Ecclesiastes 9:10 – 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, wither thou goest.

 

Thought:  The day of death is coming to all.  When that day comes, the individual who leaves this life will never participate in this world again.  With this thought in mind, Solomon encourages his readers to live life to the fullest.  “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”  Give everything your best.  Learn all there is to know.  Develop your skills to the fullest.  Participate to the max.  Live life with no regrets.  Give it your all.

 

Romans 12:11

 

Commentary:

 

A.     LESSON:  The Bible plainly teaches us that we are to work, and, when we work, we are to work hard.  (NOTE:  Paul refers to our Christian life as a vocation in Ephesians 4:1.  We should work just as diligently at it as we do other aspects of our lives).

 

B.      This verse stresses many things:

1.       Whatsoever:  This is a comprehensive word meaning anything and everything.

2.       Thy hand findeth to do:

a.  Most of the time the things that we do are not forced upon us.

b.  We “find” things to do.  In other words, we are responsible for the things in which we

      are engaged.

c.  When do find things to do, we should do them with our might.

      1)  Might:

            a)   Strong (3581):  be firm, vigor, literally (force…), or figuratively (capacity, means,

                  produce

             b)  BDB:  strength, power, might

        2)  This is a lesson needed by many in our society today.

              a)  Young people who have not be taught a work ethic

              b)  Citizens of our nation who want welfare rather than working for a living

              c)  People coming into our country just desiring a handout

               d)  People who take jobs only for the paycheck

              e)  Christians who are mediocre and lazy in their service to the Lord.

3.       Other verses:

a.  Nehemiah 4:6

 

So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof:  for the people had a mind to work.

 

b.  Romans 12:11

 

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

 

                   c.  I Corinthians 15:58

 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 

                   d.  Colossians 3:23

 

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. 

4.       Solomon provides the reason we should work diligently in this life in the last part of the verse.  “…for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave wither thou goest.”

a.  When death comes, our work here ends.

b.  Question:  Will you be satisfied at the end of  life with what you have done so far,

      especially regarding your work in the vineyard of the Lord?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 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.

 

Thought:  Sometimes the positive results of life seem to be left to time and chance.  The slow win the race.  The battle is won by the weaker army.  The wise are not always the prosperous.  Riches come to those who are not that smart.  And, honor is given to those who have no skills.  As we look upon these results, we are confused.  We run hard, train to be strong, and seek wisdom and understanding.  We invest ourselves to have many skills.  Yet, things are not always positive for us.  This is not always the case.  Most of the time diligence pays off, but time and chance change things from time to time.

 

Jeremiah 9:23-24

 

Commentary: 

 

A.     Solomon notes another interesting thing he “he saw under the sun.”

1.       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 favor to men of skill.

2.       Solomon encouraged hard work in the previous verse.  Now, it seems like he is warning individuals of something that could happen. 

a.  Most of the time investment of time and energy and the accumulation of knowledge and

                        skills bring us success and prosperity.

                   b.  There are times, however, when time and chance play a role in the process.

                        1)  The slow win the race.

                        2)  The wise are not always prosperous.

                        3)  Riches come to the ignorant and unlearned.

                        4)  Honor is given to those who have no skills.

 

B.      LESSON:  It is good for us to be ready for the realities and the injustices of life.

1.       If we are not, we may grow angry.

2.       If we are not, we may just give up.

3.       If we are not, we might blame God.

4.       If we are not, we may never seek to be the best we can be.