Ecclesiastes 8:9

Ecclesiastes 8:9

The writer of these words means by "applying his heart" the exercise of his attention and his judgment. He was a general observer, with an exercise of his judgment. The Holy Scriptures plainly encourage an exercise of thoughtful attention on the actions and characters of men, and the course of the world's events. But now comes the question as to the proper manner of doing this, so that it may really be beneficial.

I. If this attention to the actions and events of the world be employed merely in the way of amusement, there will be little good.

II. It is necessary to have just principles or rules to be applied in our observation of the world. And in this matter the most fatal error is to take from the world itself our principles for judging the world. They must be taken absolutely from the Divine authority, and always kept true to the dictates of that.

III. Notice two or three points of view or general references in which we should exercise this attention and judgment. (1) The grand primary reference with which we survey the world of human action should be to God. (2) Our observation should have reference to the object of forming a true estimate of human nature. (3) It should have reference to the illustration and confirmation of religious truths. (4) A faithful corrective reference to ourselves in our observation of others is a point of duty almost too plain to need mentioning. (5) Our exercise of attention and judgment on "every work that is done under the sun "should be under the habitual recollection that soon we shall cease to look on them; and that instead we shall be witnessing their consequences, and in a mighty experience also ourselves of consequences.

J. Foster, Lectures,2nd series, p. 16.

References: Ecclesiastes 8:9. R. Buchanan, Ecclesiastes: its Meaning and Lessons,p. 303.Ecclesiastes 8:10. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. iv., p. 200. Ecclesiastes 8:11. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. v., p. 313; C. G. Finney, Sermons on Gospel Themes,p. 128; G. Dawson, Sermons on Daily Life and Duty,p. 184; H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. iii., p. 259. Ecclesiastes 8:12. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. iii., No. 148.