Living Dog vs. Dead Lion - Ecclesiastes Ch. 9

As an amateur film buff, one of my favorite movies is Dead Poets Society starring Robin Williams. As his first day of teaching at his alma mater Welton Academy, he brings the students to the “hall of fame” trophy case of past students. He points out the similarities of how the former and current students resemble one another, are going through relatable body changes, and experience feelings and thoughts they can resonate with. These boys in the pictures were destined for greatness. But now? “They are fertilizing daffodils.” He tells the boys to lean closer into the case to hear the legacy of these former students. “Carpe. Carpe Diem. Seize the day.” 

This scene from the movie encapsulates the ideas of Ecclesiastes 9 quite well. The chapter starts off with some lighthearted words of Solomon illustrating how everyone, righteous or wicked, is destined for the grave. He even goes to the extent of calling this event “an evil that is done under the sun (Ecc. 9:3).” 

But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion (Ecc. 9:4). 

There are things we can experience while alive that the dead can’t. Can the dead look up that scene from Dead Poets Society mentioned earlier? No, they’re dead. They can’t even think about looking it up. Considering the imagery mentioned in verse 4 a living dog can look at the lion’s dead body or whatever he so desires to do with it. What can the lion do besides unwillingly lay dead? The word hope is translated from this Hebrew word bittachon meaning trust, confidence, security in God. So, as we live, we can have a peace and security in God. 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust (Psalm 91:1-2).” 

As we live on, Solomon gives us some practical things to do in this life: 

• Eat bread with joy & drink wine with a merry heart 

• Live a pure life with the Holy Spirit 

• Enjoy life with your spouse (love you Nesha if you’re reading this) 

• Live mightily 

  • Might (Ecc. 9:10) = Hebrew word koach = physical strength or power, but it can also refer to mental or spiritual strength 

    • 1 Cor 10:31 - Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

Solomon ends with a push that wisdom is better than strength. This concept is exemplified in a story with great meaning to Solomon with this little city being overtaken by this great king. (Note this is not meaning a king highly liked or of great morality, but a king with a big army.) In the city though there was a poor wise man; physically poor but spiritually and morally wise. This man was somehow able to liberate the city from the great king, but everyone soon forgot about him. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). I look back throughout the Bible and there are many examples of this playing out. David vs. Goliath. Moses vs. Pharoah. Elijah vs. 450 prophets of Baal. The children of Isreal vs. Jabin king of Canaan (bonus points if you’re able to comment who defeated who without looking it up). Multiple times the people closest to God were underdogs as betting lines favoring the opposing side. But God! You may even be going through some impossible things right now. The odds are against you. It seems better to compromise your beliefs and give into what’s oppressing you. What we see overpowers what we have been hoping for. I leave you with this, so the living may have hope: 

Romans 8:31 

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?