I saw every work of God, and that a man is unable to comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Despite his efforts to search it out, he cannot find its meaning; even if the wise man claims to know, he is unable to comprehend. I saw every work of GodThis phrase reflects the author's observation of the vast and intricate works of God in the world. It echoes the biblical theme of God's sovereignty and the complexity of His creation, as seen in passages like Job 38-41, where God challenges Job's understanding of the universe. The phrase suggests a comprehensive view, acknowledging that all events and actions are ultimately under God's control. and that a man is unable to comprehend the work that is done under the sun.
This highlights human limitations in understanding divine purposes and the full scope of God's actions. The phrase "under the sun" is a recurring theme in Ecclesiastes, referring to the earthly, temporal realm. It underscores the idea that human wisdom is finite, as also expressed in Isaiah 55:8-9, where God's thoughts and ways are higher than human understanding. Despite his efforts to search it out, he cannot find its meaning;
This reflects the futility of human endeavors to fully grasp God's plans through mere intellectual pursuit. It aligns with the biblical teaching that true wisdom and understanding come from God (Proverbs 2:6). The phrase suggests that human efforts, no matter how diligent, are insufficient to uncover the divine mysteries. even if the wise man claims to know,
This phrase addresses the presumption of human wisdom. It serves as a caution against pride and self-reliance, reminiscent of the warnings in Proverbs 3:7, "Do not be wise in your own eyes." It implies that even those considered wise by worldly standards are limited in their understanding of God's ways. he is unable to comprehend.
The conclusion reinforces the theme of human limitation in the face of divine mystery. It echoes the sentiment found in Romans 11:33, where Paul marvels at the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, acknowledging that His judgments and ways are beyond human comprehension. This phrase serves as a reminder of the need for humility and faith in God's greater plan. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. His reflections in Ecclesiastes often explore the meaning of life and human limitations. 2. GodThe Creator and Sovereign of the universe, whose works and purposes are beyond full human understanding. 3. ManRepresents humanity in general, highlighting human limitations in understanding divine purposes. 4. Under the SunA phrase used throughout Ecclesiastes to describe life on earth from a human perspective, often emphasizing the temporal and often perplexing nature of worldly experiences. 5. WisdomA central theme in Ecclesiastes, representing human attempts to understand life and its meaning, often contrasted with divine wisdom. Teaching Points Human LimitationsDespite our best efforts, we must acknowledge that our understanding of God's work is limited. This should lead us to humility and reliance on God rather than our own wisdom. The Pursuit of WisdomWhile wisdom is valuable, it has its limits. True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and recognizes the boundaries of human understanding. Trust in God's SovereigntyEven when we cannot comprehend God's plans, we can trust in His sovereignty and goodness. This trust should lead to peace and contentment in our lives. The Mystery of LifeLife's complexities and mysteries should drive us to seek God more earnestly, knowing that He holds the answers we cannot find on our own. Living by FaithIn the face of uncertainty, we are called to live by faith, trusting that God is working all things for His glory and our good, even when we do not understand. Bible Study Questions 1. How does recognizing our limitations in understanding God's work affect our daily decision-making and priorities? 2. In what ways can we cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty when faced with life's uncertainties? 3. How does the acknowledgment of life's mysteries influence our relationship with God and others? 4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our pursuit of wisdom is rooted in the fear of the Lord? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Ecclesiastes 8:17 to encourage others who are struggling with understanding God's plans in their lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Job 11:7-9This passage echoes the theme of human inability to fully understand God's ways, emphasizing the vastness and depth of divine wisdom. Isaiah 55:8-9These verses highlight the difference between God's thoughts and ways and those of humans, reinforcing the idea that God's purposes are beyond human comprehension. Romans 11:33-34Paul reflects on the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, acknowledging that His judgments and ways are unsearchable. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Able, Beheld, Can't, Claims, Comprehend, Concluded, Considered, Despite, Discover, Efforts, Farther, Further, Gives, Goes, However, Labor, Laboriously, Labors, Labour, Meaning, Moreover, Really, Search, Seek, Seeking, Seems, Speak, Thinketh, Thinks, Though, Toil, Wise, Won't, Yea, Yes, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 8:17 1180 God, wisdom of Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 5441 philosophy Library Misused Respite
'Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil'--ECCLES. viii. 11. When the Pharaoh of the Exodus saw there was respite, he hardened his heart. Abject in his fear before Moses, he was ready to promise anything; insolent in his pride, he swallows down his promises as soon as fear is eased, his repentance and his retractation of it combined to add new weights about his neck. He was but a conspicuous example of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureFive Fears
Now, you will notice that fear may be yoked into the service of God. True fear, not fearing, but believing, saves the soul; not doubt, but confidence, is the strength and the deliverance of the Christian. Still, fear, as being one of those powers which God hath given us, is not in itself sinful. Fear may be used for the most sinful purposes; at the same time it may be so ennobled by grace, and so used for the service of God, that it may become the very grandest part of man. In fact, Scripture has …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 The Wicked Man's Life, Funeral, and Epitaph
We shall this morning want you, first of all, to walk with a living man; it is said of him that he did "come and go from the place of the holy:" next, I shall want you to attend his funeral, and then, in conclusion I shall ask you to assist in writing his epitaph--"and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this also is vanity." I. In the first place, HERE IS SOME GOOD COMPANY FOR YOU; some with whom you may walk to the house of God, for it is said of them, that they did come and …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Whether Christ Should have Been Circumcised?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ should not have been circumcised. For on the advent of the reality, the figure ceases. But circumcision was prescribed to Abraham as a sign of the covenant concerning his posterity, as may be seen from Gn. 17. Now this covenant was fulfilled in Christ's birth. Therefore circumcision should have ceased at once. Objection 2: Further, "every action of Christ is a lesson to us" [*Innoc. III, Serm. xxii de Temp.]; wherefore it is written (Jn. 3:15): "I have given …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether in Loving God we Ought to Observe any Mode?
Objection 1: It would seem that we ought to observe some mode in loving God. For the notion of good consists in mode, species and order, as Augustine states (De Nat. Boni iii, iv). Now the love of God is the best thing in man, according to Col. 3:14: "Above all . . . things, have charity." Therefore there ought to be a mode of the love of God. Objection 2: Further, Augustine says (De Morib. Eccl. viii): "Prithee, tell me which is the mode of love. For I fear lest I burn with the desire and love of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Literature.
i. editions of chrysostom's works. S. Joannis Chrysostomi, archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani, Opera omnia quæ exstant vel quæ ejus nomine circumferuntur, ad mss. codices Gallicos, Vaticanos, Anglicos, Germanicosque castigata, etc. Opera et studio D.Bernardi de Montfaucon, monachi ordinis S. Benedicti e congregatione S. Mauri, opem ferentibus aliis ex codem sodalitio, monachis. Greek and Latin, Paris, 1718-'38, in 13 vols., fol. This is the best edition, and the result of about twenty …
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a Sedition in Cyrene, and was a False Accuser [Of the Innocent].
1. And now did the madness of the Sicarii, like a disease, reach as far as the cities of Cyrene; for one Jonathan, a vile person, and by trade a weaver, came thither and prevailed with no small number of the poorer sort to give ear to him; he also led them into the desert, upon promising them that he would show them signs and apparitions. And as for the other Jews of Cyrene, he concealed his knavery from them, and put tricks upon them; but those of the greatest dignity among them informed Catullus, …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ecclesiastes 8:17 NIVEcclesiastes 8:17 NLTEcclesiastes 8:17 ESVEcclesiastes 8:17 NASBEcclesiastes 8:17 KJV
Ecclesiastes 8:17 Commentaries
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