Ecclesiastes 9 — Whatsoever Thy Hand Findeth to Do, Do It With Thy Might
For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God. There is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked. The living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing. Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave. I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:10
- v.1-6 One event to all
- v.7-12 Enjoy life; work hard
- v.13-18 Wisdom's quiet power
A humbling observation. Even talent and effort do not always produce expected results. Time and chance — and God's providence — alter outcomes.
A check on meritocratic confidence. The fastest do not always win; the verse builds humility about results.
Verse 10 reorders today's effort. With thy might — not casually. The brevity of life means the present moment is the only one in which to act.
Christ worked while it was day (John 9:4). The chapter's wisdom is enacted in His ministry; the believer follows that pattern of urgent, full-strength work.
With thy might. Full effort. The Christian work ethic is grounded in the brevity of life.
A motivation against half-hearted labor. The grave ends the chance to do the work; do it now, fully.