Ecclesiastes 9.1 (No One Knows?)

This, too, I carefully explored: Even though the actions of godly and wise people are in God’s hands, no one knows whether God will show them favor. [Ecclesiastes 9.1]

What is the purpose of Ecclesiastes? Mind you that Solomon wrote this after he totally went "diverse" with  foreign wives and gods. He had polluted his mind and spirit with the detestable practices of the gods Molech, Chemosh, and others.

Some have said Ecclesiastes is Solomon's repentance letter. So far, I don't see it.

I do see some wise sayings to this point, but I also see some things said that don't hold up compared to what the Bible says! This verse today is one of those.

Solomon said, "no one knows whether God will show them favor." Well, for starters, that is just not true! The righteous will be shown favor and the unrighteous will suffer consequences. Otherwise, we have to say Deuteronomy 28 is just a made-up lie! And worse, we would have to say Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection was for nothing!

Actually, what Solomon has revealed about his life-condition is sad. His discussion about death in today's OYCB reading is not accurate either:

The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered. [Ecclesiastes 9.5]

No further reward? Not true. Solomon has again revealed that all his wisdom and knowledge were undoubtedly seriously diluted and tainted by worshiping false gods.

Solomon further reveals his folly when he 'almost' gets to the source of his problem:

I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare. [Ecclesiastes 7.26]

It is almost as if Solomon was implying 'tongue-in-cheek' that the female sex was the problem. But he never really addressed the real problem, that he betrayed Almighty God. This is clearly evident in what Solomon went on to say (unfairly, in fact):

“This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! [Ecclesiastes 7.27-28]

Really? Not one woman? Solomon, wise Solomon, really showed off a special kind of stupid here. Solomon must have had quite a problem with blind lust.

I hope that, as Ecclesiastes is concluded, Solomon comes to his senses.

Father, Your Truth is precious. Help me to have eyes to see and ears to hear Truth. Help me to see that obedience, not wisdom or knowledge, is the key to blessing and peace.