The Book of:
ECCLESIASTES
(The Preacher)
The Hebrew title is Koheleth, which the speaker in it applies to himself ( Ecclesiastes 1:12 Israel." It means an Assembler or Convener of a meeting and a Preacher to such a meeting. The feminine form of the Hebrew noun, and its construction once ( Ecclesiastes 7:27 that it not only signifies Solomon, the Preacher to assemblies (in which case it is construed with the verb or noun masculine), but also Divine Wisdom (feminine in Hebrew) speaking by the mouth of the inspired king. In six cases out of seven it is construed with the masculine. Solomon was endowed with inspired wisdom ( 1 Kings 3:5-14 ; 1 Kings 6:11 1 Kings 6:12 ; 9:1-9 ; 11:9-11 task. The Orientals delight in such meetings for grave discourse. Thus the Arabs formerly had an assembly yearly, at Ocadh, for hearing and reciting poems. Compare "Masters of assemblies" "The Preacher taught the people knowledge," probably viva voce ("orally"); 1 Kings 4:34 ; 1 Kings 10:2 1 Kings 10:8 1 Kings 10:24 ; 2 Chronicles 9:1 2 Chronicles 9:7 2 Chronicles 9:23 plainly refer to a somewhat public divan met for literary discussion. So "spake," thrice repeated ( 1 Kings 4:32 1 Kings 4:33 the purpose. The Holy Ghost, no doubt, signifies also by the term that Solomon's doctrine is intended for the "great congregation," the Church of all places and ages ( Psalms 22:25:49:2-4
Solomon was plainly the author ( Ecclesiastes 1:12 Ecclesiastes 1:16 ; 2:15 ; 12:9 the Rabbins attribute it to Isaiah or Hezekiah is explicable by supposing that one or the other inserted it in the canon. The difference of its style, as compared with Proverbs and Song of Solomon, is due to the difference of subjects, and the different period of his life in which each was written; the Song, in the fervor of his first love to God; Proverbs, about the same time, or somewhat later; but Ecclesiastes in late old age, as the seal and testimony of repentance of his apostasy in the intervening period: Psalms 89:30 Psalms 89:33 penitence. The substitution of the title Koheleth for Solomon (that is, peace), may imply that, having troubled Israel, meantime he forfeited his name of peace ( 1 Kings 11:14 1 Kings 11:23 he wishes to be henceforth a Preacher of righteousness. The alleged foreign expressions in the Hebrew may have been easily imported, through the great intercourse there was with other nations during his long reign. Moreover, supposed Chaldaisms may be fragments preserved from the common tongue of which Hebrew, Syriac, Chaldee, and Arabic were offshoots. (Jamieson)For our study today as Christians, this book is very important because it shows the fallacy of the immortality of the human soul. In fact, we read that those who think that the soul (nephesh- living body) of a human is not different physically than the soul of an animal! Biology agrees with this fact and New Testament oriented Christians have always hated this book. Martin Luther did not want to see it in the Bible! The reason is very simple: If an inspired book of God (and Jesus read from the Bible that included this Book) the idea that we have some “immortal soul” is not Biblical in any way.
The Christian does not have to worry about the doctrine however, as we do not need this book to prove that we do not have an immortal soul. In many books, and including in the RED WORDS of Jesus, we see the sinning souls DIE! Only God is immortal! (1 Timothy 6:16)
Ecclesiastes 1:
ALL IS VANITY as Nothing is really new in the world:
vanity--not in themselves, for God maketh nothing in vain ( 1 Timothy 4:4 1 Timothy 4:5 ), but vain when put in the place of God and made the end, instead of the means ( Psalms 39:5 Psalms 39:6 , 62:9 , Matthew 6:33 ); vain, also, because of the "vanity" to which they are "subjected" by the fall ( Romans 8:20 ).
under the sun--that is, in this life, as opposed to the future world.
