Ecclesiastes Part 15

Week 15
8/12/2018
Ecclesiastes 9:1-10
Teacher: Lloyd Shadrach
One Fate For All

Ecclesiastes 9:1-10 “For I have taken all this to heart and explain it that righteous men, wise men and their deeds are in the hand of God. Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred, anything awaits him.
It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked: for the good, for the clean and for the unclean: for the men who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the Good man is, so is the sinner, as the swearer is so is the one who is afraid to swear.
This is an evil that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all men. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead.
For whoever is joined with all the living, there is hope; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion.
For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, not have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten.
Indeed their love, their hate and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun
Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart: for god has already approved your works.
Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking in your head.
Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for their is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.”

NOT HOW DO WE CURE DEATH...How do we live in light of the reality of death.

One Hand v1

GODS IN CONTROL
The hand of God (he protects, provides and keeps us secure) God is sovereign. God is sovereign...Man doesn’t know if he gets Gods favor or wrath

One Fate vs2-6
DEATH IS INEVITABLE
The same for all. Fate-the inevitability of future events...death is inevitable.
We reason “good people get ___, evil people get ___” Solomon tells us we all get the same thing. Solomon says this is evil

vs 4-6 hope (4) not eternal hope...hope in life. Only 3x used.
Lion most noble of animals...in this culture, dog is detestable animal...for us live buzzard better than dead eagle. Beyond the grave (heaven) was not clear for Solomon.

One Life vs7-10
7 carpe diem passage.
Sheol, the place of death...not hell as we understand it. (Progressive revelation) place of nothing, a wasteland.
Enjoy life right now, enjoy the gifts God has given...
In ch 8 he commends you to enjoy life...in 9:7, he commands it!
 v7 not justification or salvation ... LIFE IS GIFT NOT GAIN.

1-realize every meal is more than a meal. “Nouwen quote”
2-when it’s time to celebrate don’t hold back.
3-(9) if married, see your spouse anew every day. Familiarity breeds contempt...see them new. See your spouse anew
4-(10) whistle while you work. Work is a gift...not part of the curse