What does "who knows what is good" reveal about human limitations? Setting the Scene “For who knows what is good for man in life, during the few days of his fleeting life that pass like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 6:12) What the Question Implies • The Teacher asks, “Who knows what is good…?”—a rhetorical question exposing that people, left to themselves, do not. • The phrase uncovers the gap between human perception and ultimate reality; we sense there is “good,” yet we cannot define or secure it with certainty. Human Knowledge Is Partial • 1 Corinthians 13:9: “For we know in part…” — our understanding is fragmentary. • Because knowledge is limited, our judgments about what will truly benefit us can easily be wrong. • Even sincerest intuition must submit to God’s revealed will (Psalm 19:7–9). Life’s Brevity Magnifies the Limitation • Ecclesiastes 6:12 highlights “few days” and “shadow.” • James 4:14 echoes: “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow… you are a mist.” • Our short lifespan prevents us from gathering enough data to pronounce what is ultimately good; by the time we might learn, life is nearly over. The Future Is Hidden • “Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?” — only God sees beyond the grave. • Isaiah 46:10: God declares “the end from the beginning.” We cannot, which means our plans (Proverbs 19:21) depend on His sovereignty. Dependence on Divine Wisdom • Proverbs 3:5–6 calls us to trust in the LORD rather than lean on our own understanding. • Jeremiah 10:23: “It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” • The limitation exposed by “who knows what is good” drives us to Scripture, where God defines good (Micah 6:8; Romans 8:28). Practical Takeaways • Seek God’s counsel before major decisions; our view is too narrow. • Hold life plans loosely, allowing the Lord to redirect (James 4:15). • Evaluate “good” by eternal standards (Colossians 3:1–4), not merely by immediate comfort or success. • Rest in God’s omniscience; though we cannot see ahead, He already inhabits our future (Psalm 139:16). Summary The question “who knows what is good” reveals that human beings, constrained by partial knowledge, fleeting lives, and inability to foresee the future, cannot determine ultimate good on their own. These limitations compel us to rely entirely on the Lord, whose wisdom, word, and providence are perfect and complete. |