Ecclesiastes 8 and 9:1-10
There have been many wars in the world, but always at the end of a war, part or all of the soldiers have been diharged as no longer needed.
But the great king spoke of a war from which the soldiers were never discharged, and the war had then lasted about 3,000 years. The “war” the king meant was death; it came like a great enemy to all people; he said;
“There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit: neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war.” Ecc. 8:8.
Even children would be called “soldiers” in that war, for none are too young to die. We do not like to think of death, yet it is best to know what the scriptures say of it. Be sure to notice the last three words of the following verses:
“The dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” Ecc. 9:2, 5, 6.
Some people leave out the words, “under the sun”, and think that “the dead know not anything” ever, or think that the spirit sleeps in the grave. But the king was telling that those who were dead, had no more to do with anything on earth; they could not work or play or see or hear “under the sun.” He was speaking of the body, not of the spirit; later he spoke of the spirit and said,
“The spirit shall return to God Who gave it.” Ecc. 12:7.
A prophet afterward, said there should be a victory over the dreadful thing, death (See Isa. 25:88He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 25:8)). Now, we may read about that victory, which the wise king could not, for the Son of God, the Lord Jesus, went through death, so there is now no fear in death to those who love Him; and He afterward gave a wondrous hope for His people, that those alive at His return for them, will not die (See 1 Cor. 15:51-5751Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑57)). In His power He will at last have full victory, and end the long “war of death”.
The king gave this advice to his people: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Ecc. 9:10.
Those who love the Lord now, have a happier reason to do with their “might”, that is, to do all for Him.
With whom will it “be well”? (Ecc. 8:12).
With whom will it not “be well”, and why? (Ecc. 8:13).
ML 07/20/1941