In the world, there is a saying -- "eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you die!" Many don't realize this statement (along with many other worldly cliches) originated in the Bible -- the holy scriptures. Neither do they understand the context of this particular statement in relation to other instructions. So for clarity and learning, let's study the scriptures in Ecclesiastes 8, wherein the Lord said He commanded mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat and to drink and to be merry.
Mirth defined refers to a social merriment; noisy gaiety; hilarity; pleasurable feelings in company. According to the KJV dictionary, it differs from cheerfulness and joy because of the noise/gaiety around the event which normally accompanies mirth.
Knowing that the things men do are vain, how does mirth relate to us this day? As the scripture states, men often only look at what is happening today rather than from an eternal, everlasting life perspective. Thus, the initial counsel would be to make the best of a bad situation, and to do so in his labour all the days of his life. (Interesting side note -- God determines the number of days that we have in this life).
Interestingly, however, when we apply our hearts to know wisdom, and to see the business - the Lord's business? -- that is done upon the earth (or needs to be done -- for example, the harvest fields are white) we end up beholding all the work of God, and the righteousness He displays for His people.
The focus has changed. No longer is life seen from an earthly perspective - for tomorrow you will die, but rather, from a heavenly -- from the viewpoint of everlasting life. Instead of seeing everything from a physical viewpoint, the teaching in Ecclesiastes leads us to set our sights on the Lord's purposes.
Why are we here?
What is the meaning of life?
What is our purpose?
Where are we going?
Better still, personalize these questions, making them pertinent for these are all valid questions to each and every one of us, particularly if there is life after death. And it is this prompting (?what if there is life after death) that forces us to look further, beyond the gaiety of the moment, and the mirth which so often besets us.
It is here that we should look to the work of God, and not to think ourselves so wise, that we have forgotten His mercy and grace. For neither skill, or education, or hard work can bring us to the place where God raises us up -- because He has a better plan for you and I. He has a treasure specifically for His people that surpasses all human understanding.
Below is the scriptural reference that provides further value to the statement -- to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. In the end, as the closing scriptures indicate, those who profess to be wise will remain confused because only the Lord God who created all things knows all the answers. Only He can give you the eyes to see, and the heart to discern the motivations that so quickly move us toward His precious truth.
From Ecclesiastes 8:
"Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun. When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with His eyes:) then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.]" (Ecclesiastes 8:15-17)
So what do you see when you read these scriptures?
Stand in the offering plate.
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