Ecclesiastes 8:10-17

Ecclesiastes 8:10-17 (NRSV)

Then I saw the wicked buried; they used to go in and out of the holy place, and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity. Because sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the human heart is fully set to do evil. Though sinners do evil a hundred times and prolong their lives, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they stand in fear before him, but it will not be well with the wicked, neither will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God.

There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people who are treated according to the conduct of the wicked, and there are wicked people who are treated according to the conduct of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. So I commend enjoyment, for there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat, and drink, and enjoy themselves, for this will go with them in their toil through the days of life that God gives them under the sun.

When I applied my mind to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how one’s eyes see sleep neither day nor night, then I saw all the work of God, that no one can find out what is happening under the sun. However much they may toil in seeking, they will not find it out; even though those who are wise claim to know, they cannot find it out.

Tucked down into the middle of this passage on righteous and evil people is one of the lines that gives us the famous "eat, drink, and be merry." (the other is Isaiah 22:13: "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die").

As the ebb and flow of life goes on - good people and evil people going about their lives and living them out often in ways that mirror each other - and even in the midst of pain and suffering, we can still find blessing in looking for those moments in our life to find joy.

Whether in a good meal, or drink with friends, or Sabbath time with your family, we are allowed - even expected - to see enjoyment and merriment and happiness.

But for me, what stands out is the last paragraph. 

That with all the work of God, no matter how much we try, we cannot really find out what God is up to.

How often do we try?

And how often do we see the guesses and judgments about what God is up to being lobbed at others as a weapon?

When we as a people try to determine who is the "righteous" one and who is the "evil" one.

Perhaps, even in that, God reminds us we would wise not to assume.

Lord, your love falls on this earth and brings life among both the good and the righteous. Let us bask today in that love, reveling in it's generosity rather than try to keep it only for ourselves. Amen.