The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 195

in the case before us, the fact is so questionable, and certainty with regard to it is so difficult, if not unattainable, that it would be a wnste of time to enter upon the inquiry here supposed. . ArrLIOATION. Vain regrets as to the past are as unprofitable as are complaints as to the present. What concerns us is the right use of circumstances appointed for us by 11, -wise Providence. 'Whether or not the former times were better than these, the times upon which we have fallen are good enough for us to use to our own moral and spiritual improvement, and at the same time they are bad enough to call for all our consecrated powers to do what in us lies-little as that may be-to mend them.-T. Vers.13-15.-The perplexities of life. The Book of Ecclesiastes raises questions which it very inadequately answers, and problems which it scarcely attempts to solve. Some of the difficulties observable in this world, in human society, and in individual experience appear to be insoluble by reason, though to some extent they may be over- come by faith. And certainly the fuller revelation which we enjoy as Christiane is capable of assisting us in our endeavour not to be overborne by the forces of doubt and perplexity of which every thoughtful man is in some measure conscious. l. A SPECULATIVE DIFFICULTY : THE COEXISTENCE OF CROOKED THINGS WITH STRAIGHT. The philosophlcal student encounters this difficulty in a more definite form than ordinary thinkers, and is best acquainted with the apparent anomalies of existence. It may suffice to refer to the coexistence of sense and spirit, nature and reason, law and freedom, good and evil, death and immortality. II. A PRACTICAL DIFFICID,TY: THE JUXTAPOBITION AND INTER0HANGE OF PROS- PERITY AlH> ADVERSITY. " God bath even made the one side by side with the other." The inequality of the human lot has, from the time of Job, been the occasion of much questioning, dissatisfaction, and scepticism. Opinions differ as to the effect upon this inequality of the advance of civilization. Riches and poverty, splendour and squalor, refinement and brutishness, exist side by side. And the observation of every one has remarked the startling transitions in the condition and fortunes alike of the wealthy and the poor ; these are exalted, and those depressed. At first sight all this seems inconsistent with the sway of a just and benignant Providence. ill. A MORAL DIFFICULTY : THE EVIDENT ABSEN0E OF A JUST AND PERFE0T RETRI- :BUTION IN THIS LIFE. The righteous perish, and the wicked live on in their evil-doing, unchecked and nnpunisbed. There are those who would acquiesce in inequality of condition, were such inequality proportioned to disparities of moral character, but who are dismayed by the spectacle of prosperous crime and triumphant vice, side by side with integrity and benevolence doomed to want and suffering. IV. TI!.E DUTY OF CONSIDERATION AND PATIEN0E IN THE PREBBNCE OF BU0H PER- PLEXING ANOMALIES. The first and most obvious attitude of the wise man, when encountering difficulties such as those described in this passage, is to avoid hasty con- clusions and immature, unconsidered, and partial judgments. It is plain that we are confronted with what we cannot comprehend. Our observation is limited; our pene- tration is at fault; our reason is baffled. We are not, therefore, to shut our eyes to the facts of life, or to deny what our intelligence forces upon us. But we must think, and we must wait. V. THE PURPOSE OF SUCH DIFFIOULTIES, AS FAR AS WE ARE CON0ERNED, IS TO TEST AND TO ELICIT FAITH IN GoD. There is sufficient reason for every thoughtful man to believe in the wisdom and righteousness of the eternal Ruler. And the Christian bas special grounds for bis assurance that all things are ordained by his Father and Redeemer, and that the Judge of all the earth will do right.-T. Vers. 16, 17.-Moderation. This language must be interpreted in accordance with the rules of rhetoric; it is intended to convey a certain impression, to produce a certain e!Tect; and this it does. The Preacher aims at inculcating moderation, at cautioning the reader against what a modem poet has termed "the falsehood of extremes." Iu interpreting thls very effective language we must not analyze it as a scientific state- ment, but receive the impression which it was designed to convey. I. HUMAN NATURE 1B PRONE TO EXTREMES. In how many instances may it be observed that a person is no sooner convinced that a certain object is desirable, a certain OB, VII, 1-29.] ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACHER. 183