The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 234

Yers._ 1~-13.-R~ti-ibution certain. The prosp~rity of the wicked is not only nn e'\'11 m itself, but 1t leads the way to a more deliberate and unresLrained course of sin. The fact that the Divine sentence that condemns evil_ is not executed speedily lends many t-0 thick that they can sin with impunity. They do not see that th~ slowness with which the messenger of vengeance often travels gives opportunity for repentance and amendment before the stroke of pucishment falls. Men think they are secure., and give themselves fearlessly to the practice of evil. Yet the Preacher could not give up his conviction that punishment of evil was but delayed and not averted, Though he saw the sinner do evil a hundred times and prolong his days he knew that the righteousness of God, which in the present world seeins so ofted obscured and thwarted, would in the end assert itself (ver. 12). Though the sinner enjoyed prosperity, it was a deceitful calm before the storm; but the righteom1 who truly feared God had a peace of spirit which no outward misfortunes or persecutions could disturb. "Appearances, the Preacher ?nw clenrly enoug!1, were against him, yet his faith was strong even uucler all such difficulties, and through it he was victorious" (Wright) (cf. 1 John v. 24). The prosperity of the wicked is, .after all, only apparent. It bas no sure foundation; can anticipate no long duration. His days may be many in number, but they soon pass away "as a shadow;" and when the last comes, every wish for rrolonged life will be in vain. He may be at th.e very height of enjoyment when the hour strikes for his enforced departure from the world in which be has abused the long-suffering of God ; and no prayers or entreaties ·or struggles will avail t-O prolong his days. The shadow on the dial cannot be forced to retrace its course, or to jonrney more slowly. "His breath goeth forth, be returneth to his dust; in that very day bis thoughts perish."-J. W. Vers. 14, 15.-0ne way out ef perplexity. The Preacher has just attained for 11 moment to higher ground, from which he may get a wider view of life with all its changes and anomalies (ver.s. 12, 13). His hope revives, his faith comes back. "For a moment be bas pierced through the ring which has confined him to the interests of common life, and risen also above bis own dark misgivings; and there has flashed across his soul for a moment the certainty that there is a power in the world that • makes for righteousness,' a Divine and supreme law behind all the puzzles and anomalies of life, which will i,,olve them all. He lays his hand on this, but he cannot grasp it" (Bradley). The inequalities in human Jots, the just suffering as though; they bad been wicked, the wicked prospering as though they had been righteous, afflict his heart once more (ver. 13). Hie recurrence so oft.en to this perple:idng phenomenon is almost painful; it reveals a distress so deep that no arguments can diminish it, no exercise of faith can charm it away. Nothing but fresh light upon the mysteries of Jifo and death can give relief, and this is denied him. He is one of those of whom the Saviour spoke (Luke x. 24) who desired to see and hear tho things seen and heard hy those who were privileged to receive a revelation of God in Christ, but whose longings were doomed never t-0 be satillfied on earth. In the mean time to what con- e] us ion did the Preacher come? To that which he has already expressed four times over (eh. ii. 24; iii, 12, 22; v. 18)-tbat it is better to enjoy the good things of life than to pine after an impossible ideal; to eat the fruit of one's t-Oil in spite of all that is calculated to sadden and perplex (ver. 14). Yet we must be fair to him. Ho does not recommecd riot and excess, or a lifo of mere epicurean enjoyment. There is work to be done in life before enjoyment is won; there is a God from whom the blessi1;ge come as a gift, and the remembrance oft-his fact will prevent mere brutish ~elf-indulgence. The fear of God gives a dignity to his counsel which is wanting in t lie sorne1yhat similar word5 or heathen poets, in which we have epicurean ism pure and en. 1x. 1-18.] ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACHER. 223