Ecclesiastes Chapter 9 Discussion Page 2

Gigi Did you want to know any more about the tabernacle or the way the truth and the life statement we

discussed briefly, if not moving on.

We will see them again. My sons cousin, same age, died in a 18 wheeler crash. His buddy driver had too much to drink that day and couldn't drive. My nephew did back to back shifts.

He fell asleep. Was observed going off road, and the truck leaped a storm culvert. He died instantly. He was like a son to me.

Loss teaches us the brevity of life. To let go of all the issues, and just love. Live well and know we'll see them again.

Be wise as a serpent; mild as a dove. If we discern evil, we must cover with our prayers. Fight like the Lion of Judah. My son blamed God and walked away from Him. I prayed for 20 years! He's back now. Has asked to be restored.

Don't give up on those who hurt. Pray for them to meet the Healer and Lover of our souls.

Agreed, Rick. We are among the living here on earth and our focus should be one those we have fellowship here and now. We can pray for each other, but not for the dead. We can trust that God judges justly in all things and rest in that. If someone dies a believer, our fellowship will be renewed in the resurrection, until then, it is advised for people to stay away from anything that involves praying to or contacting the dead. It is prohibited in Scripture, called necromancy, a type of divination.

Bless You Mishael, That is a story of hard losses in a short time. I am sorry it was that way, but God chooses what is best, I believe.

My dad died 32 years ago when I was 32. He had two back to back heart attacks within hours of each other and was gone quickly. Today, I was visiting my 88 year old Mom and she mentioned to me how she had talked with someone who was our neighbor for many years. Her husband is in a wheelchair now, having had several strokes. She is caregiving for him. so my mom mentioned, that it was a blessing that my dad died as e did, because she thinks it would be so hard for her to do caregiving for him now. So that was good to hear her say that. I miss my dad, but I know he had the beginnings of emphysema and is later years would have been miserable for him. God was merciful to him.

I thought your comment was very good.

I had peace with my Dads death. But when my mother died I was conflicted for a time just because of the way my family acted. I was in a state of exhaustion taking care of her and babysitting my toddler grandson 5 days a week, for 3 years.

My son and niece took my mother to her house; it was for to be 1 week. Long story short, my mother died there. They wanted to think they did good, but I was angry at their plotting.

I let go and let God work this out.

I kept it to myself, but I prayed to God on behalf of my mom and me. Not to her. It was a bad time because everyone thought their ideas were best. Strong personalities, you know? My son thought I'd be happier if I moved to a different place. I did just to get away from

Mismanagement and those who "think they know better, what's best." I lived through losing 2 brothers to drugs, my Dads death from Alzheimer's, and my Mother to dementia; within 5 years.

I weathered it. The Lord is my Comforter. I'm well, happy and get to minister every day now.

My parents are in heaven and that makes this easier.

Try to be more Spirit led when assessing how others should grieve. They're hurting with loss. The Bible says to cry with those who cry. Not in a morose way, but in "arms around". Laugh with those who are laughing.

Blessed Christmas. Peace, Mishael

When people die That is a teaching given to emphasize a point that if people aren't going to believe scripture from the living they won't believe from the dead. Look at context.

LUKE: 16: 19-31

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

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And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

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And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

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And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into (heaven) Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

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And in hell he lift up his eyes, BEING IN TORMENTS, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

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And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

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But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

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And beside all this, between us and you there is a GREAT GULF FIXED: so that they which would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from there.

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Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

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For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (Hell)

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Abraham saith unto him, They have (the Law of) Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. (In the Bible)

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And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

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And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Jesus)

This story shows that the rich man is conscious, can feel pain, thirst and terror for, still alive; unsaved friends and relatives.

We can miss those who've passed on. We can voice our feelings to them, forgive them for hurting us; or us hurting them. They're not going to hear us.

Marlo The dead are dead Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 there's nothing to pray for them or give them there dead.

We can't talk to them or anything else they are dead. Taking it further is not profitable in any category

and reading anything that teaches otherwise is way out there biblically!

