Chapter 8 deals with Providence. What is Providence? In the late 1700’s, Providence was used by Christians to refer to God’s care over humanity. It has been used by unbelievers to mean nature, the universe or some other spiritual force or energy.
In verses 6-7, Solomon wrote, “Yes, there is a time and a way for everything, though man’s trouble lies heavy on him; for how can he avoid what he doesn’t know is going to happen?” A great example of this is found in the in the book of Job. In chapter 1, we find that Job was a wealthy man with many descendants. By the end of chapter 1, Job had lost everything. In chapter 2, we find Job stricken with a terrible skin disease, boils from head to toe. By the end of chapter 42, Job still didn’t know what happened; God was not obligated to tell him why he suffered so much. Of course, the human author of this book knew and tells us exactly what happened. We can have problems as well and never understand them this side of eternity.
Solomon gives another example in verse 8. “No one can hold back his spirit from departing; no one has the power to prevent his day of death, for there is no discharge from that obligation and that dark battle.” For example, I knew a young man who graduated from college in 1966. He and his young wife went to the state of Washington to minister in a church. He was very talented musically and had a great personality. I think he went to the church as a music and youth minister. By the spring of 1967, he died, I believe, of natural causes.
Solomon was puzzled. “There is a strange thing happening here on earth: Providence seems to treat some good men as though they were wicked, and some wicked men as though they were good. This is all very vexing and troublesome.” (Verse 14). In verse 11, he had written, “Because God does not punish sinners instantly, people feel safe to do wrong.”
Solomon sums up his thoughts in verses 16-17. “In my search for wisdom I observed all that was going on everywhere across the earth – ceaseless activity, day and night. (Of course, only God can see everything, and even the wisest man who says he knows everything, doesn’t!) Solomon admitted defeat; he still had no purpose for living.