Ecclesiastes 8
KingCommentsEcclesiastes 8:1
Profit and Riches
To benefit or profit from anything requires labor, hard work (Proverbs 14:23). Meaningless talk, chatter, only produces poverty. “Labor” means to make effort. But then you have something, and even more than you need. There is surplus to do good to others with it.
What applies to daily work we can also apply spiritually. To learn God’s Word, we will have to labor. The yield is more than sufficient for our spiritual growth. It not only profits us ourselves, but it can also serve others.
People should be more afraid of talk than of hard work. Through endless meetings and always talking, hardly anything comes about. The end result is “poverty” because there is just a lot of talking without knowing the practice. There may be some investment, but the money disappears into a bottomless pit and only debts remain.
“Riches” is a “crown” for those who make good use of wisdom (Proverbs 14:24). It adorns the wise who are rich that because they are wise, they use their riches to do good to others. In this they are imitators of God, Who with His riches also does only good. He lavished on own according to the riches of His grace in all wisdom and insight (Ephesians 1:7-8).
The second line of verse seems to say that fools only have their folly. If a fool is rich, that does not make him a better person. The way he handles his riches shows that his folly is incorrigible. Riches of wise men increase their prestige, while fools always remain fools even if they are rich. A pig remains a pig even if a gold ring is put through its snout.
Ecclesiastes 8:2
Profit and Riches
To benefit or profit from anything requires labor, hard work (Proverbs 14:23). Meaningless talk, chatter, only produces poverty. “Labor” means to make effort. But then you have something, and even more than you need. There is surplus to do good to others with it.
What applies to daily work we can also apply spiritually. To learn God’s Word, we will have to labor. The yield is more than sufficient for our spiritual growth. It not only profits us ourselves, but it can also serve others.
People should be more afraid of talk than of hard work. Through endless meetings and always talking, hardly anything comes about. The end result is “poverty” because there is just a lot of talking without knowing the practice. There may be some investment, but the money disappears into a bottomless pit and only debts remain.
“Riches” is a “crown” for those who make good use of wisdom (Proverbs 14:24). It adorns the wise who are rich that because they are wise, they use their riches to do good to others. In this they are imitators of God, Who with His riches also does only good. He lavished on own according to the riches of His grace in all wisdom and insight (Ephesians 1:7-8).
The second line of verse seems to say that fools only have their folly. If a fool is rich, that does not make him a better person. The way he handles his riches shows that his folly is incorrigible. Riches of wise men increase their prestige, while fools always remain fools even if they are rich. A pig remains a pig even if a gold ring is put through its snout.
Ecclesiastes 8:3
A Savior of Lives or Uttering Lies
“A truthful witness” tells the truth and thereby saves the life of someone who would be killed on false charges. Opposed to this is “he who utters lies”, literally “breathes out lies”. He deceives judges and brings ruin. He is not an occasional deceiver, but the personification of deceit. This is because he is descended from the father of lies, the devil, whose nature he reveals.
A truthful witness is one who brings the gospel. He bears witness to the truth of his own salvation. Whoever listens to his testimony and follows his advice to also go to the Savior is saved by him, as it were. In the gospel he throws to him the rescue buoy. He is not himself that rescue buoy, but he throws it to him. In the fullest sense of the word, the Lord Jesus is the faithful and true Witness and therefore the Savior of lives.
Ecclesiastes 8:4
The Fear of the LORD
In these two verses, the righteous are encouraged by pointing out to them two particular characteristics of the fear of the LORD. The first characteristic is that those who fear the LORD, who have reverence for Him, can go their way in “strong confidence” in Him (Proverbs 14:26). It is about “children of the fear of the LORD”, not children of the LORD. The reverent fear of the LORD is a sure protection against the dangers that threaten on all sides.
The picture is of a fortress, to which the righteous flee and are safe. It is also the picture of a father protecting his children from powers stronger than the child, but not than the father. God is a refuge and strength, a help in afflictions (Psalms 46:1). In ourselves we have no strength, but in Him is all the strength we need. His own take refuge in Him for protection from the enemy.
