Walking Thru Ecclesiastes

Solomon’s Final Conclusion

Ecclesiastes 9:1 - 12:14

 

“The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad, ceremonially clean or unclean, religious or irreligious. Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who make promises to God are treated like people who don’t.

It seems so wrong that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate. Already twisted by evil, people choose their own mad course, for they have no hope. There is nothing ahead but death anyway. There is hope only for the living. As they say, ‘It’s better to be a live dog than a dead lion!’” - Ecclesiastes 9:2-4 ^{New Living Translation}

            There are people in this life who try to estimate the quantity and quality of God’s love based on what happens to them. This is a foolhardy endeavor because God’s love is the same toward his entire creation. We cannot work our way into some elevated status with God. 

Since good and bad folks both die at one point or another, what is the significance for bad people to recant and become good?  Many folks don’t seem to grasp the reality that life is not just about our ultimate death. There is proof that there is life after death if you adhere to the words of the ultimate source, God’s Holy Bible; however, it requires faith. Many folks aren’t wired to receive such news without tangible proof.

                  The problem bad people have if that their actions often become monetarily profitable for them. Being unaware of the heaven/hell variable that everyone must at one time or other deal with, they pursue evil believing they will always have the time to do some good deeds to make it into heaven, if there happens to be such a place. Many folks have the misconception that there may be a heaven to negotiate, but don’t seem to feel there is a hell. Perhaps that is because the little they know and hear about God is that he is loving and so that translates into mercy which is the angle they intend to play when the time comes. 

                  Solomon is slowly building the case regarding how we should live in light of the finality of death.  Perhaps we should ask the question, “What is the real purpose of life?” While we are living there is always hope, but what or who should our hope be in?  Solomon apparently, based on all he has said in this book, is not as close to God as he once was, but his wisdom is still intact, albeit tainted by the world.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Old Testament