Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

Since we cannot expect permanent changes to come out of our work, changes that will continue forever after, the best we can do is to enjoy its fruits and find some satisfaction in the work itself (cf. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:18-19; Ecclesiastes 8:15; Ecclesiastes 9:7; Ecclesiastes 9:9). This is the first of seven passages in which the writer recommended the wholehearted pursuit of enjoyment (Ecclesiastes 2:24 a; Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22 a; Ecclesiastes 5:17; Ecclesiastes 8:15 a; Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 a; and Ecclesiastes 11:7 to Ecclesiastes 12:1 a), and they make the point with increasing intensity and solemnity. [Note: For a study of these passages, see R. N. Whybray, "Qoheleth, Preacher of Joy," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 23 (1982):87-98, reprinted in Zuck, ed., Reflecting with . . ., pp. 203-12.] However, this is possible only with God’s help (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25).

"Solomon is not advocating ’Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die!’ That is the philosophy of fatalism not faith. Rather, he is saying, ’Thank God for what you do have, and enjoy it to the glory of God.’" [Note: Wiersbe, p. 491.]

Sometimes God channels the fruits of a wicked person’s work into a righteous person’s hands (Ecclesiastes 2:26). [Note: See J. Stafford Wright, "The Interpretation of Ecclesiastes," in Classical Evangelical Essays in Old Testament Interpretation, pp. 144-45.]

". . . in themselves, and rightly used, the basic things of life are sweet and good. Food, drink and work are samples of them, and Qoheleth will remind us of others [cf. Ecclesiastes 9:7-10; Ecclesiastes 11:7-10]. What spoils them is our hunger to get out of them more than they can give; a symptom of the longing which differentiates us from the beasts, but whose misdirection is the underlying theme of this book." [Note: Kidner, p. 35.]

In these verses, Solomon implied that God’s rewarding or punishing a person for his trust in God and his ethical behavior would take place before death. This is normally what happens (cf. Proverbs). Therefore, Solomon’s counsel is good advice. However, from later revelation we learn that final judgment will take place after this life, and that God’s rewards are not just temporal but eternal (cf. Job’s problem). Therefore, as believers, we can find greater satisfaction in our work itself than Solomon could. In short, later revelation has not invalidated Solomon’s views but enriched them.