Bible Commentaries
Ecclesiastes 9

Verses 1-18

"So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands — but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him." Ecclesiastes 9:1

The preacher is speaking of "the righteous and the wise," of all their circumstances — of all their liabilities to joy or sorrow. "All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous and the wicked." (Verse 2.) God’s children know the trials, pains, uncertainties of life, as do the wicked. The saints have no exemption here. "No man, not even the righteous, knows whether love or hate awaits him."

What does the Preacher mean! Whose love? Whose hatred? Is it the love of God — and God’s hatred? God cannot hate His people; He loves, He hates them not. Are these terms employed as figures — love, to denote God’s smiling dispensations; hatred, to mean His bitter things — His chastenings? Or does it mean man’s love, and hatred — the "time to love, the time to hate," as spoken of before? (Ecclesiastes 3:8.) God may use man’s passions, or affections, to chasten, or to soothe His people. Whichever it is, the truth is still the same, "The wise," "the righteous," and "their works, are in the hand of God." (Verse 1.)

They often plan and purpose — but who can tell if he shall ever perform? Often they begin — and never end; their works are all attended with uncertainty. God’s providential visitations stop them; man’s hatred disappoints them; what they intend for good, often ends in harm. Their wisest schemes are brought to nothing. Their brightest prospects fade away. They work in darkness. From day to day they know not what the morrow brings — what means may help them — what means may thwart them, human or divine.

Man may pronounce his trials, to be hatred; and his mercies, to be love. But to the saints nothing begins, or ends in hatred, as from God. All ends, as it begins — in Divine love. Is man the instrument? Yet still they see God working by the hand of man. Man hates — God loves. Man persecutes — God overrules. Man means it all for evil — but God still turns it into good. And thus the same event brings "love," and "hatred," joined in one. God’s love, and man’s hatred, thus combine to work unfailing good — untiring mercy, for all who love the Lord!

"The hearts of men are full of evil, and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead!" Ecclesiastes 9:3

In life a madman — a madman still in death! Such, such is man. It is piteous to hear of one who is born bereft of reason. It is sad to say, "He passed his life in madness — then he died!" Oh, what a picture of a physical and moral waste! Dead as a child, a citizen, a brother, long before he died — the very acme of all that’s desolate.

Man thinks he is wise. He looks with pity on the poor maniac. How little he suspects that he himself is tenfold mad — not only mad for time; mad also for eternity!

He brings madness into the world;
he imbibes madness with his mother’s milk;
he learns madness at school;
he confirms and strengthens madness in manhood;
he feeds madness by all he does;
he reads madness in books;

he finds madness in every company;
he bears madness along in every walk of life;
sleeping or waking — silent or speaking — learned or ignorant — rich or poor
— he is a maniac still!

A madman was his father; and so his father’s father! Go backwards until you come to Adam — they were all maniacs!

All his children are mad; and so will be his children’s children, even to the final child — they will all be maniacs!

What do you think of a man, who walks blindfolded on a yawning precipice? Is he not mad?

And what are all men? What do they do?

They sport with life.

They play with death.

They slumber above the flames of Hell.

They defy their Maker and their Judge.

They think nothing of judgment and eternity — and thus they die!

Is it a libel, then, to say, "They are all mad!"

And what comes after death? Does wisdom then come? Will madness cease then? They will hear of wisdom, but they will not have it. Man will then discover how mad he has been. He well see his madness then — but only to know its endless misery!

Happy the man who, coming "to himself," resolves once more to seek his Father’s house! (Luke 15:17-18.) Yes, "coming to himself." Thus speaks the parable. I ask you to mark the words; they are full of meaning. As though the man had been asleep; or drunk; or mad; or had swooned away — unconscious of himself, and all around him. And then, as touched by a sudden hand, and sense as suddenly infused, he awakes — comes to himself again, and immediately he lives, as another man. Such is fallen nature; and such is grace in its effects.

