Ecclesiastes 2:12–26 “A Day’s Labor and a Day’s Reward”

Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:      

• Be Still – Hillsong Worship
• Trust in the Lord
• Good Good Father – Chris Tomlin

Resources for Family Worship (with Children)

• Adam and Eve Sin by Saddleback Kids – Lesson for Younger Kids
• The Human Condition You Can’t Escape (No Matter Where You Live) – Lesson for Older Kids
• Your Power Will Pull Us Through | Rocky Railway VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Power Shuffle | True North VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• I Sing the Mighty Power of God | Everest VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The Teacher pursued wisdom after realizing that, as king, all he could really do was repeat what previous kings had already done (v. 12). He knew that gaining wisdom could be helpful for life. However, the usefulness of wisdom is only temporary, and in the end, the wise meet the same fate as the foolish (vv. 13–14). Ultimately, everyone dies, and after death, everyone is forgotten (vv. 15–16). Therefore, gaining wisdom itself turns out to be as futile as chasing after the wind (v. 17).

The Teacher feels resentment over the fact that everything he has accomplished must be handed down to his successors (v. 18). The Hebrew word sane can be translated as “to hate.” It expresses his hatred for having to die after leaving behind everything he worked so hard to achieve. This feeling is intensified by the fact that he cannot know whether the one who inherits his possessions will be wise or foolish (v. 19). The fruits gained through a lifetime of hard labor are enjoyed by someone who did not work for them at all—this too is detestable (vv. 20–22). He worked tirelessly, even sacrificing sleep, yet this is the result. How can it not be called meaningless? (v. 23).

So how should one live? Rather than pursuing grand ambitions and schemes, one should do their best in the work given each day and be content with experiencing a day’s portion of joy and fulfillment (v. 24). In truth, even eating and drinking are possible only because God allows them (v. 25).

The translation “God gives to the one who pleases Him…” (v. 26) can be misleading. It is better translated as “to the one whom God regards as good.” This refers to those who acknowledge God and live righteously. God gives them “wisdom, knowledge, and joy.” On the other hand, sinners are given the task of “gathering and storing up.” They may take pride in what they have achieved, but in the end, it too becomes meaningless.

Meditation:

The keyword in today’s passage is “toil.” In the New Revised Translation, it appears ten times throughout chapter 2 (vv. 10, 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26). In Hebrew, the word is ‘amal’, and it first appears in Genesis 3:17. After Adam disobeyed God’s command and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God said to him, “Because of you the ground is cursed; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.” Therefore, “toil” is the consequence that humanity bears because of sin. Even before the fall, there was “work.” The Hebrew word for work is ‘melakah’, which refers to holy labor, like God’s work of creating heaven and earth. Before the fall, Adam and Eve enjoyed work as melakah, but after the fall, melakah became ‘amal’. This is because sin shattered God’s created order.

The Teacher laments that everything he did in pursuit of satisfaction and joy ultimately became toil. Nothing could provide lasting fulfillment, death could not be avoided, and everything he had accomplished had to be left to descendants who did not even know him. Because of this, the Teacher arrives at the lament that “everything is meaningless.” The only alternative, then, is not to expect or scheme for great things, but to live by enjoying the small joys and meanings given in everyday life. In truth, even this is possible only if God allows it. Detaching one’s heart from the “toil of gathering and storing up” (v. 26) and living content with each day’s joy is true wisdom.

Verse 26 brings to mind Jesus’ words: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). Here, “trouble” carries the same meaning as the “toil” spoken of by the Teacher. Until the new heaven and the new earth come, “toil and trouble” are burdens we are destined to bear. Therefore, rather than trying to eliminate toil and trouble, we must accept them as our rightful portion. When we do, we can experience a day’s measure of joy and fulfillment. This becomes possible when we trust in God’s reign, entrust tomorrow’s worries to tomorrow, and live for God’s righteousness and kingdom.

Prayer:

Today as well, trusting in the Lord’s reign and providence, I will bear a day’s share of hardship and toil. Grant me a day’s portion of joy and fulfillment, and let this day of my life be a blessing. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God invites us to trust Him one day at a time—doing our best today, receiving today’s joy from Him, and leaving tomorrow in His hands.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • What is one thing you worked hard on today? How did it make you feel when you finished?
  • What is one small thing today that made you smile or feel thankful?
  • When something feels hard, who can we ask to help us—ourselves only, or God too?
    
• Youth:
  • Many people work hard, hoping it will make them happy. Why do you think hard work alone doesn’t always bring joy?
  • What does it look like for you to trust God “one day at a time” right now—at school, home, or church?
  • Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow.” What is one worry you need to place in God’s hands today?