Article, Ecclesiastes

Enjoying life

February 17, 2021 - drs. G. (Gijs) van den Brink
Part 3 of 8 of the theme "Lessons from Ecclesiastes.' by Gijs van den Brink

Last time we saw that preacher states that knowledge and wealth cannot bring true happiness. That is why he says in Eccles. 2:24 "It is therefore still best for a man that he should feast on food and drink and enjoy to the full all that he has laboriously acquired. And that too, he says, comes "from the hand of God. So it is quite clear that the preacher is definitely not an ungodly hedonist. He is not saying: let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. No, he says: let us enjoy life, and eat and drink, for they are a gift that God provides.

The preacher talks about having fun in your life and enjoying the good things in life. For it is joy that you receive from God's hand and in which you experience His presence. This is not opposed to faith in God; on the contrary, it is a gift from God! (3:13)

The preacher reminds us that God and creation belong together. God created the world and made it good. We cannot have God without embracing His world. And we ultimately will not own the world if we do not embrace God.

Next time: Part 4 of the series of lessons from Ecclesiastes is entitled A man cannot fathom the universe

See also: Part 2 of 8 of the theme 'Lessons from Ecclesiastes' Do knowledge and wealth bring happiness?

Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine


This is part 3 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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Contribution of

drs. G. (Gijs) van den Brink
Since 1981 working as editor and author on a commentary series known as "Study Bible." First at IDR in Soest, from 1998 at the "Center for Bible Research" (CVB) in Doorn. From 1996 to 2015 editor NT of the quarterly magazine for evangelical theological reflection "Soteria". Since 2007 editor-in-chief of the quarterly theological journal "Study Bible magazine". From 2010-2011 editorial board member of Tussenruimte, journal for intercultural theology.

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