Ecc 9:7-10 | Clarke | STEP | Verse 7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy - Do not vex and perplex yourselves with the dispensations and mysteries of Providence; enjoy the blessings which God has given you, and live to his glory; and then God will accept your works.

Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

Verse 7

Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy - Do not vex and perplex yourselves with the dispensations and mysteries of Providence; enjoy the blessings which God has given you, and live to his glory; and then God will accept your works. Verse 8

Let thy garments be always white - The Jews wore white garments on festal occasions, as emblems of joy and innocence. Be always pure, and always happy. The inhabitants of India are all dressed in clean white cotton, and to this is the allusion in the text.

The Targum says: "At all times let thy garments be washed and pure from the stain of sin. Acquire a good name, which is likened to the oil of anointing, that blessings may be called down up thy head, and goodness not forsake thee." Verse 9

Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest - Marry prudently, keep faithfully attached to the wife thou hast chosen, and rejoice in the labor of thy hands.

Some understand this as the words of the libertine objector: "Live joyfully with the woman whom thou lovest best." But this does not comport so well with the scope of the place. Verse 10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do - Examine here the What the How, and the Why.

I. What is necessary to be done in this life, in reference to another?

1. Turn from sin.

2. Repent.

3. Frequent the ordinances of God, and associate with the upright.

4. Read the Scriptures.

5. Pray for pardon.

6. Believe on the Lord Jesus, that thou mayest obtain it.

7. Look for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

8. Bring forth in their seasons the fruits of it - (1) Repentance, (2) Faith; and (3) The Holy Spirit.

9. Live to get good.

10. And to do good.

11. And refer every purpose and act to the eternal world.

II. How should these be done? With thy might.

1. Be fully convinced of the necessity of these things.

2. Be determined to act according to this conviction.

3. Then act with all thy strength; put forth all thy power in avoiding evil, repenting of sin, etc., etc.

III. Why should this be done?

1. Because thou art a dying man.

2. Thou art going into the grave.

3. When thou leavest this life, thy state of probation, with all its advantages, is eternally ended.

4. If thou die in sin, where God is thou shalt never come. For,

1. There is no work by which thou mayest profit;

2. No device by which thou mayest escape punishment;

3. No knowledge of any means of help; and,

4. No wisdom - restoration of the soul to the favor and image of God, in that grave whither thou goest. Therefore, work while it is called to-day.

My old MS. Bible translates this nervously: Whatever thinge may thin hond don, besily wirch: for nouther were, ne resoun, ne wisdom, ne keennyng schuln be a nentis hell, whither thou gost. Properly speaking, every sinner is going to hell, and the wisdom of God calls upon him to turn and live.