Ecclesiastes 8-9: "KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN!"
The Meaning of Life: A Study of Ecclesiastes • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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INTRODUCTION:
INTRODUCTION:
In a “tip of the hat” to my golfing friends, to “keep your head down” means keeping your eyes on the golf ball as you swing your club — am I right?
In other settings that phrase means something a little bit different. In some settings, “to keep your head down” means “to avoid drawing attention to yourself or becoming entangled in other things.”
In both cases it’s the idea of keeping your focus where it belongs; not being distracted by all the activity, the chaos and the confusion that might be swirling around you while you are trying to do your job or accomplish something important (like hitting a golf ball).
That’s the lesson in Ecclesiastes 8-9.
As we have stated, Ecclesiastes was written by a person who identified himself as Qoheleth (a Hebrew word that most scholars translate into English as “The Preacher”). The Preacher goes on in the opening verse of the book to say he is the son of David, the king of Israel, so we know that Solomon, considered to be the wisest man who ever lived, is the author of this book of wise counsel.
He has come to the end of his life and is reflecting on all his knowledge and wisdom, but he’s looking ONLY at the physical/material world around him (basically ignoring the spiritual realm), and he concludes that everything in this life is meaningless (it’s a waste) apart from a relationship with God. Though he doesn’t really finalize that conclusion until the last chapter of the book, he does allude to that fact throughout the book.
In Ecclesiastes 1-2 Solomon reminded us that life without meaning is a waste. Then, in Ecclesiastes 3-4 he reminded us that God is in control of whatever time we spend in this life. Then, in Ecclesiastes 5-7 he reminded us of the importance of “finishing strong” in this life. Now, as we come to Ecclesiastes 8-9 Solomon is teaching us about the importance of keeping a proper focus as long as we are living in this world (“keeping our heads down”). In other words, he’s teaching us how to live in a fallen and sinful world.
As we look at these two chapters, we can see first that we ought to...
1) Live within the framework of our culture (our society), but without being influenced by our culture (Ecclesiastes 8:1-9)
1) Live within the framework of our culture (our society), but without being influenced by our culture (Ecclesiastes 8:1-9)
Look at...
1 Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. 2 I say: Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him. 3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him. 7 For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? 8 No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. 9 All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt.
1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. 2 I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. 3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? 5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment. 6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. 7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? 8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. 9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
In verse 2, Solomon encourages his readers to “keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him.” He is reminding us that governments are established by God for the purpose of maintaining order in our world. Though all governments are imperfect, we should try to live within those “frameworks” of society as much as possible.
The Apostle Paul taught us something similar in...
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Does this mean we should obey the government even when it demands we do something that is contrary to God’s principles? Definitely not! There is an authority structure in the world and God is at the top of that “chain of command,” so He is to be obeyed above all others.
In the Book of Acts the Apostles were commanded by the governing authorities not to preach or teach in the name of Jesus, but notice what Peter said in response to their threats and demands. Listen to...
18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Well, the point is that while we should obey the governing authorities (live within the framework of our society), we must not obey the government if it means disobeying God.
But let me take that a little further — Solomon is not just talking about the government in these verses. He’s talking about the culture in general (family, friends, the media, the arts, the philosophies of the culture in which we live, that sort of thing).
Solomon said in verse 5, “the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.”
In order to have a wise heart, a person must keep his/her eyes on Jesus and His Word, so Solomon is saying that, while we have to live within the framework of our society (the government AND the cultural norms), we must never let that society (the culture) be our primary authority or influence us to live in such a way that is contrary to God’s principles.
Remember the adage, “Water in the boat is the ruin of the boat, but water under the boat is its support.”
While we should certainly do what we can to submit to the governmental authorities without disobeying God’s commands, and while we should attempt to be culturally relevant so that we can connect with others and share the message of Jesus (that is, “live within the framework of our society”), we must remember that we are citizens of another kingdom. And, that brings us to the second truth we see in these verses. We must...