7 All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is never filled up; The water returns again to the rivers and flows again to the sea.
A complete scientific fact! The sun draws the water from the lakes and seas into the heavens (atmosphere), and rains back down on the land and flows back into the streams.
8 Everything is wearisome, more than anyone can say. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are never happy.
11 We don't remember what happened in those former times. And in future generations, no one will remember what we have accomplished!
13 I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done in the world. I soon realized that God allowed a tragic life to mankind.
16 I said to myself, "Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them."
17 What I've finally concluded is that so-called wisdom and knowledge in the world are mindless and vanity - like chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:
PLEASURES ARE VANITY:
1 I said to myself, "OK, let's give pleasure a try. Let's look for the 'good things' in life." But I found that this, too, was just vanity.
3 After deep thought, I decided to cheer myself with a bottle of wine. I even tried living in a foolish way. But wisdom was still guiding my mind. I wanted to see what was really important for men to do under the heavens, on earth during the few days of their lives.
gardens--Hebrew, "paradises," a foreign word; Sanskrit, "a place enclosed with a wall"; Armenian and Arabic, "a pleasure ground with flowers and shrubs near the king's house, or castle." An earthly paradise can never make up for the want of the heavenly ( Revelation 2:7 ).
7 I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned great herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who lived in Jerusalem before me.
8 I piled up silver and gold, loot from kings and kingdoms. I gathered a chorus of singers to entertain me with song, and - most exquisite of all pleasures - voluptuous maidens (concubines) for my sexual desire.
Concubine: a secondary wife of less stature and legal rights
9 So I became greater than all of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. And with it all, I remained clear-eyed so that I could evaluate all these things.
10 Everything I wanted I took - I never said no to myself. I gave in to every impulse, held back nothing. I sucked the marrow of pleasure out of every task - my reward to myself for a hard day's work!
11 Then I thought about all that I had done and how hard I had worked doing it, and I realized that it didn't mean a thing. It was vanity--- like chasing the wind - of no use at all.
12 So I decided to compare wisdom and folly, and anyone else would come to the same conclusions I did.
14 The wise can see where they are going, but fools can't." I also know that the same fate is waiting for us all {death}.
15 Both of them die. Just as the fool will die, so will the wise. So of what value is all my wisdom? Then I said to myself, "This is all so meaningless! Nothing but vanity."
17 I hate life. Everything done here under the sun is so irrational. Everything is vanity, like chasing the wind.
Disappointed in one experiment after another, he is weary of life. The backslider ought to have rather reasoned as the prodigal ( Hosea 2:6 Hosea 2:7 , Luke 15:17 Luke 15:18 ).
18 Nothing that I had worked for and earned meant a thing to me, because I knew that I would have to leave it to my successor,
19 and he might be wise, or he might be foolish - who knows? Yet he will own everything I have worked for, everything my wisdom has earned for me in this world. It is all vanity.
21 What's the point of working your fingers to the bone if you hand over what you worked for to someone who never lifted a finger for it? Smoke, that's what it is. A bad business from start to finish.
24 It is not good for a man to have a good time and get by the best he can. The way I see it, that's it - divine fate.
English Version gives a seemingly Epicurean sense, contrary to the general scope. The Hebrew, literally is, "It is not good for man that he should eat," &c., "and should make his soul see good" (or "show his soul, that is, himself, happy"), &c. [WEISS]. According to HOLDEN and WEISS, Ecclesiastes 3:12 Ecclesiastes 3:22 differ from this verse in the text and meaning; here he means, "It is not good that a man should feast himself, and falsely make as though his soul were happy"; he thus refers to a false pretending of happiness acquired by and for one's self; in Ecclesiastes 3:12 Ecclesiastes 3:22 , Ecclesiastes 5:18 Ecclesiastes 5:19 , to real seeing, or finding pleasure when God gives it. There it is said to be good for a man to enjoy with satisfaction and thankfulness the blessings which God gives; here it is said not to be good to take an unreal pleasure to one's self by feasting
26 For {God} may give wisdom and knowledge and joy to His favorites, but sinners are assigned a life of hard labor, and end up turning their wages over to God's favorites. It is all vanity. It is like chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 3:
A TIME FOR EVERYTHING: (TURN TURN TURN):
The Byrd's song, TURN TURN TURN, is taken from this chapter:
5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
cast away stones--as out of a garden or vineyard ( Isaiah 5:2 ).
