Daily Devotions
Ecclesiastes
"That one thing happens to all"
Text: Ecclesiastes 9:3
A GRIM DESCRIPTION OF MAN
Solomon had observed the deeds of mankind. He was not impressed with what he observed!
“This is an evil in all that is done under the sun:
that one thing happens to all.
Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil;
madness is in their hearts while they live,
and after that they go to the dead.”
Ecclesiastes 9:3
1. “This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all”
a) Solomon could not but mention “that one thing happens to all”.
b) He described it as “evil”.
i) Not necessarily a moral evil.
ii) It is just simply “a bad thing”.
2. “Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil”
a) What had he found out about the hearts of mankind?
b) His first word was that the human heart was “full of evil”.
i) The word “evil” is now used in the moral sense.
ii) There is wickedness to be found in the hearts of men.
iii) Some are capable of great evil!
3. “Madness is in their hearts while they live”
a) This was the second observation he made.
b) Some are filled with “madness”.
i) This does not mean “insanity”.
ii) It is rather a description of some who would do evil things.
That borders on “madness”.
iii) This word “madness” is associated with “evil”.
iv) An example of “madness” would be genocide.
4. “And after that they go to the dead”
a) That one event is now fully identified.
b) Death would come to all.
5. Death has many lessons to teach, but it seems that there are few who learn
a) Death should teach us how to value life.
b) Life should be enjoyed and treasured and not squandered.
c) The reality is that many will waste the life given to them.