Mysteries that Defy Explanation

Ecclesiastes 8:10-17

Ecclesiastes, Part 14

Let's do a quick review of the key phrases in Ecclesiastes, this book written by Solomon, that relate the theme.

VANITY: (38 times), Read Ecclesiastes 1:2.
A puff of air. It's what is inside a soap bubble. Whatever flashes on the scene, disappears quickly and leaves nothing behind without satisfying is VANITY!

UNDER THE SUN: (29 TIMES), Read Ecclesiastes 1:3.
This is the writer's perspective. A life under the sun is life from a human perspective. When Solomon sees life under the sun without considering Him who is above the sun, he is full of confusion and frustration. Only when Solomon takes account of life above the sun that life under the sun makes sense.

PROFIT: (10 times), Read Ecc.1:3 again.
Consider the question the writer asks in verse three. What do you believe is a good answer? What does profit mean and what kind of profit does he refer to? Profit is what's left over. The writer wants to know what gain is there in life? What is man advantaged by his labor?

VEXATION OF SPIRIT: (9 times), Read Ecc. 1:14,17.
Literally, a chasing after the wind. That which is futile and frustrating! Can you ever catch up with the wind or beat the wind in a race? Yet, in his evaluation of life under the sun, that was Solomon's conclusion. Life is like chasing the wind! Even the supposed enjoyments of life are like chasing the wind: vacation, travel, extravagant possessions, sexual pleasures, and delicious food, exotic wine, all is chasing the wind! (1:17)

Now let's dive into Ecclesiastes 8:10-17, "Mysteries that defy explanation!"
Romans 11:33 says, O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

As long as we remain on earth, there will be some things, yes, many things beyond our ability to explain. There are mysterious activities in the physical world: the ocean with its tide in relationship to the moon; the direction of hurricane winds like Ivan or Charlie; or the Bermuda Triangle or Loch Ness Monster!

Likewise there are mysteries in the spiritual realm: The mystery of the Tri-unity of God, or how Scripture tells us of the mystery of God's will, the mystery of the church, the mystery of two becoming one flesh in marriage, and the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 1:9; 3:5; 5:32; 6:19).

As you read Ecclesiastes 8:17, and you can sense that there are things we cannot understand. There is much injustice in the world that defies logical explanation.

Life appears unfair today, but in the end every injustice will be punished, every right work will be rewarded. Let's look back at what Solomon has already said about injustice: 4:1-2; 5:8; 7:7.

1. The deeds of wicked men are quickly forgotten, v.10

The wicked were buried who had pretence of righteousness, and their wicked deeds were forgotten in the city. Often the wicked are praised in the city where they practiced their evil. Have you ever gone to a funeral where the one who has died was no moral character, yet he is made to be almost as great as Moses or Elijah at the funeral?

2. Men continue in their evil because it appears they are getting away with it, v.11

Because judgment does not come quickly, they continue their evil. This gives the appearance that evil triumphs over good, which only results in more evil. We must remember that although judgment against evil works is not executed speedily, the wheels of God's wrath grind slowly, but surely.

3. It will be well with those that fear God, v.12

Solomon again alludes to his ultimate conclusion. This is based on the Word of God already written. Deut. 6:2 says: "That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments..."

4. In the end, all injustice will be set straight, v.13-14

Sometimes bad things happen to good people, and vice verse (read v.14). Yes, sometimes missionaries are martyred and murderers live in relative peace. Many get rich from deceitful practices, and sometimes the righteous live in poverty.

The days of the ungodly are as a shadow, and in the end they will have eternal darkness. What good is a long life if it is only a shadow going into the blackness of darkness forever?

Deut. 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."

In the end, it is not what you know, or even who you know, but who knows you. 1 Corinthians 8:3; "But if any man love God, the same is known of him." In the end, wisdom is important, but even wisdom cannot find out the answer to every question. We need to commit the secret things to the Lord and seek to know Him better. As we get to know him, we will be known of Him. True enjoyment of life is found by the fear of the Lord.

The conclusion of the matter is to enjoy your daily life and labor that God gives (v.15). Mysteries go beyond human wisdom (v.17b). As long as we remain earthbound and under the sun, we will not be able to explain certain things, except that God is love, life, and light, and He cares much more than you and I ever can.