Ecclesiastes 9
Theme: The general tenor of Chapter 9 is that all people suffer the same fate. The ultimate fate, of course, is death, but the writer observes that even during life we all have the same experiences and sufferings, regardless of whether we are wise or foolish, righteous or unrighteous. Instinctively, I find this to be true; analytically, I question it. It seems proveable that the decisions we make lead to particular consequences, though clearly this element of control is limited. A series of summaries and embellishments: 9:1-2 God is the One who is omnipotent and omniscient. It doesn’t matter if I focus on doing good or act without conscience; it doesn’t matter if I am thoughtful or thoughtless; either way I will experience death and loss and broken bones and disappointment as well as pleasure and good fortune, all in due time. 9:3-6 People are “bent,” to use a C.S. Lewis term, inclined toward that which does neither themselves nor others good; our instinc...