Happy is the man, who thus recovers the gift of reason! Happy is the man, who sits at Jesus’ feet, "in his right mind," and clothed with grace — cured of his madness! Jesus has said the healing word — the "legion" is cast out and gone. The man is a maniac no more. (Luke 8:35.)

Reader, either you are mad — or you once were! Say, have you looked to Jesus — or are you a madman still?

"A living dog is better than a dead lion." Ecclesiastes 9:4

The Preacher’s figure is homely — yet how true! The lion was a lion, while he lived — the king of the forests, the first of all the beasts. But now he is dead — and what is he? The name of lion, and no more. A living dog is better. Such as he was, such is he still — to all intents and purposes, a dog! What dog would like to change?

Just so, a living beggar is better than a dead king. Some few would rather die a king, than live a beggar. Yet, in the main, man clings to life, and would rather live a beggar, than die a king.

But if life is valued for the present time — then much more may it be valued for the eternal world to come. The Preacher gives a reason why humble life may be preferred to stately death. "The living know that they shall die." (Verse 5.) Were man but wise — did he but know the blessing of life, and rightly prize the lengthening of his days, how happy would he be!

But the dead man — what can he do? Death is no longer future — death has come! What can he do? Can he prepare for death? The time is past, and preparation gone. Look at him in his ’narrow bed’ — his long home! Say, can he now repent now? Can he look to Jesus now? Can he cry for mercy now? What do his nobility, his velvet coffin, his stately tomb, his lofty pedigree, and worldwide fame — matter now? If he died in unbelief — say, who would envy him now? No grace in store for him; no mercy to be found by him; no prayer to make for him; no Word of God to read to him; no gospel promise to be had — he is hopelessly, forever, at an end! How wretched!

How precious, then, to live — even if it is in pain, or poverty, or woe! The living still, through grace, may look to Jesus; trust in His cross for righteousness; may "turn and live." Life to the last, is precious — oh, how precious — if saving grace is found, and pardon is sealed! Better (but, oh! how dangerous the state) — better (with reverence I speak it, but in truth) — better to be a living profligate, a murderer, a thief — than be a dead king. For those who live, there is hope; for the dead king, there is none. Those who live, yet may cry, "O Lord, remember me. Remember not my sins. Remember, Lord, your grace. Remember Jesus and His blood!" Those who live may yet "turn and live."

But, oh! the man that died unsaved! His sin lies with him in the grave. (Job 20:11.) Who, now, can make him "turn and live?"

"Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God now accepts your works." Ecclesiastes 9:7

Your works must be "the work of God" — before God accept them; works done in faith and prayer, from love to Jesus; works wrought in you by God the Spirit; works done, not to procure salvation — but because salvation is given. No other works than these, can God accept. Faith lies beneath, and glory crowns, them all.

"What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" The Savior thus replied, "That you believe on Him whom He has sent." (John 6:28-29.) Works, built on this foundation, find grace with God for Jesus’ sake. Happy the man who trusts in Jesus — who makes the work of Christ his only hope! His poorest works are then approved; God looks upon them and accepts them all.

It is not the ministers of God alone, nor those who live for works of charity. All have not time for this; their calling lies another way. Be it the labor of the spade, or plough; the toil in factories, or work in the mines; to serve a counter, or to lift a bale of hay; the lowest labor of the head or hands — in all may God be glorified, and God be found.

For this the Preacher bids us "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart." He says that God "accepts" these works. A blessing rests upon the table, where Christ is owned, and God is sought; where food is taken, not for eating’s sake, but that the heart be cheered, and members nourished, that God be served more heartily; where thankfulness is felt, even for the relish of our food, reflecting, as it does, God’s goodness.

"Your works are now accepted." It is not the building of a hospital, nor endowing church; nor even the catalogue of rich gifts to this or that "foundation". Nor even the munificence to supply the needs of thousands. All this may still be done, and not accepted — if it is not done in faith. (1 Corinthians 13:3.) The praying chimney-sweep, who sings his carol at the chimney-top — or the poor believer, who labors in the workhouse — is more accepted in his work than they. From morn to night, from night to morning — eating or working, walking or at rest — the man is blessed, who lives on Jesus. Thrice blessed even the servant’s servant, if he serves the Lord.

