Comment: For proof of the vanity of a man having confidence in himself without trusting in God, and to convince us that all our works are in the hand of God, and not in our own hand, King Solomon, under divine inspiration, shows the uncertainty of future events, and how often they contradict the prospect we have of them.  The Prophet had exhorted us in Ecclesiastes 9:10 to do what we have to do “with all our might” but as in the text for today, he reminds us that, when we have done all, we must live in humble dependence upon God from Whom every man’s reward proceeds. – Deuteronomy 32:4.

In life, one would think that those who are gifted and trained in the art of management, should always get preferment and obtain the smile and approval of men.  The instance of Samuel the Prophet whom God sent to the house of Jesse to anoint a king in ancient Israel readily comes to mind.  Though, he declared when the eldest son of Jesse (Eliab) appeared before him, saying: “Surely, the LORD’s anointed is before him” God told him: “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of this stature, because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:6,7).  Truly, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, not from the west, nor from the south.  But God is the judge…” – Psalm 75:6,7.