GOD VERSUS EVIL, GOOD VERSUS GOODS (ECCLESIASTES 5)
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Is there meaning, hope or purpose in life without God? Without God there is no good or sin, no truth or justice, no virtue or morals, no ethics or eternity, no forgiveness and peace. It is a difference between night and day, light and darkness, black and white, continents and cultures apart.
Someone once said, ¡¡±Without God, there is nothing but wars, division, and bewilderment.¡ÆØ Another said, ¡¡±Without God there is nothing but darkness, but mere darkness, but everlasting darkness.¡ÆØ Still others say, ¡¡±Without God there is nothing but total randomness in nature.¡ÆØ Finally, ¡¡±without God there is nothing but death in its many various forms, leading finally to spiritual death.¡ÆØ
Is there a difference if a person believes in God? Is there a difference between a godless, an ungodly and a godly person, family or society? How does belief in God affect the attitude, behavior, and choices of a person?
Reflect More, Remark Less
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. 2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 3 A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, ¡¡±My vow was a mistake.¡ÆØ Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God. (Ecc 5:1-7)
Once a young man came to that great philosopher Socrates to be instructed in oratory. The moment the young man was introduced he began to talk, and there was an incessant stream for some time. When Socrates could get in a word, he said, ¡¡±Young man, I will have to charge you a double fee.¡ÆØ ¡¡±A double fee, why is that?¡ÆØ The old sage replied, ¡¡±I will have to teach you two lessons. First, how to hold your tongue, and then how to use it.¡ÆØ What an art for all of us to learn, especially for Christians. (from Illustrations of Bible Truths # 821)
Imperatives Purpose clause Reason (ki)
Guard (v 1)
Pay/fulfill (v 4)
Fear God (v 7)
To hear (v 1)
To utter (v 2)
To fulfill/pay (v 4)
To sin (v 6)
1. For they consider not that they do evil (v 1) (doing)
2. For God is in heaven, and thou upon earth (v 2) (dwelling)
3. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business (v 3) (sleeping)
4. For he hath no pleasure in fools (v 4) (thinking)
5. For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities (v 7) (speaking)
God is central in chapter 5 (5:2, 4, 6, 7), more prominent than in any chapter in the book. Verse 1 is a meaningful and marvelous verse that has every conceivable important literary structure ¡V an imperative, four purpose clause and five reasons. The verb ¡¡±guard¡ÆØ (v 1) is an imperative; it spells attention, authority and action. Guard means to be cautious, certain and critical, not be careless, curious or caught. It is to police, pastor and protect yourself. It is followed by a purpose clause ¡¡±to listen¡ÆØ and a reason or ¡¡±ki¡ÆØ in Hebrew (v 1) ¡V they did not know to do evil (Hebrew). Don¡¦t come to church just to fit in, fulfill obligations or feel good. The purpose of worship is always to hear, heed and honor the word of God. The reason of doing evil will be later expanded from verse 2. The contrast is with two negative jussives of wish or desire (5:2)- ¡¡±quick¡ÆØ and ¡¡±hasty¡ÆØ - are different in that the first speaks of attitude and the second of action. The first, only seven of 39 times is translated as ¡¡±haste,¡ÆØ while the second 46 of 64 times is translated as ¡¡±haste.¡ÆØ The attitude of the first is translated as trouble (17x), haste (4x), afraid (3x), vexed (3x). The first (quick/troubled) is the mindset and the second (haste) is the movement.
Contrasts
1. ¡¡±to hear¡ÆØ (v 1) ¡¡±to utter¡ÆØ (v 2), ¡¡±to fulfill/pay¡ÆØ (v 4) and ¡¡±to sin¡ÆØ (v 6).
