So I took all this to heart and concluded that the righteous and the wise, as well as their deeds, are in God's hands. Man does not know what lies ahead, whether love or hate. So I reflected on all thisThe phrase begins with a personal reflection, indicating a deep, contemplative process. The Hebrew root for "reflected" is "לָבַב" (labab), which implies a thoughtful consideration or meditation. This suggests that the author, traditionally believed to be Solomon, is engaging in a profound introspection about life and its mysteries. The context here is one of seeking wisdom and understanding beyond human capability, acknowledging the limitations of human knowledge. and concluded
The word "concluded" comes from the Hebrew "נָתַן" (natan), meaning to give or to set. This implies a firm decision or realization. Solomon is not merely pondering but arriving at a definitive understanding. This conclusion is not based on mere observation but on a divinely inspired insight, emphasizing the importance of divine revelation in understanding life's complexities. that the righteous and the wise
Here, "righteous" (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq) and "wise" (חָכָם, chakam) are highlighted as those who live according to God's laws and possess understanding. In the conservative Christian perspective, these terms denote individuals who align their lives with God's will and seek His wisdom. Historically, these attributes were highly esteemed in Israelite society, reflecting a life of integrity and discernment. as well as their works
The phrase "their works" refers to the actions and deeds of the righteous and wise. The Hebrew word "מַעֲשֶׂה" (ma'aseh) encompasses not just physical actions but also the moral and spiritual implications of one's deeds. This suggests that the outcomes of a person's life, including their moral and ethical decisions, are significant in God's eyes. are in the hand of God
The "hand of God" is a powerful metaphor in Hebrew scripture, symbolizing God's control, protection, and authority. The Hebrew word "יָד" (yad) signifies power and possession. This phrase reassures believers that their lives and actions are under divine sovereignty. It reflects a deep trust in God's providence, emphasizing that ultimate outcomes are determined by Him, not by human effort alone. No man knows what awaits him
This phrase underscores the uncertainty of human life. The Hebrew "יָדַע" (yada) for "knows" implies an intimate understanding, which humans lack regarding their future. This highlights the theme of human limitation and the unpredictability of life, encouraging believers to rely on God's wisdom rather than their own understanding. whether love or hate
The duality of "love" (אַהֲבָה, ahavah) and "hate" (שִׂנְאָה, sin'ah) represents the spectrum of human experiences and emotions. In the biblical context, these terms can also reflect God's favor or disfavor. The uncertainty of experiencing either love or hate in life points to the unpredictability of human relationships and circumstances, urging believers to trust in God's overarching plan. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Preacher (Qoheleth)Traditionally identified as Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel, who is considered the author of Ecclesiastes. He reflects on the meaning of life and the human condition. 2. The Righteous and the WiseThese are individuals who live according to God's commandments and seek wisdom. In the context of Ecclesiastes, they represent those who strive to live a life pleasing to God. 3. The Hand of GodA metaphorical expression indicating God's sovereign control and providence over human affairs and destinies. 4. Love and HateThese represent the range of human experiences and emotions that are beyond human prediction or control, emphasizing the uncertainty of life. 5. The Works of ManRefers to the actions and endeavors of individuals, which are ultimately under God's authority and judgment. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and Human LimitationsRecognize that our lives and actions are ultimately under God's control. We must trust in His sovereignty, even when the future is uncertain. The Uncertainty of LifeAccept that we cannot predict whether we will experience love or hate, success or failure. This should lead us to live with humility and dependence on God. Living Righteously Amidst UncertaintyDespite life's unpredictability, we are called to live righteously and wisely, trusting that God holds our future. Trust in God's ProvidenceEmbrace the comfort that comes from knowing our lives are in God's hands, which should lead to peace and confidence in His plans. Reflecting on Life's MeaningRegularly reflect on the purpose and direction of your life, seeking wisdom and understanding from God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding that "the righteous and the wise, as well as their works, are in the hand of God" influence your daily decisions and actions? 2. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, especially when facing uncertainty about the future? 3. How do the themes of love and hate in Ecclesiastes 9:1 relate to your personal experiences, and how can you apply this understanding to your relationships? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced unexpected outcomes in your life. How did this experience shape your view of God's providence? 5. How can you apply the teachings of Ecclesiastes 9:1 to encourage others who may be struggling with uncertainty or fear about their future? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 16:9This verse highlights the theme of God's sovereignty over human plans, similar to the idea that the works of the righteous and wise are in God's hands. Romans 8:28This passage speaks to God's providential care and purpose for those who love Him, aligning with the notion that the righteous are in God's hands. James 4:13-15These verses emphasize the uncertainty of life and the need to acknowledge God's will in our plans, echoing the unpredictability of what awaits us. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Anything, Awaits, Clear, Concluded, Considered, Declare, Deeds, Doesn't, Either, Examining, Explain, Explore, God's, Hands, Hate, Hatred, Heart, Indeed, Investigate, Knoweth, Laid, Love, Purpose, Righteous, Upright, Vanity, Whether, Wise, WorksDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 9:1 5890 insecurity
8674 study Ecclesiastes 9:1-2 7150 righteous, the Library The Lapse of Time.
