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Back
Ecclesiastes
Click on the links below
to go to the Monday of each week.
Oct
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Oct 9
Unless you are different
than the rest of the world, you suffer at times, from an almost universal
malady. That malady is taking life too seriously. It has become a grand
delusion to some. An example is the student who thinks that their world is
hinged upon the next exam they take, or paper they write. There are parents
who believe that their ultimate fulfillment is found in their children.
There is the artist or musician who are obsessed with seeking to achieve
perfection with their technique. There are business people who think that
the next promotion or the huge bonus will be the key to “lasting
treasures.” To these people (it may be you) I encourage that you find a
biblical view of things. That is why in the next months (with a break for
Thanksgiving & Christmas) we will be considering the clear perspective that
we find in the book of Ecclesiastes. For today, take a look at the 1st
chapter to begin to get a flavor of the passage. This week, try to read
through the book once and chapter one 4 or 5 times to help with you
understanding of Solomon’s perspective.
Oct 10
The book of
Ecclesiastes has been referred to in many different ways in literature. Our
own, Herman Melville described it in Moby Dick as “the truest of all books.
It is the fine hammered steel of woe.” Thomas Wolfe stated that
“Ecclesiastes seems to be the noblest, wisest and the most powerful
expression of man’s life upon earth. Ecclesiastes is the greatest single
piece of writing I have ever known and the wisdom expressed in it the most
lasting and profound.” As you continue to read through this book, I
encourage you to jot down some questions that come to your mind as you
wander through with King Solomon. It is unlike any other book. More on
that tomorrow. Take another tour of chapter one. Continue to meditate on
what brings satisfaction. It is not true as Mick Jagger sings, “that you
can’t get no satisfaction”.
Oct 11
Ecclesiastes 1 - In one of the first
scenes in The Lion King, the king of beasts teaches his son that a good king
must show respect for every creature, from the ant to the antelope. His son
inquires, “But, Dad, don’t we eat the antelope?” His father replies, “Yes,
but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass. And the
antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of
Life.” Is this New Age philosophy? …Certainly. But the author of
Ecclesiastes would likely have dismissed this 20th-century thought as
“nothing new” and “meaningless.” Today’s reading takes us through the
Teacher’s summary observations and conclusions, and he doesn’t seem to think
the so-called “circle of life” is such a great thing. He categorizes the
cycles of the earth as “utterly meaningless” (v. 2) and “wearisome” (v. 8).
Take particular note of the description in verse 6, as the phrase “chasing
after the wind” is repeated often throughout the book. Ecclesiastes paints
the picture of life as a frustrating, circuitous course that ends right
where it begins.
The rhetorical question about the profit
of a man’s labor (v. 3) and the hopeless conclusion about man being
remembered after his lifetime (v. 11) bring a sobering revelation when
applied to the events that followed Solomon’s life. His projects were
astounding and his rule was the greatest Israel ever knew. But after his
death, Solomon’s legacy became almost immediately irrelevant when his son,
Rehoboam, rejected his father’s advisors in favor of the counsel of his
younger friends (1 Kings 12:8).
This is a good place to remind ourselves
that our purpose in studying Ecclesiastes is not to judge the life of
Solomon–we want to turn the light of God’s Word onto our lives and into our
hearts!
Oct 12
“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes
in sight.” So begins the prophecy about the great lion in the book, The
Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis. When the children in the
story entered Narnia, they discovered a land ruled by the White Witch, where
it was always winter and never Christmas. But the mere mention of the name
Aslan stirred the hope that the witch’s spell would be broken. The children
cried, “ 'Oh, yes! Tell us about Aslan!’ . . . for once again that strange
feeling–like the first signs of spring, like good news, had come over them.”
Let’s look at Luke 3:1-18 today. The
preaching of John the Baptist excited similar feelings. Verses 1–2 in
today’s reading list the ruling powers of the day, and it reads like a Who’s
Who of the chief players in Christ’s trial and crucifixion. The sordid
history of Israel between Solomon’s reign and the rulers in today’s passage
bears evidence that the hopeless cycle described in Ecclesiastes 1 had gone
unbroken for centuries. Remember Ecclesiastes 1:15: “What is twisted cannot
be straightened.”
John the Baptist made it clear in verse
5 of today’s reading that things were about to change and that the words of
Isaiah 40:3–5 would be fulfilled. And in the same fashion as his Old
Testament predecessors, John preached repentance to avoid the “coming wrath”
(v. 7).
