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Ecclesiastes Lesson Seventeen

Ecclesiastes Lesson Seventeen: Ecclesiastes 8:14-9:10 – Iniquity and Enjoyment

There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile. 15 So I commended enjoyment because there is nothing better for man under the sun than to eat, drink, and enjoy himself, for this will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun. 

16 When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the activity that is done on the earth (even though one’s eyes do not close in sleep day or night), 17 I observed all the work of God and concluded that man is unable to discover the work that is done under the sun. Even though a man labors hard to explore it, he cannot find it; even if the wise man claims to know it, he is unable to discover it. 

9 Indeed, I took all this to heart and explained it all: the righteous, the wise, and their works are in God’s hands. People don’t know whether to expect love or hate. Everything lies ahead of them. 2 Everything is the same for everyone: there is one fate for the righteous and the wicked,  for the good and the bad,  for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not sacrifice. As it is for the good, so it is for the sinner; as for the one who takes an oath, so for the one who fears an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: there is one fate for everyone. In addition, the hearts of people are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live —after that they go to the dead. 4 But there is hope for whoever is joined with all the living, since a live dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything. There is no longer a reward for them because the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love, their hate, and their envy have already disappeared, and there is no longer a portion for them in all that is done under the sun. 

7 Go, eat your bread with pleasure, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already accepted your works.  8 Let your clothes be white all the time, and never let oil be lacking on your head. 9 Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life, which has been given to you under the sun, all your fleeting days. For that is your portion in life and in your struggle under the sun. 10 Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. (HCSB)

I’ll be splitting this lesson into three parts.

  • The futility of life – verses 8:14-17
  • The righteous and the wicked – verses 9:1-6
  • Enjoy life – verses 9:7-10

The Futility of Life

The author points out the futility of life and how often the righteous suffer the fate that the wicked deserve.

  • The author starts with a variation on a phrase used throughout Ecclesiastes, “done on the earth” is essentially the same as “under the sun.”
    • This phrase is an indication of activity in a sinful, fallen world.
    • In the realm of a sinful world, actions and results often don’t make sense.
      • Righteousness is often not rewarded.
      • Wickedness is often not punished.
    • When we view this through the lens of modern Christian Theology, we know and understand that the Bible never promises an easy life to believers.
      • We aren’t guaranteed good health.
      • We aren’t promised to be rich.
      • We won’t always be happy.
      • We won’t avoid persecution.
      • The life of Jesus and the history of the Christian church proves that those who spout such heretical teaching are wrong.
    • However, we know things will change once we leave this earth and dwell eternally in heaven.
      • There will be no more sin.
      • We won’t worry about our health, happiness, or prosperity.
      • We will be united with other believers in paradise, free of persecution.
      • Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away. 
  • The author now moves on to another phrase he previously used, “there is nothing better for man under the sun than to eat, drink, and enjoy himself.”
    • Enjoying life is not a call to a hedonistic lifestyle.
    • It is a call to accept that we won’t understand most of what happens in the world.
    • It’s a call to enjoy what God has provided to us, whatever our circumstances.
    • We are to enjoy God’s provision by living a life of obedience and reverence to God.
  • The author moves to a third idea he had previously mentioned.
    • No matter how hard a person tries, they will never attain perfect or complete wisdom.
    • There is one overarching reason for this: our inability to know the future, as stated in 8:7.
      • We could control our lives if we knew with certainty what actions would bring prosperity, happiness, and a long life.
      • However, we will never gain that level of knowledge.
    • In the end, God is in control.
    • Isaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways. This is the Lord’s declaration. 9 For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

The Righteous and the Wicked

  • As we look at this section of the passage, we need to put ourselves in the position of the original hearers of the message. This significantly changes how we view it.
    • The original hearers were under the Law.
    • We are under the New Covenant.
    • While the original hearers may have thought that there was no eternal difference between the wicked and the righteous, as followers of Christ, we know there is a difference.
      • The redeemed will have eternal fellowship with God.
      • The condemned will have eternal separation from God and torment.
  • Verse 1
    • Our lives are in God’s hands; He is sovereign.
    • Only He knows our future, whether it will bring love or hate.
    • This knowledge doesn’t mean we don’t have free will in our lives; it only means that God knows our choices before making them and the consequences they will have.
    • The author repeatedly emphasizes free will in human choice.
  • Verse 2
    • This verse is a clear example of the difference between those under the Law and those under the New Covenant.
    • Although Scripture passages in the Old Testament refer to eternal life, the idea needed to be developed more than what is presented in the New Testament.
    • Both the wicked and the righteous will experience the same end “under the sun,” the passing of the physical body.
    • The end of our physical bodies, death, is the “final enemy” we will face.
      • 1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy to be abolished is death.
    • However, the result of facing the final enemy will result in people spending eternity in one of two locations; heaven or hell.
      • Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
      • John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?”
      • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
    • Our works have no bearing on our eternal destination; only faith in Jesus Christ will usher us into God’s presence for all eternity.
      • John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way,  the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
  • Verse 3
    • The inevitable fact of death, and sometimes the fear of death, results in two main types of behavior.
      • It either brings out the best.
      • Or it brings out the worst.
    • We often see this play out at funerals or in the aftermath of death when the settling of an estate occurs.
      • People fight over their share of the inheritance.
      • Sometimes, they sue when they feel they’ve been wronged.
    • We also see it in everyday behavior.
      • Getting drunk and getting in fights.
      • Driving in a reckless manner.
      • Spending large amounts of money on things of no eternal value.
      • The pursuit of pleasure, regardless of how it affects others.
      • Using medical treatments in the hope of turning back, or at least slowing, the biological clock.
    • For those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior, the “final enemy” will always be there.
    • We can’t run from the final enemy, but we can face and defeat it by placing our trust in Jesus.
  • Verses 4-6
    • When we look at these three verses, we can see two critical truths to hang on to.
      • The first is that our circumstances can improve while we are still alive.
        • Regardless of what transpires in our lives, the believer has a living hope.
          • Our Savior is alive and has conquered death.
          • Unbelievers have a hope that will be destroyed by death.
        • We must seize the opportunities presented to us to improve our circumstances.
        • But, we must seize those opportunities in a way that honors God.
      • The second is that while an unbeliever is still alive, there is always hope for their redemption.
        • While it’s true that an unbeliever’s hope is shattered by death until they physically die, there is always hope they will repent.
        • We’ve all probably known, or at least heard of, someone we thought was so far lost they would never repent. Yet, by the grace of God, they surrendered their lives to Christ.
          • Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
          • Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.
    • In addition to the two truths listed above, there are other ideas in these three verses.
      • For the dead, regardless of their background, wealth, position, or fame, their lives are over.
        • They can’t add anything reputation.
        • There are no longer any rewards waiting to be bestowed on them.
      • For the living, even if they are in the most meager of circumstances, they can always add to the quality of their lives.
      • The living know they will face death at some point.
      • When faced with the inevitability of death, the living can embrace the joys life offers.
      • Life may not be easy, but there’s more to life than simply enduring our existence on planet Earth.

