Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
A Happy Life
By Thomas Waters
The Bible contains many wonderful invitations. One of my favorites is Isaiah 55:1-3.
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.”
I am so thankful that God invites sinners to Himself. Angels, created higher than man, when they sinned were not invited to God, but reserved in chains awaiting judgment. Jude 6 (ESV) — 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day.” Yet sinners like you and me, we are invited to come to God and live.
This invitation indicates that all sinners are searching for something lost, something desired, something needed. That something is communion with God. When Adam sinned and was driven from the Garden of Eden, he was not driven from a knowledge of God, but the presence of God, from fellowship and communion with God. Augustine’s prayer captures fallen man’s plight. "God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you."
The invitation of Isaiah 55 declares that God alone can abundantly fill man’s aching void. We are bidden to come buy wine and milk without price, to eat what is good, to delight in rich food and to hear and live. Believers are not merely blessed with meager blessings, but blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3). God is not stingy with grace, but He lavishes it upon believers (Eph 1:8). Moreover, we are not just heirs, but joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17).
The book of Ecclesiastes is about the Preacher’s search for contentment, joy and meaning. He seeks for fulfillment through wisdom and knowledge, but he does not find it; through pleasure and pageantry, but he does not find it; and, through activity and accomplishments, but he does not find it. He discovers and declares that no matter what he experiences, possesses or accomplishes without fellowship with God all is vanity.
In Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, the Preacher writes about living a meaningful life, a happy life, a life of joy. A life of fellowship with God. He notes four aspects about such a life.
A happy and joyful life is a life of contentment (vs7). The root of contentment is knowing one is accepted before God and that God works all things together for the believer’s good. Unlike those of the world who derive contentment from things, the Christian brings contentment to things and situations .
A happy life is a life celebration (vs 7). White garments and oil are features of celebration. The color white is a sign of victory. In the book of Revelation we read about WHITE - throne, clouds, linen, horse . . . all indicating victory! The Lutheran Preacher Philipp Jakob Spener (1635-1705) instructed he was to be buried in WHITE coffin because of the anticipated, victorious resurrection. Anointing one’s head with oil is a symbol of joy and blessing. Psalm 23:5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Christians have every reason to be joyful. Our worship should be joyful. Psalm 100:1–2 — 1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
A happy life is one of companionship (vs 9). God pronounced it is not good for man to be alone and He blesses us with companions. A loving, believing marriage partner is a wonderful blessing and great attention should be given to making one’s marriage stronger. The shared life of a Christian husband and wife is a reminder and proclamation of a believer’s union with Christ and Christ love for the church.
A happy life is a one of commitment (vs 10). As Christians we have a work to do. Christ said follow me. Then He said go. Where? Into all the world. Why? And make disciples of all nations. How long? Until He comes again or until He calls us home. A life of meaning is one of work in Christ’s kingdom.
Contentment is what Jeremiah Burroughs called a “Rare Jewel.” Its source is God. It does not grow and flourish in the garden of philosophy, but it is of a heavenly birth and spiritual nurture. A believer seeks contentment everywhere and in all things because of his relationship with God. The seat (fountain) of contentment is hope. Not simply hope in general, but hope founded in and upon Jesus Christ.
So God through the Prophet Isaiah invites us to live a joyful, meaningful and full life. The unbeliever is invited to come to God and live. The believer is reminded that salvation establishes a renewed and joyful relationship with God.
Are you living a happy life? Believers are not merely to exist, but to fare sumptuously & rejoice - - even in a world of sin. Psalm 23:4–5 — 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
The Word of God calls upon believers to rejoice. Romans 12:10–12 — 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Man’s chief end, his purpose and meaning in life is “to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” Are you? I close with another prayer of Augustine. One which we should know and often repeat.
For your mercies' sake, O Lord my God, tell me what you are to me. Say to my soul: "I am your salvation." So speak that I may hear, O Lord; my heart is listening; open it that it may hear you, and say to my soul: "I am your salvation." After hearing this word, may I come in haste to take hold of you. Hide not your face from me. Let me see your face even if I die, lest I die with longing to see it. The house of my soul is too small for you to come in to me; let it be enlarged by you. It is in ruins, but I ask you to remake it. It contains much that you will not be pleased to see; this I confess to you and do not hide it. I do not quarrel with you about your judgments, for you are Truth Itself; and I have not wished to be dishonest with myself, or it would be my wrongdoing lying to itself. |
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