In his explanation of what the fruit of
repentance should be, John’s words shed light on the message of
Ecclesiastes. He advised his listeners to live with other people’s interests
in mind. Those that are able should give to those in need (v. 11), and those
in power should stop abusing that power at the expense of others (vv.
12–14). Instead of analyzing what one man gains from his labor, John called
attention to what one man is willing to give up.
John’s teaching showed a different perspective from that of Ecclesiastes.
Does your life show the others-focused mentality of which he spoke?
Today, make it your mission to meet the
needs of those around you. The message of Ecclesiastes holds true: a life
spent trying to please oneself will never bear eternal, meaningful fruit.
Let John’s words be the announcement of the coming of Christ into your
decision-making today. Self-centeredness is the sign of twisted
priorities–let Him make the paths of your heart straight!
October 15
Estimates of
Bill Gates’ net worth range upwards of $30 billion, his house has about one
and a half acres of total living space, and he continues to work feverishly
to improve his business–Microsoft dedicated $6.8 billion this fiscal year
alone for research and development. Who can imagine being so wealthy, let
alone the prospect of getting richer! If we were to compare any of our lives
to Bill Gates’ life, we probably wouldn’t expect to find much in common.
And that can be
our reaction when we read today’s passage as well. It’s easy to imagine the
life of a king as some distant, fantastic dreamland that bears no
resemblance to our own. But a closer look at this passage reveals a striking
similarity to the life of a typical, everyday person . . . just carried out
to an extreme degree.
Verses 1–3
summarize the search for the good in life through selfish measures, and
verses 4–8 show the details of the three main categories of the search:
projects, possessions, and pleasures.
The projects
described here don’t seem to resemble an ongoing job or trade as much as
leisure projects. The house-building, tree-planting, and
reservoir-constructing in Ecclesiastes might correspond to a new shed, some
tomatoes, and a sprinkler system in your backyard--on a grander scale than
we’re used to, certainly, but the intended result of personal enjoyment is
the same.
Although we
can’t identify with the amount (or even the nature) of possessions listed in
verses 7–8, everyone at one time or another has bought something with the
hope that it would make life a bit more
enjoyable.
Something to
think about….. Can you say, as verse 9 does, that your wisdom has stayed
with you through it all? It’s far too easy to use up our leisure time
without thinking seriously about what we’re doing.
October 16
The reading:
Chapter 2 -
Sixteen people
working at an elementary school in Holdingford, Minnesota; fifteen lunch
ladies and one custodian; hit the jackpot with a winning lottery ticket,
collecting about $2 million each. Only two of them retired. Serving food to
little children, and cleaning up after them, may not be the most glamorous
work, but these women love what they do too much to quit. One of them said
that the main drawback of winning the money was that “you get more
headaches.”
Imagine
that–they love being surrounded all day by hundreds of kids, but millions of
dollars make their heads hurt!
Solomon could
have appreciated that attitude. He says in verse 10 of today’s reading that
the main reward of his labor, even more than the vast luxury his work
produced, was the delight he got from working. He essentially repeats that
sentiment in verse 24, noting that such happiness comes from God. But the
rest of this passage reveals the far less optimistic conclusion that, in the
end, there is no lasting earthly reward for all man’s labor (v. 11).
This view,
though, produced more than a headache. He sees that although a wise man is
better than a fool, death awaits them both (vv. 12–16). He then calls
attention to the end result of great accomplishments, that a man must pass
on his work to a successor with no assurance of its continuation (vv.
18–21). This seems like a fitting attitude for someone who knew his kingdom
would be stripped from his son (1 Kings 11:11–12). Solomon, it seems, finds
no lasting reward for a life of painful, restless labor (vv. 22–23). Verse
17 stands out as a particularly harsh conclusion. What more could one man
ask for than the life Solomon had enjoyed? If he “hated life,” what does
that say about the worth of earthly pleasures?
Are you
satisfied? If not, ask God to adjust your attitude and obedience. In verse
24, the phrase is “find satisfaction in his work,” not “find satisfying
work.”
Oct 17
The reading for today - I Cor 15
For just under $200,000, an Arizona foundation will arrange for a person’s
remains to be preserved by cryonics, a chemically treated freezing process,
immediately after death. The funds are also designated to pay for the
revitalizing procedure, which will commence as soon as three scientific
advances have been discovered: a cure for whatever caused the person’s
death, a way to stop the aging process for all mankind, and an antidote for
the poison used to preserve the body.
