CHAPTER V _The reverence to be observed in attending Divine worship_, 1-3. _We should be faithfu1 to over engagements_, 4-7. _The oppression of the innocent_, 8. _The king dependent on the produce of the soil_, 9. _Against covetousness_, 10, 11. _The peace of the honest labourer_, 12. _The ev... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:2. _BE NOT RASH WITH THY MOUTH_] Do not hasten with thy mouth; weigh thy words, feel deeply, think much, speak little. "When ye approach his altar, on your lips Set strictest guard; and let your thoughts be pure, Fervent, and recollected. Thus prepared, Send up the silent br... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:3. _FOR A DREAM COMETH_] That is, as _dreams_ are generally the effect of the business in which we have been engaged during the day; so a _multitude of words_ evidence the feeble workings of the foolish heart.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:4. _WHEN THOU VOWEST A VOW_] When in distress and difficulty, men are apt to promise much to God if he will relieve them; but generally forget the vow when the distress or trouble is gone by.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:5. _BETTER_ IS IT _THAT THOU SHOULDEST NOT VOW, C._] We are under _constant obligations_ to live to God no _vow_ can make it more so. Yet, there may be cases in which we should bind ourselves to take up some particular cross, to perform some particular duty, to forego some parti... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:6. _NEITHER SAY THOU BEFORE THE ANGEL, THAT IT_ WAS _AN_ _ERROR_] Nor think of saying "before the cruel angel, who shall exercise authority over thee in the judgment of the great day, that thou didst it through ignorance." - _Chaldee_. I believe by the _angel_ nothing else is in... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:7. _IN - DREAMS_ - ARE - DIVERS _VANITIES; BUT FEAR THOU GOD._] If, by the disturbed state of thy mind during the day, or by Satanic influence, thou dream of evil, do not give way to any unreasonable fears, or gloomy forebodings, of any coming mischief: - FEAR GOD. Fear neither... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:8. _IF THOU SEEST THE OPPRESSION OF THE POOR_] For this was a frequent case under all governments; and especially in the _provinces_ or _colonies_ which being far from the _seat_ of government, were generally oppressed by the sovereign's deputies. _MARVEL NOT AT THE MATTER_] הח... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:9. _THE PROFIT OF THE EARTH IS FOR ALL_] The earth, if properly cultivated, is capable of producing food for every living creature; and without cultivation none has a right to expect bread. _THE KING_ HIMSELF _IS SERVED BY THE FIELD._] Without the field he cannot have supplies... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:10. _HE THAT LOVETH SILVER SHALL NOT BE SATISFIED WITH_ _SILVER_] The more he gets, the more he would get; for the saying is true: - Crescit amor nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crescit. "The love of money increases, in proportion as money itself increases.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:11. _WHEN GOODS INCREASE_] An increase of property always brings an increase of expense, by a multitude of servants; and the owner really possesses no more, and probably _enjoys_ much less, than he did, when every day provided its own bread, and could lay up no store for the nex... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:12. _THE SLEEP OF A LABOURING MAN_ IS _SWEET_] His labour is healthy exercise. He is without possessions, and without cares; his sleep, being undisturbed, is sound and refreshing.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _RICHES KEPT FOR THE OWNERS THEREOF TO THEIR HURT._] This may be the case through various causes: 1. He may make an improper use of them, and lose his health by them. 2. He may join in an unfortunate partnership and lose all. 3. His riches may excite the desire of the _robber_; and he m... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _AND HE BEGETTETH A SON, AND_ THERE IS _NOTHING IN HIS_ _HAND._] He has been stripped of his property by unfortunate trade or by plunderers; and he has nothing to leave to his children.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _AS HE CAME FORTH_] However it may be, he himself shall carry nothing with him into the eternal world. If he die worth millions, those millions are dead to him for ever; so he has had no real profit from all his labours, cares, anxieties, and vast property!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _ALL HIS DAYS ALSO HE EATETH IN DARKNESS_] Even his enjoyments are embittered by _uncertainty_. He fears for his goods; the possibility of being deprived of them fills his heart with anguish. But instead of יאכל _yochel_, "he shall eat," ילך _yelech_, "he shall walk," is the reading of sev... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _BEHOLD_ THAT _WHICH I HAVE SEEN_] This is the result of my observations and experience. God gives every man, in the course of his providence, the necessaries of life; and it is his will that he should thankfully use them. _FOR IT_ IS _HIS PORTION._] What is requisite for him in the lower... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ecclesiastes 5:20. _FOR HE SHALL NOT MUCH REMEMBER_] The person who acts in this way, extracts all the good requisite from life. He passes through things temporal so as not to lose those that are eternal: - "Calm and serene, the road of life to him, Or long or short, rugged or smooth, with t... [ Continue Reading ]