gather--for building; figuratively, the Gentiles, once castaway stones, were in due time made parts of the spiritual building ( Ephesians 2:19 Ephesians 2:20 ), and children of Abraham ( Matthew 3:9 ); so the restored Jews hereafter ( Psalms 102:13 Psalms 102:14 , Zechariah 9:16 ).
refrain . . . embracing--( Joel 2:16 , 1 Corinthians 7:5 1 Corinthians 7:6 ). (Jamieson)
gather--for building; figuratively, the Gentiles, once castaway stones, were in due time made parts of the spiritual building ( Ephesians 2:19 Ephesians 2:20 ), and children of Abraham ( Matthew 3:9 ); so the restored Jews hereafter ( Psalms 102:13 Psalms 102:14 , Zechariah 9:16 ).
refrain . . . embracing--( Joel 2:16 , 1 Corinthians 7:5 1 Corinthians 7:6 ). (Jamieson)
time to get--for example, to gain honestly a livelihood ( Ephesians 4:23 ).
lose--When God wills losses to us, then is our time to be content.
keep--not to give to the idle beggar ( 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ).
cast away--in charity ( Proverbs 11:24 ); or to part with the dearest object, rather than the soul ( Mark 9:43 ). To be careful is right in its place, but not when it comes between us and Jesus Christ ( Luke 10:40-42 ). (Jamieson)
lose--When God wills losses to us, then is our time to be content.
keep--not to give to the idle beggar ( 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ).
cast away--in charity ( Proverbs 11:24 ); or to part with the dearest object, rather than the soul ( Mark 9:43 ). To be careful is right in its place, but not when it comes between us and Jesus Christ ( Luke 10:40-42 ). (Jamieson)
But these earthly pursuits, while lawful in their season, are "unprofitable" when made by man, what God never intended them to be, the chief good. Solomon had tried to create an artificial forced joy, at times when he ought rather to have been serious; the result, therefore, of his labor to be happy, out of God's order, was disappointment. "A time to plant" ( Ecclesiastes 3:2 ) refers to his planting ( Ecclesiastes 2:5 ); "laugh" ( Ecclesiastes 3:4 ), to Ecclesiastes 2:1 Ecclesiastes 2:2 . "his mirth," "laughter"; "build up," "gather stones" ( Ecclesiastes 3:3 Ecclesiastes 3:5 ), to his "building" ( Ecclesiastes 2:4 ); "embrace," "love," to his "princess" (perhaps also "gather," Ecclesiastes 3:5 Ecclesiastes 3:6 ), to his "gathering" ( Ecclesiastes 2:8 ). All these were of "no profit," because not in God's time and order of bestowing happiness. (Jamieson)
11 He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what He does.
Paul Simon says in his song: “God only knows, God makes His plan, the information is unavailable for the mortal man.” How true this statement is!
14 I know that everything God (Elohim-The God Family) does will last forever. You can't add anything to it or take anything away from it. And one thing God (Elohim-The God Family) does is to make us stand in awe of Him.
15 Whatever happens or can happen has already happened before. God (Elohim-The God Family) makes the same thing happen over and over.
16 I also noticed that throughout the world there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law are corrupt!
17 I told myself, "God (Elohim-The God Family) is going to judge the righteous and the evil alike, because every thing, every action, will happen at its own appointed time."
