Remembrance in Youth of Judgment to Come
R. Hall, M. A. Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart… I. THE TRUE INTERPRETATION OF THE TEXT. 1. It has been viewed by some as grave advice: as though its purport were: "youth is the time for gaiety within the bound of moderation; a certain decorum attends every age; there is a becoming grace and spirit in the gaiety of youth; let it be indulged only in consistency with the remembrance of God and judgment." 2. But to this interpretation it is objected by others that the terms used are too broad to allow of this passage being applied in such a serious meaning. The language in the former part of the sentence is merely ironical. II. ENFORCE AND ILLUSTRATE THIS SOLEMN WARNING. The heart of youth, if it goes in its own way, must go in a way full of moral disorder. Even if disgrace before men is escaped, there will be infinity of evil before God: neglect of God, of prayer, of self-examination, of Scripture. So much ingratitude and apostasy is there in neglect of God that a day of judgment is appointed for its punishment, With respect to this judgment, remember — 1. Its extent. "All these things" are involved in it. 2. The character of the Judge. 3. The severity of this judgment. 4. This judgment will be final and ultimate. 5. Its certainty, "God will bring thee into judgment."Heaven and earth may pass away, and shall; but not a word of God can fail. As sure as death is appointed unto all, is judgment also. (R. Hall, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. WEB: Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.