The fear of the LORD not only provides protection. The second characteristic is that reverent fear of the LORD brings life (Proverbs 14:27). This life is life in its full and infinite duration, for death does not come near it. God is the Source of all life. Those who have a connection with Him by faith live in a living relationship with Him. Outside of Him there is no life. Fellowship with Him is life. As a result, the snares of death, temptations that result in death, are recognized and avoided.
Both characteristics are needed in a world that wants to do us harm and in which we want to live to the glory of God. Here we see preservation against the two aspects of evil: violence and temptation. The devil attacks us with violence or he wants to tempt us with his wiles. This corresponds to his two manifestations. He comes to us “as a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8) or “as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Ecclesiastes 8:5
The Fear of the LORD
In these two verses, the righteous are encouraged by pointing out to them two particular characteristics of the fear of the LORD. The first characteristic is that those who fear the LORD, who have reverence for Him, can go their way in “strong confidence” in Him (Proverbs 14:26). It is about “children of the fear of the LORD”, not children of the LORD. The reverent fear of the LORD is a sure protection against the dangers that threaten on all sides.
The picture is of a fortress, to which the righteous flee and are safe. It is also the picture of a father protecting his children from powers stronger than the child, but not than the father. God is a refuge and strength, a help in afflictions (Psalms 46:1). In ourselves we have no strength, but in Him is all the strength we need. His own take refuge in Him for protection from the enemy.
The fear of the LORD not only provides protection. The second characteristic is that reverent fear of the LORD brings life (Proverbs 14:27). This life is life in its full and infinite duration, for death does not come near it. God is the Source of all life. Those who have a connection with Him by faith live in a living relationship with Him. Outside of Him there is no life. Fellowship with Him is life. As a result, the snares of death, temptations that result in death, are recognized and avoided.
Both characteristics are needed in a world that wants to do us harm and in which we want to live to the glory of God. Here we see preservation against the two aspects of evil: violence and temptation. The devil attacks us with violence or he wants to tempt us with his wiles. This corresponds to his two manifestations. He comes to us “as a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8) or “as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Ecclesiastes 8:6
Glory or Ruin of a Ruler
The power of a king depends on the number of subjects his kingdom has. This statement is generally true for kingdoms. From a human point of view, political power is based on the number of people who are members of the party. The first line of verse is not about power or influence, but “a king’s glory”. This presupposes a king who rules to the blessing of his subjects. His people are numerous because every subject is eager to belong to that king.
We see this expressed perfectly in the kingdom of peace. Then the Lord Jesus is publicly King of Israel. He rules as the true Solomon over His people and all nations. From Him flows blessing to all over whom He rules.
A prince’s high position become worthless if he has no or only a few subjects. Then he has no say or power or dominion. There is no one who has regard for him. If he loses his people, he is ruined.
Satan, and in his wake the antichrist, is the big loser. He will have no more people and no more followers in the kingdom of peace. So will the antichrist who will deceive many and be accepted by the Israelites as their king. Satan will be totally alone in his prison, without any exercise of power over anyone. He will also be alone in eternity, just as everyone who is in hell will be alone, no matter how high his position, power and influence on earth were. At the coming of the Lord Jesus in judgment, the antichrist will be thrown into hell immediately, together with the beast, the dictator of Europe (Revelation 19:20).
Ecclesiastes 8:7
To Be Slow to Anger or Quick-Tempered
“He who is slow to anger” proves that he “has great understanding” of the circumstances of life and the future. Otherwise, there is one cannot be slow to anger. He realizes that things on earth are not yet as God wants them to be. That time will come, but now is not yet the time to make changes, by force if necessary. The righteous one sees and undergoes much suffering. He has much understanding of its cause. It lies in man who has departed from God and lives in rebellion against Him.