NO IMMORTAL SOUL- We do not go to Heaven when we die:
18 I decided that God (Elohim-The God Family) is testing us, to show us that we are no better than animals.
19 After all, the same fate awaits man and animals alike. One dies just like the other. They are of the same spirit (breath). A human being is no better off than an animal, because life has no meaning for either.
The same fate awaits all living beings. We are not made physically any difference than an animal. Science agrees with this. However, we are man in the image, or the picture of God. No other animal is. So what we have different than an animal is the mind of God in our brains, and the ability, through Christ, to gain the very Spirit, or essence of God!
20 They are both going to the same place - the dust {in the grave- the place of the dead}. They both came from it; they will both go back to it.
Again, God makes it clear that when we die, we go to the same place as animals, plants or fish! We return to the elements (dust) and disappear! Only man's mind (man's spirit) remains as a seed, protected by God, to come back to life again! As human, or if we have the Holy Spirit, as Spirit!
21 How can anyone be sure that the human spirit goes upward while an animal's spirit goes down into the ground?
Man spirit does not go to heaven when he dies, it is all vanity to assume so. Our fate in the short term is the same as all living things, except, someday, we will be resurrected from the dead!
22 So I realized then that the best thing we can do is enjoy what we have worked for. There is nothing else we can do. There is no way for us to know what will happen after we die.
When we die, we have no consciousness. We do not think, or have an existence. We are in the deepest sleep, like a seed!
Ecclesiastes 4:
Injustice in the Land:
1 Again I observed all the oppression in the world. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and the victims are helpless.
Hank Williams: The Living Dead, more miserable than even the dead!
4 I have also learned why people work so hard to succeed: it is because they envy the things their neighbors have. But it is useless. It is like chasing the wind.
6 They feel it is better to be lazy and barely survive than to work hard, especially when in the long run everything is so futile.
The welfare state!
8 Here is someone who lives alone. He has no son, no brother, yet he is always working, never satisfied with the wealth he has. For whom is he working so hard and denying himself any pleasure? This is useless, too - and a miserable way to live.
Marriage better off than Single and Rich:
Ties of union, marriage, friendship, religious communion, are better than the selfish solitariness of the miser Genesis 2:18
10 If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, it's just too bad, because there is no one to help him.
12 Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one of them alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break.
proverbial for a combination of many--for example, husband, wife, and children ( Proverbs 11:14 ); so Christians ( Luke 10:1 , Colossians 2:2 Colossians 2:19 ). Untwist the cord, and the separate threads are easily "broken."
13 It is better to be a poor but wise youth than to be an old and foolish king who refuses to listen to advice.
16 Even so, the excitement died quickly, the throngs of people soon lost interest. So again, it is all meaningless, like chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 5:
FALSE RELIGION:
1 Watch your step when you enter the House of God (Elohim-The God Family). Keep your ears open and your mouth shut! Don't be a fool who doesn't realize that mindless offerings to God are evil.
God Hebrew Elohim: See Gen 1. This word for God is uniplural and means BOTH the Father and Jesus (the WORD).
2 Don't shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think. Don't be too quick to tell God (Elohim) what you think He wants to hear. For God (Elohim) is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.
Matthew 6:7 - And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
HARD WORK IN PLACE OF GOD IS VANITY:
4 When you make a vow to God (Elohim-The God Family), do not delay to pay it; For [They} have no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed--
A vow should not be hastily made ( Judges 11:35 , 1 Samuel 14:24 ). When made, it must be kept ( Psalms 76:11 ), even as God keeps His word to us ( Exodus 12:41 Exodus 12:51 , Joshua 21:45 ).
6 Don't let your mouth make you out to be a total sinner. When called to account, you won't get by with "Sorry, I didn't mean it." Why risk provoking God (Elohim-The God Family) to angry retaliation?
7 Dreaming all the time instead of working is foolishness. And there is ruin in a flood of empty words. Fear God (Elohim-The God Family)!