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

"Cleanliness is next to godliness" they say. The saying is good; for cleanliness befits the heirs of glory. It was never meant that Christians should be slovens. Uncleanliness is lack of moral principle, and argues a defective mind — as if the the man had neither taste, nor talent, to be clean. It is a flaw in one’s character, to be a slovenly person. The dress neglected — the person badly kept — the broken furniture — the unswept floor — even common manners forbids. Shall Christian principle do less, and come behind in matters of common propriety? Some men are slovenly by nature; it is hard to cure — but grace does all things.

And, Christian reader, if this is your infirmity, I beg you to try and cure it! Even here the Spirit’s help is needed, more than in greater matters, since here you are tempted to rely on self. Deep-seated habits, of whatever kind, are only cured by hard work and prayer.

Some men are slovenly people from neglect — bad habits make them careless; their eye is fixed on distant abstractions, and overlooks the foreground of reality. This is an unhealthful state.

Others are slovenly on principle, as monks and hermits. They confound neglect of person, with contempt for finery.

Some men are slovens, and that unwittingly. They think and dream, and read and pray, their minds are absorbed in Heaven — they forget they still are still citizens of earth. Forgive me, reader — the coat unbrushed, the hair disheveled, and unwashed hands — can these be fruits of righteousness, or marks of grace? Oh, no!

Much may be learned from Moses’ law — the Gospel of Leviticus. How carefully is cleanliness enforced, and all uncleanliness awfully condemned! And why? The one, the type of holiness — the last, the type of sin. We have the types enforced by Christ Himself. Shall we be more remiss than they?

Oh, keep before you the countless multitude in Heaven, so bright and fair! (Revelation 7:9.) Think of their robes so white. Think of the fountain opened for all uncleanness (Zechariah 13:1) — the blood of Jesus. If you are a true believer, that blood has cleansed your soul! Then let its virtue be seen upon your person — its power reflected even in your house, and clothing — that so God’s name be glorified, and that none should say your practice and your principles are at variance.

Cleanliness is never to be despised. Would you not be a sloven in your soul — then be no sloven in your outward man!

"Live joyfully with your wife, whom you love, all the days of your vanity — for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun." Ecclesiastes 9:9

Days of vanity are days of care. Man’s days are days of vanity; thus man requires a helper. God’s works are wonderful; rich in design, variety, and power. Woman is part of man — bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh; in nature one; partner of all his frailties; partaker of his passions; in heart and mind his counterpart — and yet how different! From infancy, she is another creature; her sphere of life — her objects and pursuits — her tone of mind — her mode of action — her taste, her energies, her garb, her person — are all cast in another mold.

Whence comes the difference? How is the mind prepared, congenial to the gender? How is the body framed in unison? How is it brought to pass that the creature to be born is man, or woman? But why the difference? That man might have an helper — something so different from himself, that it should be a help, from dint of contrast.

Who can estimate all that woman is to man? Who can explain the nature of her influence — to soothe, to calm, to bear his troubles — to smooth his roughness — to lessen all his cares?

"Live joyfully with your wife," the Preacher says. Live meekly with her; live tenderly; live peaceably. Love her, and cherish her, as Christ loves the Church, and gave Himself for her. (Ephesians 5:25.)

"That is your portion in life" (verse 9) — a fragment of true happiness which survived the fall. That is your privilege — your duty; not less a privilege to love and cherish, than to possess the blessing. You lose "the portion," when you lose the joy; you lose the joy, when you despise the blessing.

The Preacher tells of many wonders. (Proverbs 30:18-31.) Methinks that he forgot the chief of them all — how woman . . .
bears with man;
forgives his injuries;
endures his harshness;
overlooks his failings;
requites him good for evil.

