Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 9:5

"For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten. Indeed their love, their hate and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 NASB1995).

Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, at first glance, brings great confusion as other scriptures make it rather clear that there is an awareness that exists in the presence of God. For example, in Revelation 6:9-11, it depicts the souls of martyrs in heaven who are aware and even speaking with God. This passage, among others (Hebrews 12:1; Matthew 5:12; 1 Peter 1:4), implies an ongoing awareness beyond the grave, showing that there is an afterlife consciousness for the righteous and the wicked.

Throughout the text of Ecclesiastes, the phrase “under the sun” appears repeatedly (Ecclesiastes 1:3, 1:9, 4:1), this phrase refers to "the world and to mankind in their current fallen state, much like NT expressions such as "this age" or "this present age" (Crossway 1197). It signals a focus on earthly life from a human's viewpoint, limited to what the everyday man can see and experience. "Solomon here describes what he sees, not what he believes; there is no reference here to the fact or the mode of the existence of the soul in another world, which are matters of faith" (Barnes).

The point is that Solomon means the dead do not participate in what happens "under the sun". Solomon is exploring earthly human limitations, when he speaks on the dead knowing nothing, he seems not to be denying the afterlife, but reflecting on what is known from a purely human perspective, later biblical revelations clarify the normal human's perspective.

Ecclesiastes 12:12

"But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body," (Ecclesiastes 12:12 NASB1995).

Some become confused by this verse as it seems to be condemning great study; however, this is a misunderstanding. This verse speaks about studying and becoming fatigued. About how if one does too much studying one becomes tired and weared down. Breaks are a blessing.

Works Cited

Dr. Falk, David. Live Stream #126: Live Stream #126: Apocalypse Of The Sock

YouTube, YouTube, 30 Sep. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou2jBECn4rM&t=4148s. 1:02:00 Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.