How does Ecclesiastes 8:13 connect with Proverbs 10:27 about life expectancy?

Setting the verses in context

• Ecclesiastes 8:13: “Yet it will not be well for the wicked, and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, because they do not fear God.”

• Proverbs 10:27: “The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short.”

• Both verses appear in wisdom books written to contrast the destinies of those who fear God with those who reject Him.

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Key observations

• Shared theme: longevity is tied to reverence for the LORD.

• Ecclesiastes underscores the futility and brevity of life for the wicked; Proverbs emphasizes the blessing of extended life for the God-fearing.

• “Like a shadow” (Ecclesiastes 8:13) pictures a life that rapidly slips away; “cut short” (Proverbs 10:27) states the same reality in straightforward terms.

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Connecting the dots

• Cause: lack of fear of God (Ecclesiastes 8:13) → shortened days.

• Cause: fear of the LORD (Proverbs 10:27) → prolonged life.

• Both verses teach a literal principle: God sovereignly governs life span, rewarding obedience and hastening judgment on persistent wickedness.

• The passages do not deny God’s occasional exceptions (e.g., righteous martyrs, wicked who live long), yet they set forth the normal, observable pattern designed by God.

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Supporting Scriptures

• Exodus 20:12 — honoring parents “so that your days may be long.”

• Psalm 55:23 — “You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days.”

• 1 Peter 3:10 — “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil.”

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Practical takeaways

• Cultivate a daily, humble fear of the LORD; it carries physical as well as spiritual benefits.

• Recognize that wicked choices can invite premature death—through divine judgment, inevitable consequences, or both.

• View longevity as a blessing to steward, not merely a statistic; each added year is an opportunity for further obedience.

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Concluding encouragement

God’s promise stands: reverence for Him ushers in life, fullness, and often a longer earthly journey, while disregard for Him shortens life’s shadow. Choose the path of fear-filled obedience and enjoy His gracious gift of days.