The Pulpit Commentary — Ecclesiastes — Section 250

Ver, 10.-Diligence. The prospect of death may add a certain zest to life's enjoy- ments, but we are reminded in this passage that it is just and wise to allow it to influence the performance of life's practical duties. I. ltELIGION BAS REGARD TO MAN'S PRACTICAL NATURE. The hand is the instrument of work, and is accordingly used as the symbol of our active nature. What we do is of supreme importance, both by reason of its cause and origin in our character, and by reason of its effect upon ourselves and upon the world. Religion involves contempla- tion and emotion, and expresses itself in prayer and praise; but without action all is in vain. II. RELIGION FURNISHES TBE LAW TO M.AN'B PRACTICAL NA.TUBE, We are expected to put up the prayer, "What wilt thou have me to do?" In response to this prayer, precept and admonition are given; and so tho "hand findeth" its work. 1. True religion prescribes the quality of our work-that actions should be just and wise, kind and compassionate. 2. And the measure of our work. "With thy might" is the Divine law. This is opposed to languor, indolence, depression, weariness. He who considers the diligence and assiduity with which the powers of evil are ever working in human society will.understand the.importance of this urgent admonition. III. RELIGION SUPPLIES THE MOTIVES TO DILIGENCE IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF TIIE PRACTICAL NATURE. 1. There is the very general motirn suggested in the context, that what is to be done for the world's good must be done during this present brief and fleeting life. There is doubtless service o[ such a nature that, if it be not done here and now, can never be rendered at all. 2. Christianity presents a motive of pre- eminent power in the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to work the work of him who sent him, who went about doing good, who found it his food to do hi, Father's will, whose aim it was to finish tho work given him to do. 3. Christianity enforces this-motive by one deeper still; the Christian is inspired with the desire tu ljve unto the Lord who liv_ed and died for him. Grateful love, enkindled by the Di vino sacrifice, expresses itself by consecrated zeal. APPLICATION. Let the band first be stretched out that it may grasp the hand of the Saviour, God; and then let it be employed in the service of him who proves himself first the Deliverer, and then the Lord and Helper of all those who seek him.-T. Vers. 10, 11.~The powerlessness of man. The reflections contained in these verses are not peculiar to the religious. No observer of human life can fail to observe how constantly all human calculations· aro falsified and all human hopes disappointed. And tho language of the Pw1cher has naturally become proverbial, and is upon the lips even of those for whom it bas no spiritual significance or suggestion. -Yet it i, tho devout and pions mind which turns such reflections to 11rofitable uses. I. HUMAN EXPEC'l'ATJON. Jt is natural to look for the :iuccess and prosperity of  ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACHER. [oH. IX, 1-18, - - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - those who are highly endowed, and who have employed and developed their native gi ft,s. Life is a race, and we expect the swift to obtain the prize; it is a battle and we look for victory to the strong. We think of wealth and prosperity as the gu~rdon due to skill and prudence; we can hardly do otherwise. When the seed is sown, we 11nticipate the harvest. There a.re qualities adapted to secure success, and observation ~J,ows us that our expectations are justified in very many cases, though not in all. When we behold a young man begin life with every advantage of health, ability fortune, and social recommendations, we forecast for such a one a career of advance~ rnent aud a position of distinction and eminence, Yet how often does such an expectation prove vain! II. HuMAN DIS~PPOINTMENT, Human endeavour is crossed and human hope is crushed. The SWlft runner drops upon the course, and the bold warrior is smitten upon the battle-field. As the fishes are caught in the net, and the birds in the snare so are the young, the ardent, the gifted, and the brave cut short in the career of huoyant effort and brilliant hope. All our projects may prove futile, and all our pre- dictions may be falsified. The ways of Providence are inscrutable to our vision. We are helpless in the hands of God, whose thoughts are not as our thoughts. "Man also knoweth not his time." Attention is called to the suddenness with which our aims may be frustrated, our anticipations clouded, and our efforts defeated. And the observation of every experienced mind confirms the warning of the text. It is often when the sun is brightest that the cloud sweeps across its disc, when the sea is calmest that the storm arises in which the barque is foundered. Ill. THE RELIGIOUS LESSONS TAUGHT BY THESE OVERTURNINGS OF HUMAN ANTIOIPA- TIONS. 1. They rebuke human pride and self-confidence. It is natural for the young, the vigorous, the prosperous, to glory in their gifts, and to indulge bright hopes of the future, based upon their consciousness of power. Yet we have this lesson which the strong and fortunate will do well to lay to heart, " Let not the strong man glory in his strength," etc. 2. They check worldliness of spirit. ,ve are all prone to attach importance to what is seen and temporal, and to allow our heart's affections to entwine around what is fair and bright, winsome and hopeful. God would teach ue the supreme importance of those qualities which are imparted by his own blessed Spirit, and which endure unto everlasting life. 3. They lood the soul to seek a higher and more enduring satisfaction than earthly prosperity can impart. When riches take to themselves wings and fly away, this may enhance the value of the true, the unsearchable riches. When a fair, bright youth is plucked like a rosebud from the stem, and beauty withers, this may lead our thoughts and our hearts' desires a.way from this transitory scene to that region into which sorrow e.nd death can never enter, and where God wipes away every tear.-T. Vers. 13-18.-The praise of wisdom. It bas been remarked that, whilst the leading idea of religion in the earliest stage of Israel's history was the Law, this idea took at a later period the form of wisdom. It is not well to discriminate .too carefully between that wisdom which is shown in great works and that which is synonymous with piety. All light is from God, e.nd there is no holier prayer than that in his light we may see light. It is a commonplace remark that men may be clever and yet not good; but every reflecting mind discovers in a character so described a lack of harmony. '!'he philosopher, the sage, the leader in learnin~ or science, should, beyond all men, be religious. "An undevout astronomer is mad." No more melancholy and pitiable spectacie is to be seen on earth than the able man whose self-confidence and vanity have Jed him into atheism. In considering the case of the truly wise man, it is well to regard him .as displaying wisdom not only upon the lower but upon the higher pla □ e. I. WISDOM MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH LOWLY STATION. Solomon was an example of an illustrious and splendid king who was famed for wisdom. But the instance of the text is striking; poverty and obscurity are not necessarily inconsistent with unusual insight, ability, and skill. 11. WI~DOM MAY ACOOMPLISII GREAT WORKS WITH SMALL MEANS, A mighty king with a numerous and formidable army besieges a small city. How shall the besieged offer resi~tance to the foe? 'l'he inhabitants are few, feeble, ill-armed, h&lf-starved i OH. IX, 1-18.] ECCLESIASTES; OR, 'l'HE PREACHEU. 241