.!9!. From a superficial glance at Ecclesiastes 3:18-20, it could appear that the Preacher 1 is skeptical about life after death:

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1 Ecclesiastes.!9!. MAN & BEAST From a superficial glance at Ecclesiastes 3:18-20, it could appear that the Preacher 1 is skeptical about life after death: 18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. However, careful consideration of the context will demonstrate that this passage, rather than denying survival, actually implies it. We are told that men suffer the same fate as do the lower animals. In death, they all go unto one place... back to the dust of the earth. If we were limited to these verses, we might conclude that the speaker did not believe that man had any hope of a future life whatsoever. Animals cannot look forward to a resurrection. Neither could man, if his death is in every way identical to that of an animal. To get the flow of thought in this section, however, one needs to go back at least to verse 16: And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, 1 This is probably Solomon, although the book does not explicitly say so. (See also footnote 1 on page 17.) 61

2 that iniquity was there (Ecclesiastes 3:16). Here, the Preacher deplores the corruption of the courts, as well as the sinful ways of religious leaders. He indicates that this is the way it is now under the sun. The recurrent phrase, under the sun, represents life as he sees it in the present world. In verse 17, the statement is made: God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there (at the judgment beyond this life) for every purpose and for every work (Ecclesiastes 3:17). The phrase, a time there, is spoken in direct contrast to the present situation under the sun in the preceding verse. God s future judgment will occur beyond the framework of this present evil world. The verdict of that tribunal will not be affected by any corrupt procedures which may be so common under the sun. However, in order for man to receive such judgment, there must be a life after this one. In this, man is different from an animal. God will hold him responsible for every purpose and every work. Then, because of all the corruption he sees, the Preacher prays (verse 18) that God will show them:...that they themselves are beasts. Actually, a literal rendering of the Hebrew (~h,l' hm'he = HEM-MAH LA-HEM) could read:...they to themselves... In other words, he wants God to let them see that they, to themselves, are beasts. They are really mistreating themselves. They act so high and mighty, as though they are above the law. They think they can do as they wish, and get by with it. However, so few see that sin carries its own penalty... even before God brings it into judgment. Whoever perpetrates a crime or some injustice, that person really harms himself. Little does he realize, he is becoming an animal. In verses 19 and 20, the Preacher continues to deal with the great similarity between man and beast. The person who fails to recognize this, may be inclined to think of himself more highly than he ought to think (Romans 12:3). Even in physical death, a man has no advantage over a beast. They both return to the dust. A humbling thought, is it not? It should be. This inescapable fact should help one alleviate any vain arrogance......for all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 3:19g). So far, in this passage, the Preacher has intentionally avoided any reference to the spiritual potential in man. Hopefully, his message on the sensual, beastly aspect of man will cause some to give serious thought about their lifestyle. There should be more to life than the mere pursuit of natural gain and physical pleasure. This brings us to verse 21, where the question is asked: 62

3 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? (Ecclesiastes 3:21). Notice, the question is not: Who knoweth if the spirit of man goeth upward...?, but rather, Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward...? It is not a question of whether man has a higher destiny than a beast, but whether anyone really believes that anymore. Man s spirit does not go back to the dust like a beast. Some day, he must face God, and be held accountable for his actions on earth (Ecclesiastes 12:7,14). Although, at first, the Preacher emphasized the great similarity between man and beast, now he wonders who, if anyone, discerns the great difference between them. The word, dust (verse 20), in this context, obviously refers to the physical matter from which a body is constructed. On the other hand, the word, spirit, must necessarily refer to the nonmaterial aspects. Ecclesiastes 8:8 states: There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death. In the day of death, no one has the ability to keep his spirit from leaving his body. This is not talking about someone being able to hold his breath. Neither does the Biblical phrase, give up the ghost (Job 13:19), merely mean to expel the last breath of air. In his suffering, Job wished that he had given up the ghost before he had been born! Wherefore then hast Thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me! (Job 10:18). Since he had never breathed air in his mother s womb, Job would have then had to give up something other than natural breath. 2 Therefore, when it is used in contrast to the body, spirit cannot be mere breath. In this context, it has reference to the total nonmaterial part of a being. As such, it includes the soul. The spirit of the beast carries the instincts and natural inclinations of the animal. In comparison with man, it is very limited. It was not designed for fellowship with God. There is no hint in Scripture that the nonmaterial part of a beast survives physical death. Instead, we are told that as the body returns to the dust, even so......the spirit of the beast...goeth downward to the earth (Ecclesiastes 3:21b). As we learned in Chapter Four, the spiritual or nonmaterial part of man carries his intelligence and the great potential of communion with the Creator. Only in his spiritual makeup and destiny can man claim any distinction from an animal. Let no one assume that Ecclesiastes 3:21 expresses any doubt or disbelief in that... as though it should have been translated: Who knoweth if the spirit of man goeth upward...? The Hebrew text clearly supports our King James Version: 2 This also indicates that an embryo possesses a spirit. 63