The company has only been in operation since 1972, but had the procedure
been available in Paul’s day, he probably wouldn’t have wasted his money.
Since the sting of death is sin and the power of death is the law (v. 56),
Paul knew that no scientist could ever produce the remedy for either.
Throughout chapter 15, Paul discusses the reality of the resurrection of
Christ and, through Him, the assurance of the resurrection of all who
believe in His name. Today’s reading delivers the powerful conclusion to his
argument in this chapter. Quoting the prophet Hosea, Paul pronounces death
powerless (v. 55).
From what we’ve studied so far in Ecclesiastes, death has been shown as the
great equalizer that conquers all men, rendering their labor on earth
meaningless. But Paul claims triumphantly in verse 57 that through Jesus
Christ, God gives us victory over death. We see in verse 58 that the promise
of escaping death should dramatically alter our approach to life.
The assurance of life after death shouldn’t just make us feel better, it
should make us live better, too! But when Paul talks about giving ourselves
to “the work of the Lord,” what exactly does he mean? Paul used a similar
phrase earlier when discussing his work as an apostle. He said to the
believers in Corinth, “Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?”
(9:1). Throughout chapter 9, he makes it clear that his main task was simply
to preach the gospel.
Even if you have a job that isn’t directly related to preaching the gospel,
you can still give yourself “fully to the work of the Lord.” Paul did!
October 18
As you once again read chapter 2, I
would like you to think about three questions:
1- Are you happy?
2- What is it that will make you happy?
3- When will you finally be happy?
Every single one of us has something or
someone that we anticipated would make us happy. We assumed once we
achieved, once we experienced, once we accomplished, once we acquired this
one thing we would then be a satisfied, joyous and finally a happy people.
Fill in the blank: I’ll be happy when
_______.
Blaise Pascal wrote, "All men seek
happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ,
they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others
avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. They
will never take the least step but to this object. This is the motive of
every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves."
I think that Pascal is right. And, with Pascal, we believe God purposefully
designed us to pursue happiness. Does seeking your own happiness
sound self-centered? Aren't Christians supposed to seek God, not their own
pleasure? To answer this question we need to understand a crucial truth
about pleasure-seeking (hedonism): we value most what we delight in most.
Pleasure is not God's competitor, idols are. Pleasure is simply a gauge that
measures how valuable someone or something is to us. Pleasure is the measure
of our treasure.
Here is where your focus needs to be… I’ll be happy and satisfied
when…I find my satisfaction in God.
Have a great day in the Lord!
Oct 19th
Reading: Eccl
2:12-26 - In 1898, 14 years before the Titanic made her maiden voyage,
Morgan Robertson published his book, Futility. The strange coincidence
about this book was that this story was of an "unsinkable" massive ocean
liner which like the Titanic, was on its maiden voyage from Britain to
New York in the month of April, with 2,000 people on board. While it was
attempting to cross the Atlantic in record time, it too struck an
iceberg and sank. Robertson’s ship was very similar in specifications to
the Titanic. His ship was 800 feet vs. the Titanic at 882 feet. Its
displacement was 70,000 tons vs. the Titanic which was 66,000 tons. It
had a top speed of 24 knots which was the same as the Titanic. It had 3
propellers called "triple screw" just like the Titanic. The ship’s
capacity was about 3,000 people which was the same as the Titanic. It
had 24 lifeboats aboard vs. 20 on the Titanic. It was struck on the
starboard side forward just like the Titanic. Many on board of both
ships perished because there were not enough lifeboats for everyone.
Lastly, both ships shared the same month of April that their disaster
happened.
What I find most fascinating about both the historical
account as well as the fictional work of Robertson’s ship, is the sad
truth that many on board this great human accomplishment refused to seek
safety by seeking a lifeboat. They were sure that their massive pleasure
ship would never sink. They chose to place their faith in the
engineering of man over the plain and clear truth that they were
slipping into an icy cold grave. The band played, the stewards polished
the brass rails, ladies continued to get dressed, and the men sat and
gloried in the tremendous achievement of human transportation, all the
while the ship sank foot by foot into its coffin.
Just like the Titanic, this great
world- with all its inhabitants, is slowly sinking into the cold grip of
death. Only those that believe they are in impending danger and trust in
the lifeboats to save them will be saved.
The icy grave
is the Moral Law- the Ten Commandments. Here is the evidence we are
sinking: Jesus said if you look with lust, we commit adultery in our
heart. No one who has had sex out of marriage, or any liar, or any thief
will enter Heaven. The Bible says that if we hate someone, we are guilty
of murder. We fail to put God first. We make God in our image. We break
all the Commandments if we have broken one.