How often the man turns joy to sorrow! And yet "the weaker vessel" is strong to bear — stronger than the strongest of the stronger gender.

"Live joyfully with your wife!" Oh, child of God, live meekly, tenderly! The more you serve her — the more you serve yourself; the more you cherish her — the more you love yourself; the more you bear with her for Jesus’ sake — the more you have fellowship with God in Christ. His glory, dignity, and office, is to love His bride, the Church. Your glory is to imitate your Lord.

"Whatever your hand finds to do — do it with all your might." Ecclesiastes 9:10

Duties are duties. Painful or pleasant — trifling or great — public or obscure — duties are duties still. In things indifferent, a choice is left; but in duties, there is no choice. The rule is, "Whatever your hand finds to do — do it with all your might." Who should be niggardly of time, or strength — when God presents a duty to be done?

How numberless are duties! Masters and servants; husbands and wives; parents and children; buyers and sellers; friend and friend. In all the round of daily work and mutual dependence — all have their duties. To do them with "all our might" does not mean the hurry of excitement, or of noisy business. It means to act with steady calmness, and a quiet purpose, as serving God; to perform each family and household duty, not as a task, with grudging mind — but cheerfully. The most menial duty, thus performed, will give a freshness to our work and acts of service, which nothing else will give. How needful is this refreshment to cheer our daily toil — to see, and find the Lord in every duty — and thus to do it with our might.

Say, you who serve the counter, or who, in other ways, are used the livelong day — to bear the whims, to please the taste, to answer the demands, of all who come — you need something to relieve the mind, to cheer the heart, and turn your trouble into rest. Do you ever snatch a moment, in the midst your many calls, to lift your heart to Jesus to give you wisdom and strength, and to sanctify your toil; and then forthwith renew your energy, add zeal to patience, and do your duty with your all your might?

Perhaps you are interrupted when you wish it not — or you have some other thing to do, than what you wished. Whatever it may be — do it with your might. It is Jesus who sends the interruption. It is He who appoints the task — receive it graciously, and do it heartily.

Some visitor comes in. Maybe you have no desire to see him — but yet, receive him with all your might. Could he have come, if God had not appointed him? Therefore, do not speak irritably to him, as though your time were lost, and every moment were an hour, that he is with you — but seek to improve the time. It is your business for the present; then do it well. Thus you will glorify God who sent it, more than in all the zeal of what you meant to do.

No duty should be done with half a heart, or half a hand. Let not the heart be absent — while the hand is at work. All that is worth doing — is worth doing well. A hurried way, even in a trifle, will neither help you, nor bring a blessing with it. Then seek the way of working quietly, with sober diligence, and peaceful energy; and thus, whatever you do, you will do it with all your might.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24

"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." Ecclesiastes 9:10

Oh it is a solemn thought — death cuts your course in two. On one side all is time — on the other is eternity. Things for eternity are done in present time; and things of time must now be done, or never. You cannot take your undone duties with you — to do them in eternity; here they must stay behind, forever to remain undone!

Is your desire to save your soul? Make no delays. Jesus the Savior is here. Jesus the Judge is there. Here you may seek and find; you cannot find Him there. Here sin is washed away; but sin meets with vengeance there

Is your desire to speak of Christ to some poor wandering soul? As far as you are concerned, it may be now, or never. Be faithful while you may.

Is your desire to do some work of charity — some act of kindness? Is it to act the peacemaker? Perhaps you are the only one to do it, the only one of influence to bring discordant souls together. If you neglect to do it, death may come; the precious moment is lost; and lasting discord may proclaim your broken purpose.

Or you may have in mind to benefit a friend, to make a present from your substance; some thing that you may give, yet cannot "will away." Make no delays. What can you do "in the grave, where you are going?"

Have you a "will" to make — a "will" to alter? Delay it not. The mind is averse to it. A shudder seizes you, when called to do it. Flesh shrinks from what is to be, when self is gone — there is a gulf of unreality, when self, even in prospect, is no longer there. You think you are bringing death before the time; ringing the knell of your departure. Let not such thoughts as these deter you. Will death come sooner because you make your "will?" If death at last overtakes you unawares, when power is gone, and sense fast ebbs away — oh what a pang may seize you, to think that wife or child is unprovided for, through your delay!

