Living an Exuberant Life Under the Sun

Scripture Reading

Ecclesiastes 9:7–12 NIV84

7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. 8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. 9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. 11 I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. 12 Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.

Introduction

Last week: Considered very "negative" passage.

Men are in the hand of God!

Better to be a living dog (very undesirable creature) than a dead lion

One may think that Solomon was overly pessimistic

Note: Life without God is truly meaningless!

What Solomon says here: there is a way in which these perplexities are to be approached / confronted

Question today: How does one cope??!! Inevitability of death... seeming unfairness of life...

"Koheleth did not want his readers to sit around brooding about life’s inequities and vexations. They should stop worrying about problems which cannot be solved." Smith, J. E. (1996). The wisdom literature and Psalms (Ec 9:7–10). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co.

This is a call to action!!

v.7 - "Go then..." - Imperative. "Be up and doing"!!!

This is a warning against brooding over vexatious problems

Solomon calls us to 3 things (vv.7-10)... with a reminder at the end (vv.11-12)

1. Be Festive in Spirit (vv.7-8)

Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do.

Eat / Drink

Already given commendation (8:15)

At this point, however, "as in chapters 5 and 7, he employs a burst of direct commands in this section, strengthening the intensity of his advice." (BCBC Ec):

Bread and wine - basic necessities of life

Not advocating gluttony or drunkenness. Simply enjoying the basic things in life

How are we to do these things?

Eat... in happiness

Drink... with a cheerful heart

Solomon suggests a life lived in good spirits

Solomon is commanding a true simple joy in the basics of life.

Whatever it is that God has given to you, live enjoy those things with gratitude.

Live joyfully with what God has given to you.

God has approved...

Solomon herein gives his motivation for this enjoyment.

While the instruction given previously is similar, the motivation here is unique.

"God has approved..."

This doesn't mean that God gives approval to everything.

Not a blank check of God's approval

It emphasizes what Solomon has already been teaching about what we have coming from the had of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 (NIV84): That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NIV84): Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.

We must rejoice in the wonderful gifts that God has given us

Quote: Michael Wittmer

There are two ways to ruin our relationship with the Giver of all things. The first is to ignore him and focus entirely on his gifts. This temptation to idolatry is ever present, and we must remain vigilant against it. The second way is to ignore the gift and focus entirely on the Giver. What would we make of an insufferably pious child who opened every Christmas present only to toss it aside and say, “Thanks, Mom and Dad, but all I really want is you!” Wouldn’t the parents throw up their hands and say, “I’m glad you love us best, but you know what, you’re impossible to shop for!” If the first temptation ignores the God who gives, the second refuses to let him be the God who gives. This latter temptation is a subtler form of idolatry. It’s idolatry because we are acting as if we know better than God, who gives us “every good and perfect gift” to enjoy (James 1:17). Theologian Doug Wilson explains, “If I turn every gift that God gives over in my hands suspiciously, looking for the idol trap, then I am not rejoicing before Him the way I ought to be.”3 And it’s subtle because it seems exceedingly pious. We assume we must be in pretty good shape if our biggest problem is that our love for God swamps our appreciation for his gifts. Can we really love God too much? No, but we can piously destroy our ability to love him at all.

We must find the balance of loving both God and the gifts that God gives to us, without going too far on either side.

Ecclesiastes 9:8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.

Clothes be white

There are two things being spoken of here

Firstly, refers back to the joyfulness with which to eat and drink

White is here a "sign of that cheerfulness and joy" that Solomon speaks of

Secondly: speaks of purity

Daniel 7:9 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

Mark 9:3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.

Revelation 3:4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.

Psalm 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

The significance of this statement should add weight to the broader context

In previous verse: Solomon was not speaking about a blanket approval by God

As you go about in life, living with joy (with a festive spirit) let it be pure!

Our clothes should be white "all the time"

It is in Christ that we are dressed in white. Always!

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Crucifixion has achieved this for us!! What a point of rejoicing!

BUT! - We must also live holy lives that are pure, now that we have been declared pure

“Oil not lacking” Speaks of joy

Psalm 45:7 (NIV84): You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.

Isaiah 61:1–3 (NIV84): The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord

for the display of his splendor.

Psalm 23:5 - You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

In that day: "grief induced men to go about with hear unkempt and face unwashed. Joy expressed itself in a shining countenance, the effect of which was heightened by the anointing of the head and the face with oil and then properly smoothing and arranging the hair" (Leupold, 215)

"purity" and "joy" go hand in hand!

True joy is only possible in purity

In our day, as believers, completely possible

The Gospel enables this.

Solomon wants to ensure that those who hear him do not have oil lacking on their head!

God wants to ensure that we live our lives in such a manner that oil is not lacking on our heads.

As children of the living God, we have the desire and power of God enabling us to live in such a manner

2. Be Joyous in Marriage (v.9)

Ecclesiastes 9:9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.

Enjoy Iife with your wife

An aspect of practical enjoyment

Note carefully: Solomon is not anti-wives... (cf. 7:28)

In fact, this verse suggests that he encourages marriage

In fact: wording suggests he's speaking to single people to take a wife for themselves, and enjoy the wife that they love

Be sure to enjoy life with her

A wife is a good thing

Proverbs 18:22 - He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

"This is, without doubt, one of God's choicest gifts, one that is well calculated to make this vain and toilsome life far more bearable." (Leupold, 215)

Enjoyment of life is not a lonesome endeavor

Garden of Eden: Man alone was not good, so God made a helper suitable!

This is your wife: the woman that you love

She is a gift from God and a reward

NIV has a different translation - says "this is your lot in life..."

The original work speaks rather of a reward, or some kind of gain...

Ecclesiastes 2:10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.

Practical Thoughts

In a world that undermines marriage, and pokes fun at relationships, we as Christians would do well to maintain and hold to a different standard - the Biblical Standard!

Do you celebrate the wife that has been given to you?

Do you love her as as gift from God to you?

I've got some work to do in this area!!

What if you're not married??

You are still not to live your life in isolation!

The local church offers its own kind of fulfillment of Genesis 2:18: “It is not good that the man should be alone.” The Christian may be an orphan in the world with no earthly family. He may not have a spouse, or he may lose the spouse he loved. The Christian may be ostracized by the culture for his beliefs. He may find himself surrounded by people of a completely different cultural background. But the Christian in covenant with a local church is never alone. As long as the church endures, which will be for all eternity, the Christian is always part of an “us.” Onwuchekwa, John. Prayer (9marks: Building Healthy Churches) (p. 62). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

Be joyous in living your life in relationship with others!!

Foster those relationships!

3. Be Energetic in Labour (v.10)

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.

Work with all your might

The danger in us recognising / coming to the realisation that things are outside of our control is a descent into pity, and thus inactivity

A person who is depressed very often finds it difficult to do anything

Lack of motivation

This usually happens precisely when a person is unable to change their circumstances for the better... faced with bitter reality

Solomon thus exhorts his listeners to work diligently with the strength that has been given to you.

Work diligently with the opportunities that are available to you

Honest labour is that which brings the rewards that are spoken of in vv.7-8

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

ALSO - there is kingdom work!! Are you putting hands to the plow in terms of kingdom work.

Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Solomon has spoken about a time and season for every activity under the sun.

No activity in sheoI

This goes back to what was said previously in verse 5

We have 1 life to live, and we should ensure that we are living it properly to the glory of God.

The time for us to work / labour is now, while we have breath

Consider John 9:4

Context: the man born blind

Jesus would heal him - speaks of the work that he has to do

John 9:3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

John 9:4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

John Gill:

"This shows, that the works of God, that were to be manifest, were to be done by Christ: many were the works which the Father gave him to do, and which he undertook to perform; and therefore there was a necessity of doing them, as principally the work of redemption, by fulfilling the law, and satisfying justice: and besides this, there were the preaching of the Gospel, and doing of miracles, and among these was this of giving sight to the blind, see ( Isaiah 35:5 ) , both in a natural and spiritual sense: and with a view to this he speaks of the works he mast do,"

Jesus knew that His time in the world was limited

He had much work to do in this world in terms of Gospel proclamation, healing, opening the eyes of the blind (both physically and spiritually) but He knew that time would not linger forever!!

What about us?

What kingdom labour are we engaged in in this world?

How are we working for God's kingdom while it is day?

Are you using the gifts that God has given for the purposes of building up His church?

We are called to labour!!

We are called to labour diligently!

We are called to labour for Christ, not knowing when our master will return!

4. Be Delighting in Providence (vv.11-12)

Ecclesiastes 9:11 I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.

Ecclesiastes 9:12 Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.

This loops Solomon back to the where he had come from!

"I again saw..."

Summary at end of verse: Time and chance overtake all

Solomon uses 5 examples of time and chance

Race not to the swift

A person may be a strong and fit athlete, and yet due to some unforeseen circumstance, end up losing the race

EXAMPLE: Video of athlete - Irish college - pole vaulter sent elastic bar flying onto the track

Battle not to the warriors

Nation Israel a prime example of this - mostly for their good!

When they were led out of Egypt - conquered great nations!

David defeated Goliath

Notice how this works in 2 directions - on those who are God's people, and on those who are against God's people

To Israel

Amos 2:13 “Now then, I will crush you as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.

Amos 2:14 The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life.

