Ep 472 – Ecclesiastes 8:9-17

Is it wrong to enjoy life? Does God frown on those who find pleasure in the things this life has to offer? The obvious answer is, “No.” And Solomon would fully concur. In Ecclesiastes 8:9-17, Solomon continues his discussion of life lived under the sun, giving his seasoned outlook on life.   In fact, because he sometimes saw life as meaningless and full of injustice and inequities, he repeatedly advised that we should make the most out of what we have while we’re here. In his words, “Eat, drink and be joyful.” Life can be difficult, so Solomon concluded that finding pleasure in this life was a worthwhile endeavor. When you look around and see that the wicked seem to prosper, while the righteous suffer, you can lose your motivation. It all becomes a seeming effort in futility. Which is why Solomon advised that you look for those things that bring joy to your life and make them a high priority. For him, eating and drinking were symbolic of man’s basic needs. Food and wine were necessities. One provided nourishment, while the other could provide comfort in times of heartache or intense pressure. Food fills us. Wine calms us. These two basic commodities played a huge part in the lives of those living in Solomon’s day. The satisfaction of a good meal and the comfort of a glass of wine were seen as worthy objects of a man’s attention. The rich and poor alike could enjoy them. And with all that can go wrong in life, Solomon recommended these two things as reliable options worth pursuing.