The Joy That Brings Forgetfulness
"For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart." - Ecclesiastes 5:20
In the book of Ecclesiastes, we are often confronted with the profound musings of a wise man who has deeply considered life in all its complexities. Ecclesiastes 5:20 states: "For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart." This verse encapsulates a significant dimension of our existence: the interplay between joy and the temporal nature of our lives.
To unpack this verse, we first explore what it means to ‘not much remember the days of his life.’ In a world laden with burdens, responsibilities, and uncertainties, it is easy to become ensnared in the cycles of worry and regret. Life can sometimes feel like a series of tasks to be completed or trials to be endured. However, the wisdom of the writer suggests an alternative perspective. The individual who experiences true joy—joy that comes from a relationship with God—finds that the days themselves, often filled with fleeting moments, become less of a burden. Instead, life becomes a canvas painted with vibrant strokes of gratitude and fulfillment.
The phrase "because God answereth him in the joy of his heart" speaks to the divine providence and response to our innermost desires. When God answers our prayers and moves in ways we cannot always comprehend, He fills our hearts with joy, alleviating the weight of life’s burdens. This joy is not superficial nor tied solely to external circumstances; it is a deep-rooted contentment that resonates from our relationship with the Creator. When we grasp the realization that God is actively involved in our lives, our focus shifts from the worries of tomorrow to the joy of today.
Joy, in this biblical context, results from knowing and serving God. The heart that seeks Him discovers that their true needs are met in Him alone. The worries that typically cloud one’s perspective begin to dissipate in the light of His goodness. Isaiah 26:3 confirms this truth: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." When we fix our thoughts on God and His promises, we unlock a deeper satisfaction that transforms our experience of time and existence.
Moreover, the line "shall not much remember the days of his life" can also suggest a sense of liberating forgetfulness. The burdens of our past—the disappointments, failures, and pains—lose their power over us when placed against the backdrop of God’s faithfulness. When joy fills our hearts, the scars on our memories fade. God takes our lamentations and turns them into praises, reshaping our narrative from one of despair to one of hope.
This verse also encourages us to reflect on how fleeting our lives can be. In Psalm 90:12, we are reminded to "number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Each day is a gift, and the joy that God provides should be our motivation to fill our days with purpose, enthusiasm, and thankfulness.
In practical terms, we can cultivate this spirit of joy by engaging in practices that align us more closely with God—meditation on His word, prayer, worship, and acts of service. Each activity not only enriches our relationship with God but also grounds us in the present moment, allowing us to appreciate the beauty around us. As we immerse ourselves in God’s presence and His joy, we find that worry and regret diminish, leaving room for peace and fulfillment.
In conclusion, Ecclesiastes 5:20 invites us to discover the profound joy found in a heart attuned to God—a joy so transformative that it alters our perception of time and life. Let us pursue this joy with all diligence, knowing that as we embrace God’s presence, we will lose count of the days, not because they are forgettable, but because they are filled with His goodness.
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Ecclesiastes 5:20 - "For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart."
"For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart." - Ecclesiastes 5:20
Ecclesiastes 5:5 - "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."
Ecclesiastes 7:20 - "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
Ecclesiastes 3:20 - "All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again."
Ecclesiastes 5:9 - "¶ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field."
Ecclesiastes 4:5 - "The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh."
Ecclesiastes 7:5 - "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools."
Ecclesiastes 5:7 - "For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God."
Ecclesiastes 2:20 - "Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 5:3 - "For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words."
Ecclesiastes 5:14 - "But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand."
Ecclesiastes 10:5 - "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:"
Ecclesiastes 2:5 - "I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:"
"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." - Ecclesiastes 7:20
"Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." - Ecclesiastes 5:5
Ecclesiastes 1:5 - "The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose."
Ecclesiastes 5:10 - "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."
Ecclesiastes 10:20 - "¶ Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter."
Ecclesiastes 5:13 - "There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt."
Ecclesiastes 5:17 - "All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness."
Ecclesiastes 5:11 - "When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?"
Ecclesiastes 3:5 - "A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;"
Ecclesiastes 8:5 - "Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment."
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 - "This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart."
Ecclesiastes 6:5 - "Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other."
Ecclesiastes 5:12 - "The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep."
Ecclesiastes 9:5 - "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten."
Ecclesiastes 5:4 - "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed."
Ecclesiastes 5:1 - "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil."