The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 144

Ver. 9.-T!,e earth and man. Whatever obscurity may attach to the interpretation of this verse; in any case it represents the dependence of the inhabitants of earth upon the produce of the soil. I. THE FACT OF THE BOUNTEOUSNESS OF TIIE FRUITFUL EARTH. I. Man's body is fashioned out of its dust. Whatever may have been the process by which the animal nature of man was -prepared as the lodging. and the vehicle of the immortal ~pirit, there is no question as to the fact that the human body is a part of nature, that it is com- posed of elements of a nature similar to those existing around, that it is sub_ject to physical law. All this seems implied in the statement that the human frame was formed of the· dust of the ground. 2. Man's body is supported by its produce. Directly or indirectly, man's corporeal nature is nourished by the material substances which exist in various forms ~pon the surface of the earth. The vegetable and animal crentiou •minister-to man's needs and growth. 3. Man's body is resolved into its substance. "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." The earth provides man with his food, his raiment, his dwelling, and his grave. II. '111E UNIVERSALITY OF THE BOUNTEOUSNESS OF THE EARTH. 1. The least is ·not overlooked, the poorest is cared for, fed, and sheltered. 2. The greatest is not indrpendent. All men share the same nature, and sit at the same table: "The king himself is served by the field." LESSONS. 1. We have to learn our dependence upon what is lower than onr- aelves. Whilst we are in this earth, whilst we share this corporeal nature, the material ministers to bodily ·needs, and mnst not be disdained or despised. 2. We should rise to an apprehension of our real dependence upon Divine providence. "The earth is tho Lo1·d's,' and the fulness thereof." It i~ orde1·ed by God's wisdom that the earth shonlrl be the'instrument of good to all his creatures, even to the highest. And the enlightened and thoughtful will not fail to ascend from the instrument to him that fashioned it, from the abode to him that built it, from the means of well-being to him who appointed and provided them all, nnd who intended the earth and all that is in it to teach his intelligent cre~tures soinething of his glorious character and gracious purposes.-T. Vers. 10-17._:_The unsatisfying nature of riches. To love wealth for its own snko is ridiculous. To desire it for the sake of the advantages it may secure is natural, and (within limits) is not blamable. 'l'o set the heart upon it for such purposes, to long for it above higher good, to be absorbed in its quest, is sinful. The wi:;o man points out the insufficiency of material possessions to satisfy the nature of mnn. The reflections here recorded are the result of wide observation and of personal experience. J-. RICHES CANNOT -AFFORD BATIS~'ACTION TO THOSE WHO SET THEIB AFFECTION UPON 'l'HEM. , A man who uses hls property for lawful ends, and regards it in the true light -as a provision mnde by God's wisdom and bounty for his wants, need know nothing of the expcri:enc;e reconlcp.' in ver. 10. But he who loves-i.e. desires with nrdent desire, and _as the chief good of life-silver and abundance, shall not be satislicd with wealth when it is attained: It is not in the D.ature of earthly good to quench the deep de~ircs of man's immortal spirit. , '' - - II. -RxciIES' ARE 'CONSUMED DY THOSE WHO ARE- DEPENDEN'l' UPON" 'l'IIEM. A largo family, a circle of dependents, needy reln-tives, are the cause of the disappearance eveu of Iarae revenues. '!'his is no trouble to a man who judges justly; but tu a foolish rn:in whos:' one' desire is to accumulate, it is a distress to witness the necessary expendituro involved in family and social claims. • ill, Rrcm;;s ARE A SOURCE OF ANXIETY TO THE rossEssoa, The ll\bouring man, 128 ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACHEH, [UH, V, 1-20,