Ecclesiastes 8:15 – 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.

 

Thought:  Solomon goes back to a thought he has expressed before in the book.  Man works.  Man works hard.  One of the benefits of his labor is the fact that he gets to enjoy the fruits thereof.  To eat, drink, and be merry brings him joy.  He can stop, relax, and experience the rewards of his hours and days of toil.  Notice that he refers to this as something that God gives to man.  In other words, God expects man to find some personal benefits to his labor.

 

Ecclesiastes 2:24

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Solomon returns to a very familiar thought found in this book, that is, a man’s life “under the sun.”

 

B.      He commends “mirth.”

1.       Strong (8057):  blithesomeness, glee                    :- gladness, joy, pleasure, rejoicing

2.       BDB:  joy, gladness, gaiety, happy

 

C.     One of the key components of life is work.

1.       Work provides various things for man’s enjoyment.  The man who labors gets “to eat, and to drink, and to be merry.”

a.  A meal at a restaurant.

b.  A vacation

c.  A concert or show or movie

d.  The purchase of a luxury item

2.       Solomon tells us that there is “no better thing under the sun.”

a.  It is a good feeling to see the fruits of our labors.

b.  They are not for bragging and boasting, but they are for personal satisfaction.

3.       The rewards of our labors are something “which God giveth” to man under the sun.

4.       NOTES: 

a.  This does not involve sinful lifestyle.

b.  We must remember that “things” are not going to bring happiness.

c.  Too, we must not neglect returning some of what we have to God.

d.  In addition, our things should never replace our relationship with God.

                        1)  God blesses us with the talents and the mode to make a good living.

                        2)  We reap many benefits from the wonderful blessings at God’s hands.

                        3)  Then, man neglects God.

                             a)    He chooses his mode of making a living over the service of God.

                             b)    He chooses the rewards of his labors over the service of God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 8:16 – 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:).

 

Thought:  Many men and women put in long hours of work.  They work in all kinds of fields.  They are constantly trying to fathom the depths of knowledge found in this world.  Literally, they hardly sleep either day or night.  They want to know more.  They want to accomplish more.  They want to discover more.  Perhaps you are one of these people.  This world intrigues you.  You realized how much man does not know.  The more you know, the more you know you do not know.

 

Ecclesiastes 7:25

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Solomon had looked for happiness in labor, but found none.

 

B.      While he was engaging in work, he found others who conducted “business that is done upon the earth.”

 

C.     Some were so intent on their labors that “neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes.”

1.       Some people put almost the entirety of their life into their work.

2.       They labor almost day and night.

a.  They want to know more.

b.  They want to accomplish more.

c.   They want to discover more.

d.  They want to earn more.

e.   They want to be the most successful.

f.   They want to help others even more.

 

D.     For some, work becomes their god.

1.       Work is first in their lives.

2.       Work dictates their decisions.

3.       Work produces their identity.

4.       Work can never be disappointed in them.

5.       Work produces their happiness.

6.       Work is seen as their provider.

7.       Work fills their hearts and minds.

8.       Work gets almost all of their strength.

9.       Work often gets much of their extra time if it is needed.

10.   Work is their family.

 

E.      Points to remember:

1.       God did not bless us with talents to be used to forsake Him.

2.       God did not bless us with jobs to be used to replace Him.

3.       God did not give us our occupations as excuses not to worship Him.

4.       In the last day, God is not going to say:  “Yes, I understand that your job came before my kingdom and my righteousness, but that is okay.  Come on in.”