There is in every situation a mixture of good and evil. Once again, it may be so. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these. Enjoy the Gift of God (9:9) IV. we may, with the utmost propriety, institute an inquiry into the reasons of any change which may have taken place. We look back to our conversion, to the glittering joy which welled up in our soul in those days, and the memory moves us to tears. (A series on Ecclesiastes) An Empty Life? 1. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? The stream of evidence has been like that beheld in mystic vision by Ezekiel, when waters issued out from the eastern gate of the temple. "[It is] better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that [is] the end … In every thing and action it is not the beginning, but the end that is regarded: it is still the issue that crowns the work, and the Amen that seals the petition: the plaudite is given to the last act: and Christ reserved the best wine to conclude the feast; nay, a fair beginner would be but the aggravation of a bad end. But. by Rev. Suppose a person to have formerly walked with God, and experienced much of His presence in his soul, and now to have become destitute of all spiritual life and comfort: should not he ask. For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. (1) And first for antiquity, and the former ages, we may plead thus. It is possible to be growing in moral strength and grace, in everything that constitutes perfection of character and life, when appearances are decidedly to the contrary. The testimony of witnesses may be every jot as conclusive as the testimony of your own senses. And to take the world in a lower epochs, what after-age could exceed the lust of the Sodomites, the idolatry and tyranny of the Egyptians, the fickle levity of the Grecians? So also in Ecclesiastes 3:14-15, "ye say, it is vain to serve God, and what profit is it that we keep his ordinance and walk in filth before the Lord of Hosts. Otherwise a man may say this by way of prudent and pious inquiry, that by searching out the cause he may, as far as it is in his power, apply remedies to make them better. said Basil, - Hath the Lord utterly left his Church? The very putting of the question argues that heavenly “wisdom” (Margin) is not as much as it ought made the chief good with thee. This sermon was preached by Tim Simmonds at CCM:Kingsway on Sunday 18th February 2018 and was based on Ecclesiastes 10:1-20. Each age has its own special nobleness, its own special use; but every age has been better than the age which went before it, for the Spirit of God is leading the ages on toward that whereof it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, the things which God hath prepared for those that love Him.". - Ecclesiastes 9:10 - During the Civil War, Union general George McClellan became well known for being hesitant to respond to the enemy and move his army out into the battle. for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. Yes we will die one day but all our other days we won’t. It is not the times that debauch men, but men that derive and rob a contagion upon the time: and it is still the liquor that first taints and infects the vessel. (2) The worship of the past springs out of man's deep and noble dissatisfaction with the present. Father Latimer saw so much wickedness in his days, that he thought it could not be but that Christ must come to judgment immediately, like as Elmerius, a monk of Malmesbury, from the same ground gathered the certainty of Antichrist’s present reign. There is no weight nor truth in it; but men use it to excuse their crimes, and the folly of their conduct. Thus is it sometimes with our religious life--we mistake the signs of progress for those of retrogression, and through this mistake de injustice to ourselves. For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. Of Christian nations these words are not true. We have not done all we meant to do, not been all we meant to be, and have a consciousness of imperfection more vivid than ever. Its golden age has not all passed away. Under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, the Teacher of Israel pens in Ecclesiastes 11:7-10: 7 Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. Now such things as these may be disputed in favour of the latter times beyond the former. (c) In all ages of the world there were complaints of the times, and not altogether without cause. The world mourns the past because it does so little with the present. And their aim is, to diffuse the same malignant feeling throughout the whole community. for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.’. For this is an argument of a mind unthankful for the many mercies, which men enjoy even in evil times. Here, therefore, wisdom appears as the soul of patience. It began the breach with Simon Magus, continued it with Arius, Nestorius, Eutyches, Aerius, some rending her doctrine, some her discipline; and what are the heresies that now trouble it, but new editions of the old with further gloss and enlargement? Previous Sermons Link Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12 – Who wants to be a millionaire? WHY ONE IS NOT WISE IN THINKING THIS... 1. Sermon Title: A Merry Heart in a Fallen World Sermon Text: Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 Sermon Series: Ecclesiastes, #30 Sermon Outline: I. Rejoice Because of God (9:7) II. Ecclesiastes 7:10. I. 16 So don’t be too good or too wise! Say not thou — Namely, by way of impatient expostulation and complaint against God, either for permitting such disorders in the world, or for bringing thee into the world in such an evil time and state of things: otherwise a man may say this by way of prudent and pious inquiry, that by searching out the cause, he may, as far as it is in his power, apply remedies to make the times better; What is the cause that the former days were better? But may not the mournful inference be mistaken, and what we regard as a diminished happiness be really a profounder blessedness? Thou dost not inquire wisely - Hebrew, with wisdom. Nothing has any attraction for them, but some real or supposed evil. The matter in controversy is, the pre-eminence of the former times above the present; when we must observe, that though the words run in the form of a question, yet they include a positive assertion, and a downright censure. Never was there such a combination of all ranks and orders of men to diffuse religion and happiness over the face of the earth. The Vulgate and Syriac, 'against Him' (cf. First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Missouri. It is in times of pain, loss, adversity, disappointment, that men are most given to extol the past, and to forget its disadvantages as well as the privileges and immunities of the present. His laurels are yet unsullied. Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. If there have been a plain and visible decline in the national prosperity, all who are affected by it are entitled, with modesty, to inquire whence that decline has arisen: and to express to those who are in authority their sentiments respecting it; and to point out what they conceive to be the most judicious and effectual means of remedying the existing evils — — — In reference to the concerns of the soul, to neglect such inquiries would be the height of folly and wickedness. Suppose, for instance, his business, which was formerly in a very prosperous state, have failed, can we condemn him for inquiring into the occasion of that failure? The being who had been formed in the very image of his Maker became instantly capable of the most heinous of crimes; and so far was human nature from requiring long familiarity with wickedness, in order to the learning to commit it in its most atrocious shapes, that well nigh its first essay after apostatizing from God was one which still fills us with horror, notwithstanding our daily acquaintance with a thousand foul deeds. Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you shall die? 4. Thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this; — Common sense teaches us to make the most of the present, and act in the living. They were not "good old days", when they were living them. I. And therefore for us it is not only an act of prudence, but a duty—a duty of faith in God, a duty of loyalty to Jesus Christ our Lord—not to ask why the former times were better than these. He must have feared lest the generation which was springing up should inquire into the reason thereof in a tone which would breed—which actually did breed—discontent and revolution. Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 The world cannot but be the worse for wearing; and it must needs have contracted much dross, when at the last it cannot be purged but by a universal fire. "Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" these lines from Horace ( Poet . Certainly everything is purest in the fountain and most untainted in the original. We look back to our conversion, to the glittering joy which welled up in our soul in those days, and the memory moves us to tears. There are politicians in whose opinion the country was formerly more happy and prosperous than now; farmers who fancy that crops were larger, and merchants who believe that trade was more profitable, in former days; students who prefer ancient literature to modern; Christian men who place the age of faith and piety in some bygone period of history. Most of the old poets have written and sung of a golden age. Let it be, that the evidence of miracle is not so clear and powerful as it was; what is to be said of the evidence of prophecy? The clear-eyed Qoheleth is the last person to be impressed by this golden haze around the past: he has already declared that one age is very much like another ()" (Kidner p. 67). Thus he. E. Paget, Helps and Hindrances to the Christian Life, vol. Ecclesiastes 7:10. The former days were not better, for you are now larger, stronger, richer in power, with a far further horizon round you. The text expresses the general principle or doctrine, that by the condition of our existence here, if things go right, a conclusion is better than a beginning. However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. Now, we are inclined to suppose that there is much the same power in distance, with regard to what we may call the moral landscape, which is so universally acknowledged with regard to the natural. Let it be, that the evidence of miracle is not so clear and powerful as it was; what is to be said of the evidence of prophecy? Shall it be said that those who have not visited Constantinople cannot be as certain that there is such a city as others who have? And so every nation has had its fancied golden age. 3. What Is Better. II. 17 On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. I shall now take it in a lower respect; as a case disputable, whether the preceding or succeeding generations are to be preferred; and here I shall dispute the matter on both sides. And in considering our rate of progress, we must not forget that the sense of progress is regulated by the desire for progress. And these malcontents are commonly great questionists. Do not call in question God's ways in making thy former days better than thy present, as Job did (Eccl. I. There are no people loaded with unqualified goods nor are there any oppressed with unmitigated evil. The religion of the heart, perhaps, flourishes most when there is most to move to zeal for the insulted law of God. People often reminisce about "the good old days" 2. Our more dispassionate affection may be equally genuine and positively stronger. For this, and not the former, is the cause of most men’s murmurings against God’s providence. Studying the great wisdom of God ... Ecclesiastes 1:3-11; Ecclesiastes 7:13-18; Ecclesiastes 9:7-10; Philip Ryken Bio. Compare Jude 1:16, "murmerers, complainers" (Malachi 2:17; Malachi 3:14-15). But when he goes out into the world, everyone he comes in contact with, knows he is a fool. In relation to our own times and country, the very reverse of what is here assumed is true. 11 … Solomon is teaching us that now is the time to work with care, energy, and purpose to get the most and the best from life and to prepare for the hereafter.His basic reason is that the clock is ticking. A time of peace, and love, and joy, when the earth yielded all manner of fruits and flowers, and all nations lived together in harmony and peace. if he did not labour to find out the cause of this change in his circumstances: in order, if possible, to apply a remedy before it was too late — — — Nor is all inquiry precluded in relation to the concerns of the nation. 