Living By Faith Without All the Answers

Ecclesiastes 3:9-22

Ecclesiastes 7

The ingredients that make up our brief experience in this world: life, death, time, and eternity, cannot be ignored, nor can they be fully understood. The harsh reality of life sometimes even makes faith appear inconsistent. The world says, "Come on, if God is truly loving and all powerful, why doesn't he just do something to fix all the suffering and evil in the world?" Ultimately, faith learns to live and grow amidst seeming inconsistencies and absurdities, for as believers we live by promises and not explanations! In this passage, Solomon presents to us the dilemmas of faith, and gives us a needed point of view to face these difficulties. Notice some of the dilemmas Solomon presents:

1. The first dilemma: (v.9-15)

A. The problem stated: What good is work if it only leads to being afflicted or depressed? (v.9,10)

Although man has freedom to make certain decisions, we are unable to determine the future; the most carefully charted course may go astray through sickness, economic upheaval, or death. This uncertainty and sense of weakness can lead one to express this kind of distress: "Well, if what will be will be regardless of what I do, why should I try to do anything?" The word "exercised" in verse 10 is important. It means to be afflicted, oppressed, humbled, or depressed. Why work if it only leads to depression and affliction?

B. What is the needed point of view to face this problem? (v.11-15)

How does Solomon answer this question? He says, "God hath made everything beautiful in his time." God has a perfect plan with eternity in view for each stage in life from childhood to old age. Whether youth, adulthood, or old age, the cyclical nature of life adds variety, challenge, and value to our existence, and each stage is part of a beautiful process that leads to eternity. Solomon affirms that God has placed within the heart a man a longing for an existence beyond the grave. "He hath set the world in their heart." The word, "world" is the Hebrew word "olam" which is often translated "forever" or "everlasting." It is the same word Solomon uses in verse 14 which is translated "for ever."

"Olam" is also found in Psalm 90:2 and expresses the eternality of God: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." The point is, within our hearts is a powerful desire to live and a love for life. As sinners, we also have a sense of guilt and a fear that we will be punished when we meet God. Solomon answers, "Since we cannot solve the mysteries of life, neither do we control everything that happens, I know of nothing better than to "rejoice and to do good in his life." He goes on to say that man ought to "enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God." Finally, he says that men should "fear him" because God is working things out on an eternal timetable. We live with a finite perspective, thinking, "How can get through TODAY?" God has an eternal perspective. "Whatsover God doeth, it shall be for ever" and he "requireth that which is past." In other words, we should live day to day with a sense of awe and reverence in response to the greatness and glory of God because he will call into account what we have done with our time.

2. The second dilemma: (v.16-17)

A. The problem stated: Why is there injustice? (v.16)

Solomon wonders why there is wickedness in the place of judgment, and why is there iniquity in the place of righteousness. Yes, in the court system, lies seem to prevail. In the place of worship, even among the leaders, sin often abounds.

B. What is the needed point of view for this dilemma? (v.17)

How does Solomon answer this dilemma? The nail of divine truth that helps solve this problem is that "God shall judge the righteous and the wicked." This is a recurring theme in Ecclesiastes (Ecc.3:15). The last verse of Ecclesiastes also hits this point: "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Ecc.12:14).

3. The third dilemma: (v.18-22)

A. The problem stated: Why do men die just like beasts? (v.18-20)

In Solomon's view of life under the sun, he observed that humans die just like animals. From a physical standpoint, both man and beast grow weak, struggle to live, but eventually die. The man and the beast both turn to dust.

B. What is the needed point of view for this dilemma? (v.21-22)

Solomon expresses the truth that the human spirit does not perish with the body. "Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? (Ecc.3:21) Solomon recognizes that there are not many who take to heart the fact that the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of a beast goes downward. Solomon declares that the destiny of a person and an animal are different. The animal's life perishes with the body and does not exist forever. The soul of a person goes upward, which means that he goes on living. He is not saying that everyone will go to heaven upon dying, only that everyone will live somewhere after dying. Solomon finishes chapter three by challenging us to live joyfully while we rely totally upon God. Only God knows what lies ahead, so "a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion." While many worry about the future and consult palmreaders or horoscopes, we can know that God knows what lies ahead of us and that he will make everything beautiful in our time. Solomon encourages us to accept life, rejoice in it one day at a time, and to be content.