Amos 2:15 The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life.

Amos 2:16 Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day,” declares the LORD.

1 Kings 22:29-34... Read...

1 Kings 22:34 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.”

To Israel's oppressors

2 Chronicles 20:15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Bread not to the wise

Wisdom does not necessarily ensure competence. Many a person of cultivated intellect and high mental power cannot find gainful employment.

Smith, J. E. (1996). The wisdom literature and Psalms (Ec 9:11–12). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co.

Wealth not to discerning

The smartest person may end up with very little in life

Perhaps by choice, but perhaps not... circumstances just lead to this

Favor not to men of ability

Reputation and influence are not necessarily accompanied by the possession of knowledge and learning.

Smith, J. E. (1996). The wisdom literature and Psalms (Ec 9:11–12). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co.

In fact very often, those who have knowledge and ability are spurned by those who simply want to do things their way

Remember - God works on both sides

We should take encouragement from this

Firstly - we at least have the understanding that God is at work - not blind chance!

We have the promises of Scripture that we can turn to for encouragement and hope

Those who reject God must be greatly pitied!!

Ecclesiastes 9:12 (NASB95): Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.

We do not know our time.

Solomon's point of outlining the previous examples is to show the uncertainty in life

There is no certainty about our lives

There is no certainty that we have either good or evil in our lives

There is no certainty that if we apply ourselves diligently, things will go well for us

There is a principle that this will be the case... a general truth

Solomon made this clear through book of Proverbs

Fish caught , birds trapped

Solomon uses two similes to describe the times

2 Things that we see from these similes...

Firstly, that disaster may come suddenly and unexpectedly

Secondly, that even the most powerful men are essentially insignificant (in terms of strength) in the sight of God

Evil time suddenly falls

Solomon then likens this to the "sons of men" - people...

As a fish is suddenly caught in a treacherous net, and a bird trapped unawares in a snare, so the sons of men are suddenly trapped at an evil time.

Probably Solomon is again thinking of death

Cautions in affirming this reality

The General principle remains - righteousness will be rewarded; wickedness will be punished

Look at how Scriptures speak about this very principle...

Proverbs 7:22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose

Proverbs 7:23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

Proverbs 29:6 An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad.

Ezekiel 12:1 - God says that Ezekiel living among rebellious...

They will be taken into exile

Ezekiel 12:13 I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare; I will bring him to Babylonia, the land of the Chaldeans, but he will not see it, and there he will die.

Prophet Hosea speaks about rebellion of Israel

Hosea 7:11 “Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless— now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria.

Hosea 7:12 When they go, I will throw my net over them; I will pull them down like birds of the air. When I hear them flocking together, I will catch them.

Luke 21:34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

God is not a loose cannon!!

He always acts for the ultimate good and benefit of those who are His

A.W. Pink in "Practical Christianity"...

The governmental ways of God, that is His dealings with us in this life, both in our spirutal and temporal affairs, are determined by something more than an arbitrary sovereignty. God has established an inseparable connection between our conduct and its consequences, and He acts in such a way toward us as to make manifest the pleasure He takes in righteousness and to give encouragement to those performing it; as He evidences His displeasure against the unrighteous and makes us to smart for the same. It is a very great and serious mistake to conceive of the sovereignty of God as swllowing up all His perfections, and to attribute all His actions unto the mere exercise of His imperial will. Holy Writ does not; nor should we do os. Instead, much is said therein of God's acting both in mercy and righteousness, for they are the chief principle which regulate His governmental ways. It is true that mercy is whon by mere prerogative (Rom 9:18), but not so with righteousness. God can no more suspend the operation of His righteousness than He can cease to be." (1974:190)

He always acts in accordance with His character

Righteousness; mercy; compassion; love; holiness; purity;

Remember that in Christ - we are forgiven; we are seen as righteous in God's sight... and God will never act toward us in a manner outside of His own character

Application / Conclusion

Be Festive in Spirit!!

Enjoy food and drink... gifts from God

Enjoy them with thanksgiving

Enjoy them in purity

Enjoy them as those who know Christ...!!

2. Be Joyous in Marriage

And, if not married, be joyous in the relationships that God has placed you in

Relationships are essential to a meaningful life - by God's design

Work on those relationships! Don't work on isolating yourself

3. Be Energetic in your Labour

Apply yourself to all your work

Whatever your hand finds to do... whatever God has given you the strength and ability to do, work at it heartily, with all your might

4. Be Delighting in God's providence

Delight in the fact that God is working His will in this world

Delight in the knowledge that God intends good ultimately for His people - for you and I in Christ

Whatever the obstacles are that appear to be blocking the good in life... know that God is sovereign over that

Jeremiah 9:23 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,

Jeremiah 9:24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.