2. Therefore it was that Solomon hated all his labour that he had wrought under the sun, for all was vanity and vexation of spirit. All things to their vision become lustrous and fair with "the light that never was on land or sea.". Though, even if we were forced to concede that the spectator of a miracle has necessarily a superiority over those to whom the miracle travels down in the annals of well-attested history, we should be far enough from allowing that there is less evidence now on the side of Christianity than was granted to the men of some preceding age. You may have seen the raw recruit, fresh from his country home, setting out to join the war in a distant land. Say not thou, to wit, by way of impatient expostulation and complaint against God, either for permitting such disorders in the world, or for bringing thee into the world in such an evil time and state of things. A key phrase is “under the sun” (occurs 29 times in 27 verses), which suggests “from an earthly point of view” -- The book illustrates the vanity of life when looked at solely from an earthly perspective The only thing to be sure about is, that the miracle has been wrought. (H. Melvill, B. D.). If, however, it were only the softening power of distance which had to be taken into the account, it might be necessary to caution men against judging without making allowance for this power, but we should scarcely have to charge it upon them as a fault, that they looked so complacently on what was far back. "—Ecclesiastes 9:10 If God had … 15 I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people. But men know of former times only by report, and by very partial report too: whereas, existing circumstances they know by actual experience: and they are more observant of one evil, than of a hundred blessings. That admitting this supposition as true, that the former ages are really the best, and to be preferred: yet still this querulous reflection upon the evil of the present times, stands obnoxious to the same charge of folly: and, if it be condemned also upon this supposition, I see not where it can take sanctuary. But it is another and a higher order of beauty when, instead of the fresh young blade, you have the rich golden harvest. 8 Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil. But may we not misconceive the love we bear to God? Never were the blessings of education so widely diffused. It is notorious, that they who are most clamorous about the comparative excellence of former times, pass over all our present mercies as unworthy of notice. Ecclesiastes 7:10. (1) By reason: because there were the same objects to work upon men, and the same dispositions and inclinations in men to be wrought upon, before, that there are now. Once we had the pleasing sense of swift and perpetual progress. Is the wickedness of the old world forgot, that we do so aggravate the tempest of this? Who will venture to deny, that as century has rolled away after century, fresh witness has been given to the Bible by the' accomplishment of the predictions recorded in its pages? 10 The Preacher sought to find words of … Isaac Newton has been in the news recently, and if you don’t remember who he was, here are some… Longing for the past and dissatisfaction with the present is another manifestation of impatience and pride. And here again we must narrow the field of inquiry, and confine ourselves to points in which, as Christians, we have an especial interest. (3) The test of love is confidence. The destroying fire will burn out the footprints of evil And God will make all things new. The rage and expostulations of discontent are like a thunder without a thunderbolt, they vanish and expire into noise and nothing; and, like a woman, are only loud and weak. There were then the same incentives of desire on the one side, the same attractiveness in riches, the same relish in sovereignty, the same temptation in beauty, the same delicacy in meats and taste in wines; and, on the other side, there were the same appetites of covetousness and ambition, the same fuel of lust and intemperance. And, though in their own immediate purpose they do not intend to complain of God himself, they do so in effect: for it is his providence that they arraign, and his dispensations that they criminate [Note: Exodus 16:7. His last days are his best days. We "have not wickedly departed from" our God. Now that it ought to be so, I demonstrate by these reasons. Will our love to God to-day bear this test? The wise man interprets the present and the past in the light of wisdom. The old earth is to pass away. - T. 1. For it is unwise of you to ask about this. Enjoy this Ecclesiastes 7 Commentary! Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter. "The thing that hath been, is that which shall be," &c. [Ecclesiastes 1:9-10] Tu sic debes vivere, ut semper praesentes dies meliores tibi sint quam praeteriti, saith a father, (e) - Thou shouldst so live that thy last days may be thy best days, and the time present better to thee than the past was to those that then lived. In sum, it was the fulness of time which brought Christ into the world; Christianity was a reserve for the last: and it was the beginning of time which was infamous for man's fall and ruin; so, in Scripture, they are called the "last days" and the "ends of the world," which are ennobled with his redemption. 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