Ecclesiastes 9:2 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Ecclesiastes 9:2

Comments

Continuing with the same thought, the Preacher observes that there is an equal distribution of events of all kinds to the righteous and the wicked. Happiness and joy come to saints and sinners alike, so that both know the joy of friendship, the blessedness of the marriage union; both experience the pleasure of creativity, and the appreciation of music; both study the world around them, and advance in scientific knowledge; both experience God’s goodness in receiving the sun on their backs and the rain on their crops; both may make a success of their businesses and accumulate wealth on earth.On the other hand, both have to face the same trials and sorrows. Christians also know disappointment and unexpected setbacks; they experience what it is to aim at something that proves to be an illusion in the same way as non-Christians. Believers have to suffer betrayal and unreasonable treatment from those they thought were friends, as do unbelievers. Those who follow God suffer accidents and sickness, and may have to live in prolonged ill health as much as non-Christians. Both lose their jobs and have the same struggle in looking for further work. All men feel the same anguish at the loss of loved ones, and all grow old and must finally pass from this world. The death rate is no higher among the lost than among the saved.Solomon says, ‘there is one event’ to all and by one event he means one fortune, one fate, that is, the common fate of mankind living in a fallen state in a world under the curse. The curse applies equally to all. Conversion does not remove the Christian from being under the curse. It does not make any difference whether a man is proud or humble, righteous or wicked, good or evil, clean or unclean, a man of religious devotion or one who ignores the practice of religion. Some naively imagine that religion alters their outward circumstances in this way; some foolish preachers even teach this. Yet Christ said to those who sought him for the wrong reason, ‘You seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled’ (John 6:26). If it were otherwise, the churches would, no doubt, be filled with false converts.

Application

Do not seek the Lord for material benefits, or measure his favour by these. Man looks for the most obvious signs of God’s favour, because he does not value enough the far more enduring work of God within the soul. The reward he gives is largely in the world to come. Yes, he blesses his people constantly in this life, but that blessing is given in secret, and consists of unseen things, of things that the believer can take with him to heaven, not in goods that he can enjoy in this life. ‘Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace. Behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face’ (William Cowper).

Questions

Does God not make a difference between the lost and the saved in the events of life? Certainly, he does. The believer may lose his job, but God makes all things work together for his good. For him, what appears to be a set-back may be the means God uses to guide him into further usefulness in his kingdom. Or that set-back may be the exact discipline he needs to turn him away from what would otherwise have been a damaging and sinful path. The believer loses a loved one, but in death he has the victory and he does not ‘sorrow as others who have no hope’. In every experience God proves that he can make a difference between his children and the children of this world, for though he places his elect under the same curse, in their case he takes away its power to harm them. All these victories come by faith. By faith, Christians are ‘more than conquerors through Him who loved’ them. What greater triumph could they possess? This is far more than simply being delivered from having to go through this world or face its trials. They are instead a living testimony to the power of God who can make the worst of trials work for their good, and be the very means by which they are sanctified and prepared for heaven.

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Ecclesiastes 9:2 Commentary and Bible Study