Beasts: Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

Are humans really so messed up that to enjoy the original perfection of the earth with no futile elements would keep them from seeking the Lord? The Preacher gives his own answer.

Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him? (Ecclesiastes 3:16-22, ESV)

Consider these headlines:

• Rep. Tim Murphy, a vocally anti-abortion congressman from Pennsylvania, asked his own girlfriend to terminate a pregnancy this year.
• A woman riding with evangelist Jimmy Swaggart when he got three traffic tickets Friday morning says she is a prostitute the preacher picked up for sex. (1991)
• Fraud inevitably follows disasters, so authorities in Texas, Florida prepare for post-storm scams

Our expectation that humans will do right is constantly being dashed. As often as it is reinforced there is always something in ourselves (harder to admit) and others that reveals what we truly are — beasts. We argue that there is a need for futility in life. If I knew that what I would see after me was only good I would be too tempted to find my life, my being, in the joys of this world alone. It is better that I don’t know.  I need God more than I need a ‘perfect’ life.

By the way, here is a brief excursis on death in the Old Testament (and some from the New Testament)

I.  The souls of all the living go to Sheol (called Hades in the New Testament) at death

For I know that You will bring me to death and to the house appointed for all living. (Job 30:23, ESV)

II. Sheol is a place of separation from God…maybe

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. (Ecclesiastes 9:10, ESV)

For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? (Psalm 6:5, ESV)

Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? (Psalm 88:10-12, ESV)

Are not my days few? Then cease, and leave me alone, that I may find a little cheer before I go—and I shall not return— to the land of darkness and deep shadow, the land of gloom like thick darkness, like deep shadow without any order, where light is as thick darkness.” (Job 10:20-22, ESV)

If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! (Psalm 139:8, ESV)

Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath be passed, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me! (Job 14:13, ESV)

III.  Sheol is the place of torment for the wicked but something better awaits the righteous

The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. (Psalm 9:17, ESV)

O LORD, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol. (Psalm 31:17, ESV)

This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah (Psalm 49:13-15, ESV)

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:10-11, ESV)

The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath. (Proverbs 15:24, ESV)

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. (Isaiah 26:19, ESV)

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:1-2, ESV)

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ (Luke 16:19-26, ESV)

For further reading:

• https://askthepastors.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/did-jesus-not-go-to-heaven-immediately-upon-death-on-the-cross/
• https://askthepastors.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/did-the-old-testament-teach-about-heaven-after-death/
• https://askthepastors.wordpress.com/2018/06/10/how-can-i-be-happy-in-heaven-knowing-my-loved-ones-are-in-hell/
• https://askthepastors.wordpress.com/2018/05/10/why-has-god-allowed-us-to-discover-vaccines-and-antibiotics-if-he-wanted-to-use-disease-to-punish-us/