Ecclesiastes' Use of Death to Teach Life Lessons
The book of Ecclesiastes frequently uses the inevitability of death as a lens through which to understand and appreciate life, urging readers to live wisely in the face of mortality. The Preacher, or Qoheleth, confronts the grim realities of human existence, including death, oppression, and loneliness, incorporating them into realistic conclusions about life [8].
One of the central themes is that while death is certain for all, the living possess hope and opportunity that the dead do not [6, 10]. Ecclesiastes 9:5 states, "For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten" [2]. This awareness of impending death, rather than leading to despair, is presented as a refining influence [4]. Thinking soberly about death helps individuals recognize the severity of God’s curse on sin and encourages them to enjoy life wisely [4].
The Preacher acknowledges the sweetness of life, particularly for the aged, who have experienced it [7]. However, this appreciation is tempered by the understanding that life is fleeting. The book encourages enjoying the present blessings of life, such as eating, drinking, and finding satisfaction in one's toil, precisely because death is an unavoidable end to these earthly experiences [5]. For instance, Ecclesiastes 9:7 suggests that enjoying life is beneficial, even though death is inevitable [5].
Despite the emphasis on enjoying life, Ecclesiastes does not shy away from the stark reality that wisdom, while valuable for navigating life successfully, cannot ultimately save one from death or provide ultimate meaning in the face of it [11]. The Preacher observes that both the wise and the foolish ultimately share the same fate [11]. This perspective can lead to moments of profound reflection, as seen in Ecclesiastes 4:2, where the Preacher praises "the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive" [1]. Matthew Henry interprets this as a moment of "fret" for Solomon, who later seems to adopt a different view, recognizing the advantages of life for preparing for death and hoping for a better life [6].
The book also presents a cyclical view of time, where there is "a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up" [3]. Within this framework, death is a natural and appointed part of existence. John Gill notes that death is certain, a consequence of sin, and appointed by God, with its time fixed [10]. This knowledge is accessible to both the wicked and the righteous, though the wicked may try to ignore it [10].
The patristic tradition, as seen in Augustine's reference to Cyprian's work On the Mortality, also considered death not only non-disadvantageous but even advantageous for believers [9]. Cyprian argued that death withdraws individuals from the risks of sinning and establishes them in a security of not sinning [9]. This perspective aligns with Ecclesiastes' implicit call to live righteously and wisely in the time allotted, as life offers the opportunity to prepare for what lies beyond [6, 7]. The Preacher's discourse ultimately aims to teach how to "die well" by living well and considering one's "latter end" [7].
Sources
- Ecclesiastes “Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive. -- Ecclesiastes 4:2”
- Ecclesiastes “For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten. -- Ecclesiastes 9:5”
- Ecclesiastes “a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; -- Ecclesiastes 3:3”
- Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 7:3: 7:3-4 refining influence: Thinking soberly about death leads us to see the severity of God’s curse on sin and convinces us of the need to enjoy life wisely (9:10).”
- Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 9:7: 9:7-10 Though death is inevitable, enjoying life is beneficial.”
- Ecclesiastes (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 9:4: Solomon, in a fret, had praised the dead more than the living (Ecc 4:2); but here, considering the advantages of life to prepare for death and make sure the hope of a better life, he seems to be of another mind. I. He shows the advantages which the living have above those that are dead, Ecc 9:4-6. 1. While there is life there is hope. Dum spiro, spero - While I breathe, I hope. It is the privilege of the living that they are joined to the living, in relation, commerce, and conversation, and, while they are so, there is hope. If a man's condition be, upon any ”
- Ecclesiastes (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 11:7: Here is an admonition both to old people and to young people, to think of dying, and get ready for it. Having by many excellent precepts taught us how to live well, the preacher comes now, towards the close of his discourse, to teach us how to die well and to put us in mind of our latter end. I. He applies himself to the aged, writes to them as fathers, to awaken them to think of death, Ecc 11:7, Ecc 11:8. Here is, 1. A rational concession of the sweetness of life, which old people find by experience: Truly the light is sweet; the light of the sun is so; it ”
- Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 1:13: 1:13 God has dealt a tragic existence: The grim realities of human experience remind us of the Fall in Eden (Gen 3). Ecclesiastes does not dodge depressing descriptions of death, oppression, and loneliness; it meets them head-on and incorporates them into realistic conclusions.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 26 [XIV]--REFERENCE TO CYPRIAN'S TREATISE "ON THE MORTALITY." (part 1): Cyprian wrote a work On the Mortality,(2) known with approval to many and almost all who love ecclesiastical literature, wherein he says that death is not only not disadvantageous to believers, but that it is even found to be advantageous, because it withdraws men from the risks of sinning, and establishes them in a security of not sinning. But wherein is the advantage of this, if even future sins which have not been committed are punished? Yet he argues most copiously and wel”
- Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 9:5: For the living know that they shall die,.... Death is certain, it is the demerit of sin, the appointment of God and the time of it is fixed; it may be known that it will be, from the word of God that assures it, from all experience which confirms it, and from the decline of nature, and the seeds of death in men. This "the living" know that live corporeally, even the wicked themselves, though they put the evil day far from them; and so good men, that live spiritually, being quickened by the Spirit and grace of God, and live a life of faith and holiness; they know ”
- Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 2:13: 2:13-14 Wisdom is better than foolishness: Wisdom has value in navigating life successfully. It cannot, however, save one from the fate of death or provide meaning (2:15-16).”