Whoever keeps his command will come to no harm, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure. Whoever keeps a commandThe phrase "keeps a command" emphasizes the importance of obedience to authority and divine law. The Hebrew root for "keeps" is "שָׁמַר" (shamar), which means to guard, observe, or give heed. This suggests a vigilant and active engagement with the commandments, not merely passive compliance. In a historical context, this reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of covenantal faithfulness, where adherence to God's laws was seen as a path to blessing and protection. Theologically, it underscores the conservative Christian belief in the authority of Scripture and the moral imperative to live according to God's revealed will. will come to no harm
This phrase promises safety and protection for those who are obedient. The Hebrew word for "harm" is "רָעָה" (ra'ah), which can mean evil, distress, or adversity. The assurance here is that obedience to God's commands aligns one with His protective care. In the broader biblical narrative, this reflects the principle that God's laws are designed for human flourishing and that deviation from them leads to chaos and suffering. From a conservative Christian perspective, this is a call to trust in God's wisdom and providence, believing that His commands are for our ultimate good. and a wise heart
The "wise heart" is a central theme in biblical wisdom literature. The Hebrew word for "wise" is "חָכָם" (chakam), which denotes skill, shrewdness, and prudence. The heart, "לֵב" (lev), in Hebrew thought, is the seat of intellect and emotion, not just feelings. Thus, a "wise heart" is one that discerns and understands deeply. This phrase highlights the value of wisdom, which is more than knowledge; it is the application of understanding in life. In a conservative Christian view, wisdom is seen as a gift from God, cultivated through prayer, study of Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. knows the right time and procedure
This phrase speaks to discernment and timing, crucial elements of wisdom. The Hebrew word for "knows" is "יָדַע" (yada), implying intimate knowledge or understanding. "Right time" and "procedure" suggest an awareness of the appropriate moment and method for action. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern value placed on timing and order, seen as essential for success and harmony. Scripturally, it resonates with the idea that there is a season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). From a conservative Christian perspective, this is a reminder to seek God's guidance in decision-making, trusting that He provides wisdom for every situation. 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 offer insights into the human condition and the pursuit of meaning. 2. IsraelThe nation to which Solomon belonged and over which he reigned. The cultural and religious context of Israel provides the backdrop for understanding the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. 3. Wisdom LiteratureEcclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes books like Proverbs and Job. These writings focus on practical and philosophical insights into life and faith. Teaching Points Obedience and SafetyObedience to God's commands is portrayed as a path to safety and protection. In a world filled with uncertainties, adhering to divine instructions provides a secure foundation. Wisdom in Timing and ProcedureA wise heart discerns the appropriate time and method for actions. This discernment is crucial in navigating life's complexities and making decisions that align with God's will. The Role of Wisdom in LeadershipSolomon's wisdom as a leader underscores the importance of wisdom in governance and decision-making. Leaders are called to seek divine wisdom to guide their actions and policies. Practical Wisdom for Daily LifeThe principles of wisdom and obedience are not just for leaders but for everyone. Applying these principles in daily life leads to harmony and fulfillment. Seeking God's GuidanceBelievers are encouraged to seek God's guidance in all aspects of life, trusting that He provides wisdom generously to those who ask. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of obedience in Ecclesiastes 8:5 relate to the broader biblical theme of submission to authority? 2. In what ways can we cultivate a "wise heart" that discerns the right time and procedure in our daily decisions? 3. How does the promise of safety in obedience challenge or encourage you in your current life circumstances? 4. What are some practical steps you can take to seek and apply God's wisdom in your leadership roles, whether at home, work, or church? 5. How do the teachings in Ecclesiastes 8:5 connect with the New Testament's emphasis on wisdom and obedience, particularly in the writings of James and Paul? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 3:1-2This passage emphasizes the importance of keeping God's commandments for a long and peaceful life, echoing the theme of safety in obedience found in Ecclesiastes 8:5. James 1:5This New Testament verse encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, which aligns with the idea of having a "wise heart" that knows the right time and procedure. Romans 13:1-5Paul discusses the importance of submitting to governing authorities, which connects to the theme of obeying commands and understanding the right time and procedure. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Command, Commandment, Decision, Discerneth, Evil, Experiences, Feel, Harm, Heart, Judgment, Keepeth, Keeping, Keeps, Knoweth, Law, Manner, Man's, Meet, Mind, Obeys, Procedure, Proper, Royal, Trouble, WiseDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 8:5 5362 justice, believers' lives
8366 wisdom, source of
8367 wisdom, importance of Ecclesiastes 8:2-5 5257 civil authorities Ecclesiastes 8:5-7 8438 giving, of time 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 8:5 NIVEcclesiastes 8:5 NLTEcclesiastes 8:5 ESVEcclesiastes 8:5 NASBEcclesiastes 8:5 KJV
Ecclesiastes 8:5 Commentaries
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