2) Live with a view of our heavenly citizenship (Ecclesiastes 8:10-9:6)
2) Live with a view of our heavenly citizenship (Ecclesiastes 8:10-9:6)
Look at...
10 Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity. 11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. 11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
Let’s stop here for a moment. Solomon is repeating a common frustration that has been expressed by God-followers through the centuries - that the evil seem to prosper while those who seek to please the Lord often suffer.
1 Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
1 Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?
And…
7 Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? 8 Their offspring are established in their presence, and their descendants before their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear, and no rod of God is upon them. 10 Their bull breeds without fail; their cow calves and does not miscarry. 11 They send out their little boys like a flock, and their children dance. 12 They sing to the tambourine and the lyre and rejoice to the sound of the pipe. 13 They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to Sheol.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? 8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. 10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. 11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. 12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. 13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
And then…
3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Don’t you feel like this sometimes? You try to do everything right and follow God’s principles found in His Word, while your neighbor or work associate lives like the devil, cheats, lies and mistreats people, yet he/she seems to get ahead in life while you struggle financially, or emotionally or everything in your world seems to be falling apart?
You pray, “Lord, I don’t understand. Why is that person getting ahead while I am trying to live by Your principles and I just get further and further behind?”
This happens in the “preacher world,” too. For example, a pastor-friend of mine once had a wealthy individual come to him and wanted to join his church. The pastor told him that the business in which he was making his money was not in keeping with God’s principles and he would need to confess his past sins, repent and get out of that business.
The wealthy individual left and went to another prominent church in town and joined it. When the pastor of that church introduced the man and his wife as new members, he simply introduced him as a “local business man.”
My pastor-friend lost the opportunity to have a wealthy donor and an influential individual join his church because he wasn’t willing to compromise his convictions concerning the Word of God and I’m sure he wondered, “Why, God?”
But, Solomon makes it clear in these verses that the person who fears God will be better off in the long run. Living with a view of eternity and our citizenship in Heaven (that is, pleasing our Heavenly Father) is far more important than the short-term successes we might experience in this life - successes that require us to compromise our convictions concerning the Word of God.
Well, for the sake of time, let’s skip on down and see what Solomon goes on to say in...
1 But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. 2 It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 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 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. 2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. 3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
Solomon is reminding us of the inevitability of death. Unless Jesus comes first, all of us will one day pass from this life into the next. It won’t matter how much material wealth we accumulated while we were alive, or how many degrees we have received, or what rank we might be in society - ALL of us will one day face the “Ultimate Judge”of this world - our Creator God!
The only thing that will matter at that point (and the basis for our judgment) will be whether or not we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (God in the flesh), Who died on the cross to pay our personal sin debt and then rose from the dead to give us eternal life.
All that will matter at the moment of our death is whether or not we are citizens of Christ’s spiritual and eternal Kingdom.
The Apostle Paul wrote in...
18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Yes, we live in a fallen and sinful world with political structures and cultural and societal frameworks within which we must operate. However, we must constantly remind ourselves that our citizenship is in another realm (a spiritual realm), and our King (our Ruler) is Jesus. As we often like to say, “We are just passing through this old world on our way home!”
Solomon teaches us to live within the framework of our culture, but without being influenced by our culture; and he teaches us to live with a view of our heavenly citizenship. Number 3, Solomon teaches us that we should...
3) Live with a focus on serving (Ecclesiastes 9:7-18)
3) Live with a focus on serving (Ecclesiastes 9:7-18)
Look at...
7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. 8 Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. 9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. 8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. 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, whither thou goest.
In these closing verses of chapter 9, Solomon says that since we cannot control our time or circumstances in this life, we should focus on serving the people around us.
He says in verse 9, “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun....”
Now, remember the word translated “vain” here is a word that means “vapor.” So, he is saying, “Life is short. Enjoy being with the people you love, especially your spouse.”
Solomon learned the hard way that changing your spouse (or, as in his case, constantly adding new spouses) will not bring joy or fulfillment in life.
