Life Is Short (Ecc 9:1–10)

One of the frustrating and confusing mysteries of life is death. All men are in God’s hand (9:1), and every one experiences death (9:2). It does not matter if they are good or bad, religious or irreligious, honest or dishonest: every one faces death (9:3). This fear of death unites man: the writer says it is better to be poor and weak and still alive, then powerful and rich and dead (9:4). We often say that we value “life over limb.” Once someone is dead, they cannot come back and change their life; their future is sealed (9:5–6).
Because of the certainty of death, the Preacher encourages us to find enjoyment and fulfillment in what we do have in this life: enjoying the small delights of every day life (9:7). We shouldn’t cower before our impending demise, but enjoy the time we have now (9:8). If you are married, you should enjoy your spouse, and the pleasure of their companionship (9:9). Wherever God has planted you, you should bloom and grow for his glory in the time on this earth that he has given you (9:10).
Life is uncertain. Sometimes the strong, the powerful, those who have great physical endurance die young (9:11). We do not know how many years (or maybe just days!) we have left in our lives (9:12). Therefore, it is better to be wise in the time God gives us than simply to be powerful or rich (9:16). For example, imagine a powerful army coming to crush a small, weak city. However, one poor but wise man devises a plan to thwart the army, and their plans are foiled. No one remembers the name of that poor, wise man, they just remember that the great army failed and was turned back. But, as the Preacher said, it’s better to be wise and alive than rich and dead. The pointlessness of power and wealth is made even more clear when we see how temporary it is: you can’t take it with you! Life is short; enjoy what God has given for his glory!