9:1-3 “Well, I took all this in and thought it through, inside and out. Here’s what I understood: The good, the wise, and all that they do are in God’s hands—but, day by day, whether it’s love or hate they’re dealing with, they don’t know.
Anything’s possible. It’s one fate for everybody—righteous and wicked, good people, bad people, the nice and the nasty, worshipers and non-worshipers, committed and uncommitted. I find this outrageous—the worst thing about living on this earth—that everyone’s lumped together in one fate. Is it any wonder that so many people are obsessed with evil? Is it any wonder that people go crazy right and left? Life leads to death. That’s it.”
These statements reveal a lot more about Solomon than they do about life. Solomon is trying to justify not living a righteous life by claiming that “everyone’s lumped together in one fate.”
How tragic! This is the same guy who had a personal interview with the One True Living God, who promised him knowledge and riches. But Solomon is already being spiritually seduced by the demons his wives and concubines are worshiping. The result is that Solomon needs spiritual glasses!
Solomon’s father David was a man of great faith who wrote at least half the psalms that have encouraged believers for centuries. Sadly, David failed to pass on his faith to his son, as we see from the rest of this chapter. Did David try and Solomon refused to listen or to remember, feeling that he was so intelligent he didn’t need to remember his father’s teachings? While Solomon’s case of ennui might frustrate us, we must ask ourselves what we are teaching our children and those around us.
We need to learn as much as possible from Solomon’s mistakes. Here is a man so renowned for his wisdom that rulers are coming from the ends of the earth to consult him, bringing rare gifts; yet, he refuses to commune with God.
Seize Life!
4-6 “Still, anyone selected out for life has hope, for, as they say, “A living dog is better than a dead lion.” The living at least know something, even if it’s only that they’re going to die. But the dead know nothing and get nothing. They’re a minus that no one remembers. Their loves, their hates, yes, even their dreams, are long gone. There’s not a trace of them left in the affairs of this earth.”
7-10 “Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don’t skimp on colors and scarves.
Relish life with the spouse you love each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it, for there’s neither work to do nor thoughts to think in the company of the dead, where you’re most certainly headed.”
Well, if you want an excuse for hedonism “if it feels good, do it!” then Solomon is handing you one. The problem is that actions today have eternal consequences, no matter how much Solomon would like to object.
11-12 “I took another walk around the neighborhood and realized that on this earth as it is—The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor satisfaction to the wise, nor riches to the smart, nor grace to the learned. Sooner or later bad luck hits us all. No one can predict misfortune. Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds in a trap, so men and women are caught by accidents evil and sudden.”
Wisdom Is Better than Muscle
13-15 “One day as I was observing how wisdom fares on this earth, I saw something that made me sit up and take notice. There was a small town with only a few people in it. A strong king came and mounted an attack, building trenches and attack posts around it. There was a poor but wise man in that town whose wisdom saved the town, but he was promptly forgotten. (He was only a poor man, after all.)”
16-18 “All the same, I still say that wisdom is better than muscle, even though the wise poor man was treated with contempt and soon forgotten. The quiet words of the wise are more effective than the ranting of a king of fools. Wisdom is better than warheads, but one hothead can ruin the good earth.”
Compare these grim statements with those of David, Solomon’s father, in Psalm 27: “27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle he shall hide me; he shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.
Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!
Life is all about choices: We can copy Solomon or David. Choose wisely! And remember that as long as we hope in the Lord, we will have eternal life.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remember to worship You while we are enjoying Your bounty. Help us to trust You when things become difficult and not to lose faith. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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