When I was a pastor and a couple would ask me to officiate at their wedding, I would require that they go through a marriage preparation class. During that class I would always share something I heard James Dobson teach one time.
He said that we should look at our lives as a timeline, which he called the “straight life.” Some people (and he was speaking specifically to men) will be living the “straight life,” but all of a sudden, they will get board and veer off. They will begin having an affair and they will abandon their wife and, perhaps, children.
Then, they will marry this new person and begin a new “straight life.” Eventually, they may get board with that life and veer off again, only to begin yet another “straight life.”
Dobson suggested that if you get board and begin to veer off the straight life you are on, bring yourself back to that straight life and stay committed to you spouse and family because “the grass is NOT greener” on a different “straight life.”
That’s what Solomon meant when he said, “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain [relatively brief] life....” Find ways to keep the “home fires burning” and don’t let yourself become board with your spouse.
The best way to do that is to look for ways to serve your spouse and family. Take your eyes off yourself and focus on, “What can I do to bring pleasure to my mate? What can I do to SERVE my mate and children/grandchildren/family?”
Throughout all our years of marriage I have tried to occasionally plan “creative dates” with Joy. Of course, the dates were always fun, but I had fun just planning them!
Once I planned a date to a Glenn Miller Big Band Concert in Dothan. I ordered (and had delivered) a balloon that read, “I only have eyes for you,” arranged for a baby-sitter, took Joy to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants at the time, and then surprised her by taking her to the concert. I didn’t tell her where we were going, but I suggested what she should wear and I told her it was all a “big mystery”!
A few years later I planned another “mystery date” that involved spending a night in a local hotel. Her mother was coming to visit, so we had a built-in baby-sitter. I told her what to wear for the evening and what she should pack for the next day. I checked into the hotel before picking her up and set up the room with a rose on the pillow, along with a new negligee. Then I picked her up, took her to dinner, took her to the Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery and finally we ended the evening at the hotel.
I haven’t done a surprise “mystery date” in a long time, but I try to find other ways to serve my wife.
You know, it’s hard to get board with someone when you are busy looking for new ways to serve that person.
Paul wrote in...
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
When we follow Christ’s example of service, God will honor and bless us even if no one else knows what we have done! And, that’s an important point to understand.
Ronald Reagan once (famously) said, “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.”
That’s what Solomon was talking about when he told the story of the wise man who delivered his city from an invading army. Look at...
13 I have also seen this example of wisdom 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 and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. 17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. 17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
The generations coming behind us (Millennials and “GenZers”) seem to be focused on making a name for themselves on social media. They will measure their value and worth in life by the number of “likes” or “followers” they have on Instagram or TikTok (or whatever the latest media platform may be).
Some of these young people become famous because of a YouTube video they posted or TikTok dance they performed, and many of them have learned how to turn their fame into financial profit.
However, if they have not learned this lesson yet, they will - and that is that ALL fame in this world is fleeting. Think about the movie stars and recording artists we grew up with. They are either dead and forgotten or they are old and simply living off the nostalgia of their aging fans.
Solomon reminds us that fame and fortune are fleeting, but our service to the Lord, which is exhibited in our service to others (especially, when we serve them by leading them to Jesus) will last forever. That’s what should matter in life! We should live with a focus on serving because that is the only thing that has eternal significance.
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
So, in these two chapters (Ecclesiastes 8-9) Solomon tells us that while we are living in this world, we should...
Live within the framework of our culture without being influenced by our culture
Live with a view of our heavenly citizenship
Live with a focus on serving
I believe what Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer (1912-1984) wrote in his book (first published in 1976), How Should We Then Live? sums it up pretty well...
…As Christians we are not only to know the right worldview, the world-view that tells us the truth of what is, but consciously to act upon that world-view so as to influence society in all its parts and facets across the whole spectrum of life, as much as we can to the extent of our individual and collective ability.
