To Whom the Race is Not - Ecclesiastes 9:11

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wherever you go”, and in chapter nine and verse eleven of his book Solomon said, “the race is not to the swift, the strong, the wise, the understanding and men of skill” where we read,

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all.

The verse reads, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, …” Solomon began with the words, “I returned” or “I, Solomon, turned and went back”, “and saw under the sun” which means “and noticed, discerned, distinguished and observed beneath the sun in the sky”, “that the race” or “that the running course” “is not to the swift” which means “exists in no way or manner toward people who are light, fleet of foot and rapid”, “nor the battle” which means “no and not in any way the fight or war” “to the strong” or “toward people who are mighty, chief and brave”, “neither yet bread” which means “no and not in any way even so and indeed grain or food” “to the wise” or “toward the people who are skilled, shrewd and prudent”. Solomon said he went back and observed beneath the sun in the sky how the running course was not toward people who are fleet of foot, the battle was not toward people who are mighty and brave and food was not toward people who are skilled and prudent. 

 

The verse continues, “… nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all.” Solomon added the words, “nor yet riches” or “no and not in any way even so and indeed is money or wealth” “to men of understanding” which means “to people both male and female with discernment, perception, insight and intelligence”, “nor yet favor” or “no and not in any way even so and indeed grace, charm, elegance and acceptance” “to men of skill” which means “to men, people both male and female, who possess skill, shrewdness and prudence”; “but time and chance” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover experience, fortune, occurrence and occasion in addition to happening and casual impact” “happens to them all” which means “comes to meet, befalls and encounters each, every and the whole of people”. Solomon shared how wealth is not toward people who have discernment and insight, and grace and acceptance is not just to people who have skill and prudence because fortune and casual impact affects everyone. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon viewed the “race, battle, bread and riches” available to everyone and not just a select few. His idea was that “time and chance” were responsible for what a person receives or does not receive. God is sovereign, and He gives gifts to people. Everything we have belongs to Him, and without Him we would have nothing. Because God loves us, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who shall guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth regardless of the gifts and skills we possess.

Next time Solomon says, “man also knows not his time”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".