Ecclesiastes 6:10-12

4. Reasons why it is useless to strive for riches Ecclesiastes 6:10-12

TEXT 6:10-12

10

Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is.

11

For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a man?

12

For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 6:10-12

163.

Man was made from what substance? (Cf. Genesis 2:7)

164.

In what way is man described in Isaiah 45:9?

165.

Who is stronger than man?

166.

Can man dispute with God?

167.

What increases when man's words increase?

168.

Does man's ability to speak many words prove to be profitable to him?

169.

Does man have the ability to know what tomorrow holds?

170.

Man's short life is likened unto what?

PARAPHRASE 6:10-12

Man cannot contend with God. God is stronger than man. It is well known that God created man from the earth, and man should never forget that. Man knows that whatever he is, he is created and came from the earth. The more man talks, the more evident this truth becomes! Man's much speech betrays his origin and his nature. How does man profit from that? His life is but for a few days, and is compared to a shadowit lengthens and then quickly disappears. Who can tell a man what will be after him in this life marked with such a heavy stamp of meaninglessness and death?

COMMENT 6:10-12

Solomon now returns to speak to a theme introduced in Ecclesiastes 1:9-11. This idea has been carried through his book. (Cf. Ecclesiastes 2:12; Ecclesiastes 3:15) The nature of man does not change. Man should know who he is and recognize that his ability to speak long and loud will not change his nature but only compound his futility. He concludes once more that one should simply make the most of the present and not fret over that which is beyond one's control.

Ecclesiastes 6:10 What is man? Whatever he is, he is certainly less than God. Perhaps it is a passing observation, but the Preacher admonishes his readers not to dispute with Him that is stronger than man. The idea that God is Creator is consonant with all the teachings of the book. Direct reference to the fact is made when the Preacher begins to drive home his point like well-driven nails (Cf. Ecclesiastes 12:1; Ecclesiastes 12:11). The relationship that exists between Adam and the fact that Adam was taken from the earth is very close. God's new creation is called Adam because he is taken from the earth. One has aptly translated the idea into the English with the sentence: His name is earthling because he was taken from the earth. Since this is true, man cannot dispute with God, for he is but the created, not the creator. It would also follow that man depends upon his Creator to empower him to eat of that which he possesses. The discussion here would be an additional argument for the Preacher's main thesis: i.e. The gift of God is for a man to enjoy his labor and stay occupied each day with the gladness of his heart. The superiority of God is demonstrated that man can see the futility of trying to find enjoyment without Him. God is definitely the One who is stronger than man and the One with whom man cannot contend.

Ecclesiastes 6:11 Although the NASV translates this idea as many words which increase futility, other translators have offered varying suggestions. One popular translation supplies things for words, and thus suggests that wealth, pleasure, knowledge, all human pursuits along with every endeavor gives credence to the fact that man is subjected to futility. However, these are aspects that have previously been considered. The idea of words offers a different view of man. Now, one can see that the Preacher is saying that even though man is very glib and capable of varying and lengthy speeches, such exercises will only manifest his vanity. Perhaps this tendency on the part of man to demonstrate his futility through his speech was the thought in the Preacher's mind when he admonished, Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

We are now confronted with the question: What profit has a man? This may refer to the general approach of the entire book, or it may speak specifically to the immediate context. However, it is obvious that the Preacher is concerned about man's role on this earth and if there is any way in which he can come to the end of the day and honestly say, See, this is my profit for today! It is evident from his previous reasoning that the rich have nothing more than the poor. We are to accept his inquiry then as a sad but true commentary of life's endeavors. Regardless of what is accumulated, there is no profit to man who lives simply for pleasure itself.

Ecclesiastes 6:12 The first question of this verse has been taken by some to mean that he is not only questioning the meaning of life on the earth, but also the value of life to come. This is out of character with the book, and it is forcing the immediate context into an unwarranted position. He is speaking only to life as it is lived on this earth. Such ideas or terms as futile, under the sun, few years, shadow and his life time, verify this contention.

In answer to his question, the implication of verse ten is that God knows what is good for man. This is the basis for his reasoning in Ecclesiastes 5:18-20. Man is not in a position to determine what is good because he, like that which he desires, is subjected to vanity. His own conclusions, apart from God's help, will inevitably lead to the frustrating burden of feasting on the wind.

To spend his life like a shadow suggests that it is fleeting. This figure reinforces the idea of a few years. Too much should not be made of the idea that when the sun goes down, the shadow vanishes. However, the concept of living one's life under the sun is interesting in view of the analogy with the shadow. There is a sense in which when the sun sets life is over for all. (Cf. Ecclesiastes 8:13; 1 Chronicles 29:15) Sufficient comment has already been made concerning the shortness of life and the concurrent emptiness that accompanies it.

The final question of this section is: For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun? It does not refer to eternity but rather to the activities which shall occur upon the earth tomorrow, the day after that or in the following years. No man knows. Since God is in control of His world and is the One who permits man to enjoy living, then it would follow that man should cease fretting about what might happen and live each day with simple trust and enjoyment. The wise, rich, but yet unhappy man has concerned himself with many problems that pertain to tomorrow: Who will come after him? To whom will he really leave all that he has collected and gathered? What if he has no son to carry on? Will he receive proper burial? What will people think of him when he has died? These and many other questions continually trouble his mind. He is rather required to submit to the power of God and enjoy with moderation the goods of life which God has permitted to accumulate and now potentially at least offer him the ability to enjoy.

FACT QUESTIONS 6:10-12

302.

Solomon now returns to what theme?

303.

What is the meaning of the name Adam?

304.

In what way does man depend on God?

305.

Why do many words prove man's futility?

306.

Why is man admonished to guard and select wisely the words he speaks? (Cf. Ecclesiastes 5:2)

307.

What kind of life robs even a rich man of profit?

308.

Give two reasons why Solomon is not writing of eternal life in verse twelve.

309.

Why is man not in a position to determine what is good for himself?

310.

What is meant by man spending his life like a shadow?

311.

What period of time is referred to in the final verse by the phrase after him under the sun?