Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 1:18
Ecclesiastes 1:18 suggests that increased wisdom and knowledge bring sorrow, while Ecclesiastes 5:20 implies that God keeps someone occupied with joy, minimizing reflection on life's difficulties.
Ecclesiastes 1:18: For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 2:17
Ecclesiastes 2:17 expresses the author's hatred for life and work, conflicting with Ecclesiastes 5:20's theme of being occupied with joy by God.
Ecclesiastes 2:17: Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun [is] grievous unto me: for all [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 4:2-3
These verses imply that those who are dead or never born are better off than the living, contradicting Ecclesiastes 5:20's contentment and joy in life as a gift from God.
Ecclesiastes 4:2-3: Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
Contradiction with Job 14:1
Job 14:1 describes life as full of trouble and sorrow, contrasting with Ecclesiastes 5:20's theme of preoccupation with joy.
Job 14:1: Man [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble. [few...: Heb. short of days]
Contradiction with Psalm 90:10
Psalm 90:10 acknowledges life's brevity and full of sorrow, opposing the idea in Ecclesiastes 5:20 of being absorbed in joy given by God.
Psalm 90:10: The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. [The days...: Heb. As for the days of our years, in them are seventy years]
Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 15:19
This verse emphasizes the misery of hoping in Christ only for this life, contrasting with Ecclesiastes 5:20's focus on finding joy in life's daily blessings.
1 Corinthians 15:19: If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Contradiction with 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
These verses speak of being troubled and persecuted, going against the notion in Ecclesiastes 5:20 of being constantly occupied with joy by God.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9: [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair; [in despair: or, altogether without help, or, means]