MEANINGLESS WEALTH:
8 Don't be surprised when you see that the government oppresses the poor and denies them justice and their rights. Every official is protected by someone higher, and both are protected by still higher officials.
Sounds like America today, and many socialist and communist nation ruling the earth!
9 But naturally, the earth produces for all equally - even a bad king is honestly served by a field.
"The profit (produce) of the earth is (ordained) for (the common good of) all: even the king himself is served by (the fruits of) the field" ( 2 Chronicles 26:10 ). Therefore the common Lord of all, high and low, will punish at last those who rob the "poor" of their share in it ( Proverbs 22:22 Proverbs 22:23 , Amos 8:4-7 ).
10 The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, Nor the one who loves wealth with big profits. This also is vanity.
11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what is the advantage of wealth -- except perhaps to watch it run through your fingers!
12 Workers may or may not have enough to eat, but at least they can get a good night's sleep. The rich, however, have so much that they stay awake worrying.
13 There is another serious evil I have seen in the world. Riches are sometimes hoarded to the harm of the one who saves it.
14 And then he loses it all in a bad business deal. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one's children.
16 This is bad luck, for sure - naked he came, naked he went. So what was the point of working for a salary? It is vanity. ( Hosea 12:1 , 1 Corinthians 9:26 ).
18 Behold the good which I have seen, and which is: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor. So, whatever he does under the sun – it is good enough-for however long God (Elohim-The God Family) lets him live.
19 Yes, we should make the most of what God (Elohim) gives us, both the bounty and the sense to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's the gift of God (Elohim).
20 God (Elohim-The God Family) deals out joy in this present life. It's useless (vanity) to brood over how long we might live.
Ecclesiastes 6:
1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among mankind:
2 God (Elohim-The God Family) gives great wealth and honor to some, and also gives them everything they could ever want, but doesn't give them the health to enjoy it. They die, and others get it all! This is vanity -- an tragedy upon evil intents.
3 We may have a hundred children and live a long time, but no matter how long we live, if we do not get our share of happiness and do not receive a decent burial, then I say that a stillborn {or aborted} baby is better off.
5 It (the baby) never sees the light of day or knows what life is like, but at least it has found rest (in death).
This implies the same “rest” of all! I believe God says that all stillborn and aborted babies have the same potential of eternal life as anyone else born! Even these babies will live again in the Kingdom of God.
6 Even if a man lives a thousand years twice over—and doesn't find {God}, he will go to the same place [the grave] as everyone else, {for all go to the grave and sleep}!
7 The people spend their lives scratching out a living, but their life (nephesh-soul) is never satisfied.
9 It is vanity; Tt is like chasing the wind. It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else.
10 Everything that happens was already determined long ago. Everything has already been decided... it is known that he is a man, so there's no use arguing with God (Elohim-The God Family) about your destiny.
a man--Hebrew, "Adam," equivalent to man "of red dust," as his Creator appropriately named him from his frailty.
12 How can anyone know what is best for us in this short, useless life of ours {apart from God} - a life that passes like a shadow? How can we know what will happen in the world after we die?
Jamieson: The ungodly know not what is really "good" during life, nor "what shall be after them," that is, what will be the event of their undertakings ( Ecclesiastes 3:22 , 8:7 ). The godly might be tempted to "contend with God" ( Ecclesiastes 6:10 ) as to His dispensations; but they cannot fully know the wise purposes served by them now and hereafter. Their sufferings from the oppressors are more really good for them than cloudless prosperity; sinners are being allowed to fill up their measure of guilt. Retribution in part vindicates God's ways even now. The judgment shall make all clear. In Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 , he states what is good, in answer to this verse.
Ecclesiastes 7:
WISDOM:
1 A good reputation (name) is better than expensive perfume; and the day you die is better than the day you are born.
2 It is better to spend your time at funerals than at feasts. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time.
We all need to learn this lesson, before it is to late!!!!!!!!
