Set to dark modeSet to dark modeEcclesiastes 8 Commentary
Please choose a passage
Since God is our ultimate authority, the wise man learns how to serve and submit to the authorities over him.
Submission to authority helps guide us to a place of obedience. Accepting our limitations is the gateway to trusting God.
The abuse of authority leads men astray. The destiny of wicked rulers is futility.
Regardless of appearance, evil actions will eventually lead to an evil end. But it will be well for those who fear God.
Although life is mysterious, Solomon has discovered by submitting to the God of Mystery, rather than trying to make sense of the world through human experience, he can enjoy and appreciate the best life has to offer.
Solomon reinforces the truth that full understanding is beyond human grasp. We can see and enjoy the work of God, but we cannot fully comprehend it.
We cannot fully comprehend life on earth, so it makes sense to submit to the One who does, even when the system seems broken, complicated, or delayed. Our lack of understanding is a designed limitation. Which means life will be filled with mystery. We can address the mystery by trusting God or trusting our own reason and interpretation.
Thinking we know better leads to sin and foolishness. It is the source of evil in the world (and has been since Adam's sin in the garden).
If we accept our limitations, we can gain wisdom and understanding in a mysterious world by basing our understanding on trust in God. Wisdom allows us to experience the goodness of life. Freed from our compulsion to control and understand, we can discover the mysterious and ineffable meaning of life in God's world.
© 2025 The Bible Says, All Rights Reserved.
Set to dark mode