Rest in God!

Ecclesiastes Study, 2024

Series Title: Pursuit of Purpose

Message #21

Ecclesiastes 8:14-17.

ETS: Solomon concluded it best to be content in God because apart from him life makes no sense. ESS: We should be content in God.

OSS: [Devotional] {I want the hearers to rest in God rather than trying to make sense of things themselves.}

PQ:

What conclusions can be drawn from Solomon’s reflections in these verses?

UW: Conclusions

TS: Let us examine the conclusions of these verses now.

The injustices of life are difficult for the human mind to understand. [v. 14]

What is stated in this verse is a concise, conclusive statement perhaps better articulated than those that have appeared before:

Ecclesiastes 3:16 “I also observed under the sun: there is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness.”

Ecclesiastes 4:1 “Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them.”

Ecclesiastes 5:8 “If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them.”

Ecclesiastes 7:7 “Surely, the practice of extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the mind.”

The conclusion of Solomon: The injustices that occur as a result of the fall are futile— righteous getting what the wicked deserve; the wicked getting what the righteous deserve.

Contentment in God is best. [vv. 15-17]

Working out of order, but perhaps appropriately, verses 16-17 seem to be important before returning to the thought of verse 15.

Eaton wrote, “His conclusion is that we must be content not to know everything. Neither hard work (toil), persistent endeavour (seeking), skill or experience (wisdom) will unravel the mystery. Wise men may make excessive claims; they too will be baffled.” (Eaton, Michael A. 1983. Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 18. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)

Since he concludes it impossible for man to grasp such things, it is best that man rest in the contentment found in God— to enjoy the things God provided for us under the sun.

For closing notes, consider the following:

Isaiah 55:8–9 ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Questions for Reflection:

[1] When you wrestle with the injustices of life, how do you cope with them?

Do you surrender them to God in prayer?

Do you try to make sense of them on your own?

[2] This week, how can you rest more in God?