Part 4 of 8 of the theme "Lessons from Ecclesiastes.' by Gijs van den Brink
Earlier we saw that the preacher states that increasing knowledge cannot bring you perfect happiness. But although wise and foolish both die (2:14), he also says that wisdom is better than foolishness (2:13). But wisdom does not enable us to fathom everything. Our knowledge will not lead to a full understanding of reality (3:11). Our knowledge will not give us all the means to control and master everything ourselves (1:1-18; 2:12-16; 3:11; 7:23-29).
Wisdom and knowledge give power, says the preacher (7:19), but we cannot fathom the universe. The New Testament teaches us that all power and wisdom is in Jesus Christ. He is the power and wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24). The preacher says it is best for man to simply accept whatever comes his way in life, whatever that may be (7:13-14). Not everything is malleable. A man cannot exercise control over everything (8:7-8).
The way the preacher points out is, first of all, that man must know his place in this world. This is aptly put into words in Pr. 6:10, which occupies a key position in the book: "Who and what man is was established long ago: his name is Man, and he is not able to stand against Him who possesses more power than he.
Man must accept that he is subordinate to God. His wisdom with which He determines times and His perfection are beyond man's reach. It is better for man to remain silent about this. It becomes different at the moment when the Son of God comes to the world and is born in the virgin Mary. Jesus Christ made us know the Father. Christians know more than the preacher knew about God's plan with the world and with individuals. We know of a resurrection and of new life. We also know that God will soon bring justice at the great judgment and that then the righteous are saved and the wicked are not (cf. 8:12-13). The preacher knows all this only in broad terms. He sees good and bad people die in certain cases without distinction (2:15-16; 3:18-21). He even sees that bad people sometimes live longer than good ones (7:15) and that sometimes what happens to the righteous person happens to the bad man (8:14; 9:1-2). Yet he does know of judgment between the righteous and the wicked (3:17), he speaks poetically of the return of man's "breath of life" or "spirit" to God (12:7). He knows that death is not the end (3:21).
We know more about God's plan than the preacher and yet even Christians do get carried away in the lust for wealth and knowledge. And Christians too often try to control and take control of their destiny.
Next time: Part 5 of the series of lessons from Ecclesiastes is entitled 'There is a time for everything'
See also: Part 3 of 8 of the theme 'Lessons from Ecclesiastes' 'Enjoying life'
Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine
This is part 4 of 8 concise blog on the theme "Lessons from Ecclesiastes" from Study Bible Magazine, Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!
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