The preacher observes that death comes to everyone, regardless of character or conduct, and concludes that the living should enjoy life and seize every opportunity while they still can. From an under-the-sun perspective, the grave ends all work, knowledge and wisdom. Such a view reveals the hopelessness of considering life and death apart from God’s revelation.
The preacher observes that there is no justice under the sun and that not even the wise can fully understand the work of God. Faced with such frustration and uncertainty, he commends eating, drinking and making merry. Yet without God’s revelation in Scripture, human wisdom cannot provide true meaning, purpose or hope.
Solomon teaches that although the wicked may appear to prosper, “it shall be well with them that fear God.” True wisdom recognizes human limitations, trusts God’s perfect justice, and fears the Lord above all. The article concludes by pointing to Jesus Christ, who is both King and God, the righteous Judge who reigns over all things and cares for His people.
Solomon teaches that wisdom is seen in fearing the king and submitting to God-ordained authority. The wise honour the king, obey his lawful commands, and act with patience and discernment, remembering that their ultimate obedience belongs to God, who alone has absolute authority.
Psalm 27:4 reveals David’s one supreme desire: “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after.” He longed to dwell in the house of the LORD, behold the beauty of the LORD, and inquire in His temple. Above every earthly concern, David desired constant communion with God through His appointed means of grace.
Solomon concludes that true wisdom cannot be found apart from God’s Word, and that the fear of the Lord is the key to a truly balanced life. He reminds us that there is no perfectly righteous person on earth except Jesus Christ, who came to save sinners and give them His righteousness. Only through Christ can we stand accepted before God and walk in wisdom.
Solomon describes his diligent search for wisdom and discovers the limitations of human understanding. Though God made man upright, mankind has corrupted itself and pursued many evil devices. True wisdom and righteousness are rare, and only God’s revelation explains why all have gone astray.
Solomon examines the search for balance in life and warns against the worldly approach of compromising between righteousness and wickedness. True balance is not found in taking a little from both sides, but in fearing God, pursuing wisdom, and entrusting ourselves to Him.
“Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?” Solomon reminds us that both the day of prosperity and the day of adversity are appointed by God. Rather than resisting His sovereign will, we are called to submit to Him and find our joy and peace in Christ. In a world that prefers folly to wisdom, believers are to live according to the wisdom that comes from above.
Solomon teaches that adversity and difficulty reveal whether a person will respond with wisdom or folly. The wise exercise self-control under oppression, are patient and humble in uncertain situations, are “slow to anger,” and learn to live contentedly in the present. Though wealth offers some protection, “wisdom giveth life to them that have it,” and is therefore better than riches.