Enjoy Life

  • We now move to a section where the author exhorts the readers to enjoy life. This enjoyment is broken down into four parts.
    • The first area of enjoyment is about our meals.
      • Since Ecclesiastes is written to a Jewish audience, we need to understand the meal schedule of a typical Jewish family during this time.
        • There was normally an early snack during what we would call breakfast.
        • Then, there was a light meal taken between 10 am and noon.
        • After this meal, the work day would begin, and the family wouldn’t gather together until work was finished, often after sunset.
        • The main meal would consist of bread, wine, milk, cheese, vegetables, fruit, and sometimes fish. Meat was expensive and was only served on special occasions.
        • The contents of the meal weren’t what was important; it was “breaking bread” together in fellowship and commitment.
          • Proverbs 15:17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
          • Proverbs 17:1 Better a dry crust with peace than a house full of feasting with strife.
        • Family love is the most important item on any menu, which turns any ordinary meal into a banquet.
    • The second area of enjoyment is to make the most of any occasion.
      • Once again, understanding Jewish cultural context reveals the intent behind the words.
      • Wearing white garments and having oil on the head carried special meaning.
        • White clothes were worn on special occasions such as weddings or reunions.
        • White clothes symbolized joy.
        • Oil should be understood as a perfume in that day.
      • The author wasn’t literally telling people to wear white and apply oil every day.
      • What he was saying is that we should make every occasion a special one, even if it is ordinary or routine.
      • We shouldn’t express our thanksgiving and joy only on special days.
      • Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
      • We shouldn’t be searching for special things to find our joy.
      • We should find joy by making everyday things special.
    • The third area of enjoyment is our marriage for those who are married.
      • We should view our spouse as a gift from God.
        • Proverbs 18:22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
        • Proverbs 19:14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a sensible wife is from the Lord. 
      • Marriage should also be viewed as a lifelong commitment.
        • No matter how difficult life can be, there is great joy in the home of a husband and wife who are committed to each other.
        • Unfortunately, that concept is often ignored in modern society, where couples are often too quick to give up on each other.
        • From a biblical standpoint, the only reasons for divorce are infidelity and being married to an unbeliever who abandons the marriage.
          • Matthew 5:32 But I tell you, everyone who divorces his wife, except in a case of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
          • 1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace. 
    • The fourth area of enjoyment is our work.
      • Again, we need to look at work through the eyes of the Jews hearing this message.
      • Jews viewed work not as something to be avoided but as a form of stewardship from God.
      • Even rabbis learned a trade to support themselves. As an example, Paul was a tentmaker.
      • Scripture also says that those capable of work but choose not to work should go hungry.
        • 1 Thessalonians 3:10 In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”
      • Whatever our job is, we should do it in such a way that it glorifies God.
        • Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
        • Colossians 3:23-25 Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism. 
  • If we fear God, we will walk by faith and not try to escape or endure life. We will enjoy life and receive it as a gift from God.

Applications

  • When we see injustice that causes us to shake our heads in disbelief, we shouldn’t lose sight that our existence here is a blip on the timeline of eternity. We need to trust that the sovereign God of the universe will reward the righteous and punish the wicked, even if it’s on His timeline and not ours.
  • No matter our circumstances, we should enjoy life. As long as we have breath, there is the hope that our circumstances can improve. Each life is precious, and we shouldn’t waste the opportunity to live our lives glorifying God.
  • Don’t lose sight of the fact that, as believers, we have nothing to fear. We have victory over death through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. Our present lives may be difficult, but our eternity will be glorious beyond words.
  • Enjoy what God has given you, no matter how extravagant or meager. Always try to look for the blessing in any situation. If you are married, cherish your spouse as a special gift from God.
  • Do your work in a way that honors God. That means to do your best and not grumble or complain. For various reasons, many people can’t find or may not be able to work. Glorify God through and with your work.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Sixteen

Ecclesiastes Lesson Sixteen: Ecclesiastes 8:10-13 – Reverence for God

In such circumstances, I saw the wicked buried. They came and went from the holy place,  and they were praised in the city where they did so. This too is futile. 11 Because the sentence against a criminal act is not carried out quickly,  the heart of people is filled with the desire to commit crime. 12 Although a sinner commits crime a hundred times and prolongs his life,  yet I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people, for they are reverent before Him. 13 However, it will not go well with the wicked, and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, for they are not reverent before God. (HCSB)

Let’s take a deeper look at this short passage.

