What does Ecclesiastes 9:6 teach about the permanence of earthly achievements? Setting the Scene – Ecclesiastes 9 wrestles with life “under the sun”—life viewed from an earthly vantage point. – Verse 6 summarizes what death does to every earthly pursuit. Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:6 “Their love, their hate, and their envy have long since perished; never again will they have a share in all that is done under the sun.” Observation: What Happens After Death? • Emotions end: “love…hate…envy” cease. • Participation ends: “never again will they have a share.” • Time-bound sphere: everything “under the sun” is limited to this present world. Interpretation: The Limits of Earthly Achievements • Earthly accomplishments, accolades, and relationships are inseparably tied to temporal life; once life ends, so does any ability to enjoy, expand, or influence them. • No human effort survives the grave in its earthly form. What remains is only what God accounts for eternity (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10). • The verse underscores the stark contrast between the fleeting nature of all that is earthly and the enduring nature of what is done for God. Corroborating Scriptures • Psalm 49:16-17 — “Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich… when he dies, he will carry nothing away.” • Matthew 6:19-21 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” • 1 John 2:17 — “The world is passing away with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever.” • Isaiah 40:6-8 — “All flesh is grass… but the word of our God stands forever.” Application Points for Today – Keep achievements in perspective: celebrate God’s blessings, yet remember their expiry date. – Invest intentionally in eternal priorities—faithfulness, gospel witness, love of neighbor—because only these follow us beyond the grave (Revelation 14:13). – Use temporal resources as stewardship tools for eternal outcomes; they lose their value when life ends, but their kingdom impact can outlast time. – Measure success by obedience, not by applause; success secured “under the sun” vanishes, but obedience echoes in eternity. |
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