Ecclesiastes 9:1-18
Notes
Transcript
Ecclesiastes 9:1-18
Ecclesiastes 9:1-18
The last time we were in Ecclesiastes, we talked about the fact that our world needs preachers, right? Are you a preacher, as we know it? What do we think of when we think of a preacher? I’ll tell you what I think of, I think of Billy Sunday, CH Spurgeon, Billy Graham. Men who can make you sweat in your seat, men who, when you stand up, make you feel like you’ve got something to do. But, what is a preacher, really? It’s someone who shares the gospel message. A proclaimer, a herrald. Can we all do that? Do we all do that? We should. The chapter was ended like this:
Ecc 8:16-17 “16 When I (Solomon) applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.”
Solomon is saying here, to me, is stop trying to figure God out, stop trying to figure out His plan, you don’t need to know, and it doesn’t help you to know. He’s saying “I want the Truth!” Then he’s answering his own question saying “You can’t handle the truth, neither can I!”
When was Solomon’s reign? 970-930 about. Does anyone recognize this verse: Jeremiah 29:11 “11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” When was that written? Between 626-586BC So 300 years after King Solomon’s reign. We’ve talked thruout this series that the Lord has a plan for you, for your life, for your gifts…that only your fingerprints were designed to do. Jeremiah is saying what Solomon couldn’t articulate, The Lord’s plans are good. Hard sometimes…desolate, destitute, lonely…but those trials don’t produce happiness, do they? Those trials, when we accept them with joy produce something. What does it produce? Perseverance, character, and what most of all? Hope. My dad always used to tell me, Aaron, Character is the man you are when there’s nobody around to see what you’re doing. Who needed to hear that, this morning? Can your character be changed? Yes it can. It takes a good, long look in the mirror to dig them out of there, but you can do it!
PRAY
1 For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them.
2 All things come alike to all: One event happens to the righteous and the wicked; To the good, the clean, and the unclean; To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath.
I talked with the kids this morning already about the things we can and can’t do when we’re alive, and when we’re dead. They have a pretty good grasp on these things, don’t they? Why is Solomon so fixated on this concept. Over and over and over, he’s complaining about death and it’s fairness. We’ve talked too about the fact that Solomon’s wording on God is different here than it is in Proverbs, or 1 Kings, or Psalms, he’s only seeing that God is the Creator God.
KIND OF LIKE Solomon sees God right now like he’s playing with little green army men. Oh NO! Here comes the machine gun guys. Pssshhhh, Oh no, you sunk my battleship…How shallow it is to live your life without Christ…We all, just, die, right? Right? Hmm…He continues here:
3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
4 But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
Living dog is better than a dead lion. What in the world does that mean? In our culture today, do we recognize that? Let’s take it at face value, is it better to be a living dog than a dead lion? Let’s make it simpler…is it better to be alive, or dead? Why is it better to be alive vs being dead, especially when it comes to this world’s view of death? (Monty Python Dead Parrot) If you’re dead, you are no more! you have ceased to be! You’ve expired and gone to meet your maker! You’re a stiff! Bereft of life, you rest in peace! Your metabolic processes are now 'istory! You’re off the twig, kicked the bucket, you’ve shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the choir invisible!! YOU ARE AN EX-PERSON!!
What are some things you can’t do if you’re dead? <Ask>
Why is it better to be alive? YOU’RE NOT A PARROT! You can still make a difference in this world. Have you ever been walking down a crowded sidewalk before? What happens to every person who has to move to let you pass? Did you know, in that moment, you’re changing their life?
I know, being Bible scholars, of which I am finding out more and more, there is a difference between a Bible teacher and a Bible scholar. You know, it amazes me with some of you, some of you don’t even like to read…but when it comes to scripture, there’s something about it that captivates you and that encourages me. So, for you scholars, let’s look here at what the Bible says about lions and dogs so we can put that phrase into perspective. To give you one of those moments when your countenance can change when you understand the passage a bit better:
When we think of Lions, we think of the Lion of Judah right? Gen 49:8-10 “8 “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s children shall bow down before you. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” Revelation 5:5 “5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.””
Where else do we read about Lions?
Jdg 14:5-6 “5 So Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Now to his surprise, a young lion came roaring against him. 6 And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.