Verse 10

  • This is one of the most puzzling verses in Ecclesiastes, and it would be foolish for anyone to claim they fully understand it.
  • The primary theme seems to be the author saying the wicked don’t get what they deserve, even in death.
  • Scripture states that even criminals and enemies should have a dignified and honorable burial.
    • Deuteronomy 21:22-23 If anyone is found guilty of an offense deserving the death penalty and is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, 23 you are not to leave his corpse on the tree overnight but are to bury him that day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse.  You must not defile the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.
    • Joshua 8:29 He hung the body of the king of Ai on a tree until evening, and at sunset Joshua commanded that they take his body down from the tree. They threw it down at the entrance of the city gate and put a large pile of rocks over it, which remains to this day. 
  • The next question is, what is the location of the holy place?
    • It could refer to the burial service, the body being carried from the place of worship to the gravesite.
    • It could be interpreted as an expression of satisfaction that the wicked have departed from God’s presence. They will now await the fate they deserve. However, this interpretation is unlikely since the verse ends with“futile.”
    • The most likely interpretation is that the holy place refers to Jerusalem, where the injustice occurred. Going deeper, the author may be referring to those engaged in religious activity, yet they are empty of true religion as they deal with others.
      • James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before our  God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
      • Matthew 23:27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs,  which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity.
  • The author points out that even the wicked are praised by some in the very location where they committed their atrocities.
  • We are often taught not to speak ill of those who die. Yet, it can be hard to sit and listen to praise for those whose lives don’t deserve it.
  • Maybe we attend a Christian funeral for a person who displayed no interest in the things of God.
  • However, we shouldn’t pass judgment. 
  • Instead, we should hope that the person has come to peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Verse 11

  • When we look at this verse, we see it playing out in modern society. This is especially true of what is occurring in the United States today.
  • Many people never look beyond today; they live for immediacy.
  • When we consider the question of law and order, we must ask, “What makes a person obey laws?”
    • In many cases, it’s not the moral aspect of the law.
    • Instead, it’s the threat of being punished for breaking the law.
  • If punishment is not given for breaking the law, or if it’s delayed, laws have little to no effect on society.
  • Companies and individuals act illegally simply because they know they will either get away with it or the consequences will be so minor that there is no deterrent. 
  • The root of the matter is contained in the second half of the verse, “the heart of the people is filled with the desire to commit crime.”
    • The delay or lack of punishment only encourages the wicked to commit crimes.
    • The modern-day fact is why I referenced what is occurring in the US now.
      • We constantly hear of crimes being committed, often brazenly, yet nothing is being done about it.
      • The legal system in some locations has weakened the authority of those charged with keeping and enforcing laws.
      • Additionally, some judges are making decisions that fly in the face of what the law says.
  • The very idea that a holy and righteous God allows the wicked to prosper and, seemingly, get away with the behavior has perplexed people for generations.
  • Peter captures the essence of the reason behind this apparent delay.
    • 2  Peter 3:9 The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
    • God extends grace to all people, hoping they will repent and believe the Gospel of Christ.
    • 2 Peter 3:10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.
  • We now also need to go back to another theme in Ecclesiastes: the idea of “under the sun” thinking.
    • When viewed through “under the sun” lenses, there is no justice, and life is not fair.
    • However, when wicked behavior is viewed through the lenses of eternal consequences, judgment will be meted out, and the wicked will not escape.

Verse 12

  • The beginning of verse twelve presents a challenge when the author says that a sinner commits hundreds of crimes yet prolongs his life.
  • At the same time, the author says it will go well with God-fearing people.
  • We look around the world today, either from a global perspective or a local one, and we constantly observe injustice.
  • The injustices we observe can challenge us in many different ways.
    • Do we lose faith that God will eventually judge the wicked and they’ll receive what they deserve?
    • Are we tempted to take matters into our own hands against the wicked?
    • Are we tempted to join those committing wicked acts since we see nothing of consequence happening to them, and they seem to get ahead in society?
  • Each of those reactions indicates a lack of faith and trust in God.

Verse 13

  • Instead, we must stand firm on the promise of God that sin and evil will be vanquished.
    • Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplished triumph over sin.
    • Ultimately, evil will be punished, and the righteous will be rewarded.
  • This thought is the timeless principle to carry from the Old Testament to our present age, where we live under the New Covenant.
    • The wicked are not reverent. Their actions spit in the face of an infinitely holy God.
    • On the other hand, the reverent will be rewarded for their faith.
  • So how are New Covenant people reverent?
    • By placing their faith in Jesus Christ.
    • Jesus’ command was to “repent and believe.”
    • We are to turn away from our sinful behavior and follow God’s commands contained in Scripture.
    • We are to believe what Scripture says about Jesus.
      • The Father sent him.
      • He was fully God and fully man.
      • He was born of a virgin.
      • He lived a sinless life.
      • He was crucified, died, buried, and on the third day, rose again and sits at the right hand of the Father.
      • He will one day judge each of us.

