Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 Amplified Bible
24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and assure himself that there is good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? 26 For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who pleases God. This too is vanity and chasing after the wind.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
“Ecclesiastes 2:24 (KJV) – There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.”
The book of Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, who had reigned over Israel in 10th century BCE, and known for his wisdom and wealth.
In this verse, Solomon reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the ultimate futility of worldly pursuits.
He encourages his audience to find satisfaction in the simple pleasures of life and to acknowledge that these pleasures come as gifts from the hand of God.
The verse begins with the affirmation that there is nothing better for a person than to eat, drink, and enjoy the fruit of their labor.
This echoes a theme found throughout Ecclesiastes, which emphasizes the transience of life and the absence of ultimate meaning in human pursuits.
Despite this seemingly pessimistic perspective, Solomon’s message is one of acceptance and contentment in the face of life’s challenges and uncertainties.
The theme of enjoying the simple pleasures of life is echoed in other passages of the Bible, such as Psalm 34:8, which says,
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
This theme is also consistent with the much broader message of Ecclesiastes, which advocates for a genuine balanced, measured approach to life, avoiding excessive, obsessive, attachments to wealth, power, or hedonistic pleasure.
Solomon’s assertion these pleasures come “from the hand of God” underscores the idea of divine providence and belief all good things ultimately come from God.
This echoes a common biblical theme of acknowledging God’s sovereignty and provision in all aspects of life.
It also serves as a timely reminder to be grateful for the blessings we receive, recognizing that even the simplest, simplified joys of life are gifts from God.
The broader context of Ecclesiastes is quite important for understanding the significance of this verse.
The book as a whole reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the pursuit of meaning and purpose in the face of mortality.
Solomon explores various avenues in search of fulfillment, including wisdom, pleasure, and wealth, but ultimately concludes that true satisfaction is found in fearing God and joyfully keeping his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Ecclesiastes 2:24 serves as a reminder to find contentment and joy in the present moment, rather than striving after fleeting pleasures or earthly wealth.
It encourages a perspective of gratitude and mindfulness, recognizing that even the simple acts of eating, drinking, enjoying one’s labor are gifts to be savored and appreciated.
Symbolically, the act of eating and drinking can be seen as a metaphor for nourishment and sustenance, both physical and spiritual.
Enjoying the fruits of one’s labor reflects the satisfaction that comes from hard work and accomplishment.
Through these simple acts, Solomon invites his audience to find fulfillment in the everyday, rather than in the pursuit of grandiose or unattainable goals.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 offers a message of contentment, gratitude, and mindfulness, reminding readers to find joy in the simple pleasures of life and acknowledge God’s provision in all things.
It is a call to embrace the present moment and find fulfillment in the here and now, rather than constantly striving after ephemeral pursuits.
In doing so, the verse encapsulates the much broader themes of Ecclesiastes and offers a perspective that is both timeless and relevant to readers today.
DAILY LIFE WITH GOD
(Ecclesiastes 2:24-26)
Central Idea: We are to enjoy our daily lives as gifts from the hand of God.
Purpose: To encourage believers to find contentment in God.
- Our happiness in life comes from the hand of God (2:25).
- The simple pleasures of life are God’s gifts for us to enjoy (2:26a).
- God judges sinners with the frustration of working for God’s people (2:26b).
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit ….
Praying …
Psalm 23 Authorized (King James) Version
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 