Dr Tom Hover
January 28, 2024
Ecclesiastes 8:1–17
KNOWING THE SON (JESUS) WHILE LIVING UNDER THE SUN!
KNOWING THE SON (JESUS) WHILE LIVING UNDER THE SUN!
Ecclesiastes 8:1–17
Introduction: We all live under the Sun. Some People who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour choose to live under the SON (Jesus) while living under the Sun! As Born-Again Believers, we will be learning two basic things in this chapter:
I. APPROACH AUTHORITY WITH OBEDIENCE! Ecclesiastes 8:1-8
A.) THE PRINCIPLE Ecclesiastes 8:1
Both Joseph and Daniel rose to great prominence through their God-given ability to interpret things (Gensis 41:37–45; Daniel 5:29–6:3)
Luke 12:11–12, When the apostle Paul was brought before Felix and Drusilla, his words made them tremble (Acts 24:25).
B.) THE PRACTICE Ecclesiastes 8:2-4
Jesus said, Mark 12:17 and Peter exhorts us: I Peter 2:13–17,
Esther 5:1–8.
C.) THE PROMISE Ecclesiastes 8:5-6a
Paul was executed by the Romans, yet he was able to write of the authorities of his day: Romans 13:3 Jonathan boldly stood up for David before King Saul (1 Samuel 19:4–6) and Nathan was able to admonish David without fear of retribution (2 Samuel 12). The Preacher has already advocated that there is a right time for everything
(Ecclesiastes 3:1–8). Galatians 4:4–5
D.) THE PROSPECT Ecclesiastes 8:6 b, Matthew 23:37, Luke 19:42 Solomon the Preacher directs us to areas where all men are powerless:
1. Powerlessness Over the Spirit. Some have translated the word spirit as ‘wind’ or ‘the breath of life’. The spirit of man has been breathed into him by the breath of God (Gensis 2:7). It is God alone who is in control of his generation and regeneration. John 20:22, John 3:8, Ecclesiastes 12:7
2. Powerlessness Over Death Hebrews 9:27-28, John 3:18-21
II. KNOW: GOD IS GOOD EVEN WHEN LIFE IS NOT FAIR! Ecclesiastes 8:9-17 It is patently obvious that life is not fair!
A.) THE POWERFUL ARE NOT ALWAYS JUST!
Ecclesiastes 8:9
B.) DEATH DOES NOT REDRESS THE BALANCE!
Ecclesiastes 8:10
1. THE WICKED AND THE HOLY PLACE! What does the Preacher mean when he refers to the wicked as those ‘who had come and gone from the place of holiness’? James 1:27, Matthew 23:27, Ecclesiastes 8:11, II Peter 3:9-10
C.) KEEP THE ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE! Ecclesiastes 8:12-14
“Why do the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper?”
1. It is the focus of the book of Job!
2. It is also the focus of Psalm 73.
3. Psalm 37 also deals with this problem, as does Psalm 49.
This is an age-old question. Asked by many, including Job, in the Old Testament known for his extreme suffering. Job asks, Job 21:7–9, Revelation 20:11–15 God is in control. His ways are higher than our human brain can understand. Isaiah 55:8–9 Therefore, don’t worry or envy the wicked. Their power never lasts. Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:23 Let me just remind you that there are no accidents with the Lord! Let’s allow the Lord Jesus to help us to achieve the proper perspective on this subject. Notice what He said in: John 16:33, Job 14:1, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:20, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 4:6–8
D.) DO NOT DESPAIR OR BECOME CYNICAL!
Ecclesiastes 8:15
E.) TRUST IN GOD’S WISDOM!
Ecclesiastes 8:16-17, Isaiah 55:8–9, Isaiah 55:6–7