Applications

  • Respect each person who dies. They will spend eternity in one of two places: heaven or hell. Respecting them doesn’t mean we condone or applaud the actions of evil people. 
  • Don’t lose faith when we don’t see justice carried out in the manner or timeline we’d like. God has a purpose, and we display our faith by trusting He is in control.
  • Don’t try to take justice into your hands or be tempted to join the wicked in their actions.
    • Justice is the purview of God.
    • The wicked will eventually receive their condemning judgment. If we join them in their wicked pursuits, we will also face condemning judgment in the future.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Fourteen

Ecclesiastes Lesson Fourteen: Ecclesiastes 7:23-29 – The Limitations of Wisdom

I have tested all this by wisdom. I resolved, “I will be wise,” but it was beyond me. 24 What exists is beyond reach and very deep. Who can discover it? 25 I turned my thoughts to know, explore, and seek wisdom and an explanation for things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity and folly is madness. 26 And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a trap,  her heart a net, and her hands chains. The one who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner will be captured by her. 27 “Look,” says the Teacher, “I have discovered this by adding one thing to another to find out the explanation, 28 which my soul continually searches for but does not find: among a thousand people I have found one true man, but among all these I have not found a true woman. 29 Only see this: I have discovered that God made people upright, but they pursued many schemes.” (HCSB)

I’m going to split this lesson into two parts.

  • Our inability to grasp God’s actions – verses 23-25.
  • The sinfulness of humanity – verses 26-29.

Our Inability to Grasp God’s Actions

  • The author explains that he set out on a challenge to discover the depths of wisdom. 
  • He found that no matter how hard he tried, it was impossible to have wisdom that revealed all the answers to what was observed in the world.
  • Even the statement “I have tested all this” is misleading since it’s impossible to test everything found in nature.
  • Understanding the how and why of God and His creation is impossible.
    • Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration. 9 “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
    • Micah 4:12a But they do not know the Lord’s intentions or understand His plan.
    • Psalm 147:5 Our Lord is great, vast in power; His understanding is infinite.
  • The author then gets to the crux of the problem and reaches a fitting conclusion.
    • He sought to explore what he could and understand those areas that he did explore.
    • He never said that he did or intended to discover all the answers.
  • It is in coming to this conclusion that the author has discovered wisdom.
    • First, by acknowledging it’s impossible to discover the answers to everything.
    • Second, by acknowledging that God is sovereign. 
  • God is the answer.
    • Only God knows and understands His creation.
    • We begin to discover wisdom when we submit to God as His created beings.
    • Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 
  • By submitting to and following an infinitely holy and righteous God, we gain wisdom and turn from wickedness, which is better understood as stupidity and folly.

The Sinfulness of Humanity

This is a challenging section of the passage, and it’s easy to focus on the woman mentioned here. However, doing that leads us away from the bigger picture being presented here. The idea the author is trying to convey is the pervasive sinfulness of humanity.

  • This section begins with the saying that a woman who is a trap is more bitter than death. The question that begs to ask is who or what type of woman is being described.
    • Some scholars believe the author is talking about a prostitute, and Scripture is ripe with passages that depict the trap of prostitutes.
      • Proverbs 2:16-19 It will rescue you from a forbidden woman, from a stranger with her flattering talk, 17 who abandons the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; 18 for her house sinks down to death and her ways to the land of the departed spirits. 19 None return who go to her; none reach the paths of life.
      • Proverbs 5:3-6 Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her words are smoother than oil, 4 in the end she’s as bitter as wormwood and as sharp as a double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps head straight for Sheol. 6 She doesn’t consider the path of life; she doesn’t know that her ways are unstable. 
    • Other scholars believe this passage discusses the strife between a husband and wife.
      • Genesis 3:16b Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will rule over you.
      • Because of sin, married life will be a battle instead of a relationship filled with joy.
      • Women will try to ensnare and control men.
      • Most men, sometimes through force, will seek to dominate their wives.
      • In the end, both are miserable.
    • A third group believes the author was talking about foreign wives who would lead the man away from God.
      • 1 Kings 11:3-8 He had 700 wives who were princesses and 300 concubines, and they turned his heart away from the Lord. 4 When Solomon was old, his wives seduced him to follow other gods. He was not completely devoted to Yahweh his God, as his father David had been. 5 Solomon followed Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom, the detestable idol of the Ammonites. 6 Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, and unlike his father David, he did not completely follow Yahweh. 7 At that time, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh,  the detestable idol of Moab, and for Milcom, the detestable idol of the Ammonites, on the hill across from Jerusalem. 8 He did the same for all his foreign wives, who were burning incense and offering sacrifices to their gods.
      • A modern understanding of this is being married to an unbeliever. It doesn’t matter if they are an atheist, agnostic, or follow a false religion. In each case, the unbeliever can pressure the Christian to turn away from a pure relationship with Christ.
  • It would be an incorrect understanding to think the author felt that 100% of women were inherently evil.
    • At this point, we need to remember the coherence of Scripture and the fact it can’t contradict itself.
      • Proverbs 12:4 A capable wife is her husband’s crown, but a wife who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
      • Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
    • Since Scripture mentions capable and wise wives, it is evidence they exist.
  • Now, let’s move on to an understanding of the bigger picture being painted here: the overall sinfulness of humanity.
    • When God originally created man and woman, there wasn’t any sin in the world.
    • Adam and Eve were originally “upright,” meaning they were sinless and righteous.
    • Once sin entered into the world, each person was capable of sinful behavior.
    • Humanity chased after their desires instead of chasing after God and following His will.
    • Romans 3:10b-12 There is no one righteous, not even one. 11 There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away; all alike have become useless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one.
  • So, what is the solution? It’s contained in verse 26b The one who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner will be captured by her.
    • Let’s understand “her” to mean sin and sinful behavior.
    • When we obey God, walk according to His commands, and surrender to Christ, we will escape the penalty of sin.
    • When we don’t surrender to Christ and follow God, we are ensnared by sin and will eventually pay the penalty.

