The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet #1739
Ecclesiastes Chapter 9
In chapter 9 of this Book of Ecclesiastes we are going to learn what happens to us when we die, and in knowing that we are going to die, what action we should take while we are alive.

So let's jump right in and continue with the wisdom from the wisest man ever to "walk under the sun".

Eccles. 9:1
For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
God is in complete control over man (even more so if you are one of the just, the zadok, i.e. God's elect).  It is just that man doesn't really know what lies in the road ahead of him in his flesh walk, and often times he doesn't recognize that some of those bumps and landmines and things which befall him are really the chastisement of his Father.
[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.
God is fair, always. And there is one thing that happens to everyone, regardless of their status. Their flesh is going to perish.
[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.
"It seems so unfair, that one fate comes to all." (Living Bible)
[4] For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
How many times have you heard people say after a natural disaster or a close call with death, "I'm just thankful to be alive?" If you are still alive then you still have something to live for, you still have hope even if you are not the noble king of the jungle.
[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.
Of course everyone knows for certain that sooner or later they are going to die. In the years to come "taxes" would be added to this inevitability and today we have the saying "There are two things in life you can count on, death and taxes." And even though the "dead know not anything" they too are quickly taxed, after their death, before the memory of them is forgotten!

Now, all jesting aside, this is a very serious verse, because the misunderstanding of it has spawned a false doctrine called "soul sleeping", whereby it is taught that when you die you remain in ground, unconscious, until the return of Christ.

However, as we have learned and emphasized so many times, this Book of Ecclesiastes is written to  "the man who walks under the sun" and so Solomon is just talking about the flesh man, not the spiritual man within. When the flesh dies and assumes room temperature it's gone, it's history, and along with it the ability to say, do, or feel anything. The next verse will document it:

[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.
We get only one opportunity to be born into flesh bodies and take our "walk under the sun". It is those flesh bodies that allow us to experience this earth age, including the love, hatred, and envy mentioned in this verse as well as joy, pain and suffering, etc. And when that flesh body perishes we can no longer experience "anything that is done under the sun", because we are no longer a "portion" of it. Our flesh was our portion, our vehicle, that allowed us to walk in this physical dimension and gave us the ability to experience it, as part of it. When it is gone, perished, we "have no more portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun".

Further documentation that Solomon is simply talking about the "flesh man" is the fact that he knew man's spirit departed the flesh that housed it and returned to the Father who sent it in the first place. He even put in writing in the 12th chapter of this same book:

Eccles. 12:6
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.
These are figures of speech in Hebrew that mean "when you die". They loose a little in the translation into English. We have some our own figures of speech for dying like "When you kick the bucket", etc. Translate that into another language, French for example, where that expression is not used and you can watch the Frenchmen struggle to understand what you are talking about. So while you say "what's it mean 'the wheel broken at the cistern'?", the French are saying "what's it mean he 'kicked the bucket'?"

So when you die:

Eccles. 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Only that which was dust in the first place returns to the earth. You, however, go home to the Father where you were before you were "tied into a flesh embryo" with a "silver cord". (I wonder if this has any connection with being born with a "silver spoon" in your mouth? Naw.)

So our flesh bodies are not going to last very long, are they? We might as well use them, not abuse them, and enjoy them while we can. The wisest man who ever walked the earth so states:

Eccles. 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
God has already approved those works, i.e. eating and drinking and being happy. (Solomon isn't referring to going out partying and drinking too many adult beverages, etc. Remember he tried that routine and it didn't work.)
[8] Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
Keep your nose clean, your thoughts pure, and enjoy the finer things life has to offer.

Note: We could easily take this verse to a higher level in that "white garments, linen" are symbolic of righteous acts and one should keep his or her head anointed with the oil of our people, etc. But let's just keep talking flesh here for awhile.

[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.
Speaking of flesh: Enjoy your mate all the days [and nights] of your fleeting life! Now we're talking!

Our mates are gifts from God, as the Koheleth declares, and our greatest portion in this life to enjoy "under the sun" [and under the sheets]. So live joyfully together! You can do it. So you fight a little every now and then. Big deal! From chapter 3 we know that Time #15 is "a time to embrace". Time #16 is "a time to refrain from embracing". Time #25 is "a time to love" and Time #26 is "a time to hate". When you are done with #'s 16 and 26 then "time is up", go back to 15 and 25. Hey, if it never rained and stormed every now and then, you probably wouldn't enjoy and appreciate the sunshine.

[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.
Now you have to wonder about the timing of this verse, following the subject of verse 9. Solomon sure applied "gusto" to enjoying his wives, didn't he? You can't say he didn't practice what he preached.

But the point he is making here is that "You only go around once". Actually that phrase is almost a quote from scripture. Paul says in Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die..." So that's it, one trip through the flesh age. And when you die you can no longer enjoy the things under the sun. So while you are here and alive and there's something you want to do (within the confines of God's law) then "Go for it!" As the sayings go "Here today and gone tomorrow" and "There is no time like the present." For example, if you have the means and ability and you always wanted to start your own sneaker company, then "Just Do It!"

Also, whatever you do, do it right and "give it your best shot". Don't do things half. (If you're really sharp you may be saying to yourself that he just said "don't do things half" and yet he didn't really complete that expression, i.e. he left off the other half of "half". Well that's not true. I left it as an "Ellipsis" to be supplied by the reader. See appendix 6 in the Companion Bible.)

Eccles. 9:11 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.
What this verse says is that sometimes things don't work out as they should because "the time of misfortune [even death] happens to everyone". Remember from chapter 3 that Time #18 out of the 28 times of life is a "time to lose".

This can actually be a good thing because although none of us likes to "learn the hard way", Time #18 can be a great teacher. Later we can use a hard or tragic experience that befalls us to help and encourage others. Remember, God's in control. We may think we are being "hated" when He is actually preparing us to be of service. When you can say "Been there and done that" you have credentials [experience], don't you?

[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.
This verse carries forward from the last verse in that one never knows when the time of misfortune will suddenly fall upon him. When it does, consider it a mid-term exam and stock up on #2 lead pencils. Why? For taking notes from God's Word. You see, all tests in life are actually "open book" exams and all the answers to all the problems and questions can be looked up. I love those type tests because they are so easy.
[13] This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
See how this next use of wisdom impresses you. It is contained in the following short story:
[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.
Isn't this impressive? I mean, here's a great king with a mighty fighting machine about to annihilate a little town and a commoner, using wisdom and common sense, outsmarts him and delivers the city. How do we say it "Brains are better than Brawn."

Of course, the wise man got no recognition from either the leaders, who were probably busy taking all the credit for themselves, or the main stream media who were busy giving all the credit to the politicians.

[16] Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
However, brains are still better than brawn, wisdom is better than strength, even though the poor man's wisdom is spat upon by the unwise. Imagine "the left" taking advice from a Christian. Fat chance. Satan's ideology has always been that might is better than right. He's just plain stupid!
[17] The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
That's certainly true of our Father who hears in quiet, isn't it?
[18] Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war because one screw-up in strategy can be very costly. There are many examples in history of great generals who have made stupid tactical errors that have cost many good lives. There are also great real life examples of "wisdom in victory", like the short story we just read. Personally, I like the Trojan Horse story.

Isn't this Book of Ecclesiastes priceless?

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.


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