4 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? The phrase, spirit of man, is followed by the article with a participle (hl'[oh' = HA-O-LAH)... the one going upward. In the same way, the phrase, spirit of the beast, is followed by the article with a participle (td,r,yh; = HAY-YO-RE-DETH)... the one going downward. Had the Preacher questioned whether anyone could be certain that the spiritual prospects of man were different from a beast, he would have used the interrogative particle in both places instead of the article. A similar thought is expressed in Ecclesiastes 8:1... Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. So when the Preacher asks, who knoweth, he is not indicating any doubt of someone having the proper interpretation. He just wants to identify the one who does. In the same way, the Preacher, in Ecclesiastes 3:21, is asking who really recognizes the difference between man s spiritual destiny and that of an animal s. This is crucial. A man may be humbled by being told he s an animal. However, unless he is soon informed of a greater destiny than that, a man loses hope. So many live like animals... with no great spiritual purpose. How desperately they need to know that the nonmaterial part of man has a different end than does that of a beast. AN APPOINTMENT WITH GOD The Preacher reiterates this in Ecclesiastes 12:7... Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Note the similar idea in both of these passages:...the spirit of man that goeth upward (Ecclesiastes 3:21a). and...the spirit shall return unto God... (Ecclesiastes 12:7a). You have an appointment with God! Man will be held personally accountable to God for all his actions under the sun. Since the context of both passages relate to what happens subsequent to death, we are drawn to the inescapable conclusion: The nonmaterial or spiritual part of man returns to God s custody, and will appear before Him at some time following one s demise. One should not expect to find here a detailed disclosure of the New Testament concept on eternal judgment. What we are told is quite simple, and to the point: 64

5 After death, a man must face God. This is in no way at variance with the clear teaching of the New Testament. It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). If anyone questions that this is what the Preacher means, then merely look at the conclusion of his message: For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14). When does this judgment occur? According to the Preacher, that judgment is not to take place during this present world... or as he would put it: under the sun. No, for he has already declared: God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there (not here) for every purpose and for every work (Ecclesiastes 3:17). WORK NOW! In Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, the Preacher points out how the dead are denied any participation in this present world. 3 In the next four verses (7-10), he offers some basic advice: Enjoy life, and the many blessings which God has bestowed......for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol (laavi KJV: the grave) whither thou goest (Ecclesiastes 9:9c-10). In the context of work, knowledge, and wisdom are synonyms for technical skill (Exodus 31:3). In fact, the Hebrew word which here is translated knowledge (t[;d; = DA-ATH), is rendered cunning in I Kings 7:14. So, in effect, the message of Ecclesiastes 9:10 is: Do not be lazy; be diligent. Use your God-given potential to acquire proper skills and to do a good job. A time will come when there will be no more opportunities for learning or accomplishing 3 See pages

6 anything. In Sheol, there is no knowledge which can be gained in the performance of any work, neither is there any wisdom which can be offered and employed there to devise or plan something. Nothing like that will be there. These privileges are limited to this life under the sun. The Preacher has not said anything we do not already know. The resources of life (such as work, devising, knowledge and wisdom) are available to accomplish present tasks under the sun. They can not be found or utilized in Sheol to finish anything left undone here. Jesus said something comparable to this is John 9:4... I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day (during this life under the sun ): the night cometh, when no man can work. Therefore, earthly pursuits come to an end at physical death. There is no continuation of the activity, planning, nor wisdom which characterized those endeavors under the sun. One can no longer acquire and apply the knowledge of any skill for your hands to perform in Sheol. That is all over. This does not imply a cessation of consciousness, but rather a cessation of work. Those in Sheol can no longer participate in these achievements under the sun. CONCLUSION In Ecclesiastes 9, the Preacher has placed the emphasis upon the negative aspects of Sheol... and properly so. It certainly was not a place to look forward to. However, that passage was not intended to be the full and complete revelation on the subject. As we have seen, in Ecclesiastes 3 and 12, the Preacher believes in the survival of the spiritual aspect of man. Therefore, our interpretation of what he says in Ecclesiastes 9 must not contradict that. 66