Applications

  • Don’t pursue knowledge and wisdom as the end all of your life’s pursuits. Accept that you’ll never understand everything, maybe most things, and place your trust in the sovereignty of God. Only He has all the knowledge and answers to the riddles of life. Pursue a relationship with Him as the most important pursuit in life.
  • Although we can’t, and shouldn’t, avoid engagement with the world and those who don’t follow Christ, we need to be careful. It is easy to be led astray, regardless of how strong you think your relationship with Him might be. Many who came before us were led astray, and there will be many after us. We must set boundaries to protect ourselves and have strong Christian brothers and sisters to walk alongside us.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Thirteen

Ecclesiastes Lesson Thirteen: Ecclesiastes 7:15-22 – The Value of Moderation

In my futile life I have seen everything: there is a righteous man who perishes in spite of his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in spite of his evil. 16 Don’t be excessively righteous, and don’t be overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Don’t be excessively wicked, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp the one and do not let the other slip from your hand. For the one who fears God will end up with both of them. 

19 Wisdom makes the wise man stronger 

than ten rulers of a city. 

20 There is certainly no righteous man on the earth 

who does good and never sins. 

21 Don’t pay attention to everything people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you, 22 for you know that many times you yourself have cursed others. (HCSB)

The preceding lesson talked about wisdom through parables. This lesson will also have an underlying theme of wisdom but in the context of moderation. 

I’ll be dividing this lesson into two parts.

  • The mystery of righteousness versus sin and the length of a person’s life – verses 15-18.
  • Another exposé on wisdom – verses 19-22.

The Mystery of Righteousness Versus Sin and the Length of a Person’s Life

Don’t we often wonder and struggle when we see blatantly sinful people living long and seemingly prosperous lives? And the same happens when we see good people who die young. It begs the question, “Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?” Doesn’t this contradict God’s Word?

  • Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 
  • Deuteronomy 4:40 Keep His statutes and commands, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper and so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time.
  • Deuteronomy 4:25-26 When you have children and grandchildren and have been in the land a long time, and if you act corruptly, make an idol in the form of anything, and do what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, provoking Him to anger, 26 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that you will quickly perish from the land you are about to cross the Jordan to possess. You will not live long there, but you will certainly be destroyed.
  • Psalm 55:23 God, You will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and treachery will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.

We need to consider two facts when we ponder the question of whether or not the Word has been contradicted.

  • God did promise to bless Israel in their land if they obeyed His Law, but those promises are not given to believers today under the new covenant.
    • Matthew 5:3 The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
  • The wicked appear to prosper only if you take a short-term view of things.
    • Psalm 73
    • 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

When we consider these two facts, we see clearly that God has not contradicted Himself.

Another biblical example to consider is the book of Job and his three “friends.” They are convinced that the question of how humans relate to God and the world is captured in one belief: If you obey all the rules, you’ll be safe. The result is that those who ascribe to this belief lean towards asceticism, self-denial as a spiritual discipline. However, asceticism has the following shortcomings.

  • Futility – everyone will end up failing at some point.
  • Arrogance – there’s a tendency to have a smug certainty about one’s righteousness.
  • Miserable – cutting off from the everyday joys of life.

Putting these ideas into modern understanding would caution us not to be fanatics or legalistic in our behavior.

The second half of verse eighteen effectively summarizes verses 15-18. 

  • To understand, we must figure out how fearing God will allow a person to end up with both. But what are “both?”
    • Having a devotion to God and following His teachings of wisdom.
    • Enjoying the good things in life.
  • A person who faithfully follows God will be able to maintain both of these throughout their life.
  • This is in contrast with two other philosophical outlooks.
    • Asceticism – any indulgence or humor is either a sin against religion or folly against wisdom.
    • Libertine – any form of restraint is a threat against pleasure-seeking.
  • The author seems to warn against excesses, but the Christian life seems filled with them.
    • Exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees: Matthew 5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 
    • Be exceedingly glad when we are persecuted: Matthew 5:12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 
    • God has given us exceedingly great and precious promises: 2 Peter 1:4a By these He has given us very great and precious promises.
    • God has promised to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think: Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think  according to the power that works in us.
  • The author is warning against the wrong kind of excess, not excess in general, as Scripture can’t contradict other sections of Scripture.
  • God’s creation is wonderfully balanced.
  • We must learn to balance the ways we perceive the circumstances of our lives.

Another Exposé on Wisdom

This section contains two short teachings.