James calls to be slow anger and for patience in enduring injustice (James 1:19; James 5:7-11). He uses the word patience no less than four times in those few verses. He speaks of the coming of the Lord and of perseverance that was also so characteristic of the prophets. He who is patient and slow to anger has great understanding of the coming of the Lord. He looks forward to it and waits patiently and persistently for it.
Opposed to being slow to anger is “quick-tempered”. Such a person does not think about the future. He wants to live here and now and enjoy immediately. As soon as something or someone comes his way that hinders him in this or makes it impossible, he explodes. He “exalts folly” to the true standard of life. Of course, he believes, you are allowed to explode when your happiness is disturbed.
To be slow to anger or patience belongs to God and to those who belong to Him. It is a characteristic of the Holy Spirit’s work and part of His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). God is also slow to anger, or patient, in postponing His wrath (2 Peter 3:9).
Ecclesiastes 8:8
A Tranquil Heart or Passion
A tranquil heart is a heart in which lusts do not rule, but in which Christ rules. Peter says to us: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts” (1 Peter 3:15). When Christ is given the place of Lord in our hearts, it means that we have put Him in charge of our whole life. This has a healthy effect on the body. He who lives with Christ does not do things that endanger the health of his body.
We should not draw the conclusion from this that those who are sick have not given Christ authority over their lives. If we do, we are like Job’s friends who saw Job’s sickness as evidence of hidden sins. This is about what is generally true without saying that it is always true.
What is always true, is that “passion [or envy] is rottenness of the bones”. Passion to get what someone else has, envy of one’s neighbor’s prosperity, of another’s happiness, eats away the strength from the bones (cf. Psalms 112:10). It is the primal sin of satan and of man. It has brought man into the greatest misery from which he cannot free himself. The bones, which should give stability to his walk, lack strength. Nothing in his life is to the glory of God.
It begins with ingratitude or dissatisfaction, the dissatisfaction with one’s own possessions or qualities. Then there arises an unhealthy attention to the possessions or qualities of others, with the passion to possess them. The result is that the stability of existence in a grateful attitude before the Lord is completely destroyed. One’s existence is determined by what others have.
Ecclesiastes 8:9
Oppress or Be Gracious
The way a person treats the lowly or poor shows whether or not he takes the Creator into account. One who “oppresses the poor” shows contempt for the Maker of the poor Who also made the oppressor. The poor, like the oppressor, has been made in the likeness of God (cf. Job 31:15; Proverbs 22:2). Whoever oppresses the poor is thereby saying that God should not have made him and is thus taunting God’s work.
In the world we live in, the rich rule over the poor. Money is power, influence and status, such is the world’s view. However, the value of a person does not depend on his social status or his bank account, but on the fact that he is made by God.
Opposed to him who oppresses the lowly is “he who is gracious to the needy”. He does not taunt the Creator, but “honors Him”. Being gracious proves that a person is a righteous one (Psalms 37:21). Nor does he do so only occasionally, but “all day long he is gracious and lends” (Psalms 37:26). God is honored wherever He sees in His own one of His attributes. Here it is graciousness. God is the gracious or compassionate God (Romans 9:16; Exodus 2:25). He has also been gracious to us, poor and needy, in Christ.
Ecclesiastes 8:10
To Be Thrust Down or to Have a Refuge
This verse shows the difference between “the wicked” and “the righteous” when leaving the world. In life, a wicked person can appear powerful and successful. But when he has to leave the world, he is “thrust down”. He clings to this life with his hands and feet and does not want to leave it, but is forced to do so. There is nothing that prevents this moment. He has loved sin and is dying in it. His own evil brings this judgment upon him and follows him in judgment. He takes it with him to that other world, the world of pain and remorse, which he can never leave.
How entirely different the righteous one leaves the world. He may suffer and die, but he has refuge even in death. We see a wonderful example of this when Stephen dies (Acts 7:59). Those who trust and obey the Lord have safety in any disaster that may befall them.
Therefore, it can be said of those who die in the great tribulation for the Name of the Lord: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, from now on” (Revelation 14:13). They will rise, like Stephen, to reign with the Lord Jesus in the kingdom of peace. Then they will be rewarded for the works of faith they have done, of which God will not forget one.
