Ecclesiastes 6:10 – 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.

 

Thought:  Solomon has said:  “There is nothing new under the sun.”  What happens to man now has happened to man in the past.  It has been experienced and named by others.  These events that happen over and over help to shape man.  These things were set in motion by our Creator.  Whether we like them or not, we cannot change them.  It will do us no good to contend with the Creator about them.  We must allow them to shape and mold us as they have others in the past.

 

Isaiah 45:9

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Solomon had said:  “There is nothing new under the sun” in Ecclesiastes 1:9.

 

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 things under the sun.

 

B.      In this verse, he states basically the same thing using different words.

 

C.     Man and how man is supposed to live his life on earth was created and established by God. 

1.       We are not responsible for “how” we are made.

2.       We are not responsible for the “manner” by which our bodies are sustained (food and drink).

3.       We are not responsible for the “way” our bodies are to be maintained (exercise, rest, medications).

 

D.     Man has a tendency to question God and His creation.  Solomon argues that this should not be done.  “…neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.”

1.       Are we stronger than God?

Are we wiser than God?

Could we have done a better job than God has done?

2.       There are many illustrations of those who have contended with God only to lose.

a..  Job (Job 40:1-5)

b..  Pharoah (Exo. 5:1-2; 14:27-28)

c..  Ahab and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:29, 38)

d..  Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:4-5)

e..  Satan against Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 6:11 – Seeing there may be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

 

Thought: There are many people who want to contend with God about the affairs of life.  They blame Him.  They get angry with Him.  They want to confront Him.  They want to give Him a piece of their mind.  All of these things do no good.  They only increase vanity.  Those who engage in such actions are none the better for them.  Trusting God and dealing with the things life gives us is the way to develop and mature into a godly person.

 

Job 9:1-4

 

Commentary: 

 

A.     There are many things that man does against God that are empty and useless.

1.       They question God.

2.       They get angry with God.

3.       They quit serving God.

4.       They curse God.

5.       They deny God.

6.       They fight against God.

 

B.      Example:  Job (Job 10:1-3)

 

My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.  I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; show me wherefore thou contendest with me.  Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?

 

C.     Question:  “What is a man better when he wrangles with God?”

1.       Does he make himself better than God?

2.       Does he improve his lot in life?

3.       Does he help the affairs of his fellowman?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 6:12 – 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?

 

Thought:  Man with no spiritual purpose in this life lives a vain existence.  He doesn’t really know what is good for him.  What he thinks is good can be evil. What he believes to be bad can be for his good.  His existence is like unto a shadow.  It appears only briefly then vanishes away.  Once he is gone, he knows not what happens after him by those who continue to live.  Truly, a man’s life can seem very vain and empty without God.

 

Job 14:2

 

Commentary:

 

A.     If God is removed from this world, only men exist.

 

B.      Solomon asks:  “For who knoweth what is good for man in this life?”

1.       What human being knows what is right for all other men?

2.       What he thinks is good could be evil.  And, what he believes to be evil could be good.

 

C.     Whatever another person suggests as being good for another comes from a person whose life is…

1.       Vain

a.  Without God, the lives of all men are empty because they really have no purpose.

b.  How can a person with no purpose tell another what is really good for him?

2.       A shadow

a.  Shadows come and quickly disappear.

b.  A man’s life comes and quickly disappears.

c.  LESSON:  It is difficult to understand how quickly live passes until

                        1)  A person sees a child grow up.

                        2)  A person reaches that point in life where it is unlikely his future can be changed.

                        3)  A person reaches old age and life has breezed by

 

D.     Another reason that a man’s “program for living” is suspect is because men do not have the ability to know the future that will happen following their death.  “…for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?”

1.       What is recommended today may be obsolete in the near future.

2.       What is considered good for a person today could be found to be harmful in the future.

3.       What is possible now may be impossible in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 7

 

Ecclesiastes 7:1 – A good name is better than precious ointment:  and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

 

Thought:  A good name is something that takes years to cultivate.  It also takes a lot of effort to maintain.  The cost of a good name is underestimated until it is lost.  Then one understands its value.  It is truly more valuable than any costly ointment.  The writer also affirms that the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.  Birth brings us into a cruel world.  Death releases us from it.  Birth is the beginning of a life that must labor for its ultimate rest.  Death is that rest from one’s labors.  Even though this is true, man still has difficulties with death.  It is not something for which we yearn.

 

Proverbs 22:1

Commentary:

 

A.     Solomon notes two “better” things.

1.       If something is better, we usually desire that.

2.       If something is better, we seek to acquire it.

 

B.      In this verse Solomon compares two things that are good and affirms the one that is better.

1.       A good name is better than precious ointment.

a.   Ointment is good

      1)  Ointment eases pain.

      2)  Ointment brings healing

      3)  Ointment relaxes and soothes.

b.  A good name, however, is better than a grocery cart full of ointment.

1)  A good name is a good reputation, positive view or estimation others have of us.

      2)  A good name involves many things:

                                a)    Honesty and integrity

                                b)    A positive attitude

             c)   The heart of a servant

      d)   A good work ethic

            e)    A team player

            f)    Humility

      g)   A willingness to take responsibility, which includes admitting mistakes

            h)   Keeping your promises

            i)    Giving more than is expected

            j)    Minding your body language

      k)   Being reliable and consistent

             l)    Not arguing, bickering, nip-picking and complaining

            m)  Being ready to volunteer to help

            n)   Having solutions to problems

            o)   Not being easily offended by the criticism of others

      p)   Not being one who gives up easily

      q)   Adding value where you are

            r)    Treating others with respect and kindness

            s)    Not being self-centered

             t)    Always being appreciative

            u)   Giving credit due to others

2.       The day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.