2. Anything/Word (v 2a) Words (v 2b, 3, 7)
3. God fool (vv 1, 3, 4)
Verse 2 is a direct contrast to verse 1. The purpose clause ¡¡±to hear¡ÆØ in verse 1 is contrasted with another purpose clause of verse 2, ¡¡±to utter¡ÆØ (v 2), ¡¡±to fulfill/pay¡ÆØ (v 4) and ¡¡±to sin¡ÆØ (v 6). The purpose is to reflect not remarks, meditation not mouthing, contemplation and introspection. ¡¡±Anything¡ÆØ in verse 2 is ¡¡±word¡ÆØ singular, which is contrasted with ¡¡±words¡ÆØ plural in verses 2, 3 and 7. The contrast with God is fools in verses 1, 3 and 4, mentioned in sequence after each time the word ¡¡±God¡ÆØ appears (vv 1, verse 2 and 3, verse 4). The fool is a literary character in Wisdom Books and not elsewhere. A fool is not born idiotic, ignorant or illiterate. He is a fool who thinks character, company, conduct, choices and conversation are unimportant in life. The difference is in the sacrifice (v 1), the voice (v 3) and vow (v 4) of fools.
Thy foot (v 1) is contrasted with three ¡¡±thy¡ÆØ in verse 2 - thy mouth, thy heart and thy words, and climaxed to four ¡¡±thy¡ÆØ in verse 6 - thy mouth, thy flesh (v 6), thy voice, and thy hands (v 6). The fool is rash, rushed and rapid in all his ways, words and wisdom.
The first section continues with another imperative ¡¡±pay/fulfill¡ÆØ (v 4) and ends with an imperative in verse 7 ¡V fear God. A lot of people uses God¡¦s name for expression, excuse and entertainment. The correct attitude is to fear God. Fear is to esteem and exalt Christ, not exclude or eschew Him from your life. True fear is positive and protecting, not punishing or paralyzing. Fear God is not outward but inward, unlike words, sacrifices or vows. The words ¡¡±fear God¡ÆØ occurs nine times in the Bible, twice as imperatives, both exclusively in Ecclesiastes, midway and ending (5:7, 12:13). Unlike two previous imperatives (v 1, guard your steps; v 4 fulfill your vows), fear God is direct and decisive with God, not diverted to or distanced by steps or vows.
Relinquish More, Require Less
8 If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. 9 The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields. 10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. 11 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? 12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep. 13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, 14 or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit. 15 Everyone comes naked from their mother¡¦s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. 16 This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? 17 All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger. (Ecc 5:8-17)
Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway is one of the wealthiest people on the plane, and yet his kids grew up never thinking they were wealthy. Buffett's youngest son Peter, who is now 57, said he didn't actually realize his father had amassed so much wealth until he was 25.
"We never thought about an inheritance. We never assumed we would be getting anything at any time and we weren't bitter or thinking that we should for some reason," said Peter Buffett, in aFreakonomics radio podcast back in 2011. "We just grew up in a house where you work hard and you make your way in life and hopefully you have a well-lived life based on all sorts of criteria."
In a quote widely repeated when it comes to raising children with wealth, Buffett, the father, has said that he wanted to give his kids "enough so that they could feel that they could do anything, but not so much that they could do nothing."
Peter Buffett says he got $90,000 of stock when he was 19, which he used to leave Stanford and pursue a career in music, something his father and mother wholeheartedly endorsed. Had he held on to that stock, it would be worth more than $70 million, he said on the podcast in 2011, but he doesn't regret his decision.
"I paraphrase it as 'your money or your life,' but (I am) living proof that I would much rather have invested in myself, taken the time and grown my own life with all the mistakes and all the successes and everything else that I can say is mine as opposed to have a pile of money that essentially belonged to somebody else's success," he said.
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/08/health/affluenza-parenting-challenges-wealthy-households/index.html
A friend of mine on holiday from USA told me he got to know some rich kids in Hong Kong and they can spent more than HK$20,000 for a meal with expensive wines for a dinner.
The name of God disappears in this section (vv 8-17). How is this section characteristic of a society without the fear of God? A society that excludes God will exalt rulers than esteem rules, exploit rather than employ people, emphasize riches rather than relationships.
There are three pairs of contrast: the poor (v 8) with the king (v 9);
The owners (v 11) with the laborer (v 12); and the rich (v 12) with his son (v 14). No chapter in the Bible talks as much of ¡¡±increase¡ÆØ (v 11) as chapter 5 (vv 7, 11 twice, 12, 17, 20), translated as many (v 7), increase (v 11), much (v 12) and great (v 17). The word is, first of all, a verb, and not a noun. It is greedy, growing and grasping. This is the richest chapter in the Bible because there are more ¡¡±riches¡ÆØ in this chapter than any chapter in the Bible (vv 13, 14, 19). The Bible is not against rulers, riches or revenue, but power, possessions and profit without conscience, compassion or correction.