Ecclesiastes 8:11
Hidden Wisdom and Open Folly
“One who has understanding” does not show off his wisdom. He will not boast of it. “Wisdom rests in the heart” and governs his life in word and deed. The heart is the place of choice. Without God, only sin comes from it. When Christ, the wisdom of God, dwells in the heart, the wise person knows what he should and should not say and do. He will consider whether something is to the glory of God or not.
“Fools” do show off their wisdom, that is, what they think of as wisdom. From their “hearts” comes no wisdom, for it is not present there because with them there is no thought of God. In their innermost being dwells foolishness and they make it known, they proclaim it. Fools like to pretend to be wise and be seen as wise. They blurt out what they think is wisdom, but it turns out to be foolishness.
Ecclesiastes 8:12
Righteousness or Sin of a Nation
A nation’s prosperity and strength depend on its “righteousness”. The verb “exalts” means to exalt the condition of the people in that nation. They are given a high place. God gives this promise to His people if they “observe all His commandments”, for then He will give them a place “high above all nations which He has made, for praise, name and honor” (Deuteronomy 26:18-19).
But the principle applies to all nations. Every nation whose every member gives his compatriot and the stranger living with them his due is given honor. This can only be put into practice if a people submits to God and His will. Doing justice to other people is possible only if justice is done first and foremost to God, which means acknowledging Him in His sovereign rights.
Opposed to a nation that does justice is any people who give room to sin and do not practice justice over it by judging it. An example of this is that in a growing number of nations, with the Netherlands in the vanguard, gay relationships are not seen as sin, but defended as a form of society to be accepted. This sin goes directly against God’s order of creation and is “a disgrace” on all those nations where gay relationships are allowed.
Of course, those nations where this sin or other immoralities are tolerated or even encouraged will not see it as a disgrace. On the contrary, they will see and celebrate it as a victory over what they consider “narrow” Christian beliefs. Freedom of speech, saying anything you want, and freedom of conduct, doing anything you want, is the highest good. From God and His Word is vigorously distanced.
But God remains God and His Word remains true, even if the governments of especially the countries of the united states of Europe make such frantic attempts to banish Him and His Word from society or at least silence them. All those nations will see to their dismay on the day of Christ how much they have lived in rebellion against God.
Ecclesiastes 8:13
Favor or Anger of the King
The king knows those who serve him with dedication and ability. “A servant who acts wisely” will always have the welfare of the king and his kingdom in mind. The king sees in this not primarily an increase in his property or influence, but the inner satisfaction that someone is serving him faithfully. Toward such a servant is his “favor”, he is a joy to his heart. A servant who acts wisely is a delight to him. Joseph and Daniel are examples of a servant who acts wisely toward whom the king they served was his favor.
Opposed to this is the incompetent servant, the tinker. He deals with the king’s affairs as a bungler. There is no sense of responsibility to the king and no impression of his majesty. He proceeds thoughtlessly and thereby exposes his king to scandal and criticism.
In this proverb is the warning to serve a king faithfully and well and not incur his anger. In a spiritual sense, this also applies to us. The Lord Jesus will reward all His servants who have served Him faithfully and wisely. But His anger will strike all who have given their own interpretation to His commands (Luke 19:11-27).
In a literal sense, this proverb applies to every government. Every government is established by God (Romans 13:1). Government has been given by God the power to reward and punish (Romans 13:3-4).
Ecclesiastes 8:15
A Gentle Answer and the Tongue of the Wise
Solomon, the king of peace, tells in Proverbs 15:1 how to calm down someone who is inflamed in anger. This applies to all situations in which a person is furious because of a (supposed) injustice done to him. It can happen in a family, in a friendship relationship, in the living and working environment and in the church. How important it is then to respond to the outburst of anger with “a gentle answer”. Someone who is agitated in his temper can be calmed down with a gentle or thoughtfully spoken answer, which removes the tension and restores calm.
