it stabilizes your life, it keeps everything in its proper place, etc.. The master of assemblies is God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost(I Jo. 5:7). Jesus is the chief Shepherd (I Pet. 5:4, see comments there) and the head of the New Testament Church(Eph. 5:23, see comments there).
Ecclesiastes 12:12-14 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
King Solomon admonished(means to warn firmly) others that in life, people will make many books of learning. E.g. A requirement to get a Ph. D. at a university is to produce a thesis which is the size of a book. From this book, I produced two papers that got published, etc.. While on the job I ready and studied many papers and books and it is very wearisome to the flesh. Studying is hard mental labor that wears you out or takes a lot of energy-brain power). Writing books of the bible with commentary for my website is a long and extensive process. Many have written books about the bible and other subjects for that matter.
King Solomon concludes that the duty(moral and legal obligation) of man is to fear God(Hebr. 12:28-29) and to keep His commandments(Jo. 14:15). This was his conclusion after he finished writing all of his books and studying of truth and life itself as well as the writings and studying of others. Solomon was the wisest person or king ever to live in his day as well as anyone before and after him(I Ki. 3:12-13, see comments there). Solomon pointed out that one day God will judge every work of man(II Cor. 5:10, Rev. 20:12-15), whether it be out in the open or secret and whether it will be good or evil.
Notice that Solomon didn’t say that the duty or goal in life was to be smart, rich, famous, popular, have a family, own possessions, etc., but to fear God and keep His commandments.
Seeing that God will judge everything you will ever think or do, it pays to get saved if you are lost(Rom. 10:9,13, see comments there) and to sell out to God after you get saved (Rom. 12:1-2, see comments there). Notice that God is a God of judgement, hence Christians should judge others and things in this life by the bible(Jo. 7:24, I Cor. 2:14-16, see comments there). A Christian is to be holy or keep the commandments of God in the power of the Holy Ghost. This is called holiness and it is not legalism. The bible is the Old King James bible for the English speaking people. E.g. The leaders of the U.S. in the past understood this principle and hence the bible was part of the high school curriculum (until 1963).
Salvation Message
Because of sin we got to see the judgment of God on mankind in the first eleven chapters of Genesis. However, there is another judgment of God. That is when a person dies without Christ and being forgiven of his sin and wakes up in hell. I don’t want that to happen to you. If you would like to be 1% sure you are going to heaven, please read carefully the salvation message below. All verses can be found in the King James Bible. There are two places where a person can go when they die, either heaven (Gen. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.) or the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.).
Now nobody really wants to go to the lake of fire when they die. However, people go to the lake of fire because of sin (Rom. 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;). Now sin is when you break God’s law. Have you ever made a foolish thought?(Prov. 24:9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.). Have you ever lied before? (Exod. 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.). Have you ever gotten punished as a kid for being bad (Exod. 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.). Plain and simply we all have sinned.
God will punish your sin. Do parents have a right to punish kids if they are bad? Sure they do. Well doesn’t God have a right to punish us? Yes he does, and that is why there is a hell and a lake of fire. We all deserve it, but God doesn’t want us to go there (Mark 9:43-44 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.).
We must be sorry that we have sinned against God and repent (IICor. 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.). Repentance means to turn to God from our sins (we want to change, not just sorry we got caught). It is a change of heart toward God. Our desires toward God changes. Our ‘want to’ changes.
We must understand that Jesus was God in the flesh (I John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.). Jesus is God, he is man(the Son of God), and he is eternal life. Also we must believe that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose again the third day in an eternal resurrected body(I Cor. 15:2-3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures).
We must put our trust or faith in the blood of Jesus who is God to have all of our sins forgiven. That is the past, present, and future sins, from the time we are born to the time we die, once for all (I John 1:7 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.). Once we are forgiven we are born again into God’s family (Eph. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,). Once you are in a family would that ever change? In the same way, once you are in God’s family it is forever and you get eternal life. Understand that though God wants you to be good, like doing good works, getting baptized, and going to church etc., being good can’t save you (Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;). Only the blood alone, once for all can save you.
If you would like to have all your sins forgiven, this is what you must do. Pray to God in your heart to be saved. You can use your own words or the sample prayer below. Now praying this prayer won’t forgive you unless you understand it and mean it in your heart. Otherwise God can’t forgive you.
1 THE SALVATION PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I deserve the lake of fire, but I want to change, please forgive me, for all of my sins, by your blood, once for all, so I can go to heaven. Amen.
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