Ecclesiastes 6:12 For who knows what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow?… The question of the text has been repeated many a time since the days of Solomon, and various replies have been given by teachers who have claimed to be the leaders of men. The Stoic has replied, — "The chief good for man in this life is to take everything just as it comes, and maintain stolid indifference, — be like a cold, unmoved statue amid the storms or amid the sunshine of life." The Epicure replies, — "Eat and drink and be merry; indulge your senses, and banish all thought and care about the future." The Miser replies, — "Get all you can, and give as little as you can; heap up riches, and treasure up the choicest thing earth can yield — gold." The Ascetic says, — "Treat the world with disdain and scorn, retreat from it, and trample upon all its associations and joys." Let us answer the question of the text in the light of the New Testament, and we shall see that it is good for man in this life — I. To EXPERIENCE RECONCILIATION TO GOD. The prodigal could not be happy while away from his father, while at variance with him; and man cannot be happy away from God, while at variance with Him. Enmity in the heart is a disturber of joy; and for a man to have enmity in his heart against God cannot be good, cannot conduce to joy. It is good for a man to surrender himself, and be on the Lord's side; then, instead of discord, there will be harmony in his heart; instead of conflict, there will be peace in his mind. II. TO EXERCISE RESIGNATION TO GOD. A man cannot have a happy life who denies God, or who harbours doubt about His goodness and wisdom, whose will runs counter to the Divine will. This is the mind that was in Christ; He surrendered to the will of His Father constantly and entirely. III. TO EXPECT RESTITUTION FROM GOD. We shall only find rest and joy by believing in the final triumph of goodness, in the ultimate reconciliation of all the apparent discrepancies of the now. These things comprise the good for man in this life, and will make human existence not only tolerable, but happy. (F. W. Brown.) Parallel Verses KJV: For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? |
    |