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Written by Pastor Rob Barkman for “Settled In Heaven Ministries” @ http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/
View original post @ https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2016/03/21/ecclesiastes-chapter-5-verses-8-17/
Ecclesiastes: Chapter 5 Verses 8-17
What Is Your Life If Not Lived For The Lord? (Part 15)
INTRODUCTION:
Solomon addresses himself as “the Preacher”. He is the one that will proclaim the spritiual truths of God to those in his nation and to Christians throughout time.
Keep in mind, Solomon learned these truths by trying to find the meaning to life through experiencing all this world has to offer. Solomon was uniquely suited to learn these lessons and share these truths with the people of God…
First of all, very few men possess sufficient wealth and power to be able to sample all this world has to offer (1 Kings 10:23).
Secondly, only Solomon and a few others throughout time, have been universally respected causing his teachings to be taken very seriously and thoughtfully by all (1 Kings 4:30-34). (Keep in mind, even Christ Himself and His teachings were rejected by many of those around Him.)
Solomon was God’s man, in God’s place, at God’s time, by God’s grace, to learn this most important truth and proclaim it with authority to those he loved. May we all listen carefully as Solomon reveals to us the true meaning to life and answer the question… “What Is Our Life If Not Lived for The Lord ?”.
TODAY’S TEXT:
Eccl 5:8-17 – If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there behigher than they. Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the kinghimself is served by the field. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
Solomon sees the abuse of poor by those who are rich and powerful in this world. He describes their abuse as:
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“oppression”- distressing someone by taking advantage of their weaknesses
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“violent perverting of justice and judgment” – to take wealth of others by twisting the law
Solomon says, if we recognize God and His role in eternity, when we see these things take place, we should not be surprised nor lose hope. After all, God (He that is higher than the highest) sees what is taking place and will make all things right in eternity.
Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
The increase (fruit and animals of the fields) are for all mankind to use. Even the highest authorities on this earth are dependent upon the fields.
Although the fruit of the fields is needful for life, there are many that live for the unnecessary riches of this world. They accumulate them and want more, never being satisfied. Solomon recognizes that this is vain.
When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what goodis there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
Solomon understands that when men gains riches they increase the number of their servants and animals. In doing, so the increase ends up consuming all the increase in riches.
Basically Solomon is saying when a person gains wealth, they will find new ways to spend it. Therefore, what purpose is there to accumulating riches, when they will always be consumed? The only good that comes from increased riches is the ability to behold them with their eyes.
When a man is poor, he can sleep well from a hard days work and no riches to worry about. When a man is wealthy he loses sleep because he is worried about losing and investing the wealth he has accumulated.
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
Solomon sees an irritating, raw evil in this world… when owners accumulate riches to their own harm. When men live for riches, many times the riches open up opportunities for sinful indulgences and wasteful living. In many cases, rich men spend their wealth and leave nothing behind for their heirs. Even the most wealthy men in the world can take none of his wealth with him when he dies.
And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
Solomon sees another irritating raw evil in this world… men ALWAYS come into the world, and depart from this world with nothing. All of his worldly labors hold no lasting eternal value for him. Once again, all of his labors are worthless, much like laboring to capture the wind.
For the man who never comes to understand truths about the Lord and eternity to come, it is like he lives his entire life blinded, as if in darkness. He never sees the wasted life he is living, nor the worthless nature of this world’s riches. This man has much grief and strife in his life due to his sickness (the blindness from which he suffers).
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Solomon’s examination shows him that chasing the riches of this world is a meaningless, wasted life pursuit. The world’s riches only harm those who possess them and open opportunities for sins and carnal indulgences.
Solomon’s pursuit of the meaning of life included:
1. |
2:1-3 |
The pursuit of carnal desires (the base pleasures found in a fallen world) |
2. |
2:4-11 |
The pursuit of material possessions through human labors |
3. |
2:12-17 |
The pursuit of worldly wisdom, madness and folly |
4. |
2:18-23 |
The pursuit of responsible (frugal & wise) living to retain worldly goods Prt #1 |
5. |
2:24-26 |
The pursuit of responsible (frugal & wise) living to retain worldly goods Prt #2 |
6. |
3:1-8 |
A recognition of the Lord’s sovereign control over all life events Prt #1 |
7. |
3:9-15 |
A recognition of the Lord’s sovereign control over all life events Prt #2 |
8. |
3:16-22 |
A recognition of our need of Christ to see the nature and purpose of our life. |
9. |
4:1-3 |
A recognition that never being born is better than the sufferings of this life. |
10. |
4:4-16 |
The pursuit of earthly wisdom, diligence and living responsibly |
11. |
5:1-7 |
The pursuit of worldly vows, contracts, and promises |
12. |
5:8-17 |
The pursuit of worldly riches |
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