Is 11:6-7 “6 “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Daniel 6:7 “7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.” Daniel in the lion’s den
1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Job 1:6-7 “6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.””
What do we see here? Lions are fierce, majestic, predators, feared, strong. That’s why it was amazing that King David had killed bears AND lions.
How about Dogs?
Dt 23:18 “18 You shall not bring the wages of a harlot or the price of a dog to the house of the Lord your God for any vowed offering, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God.”
1 Sa 17:43 “43 So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.” Goliath vs David
1 Sa 24:14 “14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?” King David after he cut the robe of King Saul
Ps 59:2-6 “2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, And save me from bloodthirsty men. 3 For look, they lie in wait for my life; The mighty gather against me, Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord. 4 They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. Awake to help me, and behold! 5 You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, Awake to punish all the nations; Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah 6 At evening they return, They growl like a dog, And go all around the city.”
Rev 22:15 “15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
What does the Bible describe dogs as? Scavengers, workers of inequity, unimportant, weak, fearful…SIN FILLED.
Let’s draw a conclusion here: are we live dogs? How many of us are workers of inequity, at some points in our life, right? Sometimes at points thruout our day! Do the lions of our world die off? Those people we hold in esteem as upright individuals. We put them on pedestals. What’s the difference between a lion and a dog? Can I lion be tamed? It can be trained, that’s not what I’m asking…can a lion truly be tamed? No. They’re always lions, and you have to respect that about them.
How about dogs? Now-a-days we consider dogs by a different moniker, don’t we. Man’s best friend. What happens when you earn the trust of a dog? They defend you, they tend to you, some breeds will even die with or for you. You can’t train a lion to do that. So, is Solomon right? Is it better to be a live dog than a dead lion? Yes it is…but that dog needs to be trained. Dogs left on their own stay as they’re bred. What happens especially when you see a breed of aggressive dog that is kind? You’re apprehensive, BUT, it’s pretty impressive huh? Usually you ask how did THIS HAPPEN? With the right structure, patience, love, and guidance, that dog becomes a fierce companion. Sounds like what the Lord has done for us, huh? He gave us the right structure, patience, love, and guidance (we’ve all been scolded by the Lord, believe me, that’s a good thing, it means He cares!)
One more question, can a dog become a lion? In nature, no way…can we go from being those ratty, loose, whiny, growling, snarling dogs; and turn into a lion? Yes we can, but it takes a change of heart, a change of face, a change of will. We’ll keep those honorable qualities…defending, honoring, loving…but there’s a confidence in knowing that you’re safe, that you’re at the top of the food chain. Don’t let that go to your head.
5 For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun.
7 Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works.
8 Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil.
What’s the one thing that a Christian can’t do when we get to heaven? Evangelize. We can’t tell anyone, any longer, about how to get to heaven. If none of you have seen the movie Nefarious, I highly recommend it. It’s mind-bending in a very strong way. It’s about a death row inmate, and I don’t want to give anything away for those of you who want to watch it, but there is a point at the end of the movie that has shaken me to the core of my being…and it has to do with the Edward’s last meal. You’ll know what i’m talking about when you see it. My heart is on fire from that interaction and it has to do with the deception that our world is in right now. They’re blinded and being fed lies. And they’re loving it. They’re being given their turkish delight and lead blindly right to the gates of hell by a welcoming and lying host.
Do the dead know nothing? It’s a good question to ask someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus…what if they do?
Like Andy was talking about last week, if everybody is looking out for themself, nobody else is looking out for them. But, if you’re looking out for others, with a circle of close friends, it’s harder to go astray because you’ve got exponentially more people looking out for you. Where does the enemy want us? Alone, isloated, that’s what the wolf does, he attacks the edge of the flock, picking off one or two at a time, hoping the rest don’t come for them or the sheep dogs or the shepherd don’t see it. If that flock stays together, they’re safe.
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Truly spoken right? Live joyfully with the WIFE whom you love. I will! Now…from a man with 700 of them…he stabs you with: all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun. I hear a seething Solomon here. What did these women do to him? They turned him didn’t they? Turned him from God. He was only about 60 when he died. That’s not very old. He didn’t live to be 100 or anything like that. Reigned for 40 years, that’s 17.5 marriages per year. That’s more than one new wife per month. Nothing meaningful there. Over and over again, I keep hearing bitterness in him. How many times do we look at those who have it all and they’re empty, lonely, weak.
