Ecclesiastes: The Problem Expanded

Introduction

Open to Ecclesiastes 3:16, Ecclesiastes 3:16 and we will look a verse 16- chapter 4 verse 3.

Last time

“If the earthly realm is subject to vanity, there is no hope of finding ultimate gain or satisfaction from its resources alone.” [1]

We are going to have a bit more for the introduction but I want to read the text first this time. Notice the that the author will use the term “under the sun 3 times”

Let’s Read

Ecclesiastes 3:16–4:3 ESV

16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. 18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. 19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? 22 So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him? 1 Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. 2 And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3 But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

May God Bless the reading of his Holy, Infallible, and Sufficient Word

Lat’s Pray

Intro Cont. Transition

Notice the author uses the phrase “under the sun” 3 times here.

This is what I call the Circle.

In ancient near eastern literature and the bible the author will draw a circle around their main point.

James using this same stile in the new Testament and Paul and Stephen used it when addressing the Sanhedrin.

This of it like a wagon wheel of thought.

The first spoke of the wheel we will examine tonight is verse 16 through 18

Body

I said in my Heart

Ecclesiastes 3:16–18 ESV

16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. 18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts.

No justice and no righteous

“I have said in my heart”

It make you think.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ec 3:11, ESV)

The conclusion is that there is a purpose beyond what is under the sun.

He continue the circle, how can man claim he is not just a beast.

There are those that claim that nowadays.

They know better again because God has put eternity into the heart for a man.

This is why the naturalistic materialistic worldview does not allow for even postulation of something that transcends under the sun.

Transition

Solomon continues this part of the circle and the connect he is building about the beasts in verse 19 - 22

If no God, man = animal

Ecclesiastes 3:19–22 ESV

19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? 22 So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?

All of them die.

you say to me, but man has art and engineering, and Solomon says, so what.

Its vanity.

Remember verse 11, Man has eternity on the heart,

RC Comments. “The Hebrew term is translated “forever” in v. 14 and explained in v. 11 as “from the beginning to the end.” The heart knows that history is not meaningless but is perplexed in its efforts to discern the pattern of events.”[2]

That’s what the author is saying here, look at man, he knows he is not a beast but he cannot prove that.

God proves it.

God did not become a dog or a cat or a deer. God became a man.

The son of God did not offer himself as a propitiation for the beast he offered himself as propitiation for humans.

Though as we talked about last time in Christ work every the creation is rewed from futility.

Because of Christ we have given to be known as we are known, see and we are seen.

We no longer see through the glass darkly as Solomon did but we have a more sure word because Christ has come all the things in the scriptures concerning himself are ours to know.

We now know our purpose in eternity, Solomon didn’t know it, Solomon could only guess at it.

We will for eternity have an ever continuing revelation of God though Jesus Christ

Prophet, Priest, and King Forever.

Transition

Solomon draws another part of the circle in chapter 4 verse 1-3. Solomon addresses the problem of Theodicy. I’ll explain that word in just a bit but first lets read chapter 4 verse 1-3

Theodicy

Ecclesiastes 4:1–3 ESV

1 Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. 2 And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3 But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

Theodicy is a big word for saying, the problem of Evil. If God is good why is there evil in this world. Or, why do bad things happen to good people.

First we would say that in the history of this plant that has only ever happened once, and he volunteered.

You wanna see the look of confusion on an atheist face. Explain biblical anthropology

Solomon asked the question, if God is good why do the “oppressors” have all the “power”

Its statements like verse 2 and 3 that get this book called depressing.

And it is if, you only consider what is understand sun.

Think about it, what good is there is we eat we sleep and tomorrow we die.

I think about Jacob’s words

“And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years. Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojourning.” (Ge 47:9 ESV)

But if we die to life with Christ were to have pleasure with him for every more, when there is much gain in life.

Psalm 16:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Not carnal selfish pleasure, but pure and unspeakable pleasure.

Paul said, “2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.” (2 Co 12:2–4, ESV)

Conclusion

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Benediction

We have a long benediction this evening, but since the church is the Israel of God and we are learning from the Holy Spirit through Solomon I thought we should read Solomon blessing on Isreal.

1 Kings 8:56–61 ESV

56 “Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. 57 The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, 58 that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. 59 Let these words of mine, with which I have pleaded before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires, 60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. 61 Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”

References

[1] Michael A. Eaton, Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 18, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1983), 68.

[2] R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 1081.

Bibliography

Eaton, Michael A. Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 18. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1983.

Sproul, R. C., ed. The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition). Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015.