The "Burden" of Life (Ecclesiastes)
From Eco-Bible 1
These are notes for an incomplete "Concept" page.
- Information is being added as the Bible Pages are added. In the end, everything will be compiled, further information added (as necessary), broken links connected, etc.
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Related concepts (some of which may eventually be merged:
In Ecclesiastes, this concept is also translated as "task" or "travail," or occasionally something else. It is found in these verses: Ecclesiastes 1:13; 2:23, 26; 3:10; 4:8; 5:3, 14; 8:16
Scripture Pages that Link to Here
- Ecc 1:13-15 - I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. That which is crooked can't be made straight; and that which is lacking can't be counted.
- (See comments on that page.)
- One of the "burdens" of "life under the sun": All of life is filled with pain, toiling, futility, etc. Once you die, all the "fruit" of your wisdom will be given to someone else. And you have no idea whether he will be a wise person (having a productive lifestyle, as in v. 4-9) or a fool (having a wasteful lifestyle, as in v. 1-3). You may spend a lifetime being wisely productive... and the person who gets it may waste it all in a matter of days!
- Some of the "cycles" of events that occur in the world (v. 1-8) would have been different, if sin had not entered the world. But because of the effects of sin, various aspects of these "cycles" related to the "burden" of life are now present.)
- Ecc 3:10 I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. - We have been given a "burden" to bear (one of the consequences of human sin).
- (v. 12) The best goal we can pursue in this "burden" of life is to enjoy the fruit of our labor (understood as being a gift from God), and to do good. (This conclusion was already described in Ecclesiastes 2:24-26; and the concept of "doing good" parallels the concept of "pleasing God," mentioned in that passage.)
- This passage says a similar thing: Psa 90:10 The days of our years are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty years; yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for it passes quickly, and we fly away.
Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.
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