Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart… Youths have often been compared to trees in their bloom; but, like beautiful and promising blossoms, they often disappoint the hopes they inspire. It depends upon the principles they imbibe, and the courses they pursue, whether they shall or shall not be blessings to their parents, to their friends, and to their fellow-creatures. I. THE TRUE IMPORT OF THE ADDRESS TO YOUTH IN THE TEXT. 1. Some suppose that Solomon means to express his approbation of young people in pursuing the innocent recreations and amusements of life. They consider him as representing religion as not only free from austerity and gloominess, but as productive of the purest happiness in the present as well as in the future state. And he often does paint virtue and piety in this amiable and beautiful form (Proverbs 3:17; Ecclesiastes 8:15; Ecclesiastes 9:7). 2. This does not appear to be Solomon's meaning in the text. He is speaking to a careless, secure, unsanctified youth, who has no fear of God before his eyes. It is therefore beyond a doubt that he means to speak ironically, and to convey an idea directly contrary to what his words literally express. But new those who are in the morning of life may be ready to ask, Why should the wise man give us, in particular, such a solemn warning to live and act under a realizing view of the great and last day? Did he not know that such a view of future and eternal realities would disturb our peace and destroy all our pleasing hopes and prospects? Why did he not make this address to the aged, who have gone through the busy scenes of life, and are just ready to appear before the supreme tribunal of their final Judge? II. To convince you who are ready to think and speak in this manner, of THE PROPRIETY OF THE WISE MAN'S ADDRESS, and of the importance of your living in a constant preparation for your final account, I will suggest the following things to your most serious consideration. 1. Please to reflect upon your hearts, which you have carried about with you, and which you have found to be extremely corrupt and sinful. Can you conceive of any safety in trusting in such hearts, which you have found have so often betrayed, deceived, and well-nigh ruined you? Can you set any bounds to your progress in sinning? Is there any evil or danger to which you are not exposed? Is there not, then, a great propriety in the wise man's addressing you in particular; and in warning you not to walk in the ways of your hearts, which are the ways to certain and endless ruin? 2. Consider that the world in which you live, and through which you have to pass to your long home, is every way calculated to corrupt and destroy you. (1) The things of the world are full of poison, and perfectly suited to increase and draw forth the native corruption of your hearts. (2) Worldly employments, as well as worldly objects, are of a dangerous and ensnaring nature to your hearts. (3) Besides, you are in no less danger from the men of the world than from its business and objects. (4) Farthermore, the god of the world unites with the men of the world, and all its scenes and objects, to lead you in the broad road to ruin. Do you not need the admonition in the text; and all other friendly admonitions of danger? Can any thought be more proper to lie continually on your minds than your constant exposedness to live and die impenitent? 3. Bear it in your minds that you are now in a state of trial, and forming your characters for eternity. 4. Remember that God not only may, but must, call you to an account for all your conduct in this state of trial. 5. Consider whether your hearts can endure, or your hands be strong, in the day that God shall deal with you.IMPROVEMENT: 1. If there be a propriety in the solemn address to youth in the text, then it is very absurd for any to think that young people in particular may be excused for neglecting preparation for their future and eternal state. 2. If there be a propriety in the solemn address to youth in the text, then there is something very beautiful and amiable in becoming religious early in life. Piety adorns all persons who possees it; but it shines with peculiar lustre in youth, because it more clearly appears to be the effect of a change of heart than of a change of circumstances. 3. If there be a propriety in the pathetic address to the youth in the text, then there is a peculiar propriety in young persons remembering the Sabbath day and keeping it holy. 4. If it be proper to give young people such solemn warnings and admonitions as Solomon does in the text, then it must be extremely improper to provide for them and allow them in vain and sinful amusements. If one of these things is right, then the other is wrong. 5. It appears in the view of this subject that the death of young people is a very solemn and interesting event to the living, whether they leave the world prepared or unprepared. (N. Emmons, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. |
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