TAKING BRIBES:
7 You may be wise, but if you cheat someone, you are acting like a fool. If you take a bribe, you ruin your character.
10 Don't long for "the good old days," for you don't know whether they were any better than today or tomorrow.
We all say, it was better in the old days. In some things it was, but we are to live for tomorrow and not yesterday.
12 Wisdom or money can get you almost anything in this world, but it's important to know that only wisdom can save your life. Mt 5:22;
13 Consider the work of God (Elohim-The God Family); How can anyone straighten out what God (Elohim) has made crooked?
14 When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God (Elohim-The God Family) sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next.
15 I have seen everything in my days of vanity: Some good people may die while others live on, even though they are evil.
JAMIESON: HOLDEN makes Ecclesiastes 7:16 the scoffing inference of the objector, and Ecclesiastes 7:17 the answer of Solomon, now repentant. So ( 1 Corinthians 15:32 ) the skeptic's objection; ( 1 Corinthians 15:33 ) the answer. However, "Be not righteous over much," may be taken as Solomon's words, forbidding a self-made righteousness of outward performances, which would wrest salvation from God, instead of receiving it as the gift of His grace. It is a fanatical, pharisaical righteousness, separated from God; for the "fear of God" is in antithesis to it ( Ecclesiastes 7:18 , Ecclesiastes 5:3 Ecclesiastes 5:7 , Matthew 6:1-7 , 9:14 , Matthew 23:23 Matthew 23:24 , Romans 10:3 , 1 Timothy 4:3 ). over wise--( Job 11:12 , Romans 12:3 Romans 12:16 ), presumptuously self-sufficient, as if acquainted with the whole of divine truth. destroy thyself--expose thyself to needless persecution, austerities and the wrath of God; hence to an untimely death. "Destroy thyself" answers to "perisheth" ( Ecclesiastes 7:15 ); "righteous over much," to "a just man." Therefore in Ecclesiastes 7:15 it is self-justiciary, not a truly righteous man, that is meant.
over much wicked--so worded, to answer to "righteous over much." For if not taken thus, it would seem to imply that we may be wicked a little. "Wicked" refers to "wicked man" ( Ecclesiastes 7:15 ); "die before thy time," to "prolongeth his life," antithetically. There may be a wicked man spared to "live long," owing to his avoiding gross excesses ( Ecclesiastes 7:15 ). Solomon says, therefore, Be not so foolish (answering antithetically to "over wise," Ecclesiastes 7:16 ), as to run to such excess of riot, that God will be provoked to cut off prematurely thy day of grace ( Romans 2:5 ). The precept is addressed to a sinner. Beware of aggravating thy sin, so as to make thy case desperate. It refers to the days of Solomon's "vanity" (apostasy, Ecclesiastes 7:15 ), when only such a precept would be applicable. By litotes it includes, "Be not wicked at all."
18 Avoid both extremes. If you have reverence for God (Elohim-The God Family), you will be successful anyway.
We all make mistakes, we all continue to sin, but we try to do what is right and to please God in everything. Doing this, accompanied by the blood of Christ, saves us from eternal death. The old saying is very true: “Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven.”
What this means is that sometimes we are accused of things we didn't do, but at the same time, we have done these things (wrongly) to others!
24 How can anyone discover what life means? Wisdom is too deep for us, too hard for us to understand.
25 But I devoted myself to knowledge and study; I was determined to find wisdom and the answers to my questions, and to learn how wicked and foolish stupidity is.
26 I discovered that a seductive woman is more bitter than death. Her passion is a trap, and her soft hands will bind you. Those who please God (Elohim-The God Family) will escape from her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.
A GOOD WOMAN IS HARD TO FIND?:
This passage seems again to smack in the face of many other instances where good women can be found and sought after. So what is the logical explanation of this line? I think Matthew Henry figured this out correctly when he wrote: “He now discovered more than ever the evil of the great sin of which he had been guilty, the loving many strange women...” This was the case in Solomon's case, because he foolishly lusted after foreign women, against God's Law!
