Ecclesiastes 3:20 – All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

 

Thought:  In many ways men and beasts are different.  Their end, however, is the same.  Both men and beasts die.  Men and beasts engage in different activities while living, but both die.  Men and beasts produce different things, but both die.  Men and beasts live in much different ways, but both die.  What, then, is the glory in being a man?  What benefit does a man really have over a beast?  Both die.  It is sad that some in our world see men and beasts as equals.  In fact, insects, fish, birds, and beasts are sometimes exalted over man.  Some truly believe that all we are is dust.

 

Job 34:15

 

Commentary:

 

A.     The one definite similarity between animals and men is that both will return to the dust, both will die. 

 

B.      Men and beasts function according to different laws.

Men and beasts have different functions in life.

Men and beasts live in different ways in life.

Men and beasts produce different things while living.

But, both die.

 

C.     What, then, is the glory in being a man?  What benefit does a man really have over the animals?  Insects?  Fish?  Or, birds?  “…all turn to dust again.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:21 – Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

 

Thought:  Solomon here makes a clear distinction between man and beast.  Yes, both men and beasts die, but the animal’s spirit goes downward and man’s spirit goeth upward.  Animals cease to exist.  Man continues to live in realms eternal.  Some men, however, do not live with this knowledge.  Thus, Solomon asks:  “Who knoweth?”  Those who have this knowledge live much differently than those who do not.  Does your life reflect the knowledge that “the spirit of man goeth upward”?

 

Ecclesiastes 12:7

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Solomon now discusses what it is in both animals and man that provides life.  It is their spirit.

 

B.      The spirit involves the ability to breath, but for the man it is much more than that.

1.       The human spirit is also bound to the soul of man.  It is not the soul, but the two are closely aligned together.

a.   Hebrews 4:12

 

For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

                   b.   1 Thessalonians 5:23

 

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

2.       The spirit of the beast does not possess a soul.

 

C.     This distinction is what brings a different outcome to the spirit of man at death.

1.       The spirit of man goeth upward.

a.   Ecclesiastes 12:7

 

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was:  and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

 

       b.    Luke 16:22

 

And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom…

 

1)      The body of the beggar was put in the grave.

2)      The spirit and soul of the beggar entered into Abraham’s bosom.

                   c.  In the Revelation, we see the souls of those who were beheaded for the cause of Christ

                        under the altar (Rev. 6:9).

 

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.

 

2.       The spirit of the beast goeth downward.

a.   The beast simply dies and perishes in the earth.

b.   The beast does not have a hope of life beyond this world.

Ecclesiastes 3:22 – Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion:  for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

 

Thought:  Solomon’s thoughts have been centered upon the fact that men die.  All men die.  They die just as the animals.  If this is the end of man, then it is easy to come to believe “that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works.”  He can rejoice in amassing a fortune.  He can rejoice in building grand structures.  He can rejoice in establishing profitable businesses.  He can rejoice in possessing the luxuries of life.  Shouldn’t he rejoice in these things?  “For who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?”

 

Luke 12:16-19

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Solomon returns to the thought that man is no different than the animals when it comes to death.

 

B.      If this is the end of all men, then there is nothing better “than a man rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion.”

1.       This is how many view life and death.

2.       Their gravestones:

a. He accomplished a lot in life, but so what?

b. He built a business empire, but so what?

c. He amassed great wealth in his lifetime, but so what?

d. He broke many records while he lived, but so what?

 

C.     “…for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?”

1.       Solomon did not have the benefit of the teachings of Jesus and of the New Testament as we do.  It was harder to show a man “what shall be after him.”

2.       Even today, we have to accept what shall be after us by faith. 

a.  That faith is based upon the testimony of reliable witnesses.

b.  It is not a faith that is based upon what we have personally seen with our eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 4

 

Ecclesiastes 4:1 – So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun:  and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of the oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

 

Thought:  Solomon’s experiment now looks at human relationships.  What he saw within them was oppression.  The oppressed were tyrannized by the powerful.  Sadly, they had no comforter.  Their tears were not dried up.  Their hearts were not made glad.  Their oppression was not made lighter.  “They had no comforter.”

 

Isaiah 5:7

 

Commentary:

 

A.     Solomon has seen a lot of things “that are done under the sun” as he carried out his experiment.

1.       He saw that all men die.

2.       He saw that there is “a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”

3.       He saw “the place of judgment, that wickedness was there…”

4.       He saw “that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth the beasts…”

 

B.      Now he reveals another thing he saw:  “…all the oppressions that are done under the sun.”

1.       Oppressions

a.  Strong (6217):  tyranny

b.  BDB:  oppression, extortion

2.       What enabled the oppressions was that on the side of the oppressors there was power.

a.  Power can become a “drug” to some individuals.  The more they have the more they

      want.

b.  Jesus even spoke of the Gentiles desire for power and authority (Matt. 20:25).

 

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

 

                   c.  This desire for power can become so great that it has no concern for the feelings, even

                        the lives, of human beings.

                   d.  We are experiencing this in our world today.

                        1)  We will command you to use an electric stove, not a gas stove.

                        2)  We will tell you the type of washing machine you will have.

                        3)  We will tell you the temperature to set your thermostat in your house.

                        4)  We will tell you the type of car you will purchase.

                        5)  We will tell you what your children will learn in school.

                        6)  We will tell you the amount of taxes we will take from you.

                        7)  We will tell you what you can and cannot say on social media.

                        8)  We will allow others to break the law, loot, riot, vandalize, harm others, and kill

                              others if they agree with our agenda.

 

C.     He reveals two other things about the oppressed.

1.       They displayed tears.

2.       Twice he reveals that they do not have a comforter.

a.       There was no one to sigh, to be sorry for them, to pity them, to console them, or to avenge them.

 

b.      Psalm 69:19-21

 

Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour:  mine adversaries are all before thee.  Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness:  and I looked for some to take pity; but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.  They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.