"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 9:11

"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 9:11

Time, and her handmaid, what the world calls "chance", are clad in the vesture of uncertainty. What people call "chance" is nothing but God’s divine providence. God’s ways bespeak His wisdom and His power — He is wise to adapt, and mighty to fulfill. Viewed with the eye of sense, God’s ways often assume an air of fickleness; by which it is inferred that all things happen without rhyme or reason — with no settled law pervading, no sovereign will directing, their occurrence.

Thus man twist the attributes of God, and robs Him of His honor — as though some mock divinity called "chance" presided over us, and made caprice his rule of action.

Man’s needs are various, and require an ever varying treatment — hence the varieties of "time and chance." Not one event occurs without its meaning. All events are divinely fitted to correct, to humble, or encourage; to fill the mind with thoughts of God; to show man’s utter weakness to keep himself, or guard against the future; to make him say, "It is the Lord — His hand — His power — His will."

Such treatment is required for a fallen race. No one uniform law would suit the purpose. Shivered to atoms by the "fall" — all order is gone from man. Each broken fragment of his nature reflects prismatic rays of frailty — their hue, their color, their intensity, forever varying; each calling for a divine providence adapted to its need; and, as the prism varies, so is the treatment changed.

The divine eye which counts the feathers on the wings of insects; which numbers up the blades of grass; which counts the drops of water in the ocean; and registers each grain of sand upon the shore — is quick to see, and swift to send. Hence, are all the changes, accidents, and "chances," of man’s experience.

Hence, "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." Man may propose — but all the disposing is of God. God’s "chance" (divine providence) is not the "chance" of men — all fickle and confused. God’s "chance" is sure — fixed in its principle; certain in its aim; acting on rules of wisdom, inscrutable to man, yet clear and well-defined.

Man fails, he knows not why. He calculates in vain. His plans are crossed by divine counter-plans — the underworkings of the divine Hand which made the worlds; of Him, who sovereignly controls all things of "time and chance."

"The word "chance" should be forever banished from the Christian’s conversation! Luck or chance is a base heathenish invention! God rules and overrules all things!" Spurgeon

"There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man." Ecclesiastes 9:14-15

If man is grateful for your services — be thankful. If he is ungrateful — be thankful still. In serving man for Jesus’ sake; you serve God; He will be thankful, if man is not — your service is not lost. The Christian has a remedy for all — a magic rule which turns all into gold. Coldness he finds — where he expected love; ingratitude — where he looked for thankfulness. But still there is warmth, and gratitude, and love, in Jesus — more than he looked for at the hand of man. And thus there always is a heart to feel your kindness, though man should heartless be.

None of your good intentions come to nothing. If man receives them not — they find a welcome, and a home, with Jesus. He counts them up; He writes them in his book — and most of all, your service for the souls of men.

Some scoff at you. Some listen for a time. Some promise well, and then they fall away. Even then your labor is not lost. God’s Word returns not to Him void. (Isaiah 55:11.) It carries back the savor of your faithfulness. The travail of your soul, the Savior sees. For those you meant it — He takes it to Himself, and counts Himself your debtor.

Nay, the most trifling act of kindness — be it to fetch a pitcher of water from the well; to lend a hand in harvest time; to take your turn to watch a restless child; the hand stretched forth to steady tottering steps of an old lady; a kind word, even though unheeded, to a passer-by — none of this falls to the ground. The word, unheard by man — is heard by Jesus. The act may be forgotten by man — but Jesus never forgets it.

