Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

j. Trusting God for tomorrow is better than knowing about tomorrow. Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

TEXT 7:13-14

13

Consider the work of God, for who is able to straighten what He has bent?

14

In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity considerGod has made the one as well as the other so that man may not discover anything that will be after him.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 7:13-14

195.

Note the similarities between Ecclesiastes 7:13 and Ecclesiastes 8:17. List them.

196.

Can man discover the work of God? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 3:11)

197.

What reason is offered that man should accept both the good days and the bad?

198.

Give evidence from this passage that man cannot predict the future events as God works them out.

PARAPHRASE 7:13-14

Look into and thoughtfully weigh the things which God has done, and yet you will never be able to straighten out what he has bentthat which has grown crooked because of sin. Rejoice when days are good and life goes well, but watch for the bad days for they will come tooGod has made them both, placed them side by side so man will never know what lies ahead of him.

COMMENT 7:13-14

Ecclesiastes 7:13 A wise man will consider the work of God. There are unlimited advantages in searching out God's involvement in His world. Some of these advantages have been clearly stated in the previous verses. Now others are called to the reader's attention. Certain traits of a fool, such as a haughty impatient spirit, can be averted if one seriously fixes his mind on God and his works.

The inability to alter the plans of God and the awareness that He is in complete control of His world results in humility on the part of men who consider this. Such action also causes one to discover serenity and calmness as anxieties are eliminated and trust is exercised. These are positive benefits from acknowledging that man cannot straighten what God has bent. The declaration here is positive confirmation that God has ultimate control of every-day events which are often so besetting to men. Man is not capable of arranging the events and circumstances of life in such a way as to satisfy his own ends. Otherwise, he would not remain under the burden of oppression. A wise man will, therefore, acknowledge that what he cannot change or control he will accept. It is comparable to the declaration of Paul who wrote, And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Additional evidence of Paul's wisdom is found in Philippians 4:11-12 when he writes, Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

How can God make anything crooked? The term crooked is used in reference to the wicked, as it is stated that God ... makes crooked the way of the wicked (Psalms 146:9). Study once again the COMMENTS on Ecclesiastes 1:15. It is said that God makes things crooked only because His righteous judgments demand penalties be attached to the violations of His commands.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity be happy. This is in harmony with the wise man's conclusions (Cf. Ecclesiastes 2:24, Ecclesiastes 3:12 and Ecclesiastes 3:22). Both the good days and evil days will serve the higher purposes of God. Therefore, one should learn to cope with the trouble-some days as well as enjoy the good ones. He should realize that God remains the same regardless of the emotional ups and downs experienced by men. One indication of a person being mature is that he is not unduly influenced by his environment. Such a person maintains a spiritual constancy under all circumstances. Inner peace is a mark of wisdom. Discontent, longing for the former days, and giving anger a place in the heart are the marks of a fool. God does not allow us to see the future. Withholding such information from men should cause him to learn to look to God. Peter suggested that we cast our all upon Him and trust Him. (Cf. 1 Peter 5:7)

The remaining part of this verse corresponds with the former verse. There is the additional thought, however, that man cannot know if tomorrow will be a good day or an evil one. The conclusion is that man should learn to rejoice in the day of prosperity and thoughtfully consider the true nature of God when evil days are experienced. No man can know what will be after him. After him does not refer to eternity; neither does it refer to some period of time upon the earth after one dies. The context demands the interpretation we have given: No man knows what tomorrow will hold for him.

FACT QUESTIONS 7:13-14

352.

Read the COMMENTS on these two verses and then write your own summary as to what you think Solomon is saying.

353.

After reading the COMMENTS on Ecclesiastes 1:15, explain what is meant by the statement that God makes things crooked.

354.

What will be the end result in one's life when he finally acknowledges that God has ultimate control of all things?

355.

What should one do in the days of prosperity?

356.

What should one do in the days of adversity?

357.

Identify one indicator that a person is mature.

358.

What is meant by after him in the last part of Ecclesiastes 7:14?