I invite you to open a Bible to Ecclesiastes and to read the ninth chapter on your own, taking a moment to reflect on the text in silence.

The righteous and the wise both receive all that is good from God, so their deeds are enacted through the hand of God. However, we are not given clarity concerning God’s judgement of our deeds while we are in this life. Because the righteous and the unrighteous both die as a result of the fall, determining one’s status with God by judging their earthly blessings is futile. As Christians, we are given hope in the new life through Jesus, and thus through faith are given the answer to the question that all people ask in verse one of this chapter.

Verses one through six point towards verse seven, which is somewhat uncharacteristically explicit for Solomon; we are told God’s judgement of our acts. It may be tempting to see this verse as condoning all actions, but it is crucial to remember the context. All good is from God, but we are unable to discern God’s judgement of our acts because we are all doomed to die. This death is defeated by Christ, granting all who have faith a hope in the next life and a certainty that God has approved our good works. It is in this certainty that Solomon tells us to eat and drink with merriment, for it truly is a cause for celebration!

White garments were prized in Solomon’s context because they required a great deal of cleaning and care. They were viewed as the most precious clothing and were associated with royalty and the rich. Oil was also expensive, so Solomon is telling the reader to be indulgent. This is a message that is rarely preached because it is in conflict with some widespread beliefs about self-denial, discipline, and asceticism. Those things are also important in the life of a Christian, but they are not to be universally applied! Not every ideal Christian is called to a life that extreme, and there is no harm in joy itself. A common misconception among Christians is that it is bad to enjoy something too much. While nothing should overshadow God, there is nothing wrong in “letting yourself” eat a piece of chocolate cake. Even revelry is to be considered a gift of God in moderation! Sharing a large meal and good drink with those you love is not a sin because the roast was expensive or because someone had a couple of extra drinks! The joy present in such a gathering is worth so much more than any money saved by staying in, alone. Solomon gives warnings against excessive hedonism elsewhere in the book, but he balances them here in order to avoid painting the ideal faith as quiet and reserved.

As you celebrate this week, how can you remember your limited time for both work and joy? What would it look like to engage with both to their fullest potential, and what blessings has God given you to enjoy?