Ecclesiastes 9

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Solomon turns again to the subject of death, this time to emphasize the importance of enjoying life.

Value of Death Awareness

Knowing that death is no respecter or persons, and that life is short, Solomon encourages us to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Death awareness should provoke you to enjoy life.

Ecclesiastes 9 Outline

9:1-6
Death awaits all
9:1-4
Character will not postpone death.
9:5
The dead know not the living or this life.
9:5-6
The dead are forgotten.
9:7-10
Enjoy life
9:7
Enjoy your food. God favors you.
9:8-10
Enjoy your clothes, wife, and work.
9:11-12
Expect the unexpected
9:11
Life is unpredictable.
9:12
Death comes suddenly, without warning.
9:13-18
Esteem wisdom
9:13-16
Wisdom excels authority and strength.
9:17-18
Quiet wisdom is often neglected.

Enjoy Life

Solomon is very emphatic, insisting that we enjoy life. Go, eat with pleasure, drink merrily, wear clothes you like, live joyfully with your spouse, and work heartily – for God approves of what you do (9:7-10). You possess God’s favor (9:7).

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