Advice to a young man or woman.
I. A GRAND PERMISSION—to enjoy life. "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth," etc.
1. Not a sanction to self-indulgence. The Preacher does not teach that a young man (or, indeed, any man) is at liberty to "make provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:14); to have asserted or suggested that a youth was permitted by religion to follow his inclinations wherever they might lead, to plunge into sensuality, to sow his wild oats (as the phrase is), would have been to contradict the Law of God as given by Moses (Numbers 15:39).
2. Not a protest (ironical) against asceticism. The Preacher does not say that God will judge men if they despise his gilts and refuse to enjoy them, Doubtless, in so far as asceticism springs from a contemptuous disregard of God's providential mercies, it is sinful; but this is hardly the case the Preacher has in view.
3. But a warrant for reasonable pleasure. The young man or maiden is informed that he or she may enjoy the morning of life to the utmost of his or her bent, "walking in the ways of his or her heart, and in the sight of his or her eyes," provided always such pleasures as are sinful are eschewed. Moreover, the Preacher's language appears to hint that such enjoyment as is here allowed is both appropriate to the season, the days of youth, and demanded by the nature of youth, being the legitimate gratification of the heart and eyes.
II. A SOLEMN WARNING—the certainty of judgment. "But know thou that for all these things," etc. The judgment of which the Preacher speaks is:
1. Future. The great as size will be held, not on earth, but in the unseen world; not in time, but in eternity. That the Preacher had no clear perception of either the time, place, or nature of this judgment, is probably correct, but that he alluded to a dread tribunal in the great hereafter seems a legitimate conclusion from the circumstance that he elsewhere (Ecclesiastes 8:14) adverts to the fact that in this life men are not always requited either for their righteousness or for their wickedness. What was comparatively dark to the Preacher is to us clearly illumined, viz. that after death is the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
2. Divine. The Judge will not be man, but God (Ecclesiastes 3:17; Psalms 62:12; Isaiah 30:18). This fully discovered in the New Testament, which states that God shall judge men by Jesus Christ (Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1).
3. Individual. The judgment will be passed, not upon mankind in the mass, or upon men in groups, but upon men as individuals (2 Corinthians 5:10).
4. Certain. As the Preacher himself was not dubious, so would he have the young to know that the future judgment will be a momentous reality (Hebrews 12:23; 2 Peter 2:9).
III. AN URGENT DUTY—to banish sorrow and evil.
1. To remove sorrow from the heart. Either
2. To put away evil from the flesh. Doubtless
IV. A SERIOUS REASON—the vanity of boyhood and manhood.
1. Both are transient. Youth and the prime of life will not last, but will pass away. Hence they should be kept as joyous and pure as possible. Only one thing more unfortunate for the after-development of the soul than a sunless youth, namely, a sinful youth. If the opening years of man's pilgrimage on the earth should be radiant with happiness, much more should they be glorified with holiness.
2. Both are inexperienced. Hence their fervid impulses should be moderated and restrained by the solemn considerations that spring from the brevity of life and the certainty of a future judgment.
Learn:
1. That youth should be happy and serious.
2. That man's existence has a future and a present.
3. That privilege and responsibility ever go together.
HOMILIES BY D. THOMAS