BE DILIGENT, NOT DILATORY

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no working or explaining or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Solomon penned many precepts for his people in Ecclesiastes as he advised them that everyone should exercise diligence in all things that they set their hand to do. The reason for “doing diligence” in life was that it would all be over one day when they died. Jews knew they were heading for Sheol when they would pass away (either upper or lower Sheol). Life has a “finish line” where all activities come to a halt. Death terminates earthly functions:  activities of various sorts, planning for those activities and employing wisdom to accomplish life’s endeavors. His hands work on what he finds to do during his stay on earth, such as a job, a career, a skill, a talent, household responsibilities, or a multitude of other “whatever he finds to do.”

There is only one imperative in this exhortation: “Do!” And how we do it: with all our might/strength. This means we put out great effort in the things we choose to do in life. We work hard as we “put our hand to the plow.” We must exert diligence in life’s labors, and not be lackadaisical. Diligence is a virtue while laziness is a vice. Solomon also wrote, “A slack handed man does not roast his prey, but the wealth of a man is precious for the diligent” (Proverbs 12:27).

Although Solomon was pondering earthy activities, God urges us to apply all diligence to our faith (2 Peter 1:5). In Paul’s concluding exhortations to the Romans he says with regard to spirituals gifts, “he who leads with diligence” (Rom. 12:8a). To the whole Roman church he says, “not lagging behind in diligence” (12:11b). The Christian life follows the pattern of the forefathers: “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end” (Hebrews 6:11).

Delane Miller