Day 160, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Ecclesiastes 7–10
Consider Your Destiny
As spring and summer near, people will be thinking about destinies—where they will vacation—a beach by an ocean? A hike in the Colorado mountains? Experience the Ark Encounter (a life-size Noah’s Ark museum)? Go camping or send the kids to camp? Stay at the vacation home or cottage of a friend or relative? Tour a foreign country?
There are other destinies, such as changes in our career or location. What about eternal destinies—do we know where we are going?
Our Common Destiny
In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon writes,
All share a common destiny-- the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad.
The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. (Ecclesiastes 9:2a, 3, NIV)
That is a depressing thought, isn’t it? King Solomon writes this book with a disillusioned heart; he has made many mistakes disobeying the LORD (Deuteronomy 17:16-20).
For these sins, God raises adversaries to threaten his peaceful kingdom. And God will also split the nation. He will leave Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, to rule over just one prominent tribe, Judah, and give ten tribes to another leader in Israel (1Kings 11:11-13).
Because of these things, King Solomon is disheartened—all he has worked for will come to nothing. And whether or not he is righteous, he shares the same destiny as a wicked person—death.
Something Useful
If all share a common destiny (i.e., death), what can we do that is worthwhile? In today’s Bible reading, King Solomon answers this question.
Consider the brevity of life
Solomon tells us we should consider the shortness of our life, and “the living should take this to heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:2, NIV). We only have a limited time here on this earth, so we should be careful how we spend it or invest it. Funerals make us think about these things.
Be wise in the way you live
King Solomon says,
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12, NIV)
Where do we find the wisdom that shelters and preserves us? Humanity doesn’t have the answers, we are all foolish and wicked (Ecclesiastes 9:3). We need a savior from our sins.
When we accept Christ’s death on the cross in payment for our sins and believe God raised him from the dead to give us new life, we have access to the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5).
In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon said, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7, NIV).
Now Solomon says,
I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow (Ecclesiastes 8:12b-13, NIV).
Those who are reverent in the way they live and act with wisdom usually live better and longer lives than those who are foolish and wicked.
In 2019, Nicole Fisher of Forbes magazine agreed and reported that
There is ample reason to believe that faith in a higher power is associated with health, and in a positive way. For example, researchers at the Mayo Clinic concluded, “Most studies have shown that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, including greater longevity, coping skills, and health-related quality of life (even during terminal illness) and less anxiety, depression, and suicide. Several studies have shown that addressing the spiritual needs of the patient may enhance recovery from illness.”
This is encouraging for those whose faith in God is essential to them and sobering for those who don’t believe in God. Still, we can’t know the future. If we trust the LORD, whether our circumstances are good or bad, we know he’s in control. He will hold all of us accountable, including those who do evil.
Enjoy the Life God has given you
Despite our shared destiny and the evil and injustice in the world, King Solomon counsels us to
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do.
Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.
Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, NIV).
Someone wrote an anonymous hymn that expresses these sentiments in a more positive light. The chorus says,
Only one life
So soon it will pass
Only what’s done for Christ will last
Only one chance to do His will
So give to Jesus all your days
It’s the only life that pays
When you recall
You have but one life (Hymnlyrics.org)Conclusion and Encouragement
Although Solomon knew nothing of Christ, the intent of Ecclesiastes 9:10 is the same; we only have one life on this earth, so it's crucial how we spend it. We should not act like fools (chapter 10); we should enjoy the experiences the LORD gives us and do as much good as we can while on this earth.
The writer of the book of Hebrews encourages us that
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them, knowing that later our deeds will be remembered (Hebrews 6:10, NIV).
Discussion
In light of our common destiny, what can we do in this life that is worthwhile?
What encouragement is there in Hebrews 6:10 regarding the good we do for the Lord?
Focus Verse
Ecclesiastes 8:12b (NIV) “I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me
Looking Ahead: If our Destiny is secure we can Weather Life's challenges. Learn how to do that in our Next Lesson
Back to top of page
Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page
Go to Scriptures main page
Go to Topics main page
Go to Home pagepage last re-edited 6-9-2022
COPYRIGHT @ 2019, MASTER'S TOUCH BIBLE STUDIES