29 Truly, this only I have found: God made us upright, plain and simple, but we have made our lives very complicated.
Solomon experienced, the breaking of God's primeval marriage law, joining one man to "one" woman ( Matthew 19:4 Matthew 19:5 Matthew 19:6 ). "Man" is singular, namely, Adam; "they," plural, Adam, Eve, and their posterity.
Ecclesiastes 8:
1 Only the wise know what things really mean. Wisdom lights up a person's face, softening its frowns.
Dual Message: The King here is really Jesus, the author of the Ten Commandments
3 The king can do anything he likes, so depart from his presence; don't stay in such a dangerous place.
8 No one can keep from dying or put off the day of their death. That is a battle we cannot escape; we cannot cheat death.
9 I have thought deeply everything that happens in the world, where people have the power to harm one another.
10 Yes, I have seen the evil people buried and in their graves, but after leaving the cemetery, people praise these same people in the very city where they did their evil. It is vanity.
11 Why do people commit crimes so many crimes without thought? It's because crimes are not punished quickly.
12 A sinner may commit a hundred crimes and still live. Oh yes, I know what they say: "If you obey God (Elohim-The God Family), everything will be all right,
13 but it will not go well for the wicked. Their life is like a shadow and they will die young, because they do not obey God (Elohim-The God Family)."
14 But this is nonsense. Look at what happens in the world: sometimes the righteous get the punishment of the wicked, and the wicked get the reward of the righteous. It's vanity.
15 So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people to do in this world than to eat, drink, and be merry. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God (Elohim-The God Family) gives them.
16 In my search for wisdom, I tried to observe everything that goes on all across the earth. I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night.
17 I saw all the work of God (Elohim-The God Family), no matter how hard they work at it. Not even the wisest people know everything, even if they say they do.
Ecclesiastes 9:
THE STATE OF THE DEAD:
1 I thought long and hard everything and saw that even though the actions of godly and wise people are in the hands of God (Elohim), no one knows whether or not they will be shown favor in this life.
2 The same destiny ultimately awaits all of us, whether we are righteous or wicked, good or bad, clean or unclean, religious or secular. Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who take oaths are treated like people who don't.
3 The same fate comes to all equally, and this is as wrong as anything that happens in this world. As long as people live, their minds are full of evil and madness, and suddenly they die.
4 There is hope only for the living. For as they say, "It is better to be a live dog than a dead lion!"
The Dead Know NOTHING!
5 Yes, the living know they are going to die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward; they are completely forgotten.
The dead have no consciousness. They are in the grave in a deep sleep like a seed (1 Corth 15) and will remain until the Resurrection.
6 Their loves, their hates, their passions, all died with them. They will never again take part in anything that happens in this age (under the sun).
9 Live happily with your wife that you love, through all the days of vanity of life that God has given you at this time. The wife God (Elohim-The God Family) gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil.
10 Work hard at whatever you do, because there will be no action, no thought, no knowledge, no wisdom in the world of the dead - and that is where you are going.
11 I realized something else, that in this world fast runners do not always win the races, and the brave do not always win the battles. The wise do not always earn a living, intelligent people do not always get rich, and capable people do not always rise to high positions. Bad luck happens to everyone.
12 You don't know when it's your time to go (die). Like birds suddenly caught in a trap, like fish caught in a net, we are trapped at some evil moment when we least expect it.
14 There was a small town without inhabitants. A powerful king attacked and surrounded it, and to topple the walls.
15 There was a poor, wise man living there who knew how to save the town, so he rescued the small town. However, afterward no one remembered that same poor man.
16 I have always said that wisdom is better than strength, but no one thinks of the poor as wise or pays any attention to what they say.
