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Ecclesiastes 8:1
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1 Who is like a wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
aA man’s wisdom makes his face shine,
And bthe sternness of his face is changed.  

Obey Authorities for God’s Sake

2 I say, “Keep the king’s commandment afor the sake of your oath to God.  
3 aDo not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.” 
4 Where the word of a king is, there is power;
And awho may say to him, “What are you doing?” 
5 He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful;
And a wise man’s heart1 discerns both time and judgment, 
6 Because afor every matter there is a time and judgment,
Though the misery of man1 increases greatly. 
7 aFor he does not know what will happen;
So who can tell him when it will occur? 
8 aNo one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit,
And no one has power in the day of death.
There is bno release from that war,
And wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it.  
9 All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt.

Death Comes to All

10 Then I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of holiness, and they were aforgotten in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity.  
11 aBecause the 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 aThough a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that bit will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him.  
13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
14 There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it ahappens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the brighteous. I said that this also is vanity.  
15 aSo I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.  
16 When I 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 aa 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. 
Commentaries:
Matthew Henry
<< Ecclesiastes 7:29   Ecclesiastes 8:2 >>


Ecclesiastes 8:1-17

Commendations of wisdom. (1-5) To prepare for sudden evils and death. (6-8) It shall be well with the righteous, and ill with the wicked. (9-13) Mysteries of Providence. (14-17)

Verses 1-5 None of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or happy, as the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God, or teach aright from his truths and dispensations? What madness must it be for weak and dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers form wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and that to come!

Verses 6-8 God has, in wisdom, kept away from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes. We must all die, no flight or hiding-place can save us, nor are there any weapons of effectual resistance. Ninety thousand die every day, upwards of sixty every minute, and one every moment. How solemn the thought! Oh that men were wise, that they understood these things, that they would consider their latter end! The believer alone is prepared to meet the solemn summons. Wickedness, by which men often escape human justice, cannot secure from death.

Verses 9-13 Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes slowly, but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty and worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real, and all-important.

Verses 14-17 Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene, where the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does. But, leaving the Lord to clear up all difficulties in his own time, we may cheerfully enjoy the comforts, and bear up under the trials of life; while peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost will abide in us through all outward changes, and when flesh and heart shall fail.


 
<< Ecclesiastes 7:29   Ecclesiastes 8:2 >>

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