The Book Of Ecclesiastes Pt. 5 The Sobering Reality Of Death.

The Preacher who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes is King Solomon. He wrote this book later in his life, reflecting on experiencing life without God. So far, Solomon is discovering that such a life is empty and unsatisfying. 

Ecclesiastes 2:12  And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.

Solomon tried seeking satisfaction from wisdom and learning. Then he sought satisfaction in sensual pleasures. Now, he puts both together to compare them with each other,  and renders his judgment upon them.

The idea in this text is that Solomon experienced wisdom, mirth and folly to the fullest extent possible. He had the time, the intellectual curiosity and the wealth to do so. 

Therefore, any king who comes after Solomon, will not be able to advance past his extensive investigations. Any future kings will reach the same conclusions that Solomon reached. 

Ecclesiastes 2:13  Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 

Solomon did not find that supreme good or full happiness in the things that he investigated. 

However, he did conclude that wisdom far exceeded folly. Comparing wisdom to folly, Solomon found that wisdom was like light that dispels darkness.

Wisdom enlightens the soul with surprising discoveries and necessary directions for life.  In contrast, the folly of sensuality clouds our mind with darkness. Folly blinds our eyes, and makes us stumble in the way. 

Sensual pleasures dim the light of reason, and weaken a man’s power to direct his way.

When the sin nature in us surpasses our ability to be rational, then our eyes which should be the light of the body, are blinded.

A wise man holds aloft the light of wisdom to illuminate his path in life, but this does not prevent him from taking his last step into the darkness of the grave. 

The light that comes from God alone, can pierce that darkness.

Ecclesiastes 2:14  The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. 

A “wise” man has some good sense in managing his affairs. He uses skill and taste in building and planting. He exercises moderation while pursuing pleasure. 

Proverbs 17:24  Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. 

The “fool” is lacking in each of these respects. He walks in “darkness,” subject to making fatal errors or judgment.  

Yet one event, death, happens to both the wise man and the fool. They will both die.

Ecclesiastes 2:15-16  Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 16)  For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.  

The reality that a wise man and a fool will both suffer the same fate of death. This fact made a strong impression upon Solomon. He realized that death will claim him just as it will come for a fool. 

Having pointed out the advantages that wisdom has over folly, Solomon takes this opportunity to remind us of the danger of trusting in wisdom too much.  

He demonstrates that a wise man is equally subject to the common outcomes of life. Wisdom alone, therefore, is incapable of making us completely happy.

The wise and the fool are equally subject to death. In most instances, they are equally forgotten after death claims them. 

Time sweeps away all remembrances, except a very few whose names or deeds are preserved for a while in the pages of history.

A new king replaced the Pharaoh whom Joseph served. He did not remember all the good done by Joseph for Egypt. He did not know why Pharoah greatly favored Joseph and his family. 

After Joseph and all his brethren died, so their mighty and good works passed out of memory. Thus, the new king regarded the Hebrews as a threat, and made them work as slaves (Exodus 1:6-8).

Psalm 49:10-12  For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. 11)  Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. 12)  Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. 

The Psalmist also spoke about death. A wise man, a foolish man and a stupid man will all die. Whatever assets they have will be transferred to someone else. 

The wise man, the fool and the brutish person, believe that their house will last for a long time and their offspring will continue forever. They even call their property by their own family names. 

Yet, they die, and their wealth and lands become someone else's property, and the honor they enjoyed in this life does not last. 

Ecclesiastes 2:17  Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 

How stunning an admission that the wisest man in history, who enjoyed unsurpassed wealth and luxury, should exclaim that he hated life without God. 

Solomon saw all of his works as purposeless and meaningless, He too, would die, just as a fool and a brutish man die. Death claims all people and makes no exceptions. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Recognize the brevity of life. The truth is that you and I may die at any moment. The question is "Are you ready to die and face eternal God today?" 

Why do all men die? Because Adam sinned and death passed upon all men. "The wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23.

God will not allow any sinners in heaven. If you die in your sins, you will be judged and condemned to eternity in Hell. 

Recognize that God made a way for you to be born again. However, the last part of Romans 6:23 says "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." 

Jesus paid for our sins on the cross (John 3:16;18; Colossians 1;12-14; 2:14-15, and many more). 

The gospel teaches us that we can repent of our sins and turn to Jesus Christ. Call upon Him to save you, and He will save you! (Romans 10:6-13).

Jesus tells us that we must be born again (John 3;3-5) and that God gave His only begotten son that whosever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Psalm 103:15-16  As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16)  For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 

Our time in this life is fleeting in comparison to eternity. You have this day, this moment in time. Make this the day of your salvation. Do not put it off my friend, for you may die this night. 

It is appointed unto man once to die, then the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Are you ready to die and stand before Holy God? Will you go to heaven if you died right now? 

God makes note of all who trust Him and by faith, call upon Jesus Christ. Those who love God are those who have a reverential fear and desire to honor Him. 

God has a book of remembrance where the names of believers in Christ are recorded. Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of life? (See Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12; 20:15; 21:27; 22:19).

Malachi 3:16  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 

Many people from around the world read this blog. What I have to say is inconsequential, unless I show you what God says. But, what God has to say to us, means everything. It is the difference between spending eternity with God in heaven or spending eternity with Satan in Hell.

My fervent prayer is that each reader, will consider where he or she will end up, if you died tonight. My greatest desire, is that those who have not given their hearts to the Lord, will do so this very moment. 

Bob