  • A person with wisdom is infinitely stronger than the foolish rulers of a city.
    • Wise men are necessary because human sin is universal: Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
    • Rulers can try to control evil by brute force, but because of pettiness, weakness, and ambition in society, only wise men can maintain the equilibrium among them.
  • Verses 21-22 are a warning against being overly sensitive to what others say about us. It’s also highly likely, if not an absolute given, that we’ve said things about or to others that have caused pain.
    • We might try and explain away what we said by blaming it on “having a bad day” or “we didn’t really mean what we said.”
      • Others would probably use the same excuse when speaking badly about us.
      • Why do we apply different standards to what we say and what others say about us?
    • The knowledge of our flawed nature should shape our attitudes toward others.
      • We are sinful people, and apart from the redemptive power of Christ, we are destined to spend eternity in hell.
      • We are also called to love our neighbors as ourselves: Mark 12:31 “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.” 
    • If we’re wise, we won’t pay attention to what others say about us and won’t speak ill of others.

Applications

  • Avoid excesses in your life. This can also include “church activities” if they are detrimental to the balance in your life. I knew one Christian family while in high school who went to church Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, and just about any other church event during the week. You might think that’s great, but you never saw the inside of their house. There were dishes and pots piled high in their kitchen. There were piles of dirty clothes throughout the house, even in the common areas. They had two dogs, and I often wondered if “accidents” ever occurred and how long it took to find them! Their family life lacked balance.
  • Focus on acquiring, understanding, and applying the wisdom contained in Scripture. But do this to walk in obedience to God’s Word and strengthen your walk with Christ, not as a way to show off or justify yourself.
  • Don’t let what others say about you cause discouragement. Sometimes, that isn’t easy. But in the end, if we’re walking in obedience to Christ, what others say about us doesn’t matter. They aren’t our judge. Only Christ can and will judge us.
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Ecclesiastes Lesson Seven

Ecclesiastes Lesson Seven: Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 – Mystery of Injustice and Death

I also observed under the sun: there is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness. 17 I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every work.” 18 I said to myself, “This happens concerning people, so that God may test them and they may see for themselves that they are like animals.” 19 For the fate of people and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; they all have the same breath. People have no advantage over animals since everything is futile. 20 All are going to the same place; all come from dust, and all return to dust. 21 Who knows if the spirit of people rises upward and the spirit of animals goes downward to the earth? 22 I have seen that there is nothing better than for a person to enjoy his activities because that is his reward. For who can enable him to see what will happen after he dies? (HCSB)

I’ll deal with this passage in one section, as there is one theme that runs through it. The teacher is wrestling with a question that plagues us today; how can God be in control when there is so much wickedness in the world? Now, let’s dig deeper into this passage.

  • In this passage, the teacher seems to be saying that time passes swiftly for humans.
    • We often look back and wonder about or regret decisions we’ve made. 
    • At the same time, God keeps track of everything we do, and at the end of time, we’ll answer for our actions. The teacher makes this very statement in the final verse of Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
  • The teacher ponders this very thought in the first two verses of this passage.
    • He witnessed wickedness and injustice.
    • He wondered why the judgment was delayed.
  • Now we circle back to the theme of this passage; how can God allow so much evil in the world?
    • The teacher wasn’t the first to wrestle with this question, nor was he the last. I’m sure that everyone who reads this ponders the same question.
    • However, the teacher comforts himself with two assurances.
      • God has a time for everything.
        • Ecclesiastes 8:6 For every activity there is a right time and procedure, even though man’s troubles are heavy on him.
        • Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because the sentence against a criminal act is not carried out quickly,  the heart of people is filled with the desire to commit crime.
      • God is working out His eternal purposes in and through the actions of mankind, even those who are wicked.
    • Verse seventeen should also be viewed with the eschatological judgment in mind.
      • Psalm 14:5 Then they will be filled with terror, for God is with those who are  righteous.
      • Although the teacher was not a prophet, he did speak of a coming judgment.
      • He acknowledged that political oppression was a universal phenomenon, but he offered hope, even though it was abstract, of a divine judgment and vindication.
  • God will judge everyone when the current earth has passed away, but He is also judging everyone now.
    • Verse eighteen tells us that God is testing man.
    • This testing reveals the character of each person.
    • When humanity leaves God out of their lives, they are no different than animals.
      • Psalm 32:9 Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you.
      • Proverbs 7:22-23 He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap 23 until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare he doesn’t know it will cost him his life.
      • 2 Peter 2:19-20 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them. 20 For if, having escaped the world’s impurity through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state is worse for them than the first.
  • As we read verses nineteen and twenty, we need to be careful and not draw the wrong conclusion. The teacher is not saying there is no difference between humans and animals. He is merely pointing out they have two things in common.
    • Both groups die.
    • The bodies of both groups will return to the dust. 
    • Humanity has a distinct advantage and difference over animals; mankind was created in the image of God.
    • However, both groups die and return to “dust.”
  • The Bible tells us that death happens when the spirit leaves the body.
    • James 2:26a For just as the body without the spirit is dead.
    • Luke 8:55a Her spirit returned, and she got up at once.
  • The teacher seems to be indicating that humans and animals don’t have the same experience at death.
    • Man’s spirit goes to God. Ecclesiastes 12:7 And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
    • The animal’s spirit ceases to exist. Read Psalm 49.
  • Once again, Ecclesiastes focuses on the mortality of humanity. Each of us is destined to have a physical death. But the real emphasis is whether or not we’ll experience spiritual life or death.
  • We also need to remember that mankind’s spirit, which is eternal, will exist in one of two places.
    • Those who have professed faith in, and submitted to the lordship of Jesus, will go to heaven.
    • Those who never professed faith in Jesus will be condemned to hell.
  • In the final verse of this passage, the teacher reaches two conclusions.
    • Neither possessions nor accomplishments are eternal.
      • We can’t take them with us when we die.
      • We should properly use them and enjoy them while we’re alive.
    • We will all pass from our physical bodies and live eternally as a spirit.
      • Our hope of eternal life is founded on God and not ourselves.
      • Those who have rejected God will face eternal punishment.
      • Those who have placed their faith in Jesus will experience eternal life in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without foundation, and so is your faith. 15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ—whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Therefore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.

