Common Destiny, Solomon, Bible Study Lesson

Solomon Tells About A Common Destiny

Ecclesiastes 9:1-2

2 All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not.

As it is with the good man,

so with the sinner;

as it is with those who take oaths,

so with those who are afraid to take them.

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This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way we think, and the way we live.

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Commentary by Bob Pardue

A common destiny for mankind

This passage is fairly self explanatory but profound just the same. Solomon finally discovered that all mankind shares a common destiny.

The Sun Shines on Good and Bad People

No matter if we were a thief, a business person, a minister, an evildoer or a goody-two-shoes, good and bad things happen in our lives. Bad times will come and good times will come. This is the common destiny we all share as human beings on this earth. So, what do we do when bad things happen?

When the Storms of Life Come

Solomon prepares us for daily life with its ups and downs, elation and depression. Just recently, the pastor of my church was preaching about storms in our lives. He gave this example (paraphrasing a bit on my part).....

A worst case scenario. Let's say you start to work or school this morning. First thing that happens is your car motor is completely kaput. This is just the beginning. You get to work and there is a sign on the locked door reading; "Closed Forever".

You call a friend to take you home. When you arrive, your house has been burned to the ground - nothing left but ashes. All these things happening to one person - terrible, isn't it? Of course it is!

Things Could Be Worse

Let's look a a completely different set of circumstances. Let's say none of the above happened to you. But, you have a call that your brother, sister, mother or your child has just died.

Importance According to God

Which is worse? If you answered the second happening, you are absolutely correct. You see, there is nothing that can replace a relationship with your family, or a friend. This is what God placed as most important in our lives. Jesus says the greatest two commandments are to love God and to love others as we do ourselves. Everything else can be replaced - of at least coped with.

God Deserves Thanks

So, let's give thanks to God for blessing us during the good times. Thank Him for giving us a family, friends and others who care about our well being as we care for them. Also, give thanks to Him for helping us through the bad days of our lives - the storms.

Why? Because we need to remember that God is in control of our lives and allows the common destiny of mankind to happen for reasons only He knows. We can't change destiny. We can only pray that the good outweighs the bad and that God will be with us through it all - He Will Be!

The Holy Spirit Comforts

When we accept Jesus as Savior, His spirit is within us - we may not feel it all the time but it is there nevertheless, to call upon. To cheer us on when things are good and to comfort us when the unspeakable happens.

So, let's embrace our common destiny wisely by trusting in God through the bad times and the good.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Ecclesiastes 8:11 - Solomon on Crime and Punishment