Lots of folks insist on it, but none of them believe it. Ecclesiastes 9.11
Ecclesiastes 9 (5)
Pray Psalm 115.1-3.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
“So where is their God?”
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.
Read Ecclesiastes 9.11.
Prepare.
1. What does Solomon say about life “under the sun”?
2. What does he mean by “time and chance”? How do these relate to living “under the sun”?
Meditate.
If Rehoboam won’t trust God, then he’s on his own. As Solomon has explained, undoubtedly with Rehoboam’s agreement, nothing in this life works out quite like you think. Life isn’t fair, at least as we think about fair, and it isn’t predictable. No one can know what a day might bring. All our hopes and dreams can be dashed in a moment.
There is a place for everything in the divine economy, and God is sovereign over all. Amid the vicissitudes and uncertainties of life, the believer rests in God’s sovereignty, and knows contentment, joy, and hope. The unbeliever? The person who chooses to live “under the sun”? He is the servant of chance – as he will insist – and all he can do is hope for the best.
But there are no guarantees for those who put their lives in the hand of chance. None of the things we think ought to be a certain way necessarily work out that way. Apart from God, what hope can anyone have? The heartless cosmos can seem fickle and cruel to one who believes chance rules it all.
Chance is the operative power of the cosmos for the people of our secular age. It is the engine of evolutionary theory and the play-maker for every person’s life. This, at least, is what our secular gurus proclaim. It’s not, however, how they live.
Chance is by definition, unknowable, unpredictable, and uncontrollable. No one lives as though something unknowable, unpredictable, and uncontrollable is waiting for them just beyond the door. Instead, people live as if the world is knowable and orderly, and with a place for everything – just as the believer in God professes, and as the Scriptures – like Ecclesiastes – teach. We can’t make sense of an uncertain world unless we rest all the uncertainty around us in the hands of God, and trust in Him.
Reflect.
1. Chance is the unbelieving world’s alternative to God. Explain. Why is this not a good idea?
2. How can a believer, trusting in God, deal with the uncertainties of life? When things go wrong, or don’t work out, how can we continue to know rest and joy?
3. Solomon is speaking from the “fool’s” vantage point (“under the sun”) in referring to “time and chance” as absolute. Why did he do that? What effect was he hoping for in Rehoboam?
We would like to think that the best always win, that the deserving are always rewarded. But our experience shows that these expectations are not always realized. not to the swift … strong … wise … men of understanding … men of skill: These five assets were enjoyed by individuals. But while some planned and counted on their assets, God in the end determined their lot. Earl Radmacher (1937-2014), NKJV Study notes on Ecclesiastes 9.11
Thank You, Lord, that I am not subject to chance, but rest in Your sovereign care, so that I…
Pray Psalm 115.9-13.
Thank the Lord that you can trust in Him, rather than in chance. As He is mindful of you always, consider ways you can be more mindful of Him throughout the day ahead.
Sing Psalm 115.9-13.
Psalm 115.9-13 (Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
All who trust in Jesus yield – ever to His Name be glory! –
find in Him their help and shield – ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the Lord! He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Blessings from our gracious Lord – ever to Your Name be glory –
will attend us evermore – ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, Lord, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
T. M. Moore
Where does the book of Ecclesiastes fit in the overall flow of Scripture? Our series of studies, God’s Covenant, can show you, and help you discover the great beauty of the unity and diversity of Scripture, and how it all points to Christ. To order your copy of this important workbook, click here.
You can download all the studies in this series on Ecclesiastes by clicking here. If you value Scriptorium as a free resource for your walk with the Lord, please consider supporting our work with your gifts and offerings. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 360 Zephyr Road, Williston, VT 05495.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).