17 It is better to listen to the quiet words of someone wise than to the shouts of a ruler at a council of fools.
Jamieson: Thus typically, the "little city" may be applied to the Church ( Luke 12:32 , Hebrews 12:22 ); the great king to Satan ( John 12:31 ); the despised poor wise man, Jesus Christ ( Isaiah 53:2 Isaiah 53:3 , 6:3 , 2 Corinthians 8:9 , Ephesians 1:7 Ephesians 1:8 , Colossians 2:3 ).
Ecclesiastes 10:
1 Dead flies will make a spoil the bottle and make the perfume stink. Yes, an ounce of foolishness can outweigh a pound of wisdom.
10 A dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
11 If the serpent bites before it's been charmed, Then what's the point in then sending for the charmer?
15 Fools wear themselves out with hard work, that they have no strength for even the simplest tasks.
16 How horrible it will be for any nation whose king is only a child and where the high officials get drunk in the morning.
17 A country is blessed when the king is from a noble family and whose leaders feast only to gain strength for their work, and not to get drunk.
20 Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don't make fun of a rich man, either. A little bird may tell them what you have said.
Ecclesiastes 11
Remember God in your youth!
2 Divide what you have into seven parts, or even into eight, because you don't know what disaster may happen on earth. Mt 10:42
3 If the clouds are full of rain, they will let it pour down on the earth. If a tree falls north or south, the tree will remain where it fell.
5 Just as you don't know how the breath of life enters the limbs of a child within its mother's womb, you also don't understand how God, who made everything, works.
6 In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening, keep working; for you never know which will grow -- perhaps they all will.
8 Even though people may live for many years, they should enjoy every one of them. But they should also remember there will be many dark days. All that is coming is vanity.
9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God (Elohim) for everything you do.
10 Therefore remove the sorrow from your heart, And keep away evil from your flesh [sex organ], For childhood and youth are vanity.
flesh--the bodily organ by which the sensual thoughts of the "heart" are embodied in acts.
Ecclesiastes 12:
IN CONCLUSION:
1 So remember your Creator {God} while you are still young, before those difficult days come when you will say, "I don't enjoy life."
CREATOR: Hebrew bara'.. Not necessarily meaning God everywhere, but here does.
2 It will be too late then to remember Him, when the light of the sun, the moon, and the stars will grow dim for you, and the rain clouds will never pass away.
3 Then your arms, that have protected you, will tremble, and your legs, now strong, will grow weak. Your teeth will be too few to chew your food, and your eyes will grow weak with age.
4 You will lose the ability to here well with your ears. You will barely be able to hear the mill as it grinds or music as it plays, but a song from a bird will awaken you from your sleep.
5 You will be afraid of heights, and of falling. You will become white-haired and withered, always feeling fatigued without any sexual desire. You will be standing at death's door. And as you near your destiny, the mourners will walk along the streets.
7 Our bodies will return to the dust of the earth, and the breath of life will go back to God (Elohim-The God Family), who gave it to all living beings.
The breath of life goes back to God, not our “immortal soul.” The breath of life is in all living things! So even when plants and animals die, their breath goes back to God as well. Maybe this is where reincarnation came from; The Devil often takes hidden truths and paganizes them.
9 Because the Preacher was wise, he taught the people everything he learned. He collected proverbs and indexed them.
The Book of Proverbs
THE PREACHER TAUGHT THE PLAIN TRUTH!
Hence our new-site is aptly named!
11 The sayings of the wise are like the sharp sticks that shepherds use to guide sheep, and collected proverbs are as lasting as firmly driven nails. They have been given by God (Elohim-The God Family), the one Shepherd of us all.
12 Be warned, my children, against these. People never stop writing books. Too much studying will wear out your body.
13 After all this, there is only one thing to say: Revere God (Elohim-The God Family), and obey His Commandments, because this is all that we were created for.
14 God (Elohim-The God Family) is going to judge everything we do, whether good or bad, even things done in secret.