Men may wound you to the heart by their lack of gratitude. You looked for better things from them. But can you wonder? What is the heart of man? Did you expect to find it thankful? Well, it often is so. Then do not fret at the ingratitude you receive. Your brother’s heart is hard, but so is yours. Let all your deeds be done as unto God. In whatever you do for others, see first your duty to the Lord. Even in these, let duty to your neighbor be the second thing. So shall you never miss your aim, nor find yourself requited with unthankfulness.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

"It is the Lord Christ you are serving!" Colossians 3:24

"The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools." Ecclesiastes 9:17

Speak quietly — never loudly or forcibly. It is not the strength of lungs which makes impression, but the power of the mind and soul. Never speak in rapid nervous utterance; nor in the storm of passionate expression — but in the "still small voice" of quiet speech.

Loudness bespeaks a lack of tenderness, and a lack of propriety. In company, quiet implies good breeding in grace, a chastened mind. He who is much with Jesus, is not loud — His presence charms the soul to tranquility. If you are loud, you cannot hear the Spirit. He ever speaks in quiet — and in tranquility He is heard.

Passion is loud — and so is lack of thought. Self-discipline, retirement, and prayer beget a softer manner and a chastened tongue. He who is loud of speech, hears most of self. It is odious to hear the sound of thoughtless self — to catch it off its guard, giving its vent to carnal feeling in all the coarseness of its nature. It is humbling to the soul — and yet, if others hear, you had better hear it too, that you may know your real character, and thus be quick to learn the gentleness of Christ.

Be quiet when you speak of Jesus — when you invite the sinner to His cross. You cannot unfold His love with violence of speech.

Be quiet when you minister rebuke, or tell another of his failings. If you are loud, you cannot reach his heart. The quieter you are — the louder in effect; the more serene — the more persuasive. When loudness comes, persuasion dies. Then, let your words be "heard in quiet."

On principle speak quietly. Your gentleness will edify your soul, and thus return its grace with interest. Study to speak distinctly, that your whisper may be heard, and thus your power of tranquility enlarged — yet not the affectation of a maudlin gentleness — but the sterling quiet of the mind of Christ.

"Wisdom is better than weapons of war." Ecclesiastes 9:18

Wisdom is better than war — but harder to be obtained. War comes of fallen human nature; wisdom comes only of grace. It is easier to slay your thousands — than to have one spark of wisdom

Peace is a jewel. All honor to the men who preach it — who travel hundreds of miles upon their peaceful errand; and find access to kings and emperors, to speak to them of peace! Men scoff — but God approves their mission. The failure lies, not in the goodness of their cause, but in the sin of man. Yet it is a day-dream, after all, to think that men will hear of reason; the reason of the Prince of Peace!

Man is quite unable to practice peace. Even if he promises — will that ensure performance? Or will it change his heart? He is but a sinner — still brother to Cain who shed his brother’s blood. (Genesis 6.) Give him — ah! give him, if you can, the mind of Jesus. Give him new feelings and affections. Make him, in short, a child of God — and then he will understand you. Until then the world will fight, and fight again. Wars will not cease until Christ returns, and fills the world with peace.

"Give them an arbiter," it is said, "let him decide it!" An arbiter is found. Can he, then, change the heart, or bring the nations to their senses? Reason is nothing; expostulation is nothing better; entreaty, eloquence, and truth, are of no avail. Sin masters everything, but God. Sin says, "We will fight it out — the sword is the arbiter of right! Might makes right!" The scabbard is flung away, and war begins!

Alas! for wisdom; it finds no place to rest its foot upon; it hovers over the battlefield — then hides its head and weeps. Surely the world is out of course, all its foundations gone. What is it but a ruin, after all.

"Wisdom is better than weapons of war." There is another war, besides the conflict of the sword — the war of words, and angry passions — the war of social discord — the war of family dissension — the war of courts of law. For each, and all, the only remedy is wisdom:
wisdom to love,
wisdom to suffer,
wisdom to forbear,
wisdom to be silent,
wisdom to treat your brother kindly,
wisdom to overcome his evil with your good.

You thus disarm him, and fairly conquer him. What weapons are like these, found in the armory of Jesus — kept sharp, and furbished by the Spirit — for the child of God?