Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Ecclesiastes 6:1-12. In case you’re wondering, since I believe that Qohelet, known as the “Teacher” and the main speaker in Ecclesiastes, is best identified as King Solomon, I will refer to him interchangeably as Qohelet or Solomon.
Ecclesiastes 6:1-6 (NIV)
1 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men:
2 God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.
3 A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.
4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.
5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man–
6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
On verses 1-6: Here once again Qohelet speaks about how meaningless and sad it is when a person has wealth but is not able to enjoy it. Likewise, God has given you wealth in many different ways, whether you’re aware of it or not. The question is: do you realize how wealthy you are and do you actually enjoy your wealth? A life well-lived is one where you take stock of the wealth God has given you, use it for God’s purposes, and are able to enjoy life yourself.
Ecclesiastes 6:7 (NIV)
7 All man’s efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.
On verse 7: Another ongoing theme in Ecclesiastes is the idea that nothing in this world can fully satisfy the human heart. That is because we were made for them than this world. Each of us has a God-sized hole in our heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Only when God fills that hole is their peace.
Ecclesiastes 6:8-9 (NIV)
8 What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others?
9 Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
On verses 8-9: Qohelet recommends that, rather than hopelessly chasing after what you fantasize about (represented by “the roving of the appetite”), don’t take for granted what you already have in front of you (“what the eye sees”). His words here complement Proverbs 28:19: “He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.”
Ecclesiastes 6:10 (NIV)
10 Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can contend with one who is stronger than he.
On verse 10: Who is the one who has already named whatever exists? Who is the one who knows man inside out? Who is the one who is stronger than man? The answer to all those questions is the same: God. In other words, Qohelet is saying, “Realize that you’re a mere human and don’t try to play God.”
Ecclesiastes 6:11-12 (NIV)
11 The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
12 For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?
On verses 11-12: Here Qohelet sounds like Jackson Maine in the film A Star Is Born when he sings, “Nobody knows what waits for the dead. Nobody knows what waits for the dead. Some folks just believe in the things they’ve heard and the things they’ve read. Nobody knows what waits for the dead.” Keep in mind that Qohelet is speaking approximately 1,000 years before Jesus Christ would walk this earth. The arrival of Jesus would change everything. For through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can answer Qohelet’s questions in verses 11-12 affirmatively and say: Jesus’ words can be trusted, Jesus knows what is good for people during this life, and Jesus can tell us what will happen after we die. Jesus changes everything.
Jesus, thank You that You died and rose again, and therefore You are qualified more than any other to tell us what is good for us to do during our lifetimes on earth and what will happen after we die. I pray for wisdom to see every way that You have made me wealthy and to use it for Your glory, enjoying life as I do so. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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