"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."--Eccles. ix. 10. Solomon's advice that we should do whatever our hand findeth to do with our might, naturally directs our thoughts to that great work in which all others are included, which will outlive all other works, and for which alone we really are placed here below--the salvation of our souls. And the consideration of this great work, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIIA Home Mission Sermon
"What a dear Saviour we have found," and heralding the coming of our Master. We are here as the salt to preserve a world, which else would become putrid and destroyed. We are here as the very pillars of this world's happiness: for when God shall take away his saints, the universal moral fabric "shall tumble to its fall; and great shall be the crash, when the righteous shall be removed, and the foundations shall be shaken. Taking it therefore as granted that the people of God are here to do something …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 Three Youths Save Constantinople
Now there was found in that city a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no one remembered that same poor man. Eccl. ix. 15. After these events it really seems as if Gaïnas, to use a modern expression, had completely lost his head, or, to give the view of it taken by himself and his contemporaries, as if a demon had begun to trouble him; for his conduct became aimless and uncertain. Discontent, revenge, ambition, and evil counsels destroyed in him all capacity for wise …
Frederic William Farrar—Gathering Clouds: A Tale of the Days of St. Chrysostom Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^A Matt. I. 18-25. ^a 18 Now the birth [The birth of Jesus is to handled with reverential awe. We are not to probe into its mysteries with presumptuous curiosity. The birth of common persons is mysterious enough (Eccl. ix. 5; Ps. cxxxix. 13-16), and we do not well, therefore, if we seek to be wise above what is written as to the birth of the Son of God] of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed [The Jews were usually betrothed ten or twelve months …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Moral Depravity.
In discussing the subject of human depravity, I shall,-- I. Define the term depravity. The word is derived from the Latin de and pravus. Pravus means "crooked." De is intensive. Depravatus literally and primarily means "very crooked," not in the sense of original or constitutional crookedness, but in the sense of having become crooked. The term does not imply original mal-conformation, but lapsed, fallen, departed from right or straight. It always implies deterioration, or fall from a former state …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Epistle cxxvii. From S. Columbanus to Pope Gregory .
From S. Columbanus to Pope Gregory [89] . To the holy lord, and father in Christ, the Roman [pope], most fair ornament of the Church, a certain most august flower, as it were, of the whole of withering Europe, distinguished speculator, as enjoying a divine contemplation of purity (?) [90] . I, Bargoma [91] , poor dove in Christ, send greeting. Grace to thee and peace from God the Father [and] our [Lord] Jesus Christ. I am pleased to think, O holy pope, that it will seem to thee nothing extravagant …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Relation v. Observations on Certain Points of Spirituality.
1. "What is it that distresses thee, little sinner? Am I not thy God? Dost thou not see how ill I am treated here? If thou lovest Me, why art thou not sorry for Me? Daughter, light is very different from darkness. I am faithful; no one will be lost without knowing it. He must be deceiving himself who relies on spiritual sweetnesses; the true safety lies in the witness of a good conscience. [1] But let no one think that of himself he can abide in the light, any more than he can hinder the natural …
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus Epistle xxxiv. To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse .
To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse [1331] . Gregory to Venantius, &c. Many foolish men have supposed that, if I were advanced to the rank of the episcopate, I should decline to address thee, or to keep up communication with thee by letter. But this is not so; since I am compelled by the very necessity of my position not to hold my peace. For it is written, Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet (Isai. lviii. 1). And again it is written, I have given thee for a watchman …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Jewish views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades' Guilds
We read in the Mishnah (Kidd. iv. 14) as follows: "Rabbi Meir said: Let a man always teach his son a cleanly and a light trade; and let him pray to Him whose are wealth and riches; for there is no trade which has not both poverty and riches, and neither does poverty come from the trade nor yet riches, but everything according to one's deserving (merit). Rabbi Simeon, the son of Eleazer, said: Hast thou all thy life long seen a beast or a bird which has a trade? Still they are nourished, and that …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God," &c. II. The Christian's chief employment should be to seek the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof. "Seek first," &c. Upon this he should first and chiefly spend his thoughts, and affections, and pains. We comprehend it in three things. First, He should seek to be clothed upon with Christ's righteousness, and this ought to take up all his spirit. This is the first care and the chief concern. Did not this righteousness weigh much …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
Presented to the World in a Familiar Dialogue Between Mr. Wiseman and Mr. Attentive. By John Bunyan ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The life of Badman is a very interesting description, a true and lively portraiture, of the demoralized classes of the trading community in the reign of King Charles II; a subject which naturally led the author to use expressions familiar among such persons, but which are now either obsolete or considered as vulgar. In fact it is the only work proceeding from the prolific …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision D. Parable of the Lost Son. ^C Luke XV. 11-32. ^c 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons [These two sons represent the professedly religious (the elder) and the openly irreligious (the younger). They have special reference to the two parties found in the first two verses of this chapter --the Pharisees, the publicans and sinners]: 12 and the younger of them [the more childish and easily deceived] said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 36-50. ^c 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. [We learn from verse 40 that the Pharisee's name was Simon. Because the feast at Bethany was given in the house of Simon the leper, and because Jesus was anointed there also, some have been led to think that Luke is here describing this supper. See Matt. xxvi. 6-13; Mark xiv. 3-9; John xii. 1-8. But Simon the leper was not Simon the Pharisee. The name Simon was one of the most common among the Jewish …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ecclesiastes 9:1 NIVEcclesiastes 9:1 NLTEcclesiastes 9:1 ESVEcclesiastes 9:1 NASBEcclesiastes 9:1 KJV
Ecclesiastes 9:1 Commentaries
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