Articles
Ecclesiastes And God
Ecclesiastes And God
As you read this interesting book, just remember it is different from the other books. Here, the writer sets out to discover the meanings of life for himself. He uses the phrase 'under the sun' repeatedly to remind us that he is looking at it from a man's viewpoint. He may have been aware of God's revelation (if Solomon wrote this, then he assuredly knew that God had spoken to man), but, as so many people do, he wanted to figure it out on his own. He will draw many different conclusions along the way; some he will keep and some he will abandon / change.
It is good to memorize the conclusions he draws at the end and keep them in mind as you read, it will keep you from holding on to thoughts that the writer gives up!
Ecclesiastes 11:9 — 9 Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.
Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 — 13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
This is NOT to say that the writer is unaware of God. He mentions God nearly 40 times as he writes! Here is a short synopsis of some of his thoughts about God:
God: Summary (there is a link below to a document with these printed out)
• The creator - 12:1; 7:14; 7:29
• Gives unto men …
• The business (of searching out wisdom) - 1:13
• The job To eat, drink, and find enjoyment - 2:24; 3:13
• Wisdom, knowledge and joy - 2:26
• Wealth and possessions and strength - 2:26, 5:19; 6:2
• The business of man - 3:10
• Life - 8:15
• The spirit of man - 12:7
• Works / Is active in worldly affairs - 3:11-12; 3:14
• Requires accountability of men 3:15
• Judges men 3:17; 11:9
• Gets Angry with men 5:6
• Is to be feared 3:14; 5:7; 7:18; 8:12-13
• Is in Heaven (above man) 5:2
• Is unfathomable apart from revelation 8:17
• Rules in providence – 6:1-2; 8:15
Are these YOUR constant thoughts about God as you go about figuring out life?
Hugh DeLong
https://www.dropbox.com/s/imsik0shgbb6yp7/God%20in%20Ecclesiastes%20scriptures.doc?dl=0