10 not be satisfied
12 to sleep
13 sore evil
14
nothing in his hand 17 Eateth in darkness
No satisfaction No sleep No safety No succession No support.
Relish Rest Refuge Resemblance Relationship
Delight Desist Defense Dependence Depth
The word satisfied (v 10) is always attached with the word ¡¡±not¡ÆØ (lo) in Ecclesiastes. I can¡¦t get no satisfaction:
Eccl 1:8 the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
Eccl 4:8 is his eye satisfied with riches;
Eccl 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver;
Eccl 6:3 and his soul be not filled with good,
We have a scenario where the king is God instead of God is the king. The king is served in the passive voice (v 9), depicting a ruler who is cold, cruel, corrupt, one who is unskilled, unkind, unscrupulous, unreliable.
There are two different ¡¡±sleep¡ÆØ in verse 12, the first is always s translated as sleep, but the second means to be slack or languid, also translated as old (Lev 26:10), and remain long (Deut 4:25). This is the only sleep (yashen) that comes with a purpose (infinitive) ¡V want to sleep, need to sleep, but unable to sleep.
The contrast with God is ¡¡±evil,¡ÆØ mentioned twice in verse 13 ¡V evil, hurt. The noun ¡¡±evil¡ÆØ is significant in this passage (KJV, 13 sore evil, 13 to their hurt, 14 evil travail, 16 sore evil). There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath labored for the wind?¡ÆØ The phrase ¡¡±sore evil¡ÆØ occurs only in twice in the Bible, all in his chapter (vv 13, 16).
What do the three richest Hong Kong families of Li Ka-shing, Nina Wang and the Kwok families have in common? One of the family members was kidnapped. Riches produces exposure, envy, extortion, endangerment and enemies.
The contrast with God is evil. The noun ¡¡±evil¡ÆØ is significant in this passage (KJV, 13 sore evil, 13to their hurt, 14 evil travail, 16 sore evil). There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath labored for the wind?
There are hints in the passage why rich kids suffer instead of succeed. Parents who oppressive to others, beyond the rules, served by all, lovers of money, busy at work. Rich parents without ethics, empathy and example result in kids who are lazy, lost and lax.
Frustration or sorrow (v 17) is not new in the Bible, occurring as many as 26 times in the Bible, but this is the only instance of ¡¡±great sorrow,¡ÆØ along with no satisfaction. This is usually more diverse translated as provoking (Deut 32:19), wrath (Deut 32:27), sore (1 Sam 1:6), grief (1 Sam 1:16), indignation (Job 10:17), spite (Ps 10:14) and anger (Ps 85:4), which is more active and aggressive, ardent, annoying and agitated than passive and powerless grief. It is a verb and not a noun. It is a closer parallel to anger in the same verse (v 17) than grief.
There are hints in the passage why rich kids suffer. Parents who oppress others or a ruler without rules, get others to serve you, lover of money, do not sleep. It is what he does with his society, no righteousness, model, rules, no respect, no relationship, no remorse, no rights, no refinement, no regard, no restrictions, no rest or reliability recess repay. responsibility
Rejoice More, Regret Less
18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them¡Xfor this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil¡Xthis is a gift of God. 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart. (Ecc 5:18-23)
One of my many challenges nowadays to see how God is working His good purpose in me when my wife passed away, ten weeks ago (Rom 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose). My wife Doris Mok¡¦s last message to Couple Fellowship reminds me: "I still need you to be on watch (for me), as the passage reminds us today. I have previously shared with others to share, I'm very scared that in sickness and pain I would blame God, because sometimes you don¡¦t think you would, but how would you actually respond?
So this passage reminds us not to be like Peter to face it alone, it¡¦s best with prayer and support from brothers and sisters, not only directed to me, but also for fellowship brothers and sisters to establish a watch group for all.
