Day 160, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Ecclesiastes 7–10
Consider Your Destiny
As the COVID 19 crisis eases, many people will take a summer vacation, at least in their own country. We might choose to trek through the mountains, visit the National Parks, or go to places where we can fish on a lake.
There are other kinds of destinies, such as changes in our career or location. What about eternal destinies—do we know where we are going?
Our Common Destiny
In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon writes,
All share a common destiny-- the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad.
The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. (Ecclesiastes 9:2a, 3, NIV)
That is a very depressing thought, is it not? King Solomon writes this book with a disillusioned heart. He has made many mistakes disobeying the LORD (Deuteronomy 17:16-20). For these sins, God raises adversaries to threaten his peaceful kingdom. And God will also split the nation, leaving Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, to reign over just one prominent tribe, Judah, and giving ten tribes to another leader in Israel (1Kings 11:11-13).
Because of these things, King Solomon is depressed—all he has worked for will come to nothing. And whether he is righteous or not, he shares the same destiny as a wicked person—death.
Something Worthwhile
If all share a common destiny (i.e., death), what can we do that is worthwhile? In today’s Bible reading, King Solomon answers this question.
First, Solomon tells us we should consider the shortness of our life, and “the living should take this to heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:2, NIV). We only have a limited time here on this earth, so we should be careful how we spend it or invest it. Funerals make us think about these things.
Second, King Solomon says that,
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12, NIV)
Where do we find the wisdom that shelters and preserves us? We know that we do not have it in ourselves, and we sense that others might not have it either—we are all foolish and wicked and need a savior from our sins. Even Solomon recognizes this (Ecclesiastes 9:3).
When we accept Christ’s death on the cross in payment for our sins and believe he was resurrected from the dead to give us new life, we have access to the wisdom of God (1Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5). In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon said, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7, NIV).
Now Solomon says,
I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow (Ecclesiastes 8:12b-13, NIV).
Those who are reverent in the way they live and who act with wisdom usually live better and longer lives than those who are foolish and wicked. The foolish and wicked may even die for their rebellion against God and other authorities.
Still, we cannot know the future—its understanding is beyond comprehension. We must trust the LORD, whether our circumstances are good or bad, knowing he is in control and will hold all of us accountable, including those who do evil.
Third, despite our shared destiny and the evil and injustice which is in the world, King Solomon counsels us to
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do.
Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.
Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 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 9:7-10, NIV).
Someone wrote an anonymous hymn that expresses these sentiments in a more positive light. The chorus says,
Only one life
So soon it will pass
Only what’s done for Christ will last
Only one chance to do His will
So give to Jesus all your days
It’s the only life that pays
When you recall
You have but one life (Hymnlyrics.org)
.
Conclusion and Encouragement
Although Solomon knew nothing of Christ, the intent of Ecclesiastes 9:10 is the same; we only have one life on this earth, so it is crucial how we spend it. We should not act like fools (chapter 10); we should enjoy the experiences the LORD gives us and do as much good as we can while on this earth.
The writer of the book of Hebrews encourages us that
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them, knowing that later our deeds will be remembered (Hebrews 6:10, NIV).
Discussion
In light of our common destiny, what can we do in this life that is worthwhile?
What encouragement is there in Hebrews 6:10 regarding the good we do for the Lord?
Focus Verse
Ecclesiastes 8:12b (NIV) “I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God.”
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Looking Ahead: If our Destiny is secure we can Weather Life's challenges. Learn how to do that in our Next Lesson
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