What Profit Has He that Works? - Ecclesiastes 3:9

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon contrasted different times including, “a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sow; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace”, and in chapter three and verse nine of his book Solomon asked, “what profit has he that works?”, where we read,

What profit has he that works in that wherein he labors?

 

The verse reads, “What profit has he that works …” Solomon began with the words, “what profit” or “whatsoever excellency, advantage or gain” “has he that works” which means “possesses the person who fashions, accomplishes, makes and produces”. Solomon questioned whatsoever gain does the person who produces and labors according to the following. 

The verse continues, “… in that wherein he labors?” Daniel added the words, “in that wherein” or “in which and whatever” “he labors” which means “he, the person who fashions, accomplishes and toils in misery”. Solomon asked what advantage a person has in that which he toils in misery.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon questioned the advantage that a person gains when they toil in their acts and deeds. It’s as though he felt it was a waste of time to “labor”. We must remember that this comes from a man who has tried everything “under the sun” and finds it “vanity and vexation”. God knows without a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, “works and labors” are unfulfilling. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into satisfying “works” that shall be rewarded for all eternity. 

Next time Solomon says, “I have seen the travail, which God has given to the sons of men”, 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".