Ecclesiastes 6:10-12 That which has been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. He says in effect — I. FATE IS FIXED. "That which hath been." Everything is fate. Most men feel this at times. Do .you ever say, I must obey my destiny? It is no use contending with fate. Mine m an unlucky star. There is some truth in this idea. Christ taught a preordination in all events. But His fate was moral, not mechanical; not a blind destiny, but a wise decree. II. MAN IS FEEBLE. "Neither may he contend with Him that is mightier than he." And Christless humanity is a very feeble thing. His bodily frame is feeble. An insect's sting has been known to consign it to dissolution. Man's intellect is feeble; still the human intellect can do something great in connection with Christ. III. JOY IS FUTILE (ver. 11). What the better is man for all he has? What the better for his wealth, his reputation, his philosophy? IV. LIFE IS FLEETING. It "is a vain life," and all its days are a shadow. A shadow is the nearest thing to anility. A cloud may catch the eye, and its changing views and figures may give amusement for a few minutes — a shadow, who notes it or records it? V. THE FUTURE IS ENIGMATIC. "Who can tell what shall be after him under the sun?" (J. Hamilton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. |
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