My situation is that my pain has really increased. Because sometimes you know pain can diminish a person's will, make the person go downhill, but I will continue to rely on the Lord. Victor and I are daily praying, to commit ourselves to God s. No matter God's plan, I have to believe that God's plan is good.
Thus, on the one hand I am positively readying myself to face God; but I still believe God can heal us, because the two is, like I shared with a friend yesterday, like a paradox, but I really think you need both, because God can always heal us even in a delay, because we remember in Lazarus story there to be a delay.
But no matter what we must believe that the Lord can resurrect you, either in this life, or in the future, so we often pray in this manner, that is to be ready in both moods. I am happy I can be here today. If my mind is up to it, I will do my best to come to monitor you so you won¡¦t be long-winded. Sept 5, 2016
What is the highest good in life? Is it physical health, bodily pleasures, moral virtues, intellectual pursuits, vocational recognition, and spiritual, social or emotional well-being?
18 to enjoy/see 19 to take to rejoice
Discover Discipline Delight
Perspective Portion Praise
Excellence Essentials Excitement
What is ¡¡±find satisfaction¡ÆØ (v 18)? How is this translation of ¡¡±find satisfaction/enjoy good¡ÆØ (v 18) different from its two previous instances of Ecclesiastes 2:1 and 3:13?
Eccl 2:1-3:13
2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
Eccl 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and TO enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
The contrast with ¡¡±evil¡ÆØ in the last section is ¡¡±good¡ÆØ in this final section. Enjoy good in Hebrew is not pleasure, but perspective; not outward but outlook, more attitude than amusement. Verse 18 ¡¡±enjoy good¡ÆØ is translated elsewhere apart from Ecclesiastes as ¡¡±see good¡ÆØ:
¡¡±Look even out the best¡ÆØ (2 Kings 10:3)
¡¡±see good¡ÆØ (Job 7:7)
¡¡±see no good¡ÆØ (Job 9:25)
¡¡±shew us any good¡ÆØ (Ps 4:6)
¡¡±see good¡ÆØ (Ps 34:12)
¡¡±see the good¡ÆØ (Ps 106:5)
¡¡±behold the good¡ÆØ (Jer 29:32)
Strong¡¦s ¡¡±enjoy¡ÆØ: see (879x), look (104x), behold (83x), shew (68x), appear (66x), consider (22x), seer (12x), spy (6x), respect (5x), perceive (5x), provide (4x), regard (4x), enjoy (3x), all from Ecclesiastes (Eccl 2:1, 3:13, 5:18).
For the third time the author speaks of ¡¡±eat, drink and enjoy pleasure,¡ÆØ but this time with a twist with the addition of the infinitive ¡¡±TO eat and drink, and to enjoy pleasure.¡ÆØ
Eccl 2:24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Eccl 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
The infinitive ¡¡±to¡ÆØ does not look like a lot of difference, but this spells purpose, perseverance and perspective. To enjoy good (KJV) means see good of all his labor. It means excellence (good), effort (labor), and engagement, not extravagance, enjoyment, or excesses.
Verse 19 describes God¡¦s gift and greatness. What is most important about this giving? No chapter in Ecclesiastes appears more (vv 1, 6, 18, 19).
Provision Power
Allocation Ability
Mercy Majesty
Riches Rule
Supply Sovereignty
Dependence Designation
Benediction Benefactor
Our hearts are unresolved unless we recognized God¡¦s grace, greatness, and guidance in our lives. The word God appears four times in two short verses of 18-19, thrice as ¡¡±give¡ÆØ and ¡¡±gift,¡ÆØ and ten times in the chapter, the most of any chapter in the book. See means comprehend, confess and celebrate not only His provision, but His power; His gift and His greatness, His allocation and ability, His mercy and His majesty, His riches and His rule, His supply and His sovereignty, our dependence and His designation, our benediction to our Benefactor.
The second time is added the verb ¡¡±ability¡ÆØ (v 19), which is translated as rule (Neh 5:15), power (Est 9:1) and have dominion (Ps 119:133).
Conclusion:
JOY ¡V Jesus, Others, Yourself?
Display or divert God¡¦s glory?
Deliver or disdain God¡¦s gifts?
Desire or defy God¡¦s guidance?
