By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Facing Death?
Ecclesiastes 9:1–10
Woody Allen said: “I’m not afraid to die. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” He will be there when it happens, as will every human being. There is no escape from death when your time has come. In our lesson today Solomon helps us think through this reality and how people should live in light of their mortality.
Sober Truth (1–3)
Solomon acknowledged that the righteous and wise are in God’s hands. God and God alone is in control. Righteous and wise people understand that God is sovereign and active in every part of their lives.
In this Genesis 3 world we all, Christian and non-Christian alike, experience the ups and downs of life. In fact, life consists of one experience after another. Some experiences are good and some are bad, while others are happy or sad. Some experiences are planned and others completely unexpected. We cannot determine whether we are children of God simply by our present experiences in life. Everyone suffers in this sinful world.
Not only do we all experience life, we also will all encounter death. Death is an inescapable fact of human life. It makes no difference whether we are righteous or wicked, religious or pagan. Death awaits each of us. There is one fate for the righteous and the wicked.
Solomon called death “evil.” Paul called death an “enemy” (1 Cor. 15:26). No one can escape the curse of death. Coming to grips with this reality can enable us to straighten out our priorities and live more wisely.
Seek Life (4–6)
With all the uncertainty and hardship in this life, it is still better to be alive than dead. Solomon made his point by using an analogy comparing the most despised animal of that day, a dog, with the most admired animal of that day, a lion.
Solomon was saying that it is better to be dishonored and alive than honored and dead.
Why? Because the living have hope. They have things they can look forward to enjoying while alive on earth. But the dead have no such hope. People who have died can no longer share in the joys of earthly pleasures. The living can still prepare for their death. The dead have no opportunity to prepare for anything.
Solomon was not saying there is no life after death. Rather, he was saying the opportunities God gives people while they are alive will be forever lost to them when they die.
Even their passions — love, hate, envy — are stilled by death. Our realization of this fact can cause us to appreciate life in the present rather than postpone our enjoyment to a future time that may never come. We need to take advantage of every moment of time we are blessed to have. We are to live every moment of every day for the glory of God.
Enjoy (7–10)
Solomon described how we can experience a wonderful life while living under the sun.
We are to live happily wherever we are. God intends for us to enjoy the blessings of life He has given us in acknowledgment of Him. God is pleased when we find pleasure in His good gifts. Our lives should be characterized by joy and thankfulness, and these virtues should be evident to others.
We are to enjoy our spouses. The delights, passions and blessings of a marital union are to be expressed and relished by each spouse. Marriage has been sanctioned by God as an honorable relationship, and the marriage bed is undefiled. So, if you are married, live it up with your spouse for the glory of God.
We are to throw ourselves fully into whatever God calls us to do. Christians should treat life as a precious gift, making the most of their lives for the glory of God.
We will not always be able to find pleasure in life, for one day we will die. Do not wait until retirement to enjoy life. Begin today!
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