Setting – Observations of the wise and the wicked
Content – Our life will have good and bad. Part of the reason for this is because we don’t know the future (v. 6-7 NLT), “Yes, there is a time and a way for everything, even as people's troubles lie heavily upon them. Indeed, how can people avoid what they don't know is going to happen?”
Injustice exists, (v. 14 NLT) “In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless!” But we know (v. 13 NLT) “The wicked will never live long, good lives, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.” but (v. 12 NLT) “even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off.”
Verse 15 summarizes it, (NLT) “So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people to do in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them.”
Solomon conclusion regarding searching for wisdom (v. 17 NLT) “…no one can discover everything God has created in our world, no matter how hard they work at it. Not even the wisest people know everything, even if they say they do.” This is because (v. 16 NLT) “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.”
Application – Wicked people exist. Because of wicked people bad things will occur in our life. But we need to continue to fear God, even when “good people are often treated as though they were wicked”. Christ was killed and he did nothing to deserve it. Many good and great people have wrongly died. This time on earth is a temporary passage to our home, for those who know Christ.
Content – Our life will have good and bad. Part of the reason for this is because we don’t know the future (v. 6-7 NLT), “Yes, there is a time and a way for everything, even as people's troubles lie heavily upon them. Indeed, how can people avoid what they don't know is going to happen?”
Injustice exists, (v. 14 NLT) “In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless!” But we know (v. 13 NLT) “The wicked will never live long, good lives, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.” but (v. 12 NLT) “even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off.”
Verse 15 summarizes it, (NLT) “So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people to do in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them.”
Solomon conclusion regarding searching for wisdom (v. 17 NLT) “…no one can discover everything God has created in our world, no matter how hard they work at it. Not even the wisest people know everything, even if they say they do.” This is because (v. 16 NLT) “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.”
Application – Wicked people exist. Because of wicked people bad things will occur in our life. But we need to continue to fear God, even when “good people are often treated as though they were wicked”. Christ was killed and he did nothing to deserve it. Many good and great people have wrongly died. This time on earth is a temporary passage to our home, for those who know Christ.
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