As we reflect on this passage, let’s consider the following points.

  • God controls “time.” We see this vividly illustrated when we look at Israel’s early history.
    • The Bible doesn’t focus primarily on the social, political, or heroes of Israel.
    • It does focus on God shaping Israel through grace and judgment, moving Israel towards His goal.
    • When we reflect on what’s in 1-2 Kings, we read a narrative about what God is doing in this period of Israel’s history.
      • The prophets were the most important figures in these books, announcing and interpreting God’s actions.
      • The kings thought they were in control of the country and its people. However, it was God who was in control.
    • The same is true in the prophetic books of the Old Testament.
      • God reveals Himself as sovereign, who ruled the past but is also in control of the present and future.
      • Humans may have schemes and ideas, but God’s plans are the ones that will be fulfilled.
      • The book of Daniel contains one of the best examples.
        • King Nebuchadnezzar thinks he’s a god, requiring worship.
        • Daniel tells him that he’s not in control, and to reinforce that point, the king lives for a period of time among the animals.
    • The New Testament continues this theme.
      • At the appointed time, Jesus is born, announcing the kingdom of God and dying for our sins.
      • Jesus declares the various times of God’s plans.
        • His crucifixion.
        • The witness or apostasy of the disciples.
        • His second coming.
        • Divine judgment and salvation.
  • As Christians, we are to live our lives considering the fact that God controls time.
    • 1 Timothy 6:13-16 In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you 14 to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing  of our Lord  Jesus Christ. 15 God will bring this about in His own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, 16 the only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; no one has seen or can see Him, to Him be honor and eternal might. Amen.
    • 1 Peter 1:3-5 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
    • Revelation 1:3 The one who reads this is blessed, and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near!
    • Revelation 22:10 He also said to me, “Don’t seal the prophetic words of this book, because the time is near.
    • 2 Peter 3:8 Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
  • Our relationship with God will determine how we view the fact that God controls time.
    • For the faithful, it should provide comfort.
    • For those without a relationship with God, it will be unsettling as they try and manipulate time to their own advantage, acting as if they were “gods.”
  • We live in a world that is skeptical and confused about what occurs after we die.
    • Many search for verifiable truth about what happens.
    • Too often, in this search, they ignore the truth of the resurrection.
      • They are like Thomas in John’s Gospel.
      • They want to see it themselves, or they won’t believe it.
  • It’s a symptom of self-centeredness and paranoia.
    • The only “truth” is what they choose to believe.
    • This has led to the rapid increase in “spiritualities” in the Western world.
    • These “leaps of faith” will never lead them anywhere without being founded on the Truth, which came in the form of a man over two thousand years ago.

Applications

  • Accept and embrace the truth that regardless of what occurs around us, God is in control and He knows what is best. This is true even when we are going through difficulties. During those moments, press into God and try and discern His will, but also walk in faith and the knowledge that He will sustain you through those difficulties.
  • Accept that each of us is mortal. Our physical bodies will die, but our spirit will live forever. There are only two destinations for our spirit. We’ll either spend eternity in heaven in God’s presence or eternity in hell, forever separated from His love and grace.
  • Enjoy the pleasures of life in accordance with God’s will and plan. God wants us to enjoy life as we walk in fellowship with Him. If we are truly walking in step with Him, we shouldn’t feel guilty about enjoying life.
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Malachi Lesson Eight

Malachi Lesson Eight – The Day of the Lord

“For indeed, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and everyone who commits wickedness will become stubble. The coming day will consume them,” says the Lord of Hosts, “not leaving them root or branches. 2 But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall. 3 You will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing,” says the Lord of Hosts. 4 “Remember the instruction of Moses My servant, the statutes and ordinances I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 Look, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome Day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.” (HCSB)

With this lesson, we’ll bring the study of Malachi to a close. There is both judgment and hope contained in this passage, with a final encouragement that those who hold fast to the Lord will be blessed.

Verse 1

The imagery here is referring to the day of judgment when all will be judged. There are two possible eternal paths for each person.

  • Hell for the unrighteous and unrepentant.
    • They will become like stubble – a reference to chaff that is discarded in the harvest process. Chaff is also easily burned.
    • Burning like a furnace. Those who are “discarded” during the harvest process will face a fire that will torment and consume them. 
    • Joel 2:1-3 – Blow the horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the residents of the land tremble, for the Day of the Lord is coming; in fact, it is near— 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and dense overcast, like the dawn spreading over the mountains; a great and strong people appears, such as never existed in ages past and never will again in all the generations to come. 3 A fire destroys  in front of them, and behind them a flame devours. The land in front of them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland; there is no escape from them. 
    • They will have no hope, no future, no brighter day.
    • There will be no escape for those who live in disobedience to Yahweh.
    • Jesus warns that we shouldn’t fear the death of our body but what happens next.
    • We don’t know everything about hell, but there are some things we do know.
      • It is a real place.
      • It is a place of separation from God and all that is good.
      • It is a place of just punishment.
      • It is a place where there is memory.
      • It is a place of hopelessness. 

Verses 2-3

The first verse highlighted the judgment on the wicked. Here in the following two verses, we see what will happen to those that fear the Lord. 

  • The sun will rise over them. There are two interpretations of this illustration, and both are correct.
    • In the ancient Near East, it was common to describe the sun as the wings of a bird, as well as the healing that came with the protection found under the wings of a bird.
      • Psalm 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.
      • Psalm 104:1-3 My soul, praise Yahweh! Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with majesty and splendor. 2 He wraps Himself in light as if it were a robe, spreading out the sky like a canopy, 3 laying the beams of His palace on the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind.
    • A reference to the return of Jesus, the Son.
      • Isaiah 60:19-21 The sun will no longer be your light by day, and the brightness of the moon will not shine on you; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor. 20 Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not fade; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will be over. 21 Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch I planted, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified.
  • They will have unbridled joy. This illustration points ahead to a time when there will be no more sickness, no more darkness, no more sorrow, no more death, no more persecution, and no more sin.

Those who once were persecuted now find themselves in the favored position. I think it is important not to misunderstand the phrase “trample the wicked” as depicting the righteousness stepping on the wicked in an arrogant or self-righteous manner. Instead, it is the reversal of fortunes. Those who once physically and emotionally trampled on the righteous are now the ones who are trampled on in judgment from an infinitely holy God. Those who fear the Lord are given a place of honor for eternity, while those who rejected the Lord are given a place of condemnation.

Verse 4

Now Malachi refers Israel back to the law of Moses. However, this is the only instance in the Old Testament that a person or group of people are called to remember God’s law. It was often used in prayers for God to remember the person petitioning God in prayer. It was also used by God as a command to remember, but those cases didn’t involve the law. There are several points to consider regarding the phrase “remember the instruction” and “Horeb.”

  • Horeb was another name for Mt Sinai, and it has a strong connection with Yahweh’s covenant with Israel, which Moses received. 
  • It would cause Israel to fear God.
  • It would cause them to honor His name.
  • Israel was always called to remember God’s commands. Numbers 15:38-40 – 38 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner. 39 These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the Lord’s commands and obey them and not become unfaithful by following your own heart  and your own eyes. 40 This way you will remember and obey all My commands and be holy to your God.
  • Malachi was calling Israel to live a lifestyle that was directed by the application of God’s Word and not by human wisdom, ambition, or cultural norms.

Verse 5

Not only does Horeb have a connection with Moses in the previous verse, but here there is a connection between Horeb and the prophet Elijah.

  • Exodus 3:1 – Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
  • 1 Kings 19:8 – So he got up, ate, and drank. Then on the strength from that food, he walked 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.

It is also the location where Israel pleaded to “not to continue to hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire any longer, so that we will not die!” (Deuteronomy 18:16). This plea is the reason Moses told the people, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15). The overwhelming position on this last verse is that Moses is pointing far into the future and identifying the Messiah. At the very least, it points to the succession of prophetic covenant mediators, of which Elijah is considered the greatest symbol.

Verse 6

The “Day of the LORD” referenced in verse five points not only to judgment but also to the ministry that must occur before that day.

Joel 2:28-31 – After this I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions. 29 I will even pour out My Spirit on the male and female slaves in those days. 30 I will display wonders in the heavens and on the earth: blood, fire, and columns of smoke.31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and awe-inspiring Day of the Lord comes.

The prophet Joel is pointing to a future period of revival before Jesus’ return.

There is also an implied reference to Messiah with Moses and Elijah, which we read about in the transfiguration account. Luke 9:29-31 – As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed,  and His clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly, two men were talking with Him—Moses and Elijah. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of His death, which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. 

When we look at these last three verses of Malachi in conjunction with the transfiguration account, there are a couple of points we need to remember.

  • Moses was a prophetic servant.
    • He was an agent of deliverance for Israel and their bondage in Egypt.
    • He “officiated” the marriage covenant between Yahweh and Israel when the Mosaic covenant was instituted.
    • He brought God’s instructions to Israel and taught them that these instructions were to shape their relationship to Yahweh.
  • Elijah was the classic model of a prophet of repentance.
    • He was God’s prophetic messenger. 
    • He announced a new divine intervention and called for people to repent.
    • Those who failed to heed the words he spoke on behalf of Yahweh would be held accountable.
    • Jesus was the suffering servant.
      • He was the agent of deliverance for all mankind.
      • His blood instituted the New Covenant.
      • He called for people to repent.
      • He taught what was contained in Scripture, i.e., The Sermon on the Mount.
      • Those who don’t submit to His lordship will be held accountable on the day of judgment.

The “curse” that will come is eternal separation from God. It will be final and irrevocable.

As we close this book, we see a picture where Malachi draws a contrast between those whose actions display obedience to God and those whose actions are disobedient to God. There are two eternal destinations here.

  • It will be a day of blessing for those who have submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
  • It will be a day of pain and suffering for those who have rejected Jesus Christ.

Applications

  • The foremost question to ask yourself is, “am I follower of Jesus?” If the answer is no, then the day of judgment will be the start of eternal torment. If the answer is yes, then the day of judgment will be the start of eternal joy. We will all answer that question as we stand before the throne of Jesus. Submit your life and serve Him here and now.
  • For those who are followers of Jesus, do you share your faith with the understanding that the lost around you are on the path to eternal torment? Is there an urgency in your evangelism? If not, pray for courage and opportunities to share your faith.
  • If you once were a faithful follower of Jesus but have fallen away, repent and return. That is one of the overarching themes of Malachi. God is patiently waiting for the rebellious to return. However, there will be judgment for those who fail to come back.