Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Ecclesiastes 7:17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ecclesiastes 7:17 Do not be excessively or willfully wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? |
Bible Question: If God already has your life planned, why bother to pray? For example; if a loved one is sick and you pray for their recovery but God's will is for this loved one to die, aren't you praying against God's will, so why bother? |
Bible Answer: Note what Ecclesiastes 7:17 (The Amplied Bible) says: "[Although all have sinned] be not wicked over much or willfully, neither be foolish; why should you die before your time?" (Compare Ps 90:10 for average lifespan of mankind.) On this portion of the scripture 'why be foolish - why should you die before your time?', take note of this reasoning... If each one’s moment and manner of death were already fixed at the time of birth or earlier, there would be no need to avoid dangerous situations or to care for one’s health, and safety precautions would not alter mortality rates. Do you care for your health or take your children to the doctor? Why do smokers die three to four years younger, on an average, than nonsmokers? Why are there fewer fatal accidents when automobile passengers wear seat belts and when drivers obey traffic laws? Obviously, taking precautions is beneficial. Fate can be described as an inevitable and often adverse outcome. Fatalism is the belief that all events are determined by the divine will or by some force greater than man, that every event must take place as it does because it has been predetermined. The origins of Fate are not from Bible. Where did it come from then? Fate was popular among the Greeks and Romans. According to pagan Greek mythology, the Fates were three goddesses that spun the thread of life, determined its length, and cut it. I don't believe it is God's will for anyone to die. The thought of God willing someone to die just doesn't fit his decription in 1 John 4:8 (you may find comfort in this verse). Hope this helps... |