Hi Marlo. The accepted canon of Scriptures does not speak of 'praying for the dead', but those who do believe in praying for the departed, generally appeal to the apocryphal book, 2 Maccabees 12:36-45.

If you look at that passage (you can see those books here on this Site), you will not only read of an instance of praying for the dead but also about offering of some silver as a sin offering. I hope you will see the extreme error of this belief & action, as once a person passes away from this life, there remains no further chance to correct past sins & errors. And only the Blood of Christ can make full payment for forgiving mankind's sins & no money, self-mutilation or prayers can ever add to that great Sacrifice. Please be careful if you are entertaining such thoughts or beliefs in your mind & be careful when reading those apocryphal books.

Marlo Don't understand what your inquiry is about.

Where in the King James Bible Does God say its okay to Pray for the Dead people?

The whole world goes through trials,and afflictions,and pain.Allthough the christian be better equipped through God's mercy ,and grace.The light of our Lord shinning the way,to everlasting peace ,and divine happiness,and joy.

Can you direct me to any Bible based materials thar could help increase my study of each chapter in the Bible?

God is the source and strength of all our lives and it is he who controls everyone and everything we do. we must hold on and believe that god will see us through.

what is a bulwark?

"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

"For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?"

Psalms 6:5

"Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?"

Psalms 88:12

"Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this dayFor David did not ascend into the heavens"( Acts 2:29, 34)

Our hope in Christ is the hope of the resurrection.

"For as by a man (Adam) came death, by a man (Jesus) has come also the resurrection of the dead." 1 Corinthians 15:21

Sorry for your loss!

To whoever is upset about not being able to pray to there lost loved ones ,or talk to them. Be happy that the Bible is here for us and it is very True and when it says the dead no nothing, the dead no nothing!!! I lost my mom when I was 29 a day before my bday so I can relate how it may be saddening to learn this , but you have to believe it so if you believe. Be glad you have Jesus to talk to he will get you to God! Amen

Besides ecclesiastes 9 -5,6 ...Where else does scripture speak on the dead not knowing anything

Explain verse 11 and how it applies to the people of today.

As reading verse 12 where it says "man knows not his time is like a fish and bird" they are taken in an evil net. Proverbs 1:17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. Says the fish prayer : Oh God deliver me from the net of the fisher!

Praise God for his word. I appreciatted the commentary from Godwin where he said not by smartness neither by strength...But by God's grace man become successful.This verse is not discouraging us from going for knowledge or skills, go after them but acknowledge that is the sovereign judge. God bless us.

He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? He mocks the sufferings of a child of GOD in the sight of my Holy Father. He speaks evil of this woman (my own blood,) not seeing that a pit is digged not for her, but him: her blood is on his hands. Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.

One that Looked Good and now babbling about no oxygen from smoking all them cigarettes hoping to find The Fountain of Youth: There's no Such fountain / There is a Fountain at The Cross, Where All Can be Made New( 2 Corinthians 5:17) Works of The Flesh( Galatians 5:19-21) Thou Shall Not Suffer a Witch to Live( Exodus 22:18)

Eccl. 9 instructs me how to go about running and completing the race I've been assigned to by Almighty God. From the beginning of time he has equipped me with "the measure of faith" in which to be victorious. Each race is different for each of us. Know, we are equipped by his power and might and to lean/depend not to our own understanding, but to look to him, the author/finisher of our faith

Verse 11 shows the harsh reality that sometimes one is just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"For man also knows not his time.." Thus the things that are highly esteemed of men are abomination in the sight of God. We were created and made in the image of God; so we should act like God, think like God, have the same kind of character and behavior and natural disposition as God. We ARE to know our times and prepare our ways after what is good and pleasing to God. Repentance, faith in Jesus!

As a believer in One God, and his son Jesus, a risen savior, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, the body dies goes back to dust, and the spirit goes back to The God Who Gave It.....this is my belief.

God has set time for everything and he goes by it, this timetable include everyone, yet we must trust Him in faith and walk in petiance and obedience.

man must work!