Opposed to a gentle answer is “a harsh word”. This does not calm things down, but rather stirs up anger. A harsh word is not only a hurtful word, but also a sharp word that causes pain or grief. Such a word causes a fierce, angry reaction. When a carnal expression is met with a carnal expression, it is war.
We have a clear example of both ways of answering in Scripture. Gideon’s way of addressing the displeased Ephraimites is an example of a soft response (Ri 8:1-3). By what he says, the worst is over. The harshness with which Jephthah speaks to these same again displeased Ephraimites causes a civil war with many casualties (Jdg12:1-6; 1 Kings 12:13-16).
How wise people are can often be determined by what they say (Proverbs 15:2). The wise know when, where and how to speak. The good use that wise people make of knowledge with their tongues gives knowledge a good name, makes knowledge acceptable and attractive to others and worth pursuing. Then knowledge is not theory but practice, and knowledge means blessing to those who listen to it.
Knowledge comes from the wise and folly from the fools. The so-called knowledge of fools is folly. What comes out of the mouth of fools is nothing but folly. Their mouth spouts with it. The many words that bubble up from their mouth like water from a spring show how foolish of heart they are.
Ecclesiastes 8:16
A Gentle Answer and the Tongue of the Wise
Solomon, the king of peace, tells in Proverbs 15:1 how to calm down someone who is inflamed in anger. This applies to all situations in which a person is furious because of a (supposed) injustice done to him. It can happen in a family, in a friendship relationship, in the living and working environment and in the church. How important it is then to respond to the outburst of anger with “a gentle answer”. Someone who is agitated in his temper can be calmed down with a gentle or thoughtfully spoken answer, which removes the tension and restores calm.
Opposed to a gentle answer is “a harsh word”. This does not calm things down, but rather stirs up anger. A harsh word is not only a hurtful word, but also a sharp word that causes pain or grief. Such a word causes a fierce, angry reaction. When a carnal expression is met with a carnal expression, it is war.
We have a clear example of both ways of answering in Scripture. Gideon’s way of addressing the displeased Ephraimites is an example of a soft response (Ri 8:1-3). By what he says, the worst is over. The harshness with which Jephthah speaks to these same again displeased Ephraimites causes a civil war with many casualties (Jdg12:1-6; 1 Kings 12:13-16).
How wise people are can often be determined by what they say (Proverbs 15:2). The wise know when, where and how to speak. The good use that wise people make of knowledge with their tongues gives knowledge a good name, makes knowledge acceptable and attractive to others and worth pursuing. Then knowledge is not theory but practice, and knowledge means blessing to those who listen to it.
Knowledge comes from the wise and folly from the fools. The so-called knowledge of fools is folly. What comes out of the mouth of fools is nothing but folly. Their mouth spouts with it. The many words that bubble up from their mouth like water from a spring show how foolish of heart they are.
Ecclesiastes 8:17
The LORD Sees Everything and Everybody
God knows and sees through everyone completely. He is omniscient and omnipresent and possesses a complete knowledge of His entire creation, of people and of things. Nothing is hidden from Him. He watches everything and everyone, as a watchman does guarding a city. Nothing and no one eludes Him (Jeremiah 23:24; Psalms 11:4; Psalms 33:13-14; Hebrews 4:13). This is necessary if He is to be the Judge of every man (cf. Jeremiah 32:19).
The thought continues in the second line of verse. The knowledge that God sees everything is a warning to “the evil” people and a comfort to “the good” people. The bad people are both the great sinners and the neat people who live neatly, but neither allow God into their lives. They are both those who sin openly and those who sin in secret. God wants them to become aware that He sees them so that they will repent.
The good people are also sinners in themselves, but they do good because they have acknowledged that they are sinners. They live out of a good relationship with God. That relationship has become good because of their confession of sins and their faith in God’s forgiveness of these sins. God can give that forgiveness on the basis of Christ’s work on the cross that He accomplished for every penitent sinner. Knowing that God is watching them is an encouragement to live life to His glory (2 Chronicles 16:9).