Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave… I. HOW MEN OUGHT TO FIND OUT THEIR DUTY. 1. By reading the Word of God, which points out the duty of all persons in every relation of life, and is able to make all wise unto salvation. 2. By hearing the Word of God explained and enforced by religious instructors. 3. By duly regarding the dispensations of Divine providence towards them. 4. By asking counsel of God in prayer. II. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN MEN'S DOING THEIR DUTY, WHEN THEY DISCOVER IT, "WITH THEIR MIGHT." Might signifies power, strength and ability of every kind. 1. Men ought to employ all their powers and faculties in doing what they find they have to do. If it requires bodily strength, then they must exert their bodily strength; if it requires knowledge, then they must exercise the knowledge they possess; if it requires wisdom, then they must exercise their wisdom; if it requires prudence, then they must exercise prudence; if it requires authority, then they must exercise authority; if it requires influence, then they must exercise all the influence they have; or ii it requires the exertion of all their natural and moral abilities, then they must exert them all to their utmost extent. 2. Men's doing with their might what they find to do implies that they should surmount all the difficulties that lie in the way of doing their duty. III. WHY MEN SHOULD THUS EXERT THEMSELVES TO DO WHATSOEVER THEY FIND TO DO IN THE WORLD. 1. Because God has given them all their mental and corporeal powers and faculties for use. 2. Because He has a great deal for them to do on the stage of life — for Him, for their fellow-men, and for themselves. 3. Because they have but a short and uncertain time to do it in. They have no time to lose, nor talents to bury. Let them work while it is day, for the night of death is at hand. IV. IMPROVEMENT. 1. If men may always find out what they have to do in this world, then they have no right to plead ignorance for the neglect of a duty. 2. If men ought to employ all their powers and faculties in doing what they find to be duty, then they have no right to do anything but what they know to be duty. Whatsoever is not of duty is of sin. 3. If God requires men always to know and do their duty, then they can never retrieve any of their lost time, opportunities, or advantages of doing good. 4. If God requires men to employ all their time and talents in doing their duty, then none can be released from duty as long as their active powers and faculties are graciously continued to them. 5. If God requires men to employ all their time and talents in doing their duty, then there is reason to think they are guilty of more sins of omission than of commission. 6. If men can do nothing for this world after death, then they ought to do all they can while they live, to leave it in a better state than they found it. 7. This subject now calls upon all to inquire whether they are prepared to leave the world, and to commit their bodies to the grave, the house appointed for all living, and where there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, but darkness and oblivion. (N. Emmons, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. |
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