Day #21: Enjoy Your Life

When I tried to gain wisdom and to observe the activity on earth— even though it prevents anyone from sleeping day or night— then I discerned all that God has done: No one really comprehends what happens on earth. Despite all human efforts to discover it, no one can ever grasp it. Even if a wise person claimed that he understood, he would not really comprehend it. (Ec 8:16-17)

 

In his day, Solomon was widely regarded as the wisest man alive (1 Ki 4:29-34). So, his conclusion should have profound impact.  "No one really comprehends what happens on earth."  If anyone claims to understand it, he really doesn't.  This shows Solomon's deep humility.  I suppose he could have claimed he understand more than he did, and who would be the wiser.  By declaring this, he is writing MYSTERY in bold letters over everything "under the sun".  Not only are God's ways mysterious, but all that happens is incomprehensible.  This brings us to his second main thesis.  He has already shown that all is futile, now he is saying it's also mysterious.  Life is futile, yet mysterious.  That is a strange mixture of concepts.

 

Solomon is presenting his readers with a huge conundrum.  It raises the question, "So what IS certain in life?"  He answers this question with one word- death.

 

So I reflected on all this, attempting to clear it all up. I concluded that the righteous and the wise, as well as their works, are in the hand of God; whether a person will be loved or hated— no one knows what lies ahead. Everyone shares the same fate— the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the ceremonially clean and unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. What happens to the good person, also happens to the sinner; what happens to those who make vows, also happens to those who are afraid to make vows. This is the unfortunate fact about everything that happens on earth: the same fate awaits everyone. In addition to this, the hearts of all people are full of evil, and there is folly in their hearts during their lives—then they die. (Ec 9:1-3)

 

His conclusion is clear, and he elaborates with interesting observations: 

 

Everything the righteous or the wise do is in the hand of God.  Solomon has already shown that wisdom does not always make one righteous, and that righteousness is preferable to wisdom.  Now he is showing the universality of death.  The same fate awaits all, the righteous and the wise.  The same is true for the good and the bad, the ceremonially clean and unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not, the good person and the sinner, and those who make vows and those who do not.  He covers the gamut of moral and religious extremes.  He considers it unfortunate that the same fate awaits everyone.  But his conclusion here takes a curious turn.  He reminds us once again that the hearts of all people are full of evil and folly during their lives- then they die. It certainly speaks to the lost condition of man under the sun.  All men are lost, but not without hope.

 

Hope for the Living

 

But whoever is among the living has hope; a live dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything; they have no further reward—and even the memory of them disappears. What they loved, as well as what they hated and envied, perished long ago, and they no longer have a part in anything that happens on earth. (Ec 9:4-6)

 

Solomon continues to drive home the finality of death, yet he acknowledges that those living have hope.  "A live dog is better than a dead lion."  At least the those living are aware of life and death, the dead know nothing.  Even the memory of them is gone, and they no longer have a part in anything that happens on earth.  Once you are dead, you are dead and gone.  Period. 

 

I suppose we should be asking ourselves, "So how should I live my life?"  One obvious application- live your life with the understanding that it will one day come to an end.  So how would you do that?  What does that mean?  Solomon suggests a unique type of wisdom, "Live with the end in mind."  I suppose this would tell us to invest our time and energies into things that really matter.  It might encourage us to make our family and friends a priority.  It could also warn us about frivolity and foolishness.  Since Solomon has focused our attention under the sun, his emphasis on death makes a lot of sense.  It seems to lead us toward a sober and careful type of life.  But this may not be what he has in mind.  Read on.

 

Enjoy Your Life

 

Go, eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works. Let your clothes always be white, and do not spare precious ointment on your head. Enjoy life with your beloved wife during all the days of your fleeting life that God has given you on earth during all your fleeting days; for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work on earth. Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place where you will eventually go. (Ec 9:7-10)

 

In four sections of Ecclesiastes, Solomon repeats this refrain- enjoy yourself.  In each case it follows a statement about death. (Ec 3:12, 5:18; 8:15; 9:7) I don't believe this is by accident.  His argument goes like this:  1. All is futile. 2. Life is mysterious 3. Death is certain. 4. Therefore, enjoy your life, while you can.

 

Each time the refrain is repeated, a bit more is added.  Now we come to its final chorus. We see more specific reference to food and drink.  We are to dress appropriately and be well groomed.  We are to enjoy our beloved wife.  These things are the reward God gives; the simple pleasures available to all.  It appears he is painting a picture of a festive dinner party.  In addition to the fine food and drink, everyone is wearing their Sunday best, so to speak.  Also, we are to appreciate our work and give ourselves wholeheartedly to it.  Why all these things? Because none of these are available where we are going- the grave.

 

There is special mention of the joys of marital life.  The companionship which comes from a life-long relationship is profound.  The joys and the sorrows of life are only meaningful as they are shared with a soulmate.  And the special intimacy that results from loving and caring for one another is a great reward.  In Proverbs 18 verse 22 Solomon writes, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD."

 

But doesn't everyone want to enjoy their life? Why would he need to tell us these things?  Is it because so few find the enjoyment they seek?  Solomon is telling us that these simple pleasures are God-ordained.  Our Creator wants us to experience joy.   A loving heavenly Father knows what is best for His children.  But he also knows that life can be hard. 

 

In Psalm 127 verse 2 Solomon wrote, "It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food. Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep."

 

Despite the futility of life and its great mysteries, there is still much to enjoy.  Even though we die, we can still live. Some would respond to these realities with somber resignation, but not Solomon.  He recommends that we live life to the fullest, as God intended.  Others may be so religiously minded that they think God wants to take all the fun out of life. They feel guilty when they enjoy themselves.  Some are covered in shame and feel they do not deserve happiness.  God has a solution for this also. 

 

Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly." (Jn 10:10)

 

So, what is the abundant life?  One of fruitfulness, meaning, and purpose, as God intended. Solomon agrees.  Although life can be hard, there is still significant joy and satisfaction to be found, if we look in the right place.


Questions to consider:

  1. As you “keep the end in mind”, what changes will you make to how you live?
  2. What are the simple pleasures that give you the most joy?

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