This is the sober second thought of a wise man who has been sorely troubled in his mind by dwelling on the mysteries of Providence. His first hasty conclusion is one which is too often drawn from such observations; viz., that, inasmuch as Providence shows no special favour to the works of the righteous, it is scarcely worth one's while to trouble one's self about them. What is the use of flying so high and missing everything, when one might at least take life easy while it lasts, and enjoy its pleasures while he may? But though a doubter and sorely perplexed for the moment, he is no infidel. So long as he believes in God there is hope for him. The dark thoughts he has been thinking have all been connected with man and his work in time, the very best of which seems so often to come to such a lamentable end. But the darkness begins to disappear as soon as he allows his mind to rest on the thought of God and of His work in eternity, the end of which no man can see. Thus is the way prepared for that calm confidence expressed in the words before us.
I. The first thought suggested is the negative one that "the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God," and therefore withdrawn from the sight of men. It is of great importance for our peace of mind firmly to grasp the thought that we cannot at all infer what God thinks or intends concerning any person or his works from the outward circumstances we observe.
II. But there is a positive truth also in the words of the text "The righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God" not only in the sense that they are withdrawn from the sight of men, but in this far better sense: that they are safe. Being in the hand of God, they are in the best hand. The Lord knoweth them that are His; and is not that enough, though the onlooker from this side knoweth not?
III. Are you and your works in the hand of God? We know on the best authority that a man may belong to the righteous and not to the wise; he may himself be saved and yet his work be lost. Our work, as well as ourselves, must be built on Christ.
J. Monro Gibson, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xx., p. 211
References: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10. R. Buchanan, Ecclesiastes: its Meaning and Lessons,p. 322; T. C. Finlayson, A Practical Exposition of Ecclesiastes,p. 199. Ecclesiastes 9:3. G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons,p. 64.