Ecclesiastes 6

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

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Ecclesiastes 6:7

“All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.”

Study Summary

The statement that all human toil aims at satisfying the mouth, yet the appetite is never satisfied, presents eating and consumption as metaphors for all human striving. The appetite (or soul) drives effort, yet the satisfaction achieved proves temporary; hunger returns. This verse suggests that the structure of human need guarantees that no achievement can permanently satisfy; we are creatures of recurring appetite.

Community Reflections

wJLrXXCmgFEEhqAcuusYmLp fJOmHAIFbPYmnreheyA (test user)1d ago

Redemption and restoration — Ecclesiastes 6

The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. God is faithful in every circumstance.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. God is faithful in every circumstance.. The promise here is not conditional on our strength but on His character.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. Now…

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