People say the Bible lifts Solomon up, it really doesn’t. It clearly shows you who he was. Impressive individual, yes, amazingly wise, fantastic leader, followed instructions, but he was bought and paid for too. He was stretched like a little butter spread over too much bread. He was wise, but his mind got him into trouble.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it…because you can’t do it when you’re dead. Is that true? Did God design us to work? Gen 2:15 “15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” Was Eve created yet? Did we have a companion? not until v 19. So, he designed us to work…do you not think we’ll work in Heaven? Does this verse have a different tone to it than this one from a frustrated old man? Col 3:23 “23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,” Who wrote Colossians? Paul, written, not as an old man from a palace, but as an old man from house arrest in Rome. What is different? Both of these men sinned greatly in all aspects, Solomon sees no hope, everybody dies and everything stops to him. Paul knows our souls are eternal.
We’ll have jobs in heaven, and we’ll love them! This will be a new earth, right? We all have gifts, we need to use them. Why would we hear over and over again in Scripture to do things heartily as unto the Lord if we would stop doing things when we get to Heaven. Even angels had jobs. Think about that one!
11 I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.
12 For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men are snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them.
Time and chance. A roll of the dice decides our fate…what a cruel creator we must serve. We are snared in an evil time, and the traps of this life grab us quickly, don’t they? How quickly our joy is ripped from us. Worry, doubt, it grips us so quickly and strips us of all of our forward momentum. None of this should take us by surprise, right? Why does it? How do we not see these things coming? They’re not hidden from us…we don’t see them in the same way we sometimes get to our destination while driving and don’t remember all of the stoplights and stop signs in the mean time because the roads are so familiar to us. That’s dangerous, isn’t it? When it’s all automatic?
You can’t predict any outcomes, you can be the fittest, righest, fastest, and still lose…God will use you for His purposes so be engaged. The devil is crafty…his minions study us, looking for the weakness, fishes out his bait and the next thing we know, the hook is set. The king of this world knows. He’s patient, waiting for you. Prowling.
13 This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me:
14 There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it.
15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.
16 Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, And his words are not heard.
The poor wise man defied a strong king. What happened? This man’s wisdom was not acknowledged and he was forgotten. What lasts in this world? Our words do, don’t they? In the years of social media? Our words will destroy us, won’t they? Our tongue sets fire to everything if we don’t tame it. What will leave a legacy for you? Your money? Something you build? There will always be bigger, better, stronger things. The only thing that truly lasts are the things we do for Christ. It is rooted deep down. It’s why we want our kids with us here. Let them see what Christ can do, let it change people. Don’t build up for yourself riches from this world. Don’t yearn to be remembered…store up for yourself treasure in Heaven, where nothing can destroy it.
17 Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.”
We started today talking about your character. When nobody is around, who can defend you? When people think of you, do they hear a shouter? Do they hear someone who has to make their point? Who has to be right? Who can’t just shut up? These are wise, wise words. Nobody remembers that wise man, he just saved a town…but who remebers? God does. Solomon sees this as vanity, as a great evil that THIS WORLD will FORGET YOU. Who do you want to remember you? This world is going to burn? It’s been destroyed with water once already, next time it’s with fire. There’s only one thing that can leave a lasting legacy…it’s the things we do for Christ. In heaven, that’s where we’ll meet those we made a difference with. And they will know it was you. Because you proclaimed the name of Jesus to them. You changed your character from a snot-nosed kid who wouldn’t listen to any authority, who tried to use people to get ahead or for some type of sick gratification…but you changed. Why? How? Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good! Every sinner has a future, and every saint has a past. I mentioned about a year ago that I have trained myself to see the wake that my sin leaves. It leaves my family lonely. It leaves my wife sad. It takes a toll on my life, but it effects everyone around me.
If you’re in a pattern of habitual sin, there’s a way out of it. Whether it’s pride, or lust, or lying, or cheating, foul language…Why do you run to it? Why is it the comfort you seek? Does it leave you fulfilled or empty? - CLOSE