If we stay
with the "ship," we will perish on the “day of judgment”, when all of
our sins come out as evidence of our guilt. God, who is rich in mercy,
has made a way for you and me to be saved and enjoy our lives in and
with Him. Jesus Christ, the One whom the Bible calls the "captain of our
Salvation" gave His life so that we could have a life with Him. He took
our punishment upon Himself- suffering upon the cross for us. We broke
God’s Law, but He paid our fine. He then rose from the dead, defeating
death. God calls us to confess our sins to Him, to turn from our trust
in an unsinkable ship, and place our faith in our only Savior. If we do,
God promises He will forgive all our sins, give us life, and give us
rest for our souls.
Today, take
God’s gifts & decisions as they come with thanks & don’t try to
manipulate or outwit God, then you will find your pleasure in what He
gives to you daily!
October 22
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is a
time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. -
Ecclesiastes 3:1
In the 1960s, thousands of years after it was written, the meaning
of today’s reading changed–and all it took was seven small words.
The song, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” made popular by The Byrds, set
portions of today’s reading to music. The only additional lyrics
were the repetition of the word turn and the concluding phrase, “I
swear it’s not too late.” What had previously existed as a
bittersweet catalog of the conflicting activities of life became an
optimistic cry of hope against the evils of war.
Of course, a simple song can’t really change the meaning of
Scripture, but if you hear the words “turn, turn, turn” echo in your
head every time you read today’s passage, you know how powerfully
our culture can affect our perceptions. Although many people try to
manufacture hope in the repetitive cycle of life without God, we
must resist the temptation to follow the world’s lead and instead
take a fresh look at the categories of life listed here.
As we read through the seasons, it’s impossible to miss the
emotional symmetry running throughout it. The first half of verse 2
sums up man’s existence in stark fashion, and the verses that follow
categorize our lives in similarly simple, powerful terms. We gain
life, and then we lose it. We give life, and we take it away (vv. 2,
3). Our lives alternate between order and disorder (vv. 3, 5–8). Our
emotional expressions run full circle (vv. 4, 5, 7, 8).
Ecclesiastes is very realistic in its observations of life. The
Teacher hasn’t left anything out of the human experience here, at
least nothing from the strictly human perspective.
If we were the authors of our existence, we might choose to
eliminate half of this list. How great would life be if there were
no time to die, to weep, to mourn, or to hate? But we are surrounded
by positives and negatives, so let’s relate it all to God. Look at
the good as God pouring out His grace on you. And view the bad as
evidence of your need for God. Remember, Solomon eliminated as many
negatives as he could–but he positively forgot that he needed God!
October 23
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is a time for everything, and a season for every
activity under heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3:1
Scientists working at the National Institute of Standards and
Technology in Boulder, Colorado, recently created the world’s
most accurate clock. Called an “optical atomic clock,” it’s made
of an oscillating laser, a mechanism called a “comb” that counts
oscillations, with a single mercury atom as the point of
reference.
The
optical atomic clock “ticks” one quadrillion times per second.
Research is ongoing, but this type of clock could be up to one
thousand times more accurate than current atomic clocks. Such
precise timekeeping might be applied in navigation,
communication technology, and deep space exploration.
Time,
no matter how it’s measured, is one of the inescapable realities
of life. God ordained seasons in nature; He built them into the
rhythm of life. There are seasons in our lives as well, and in
God’s plan for history (cf. Dan. 2:21; Titus 1:2–3; 1 Peter
1:3–5).
Beginning with this simple observation, later on this month
we’ll be exploring specific aspects of pilgrimage. We’ve given
an overview and outlined key themes--now we’ll look at the
journey of the Christian life in more detail.
The observation about times and seasons may be simple, but it’s
important for keeping a sense of balance. Today’s reading sets
forth a principle, then fleshes it out with contrasts. Some
events are pivotal, such as birth and death, war and peace.
Others describe basic emotions, such as love and hate, weeping
and laughter. Still others highlight fundamental patterns of
action, such as speaking or keeping silent, searching or giving
up. These events, emotions, and actions are the stuff and
substance of life, the threads of which it’s woven.
Getting hold of the truth that life has times and seasons can be
one of the keys to inner peace and contentment.
October 24
Ecclesiastes 3:9-13
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all
his toil--this is the gift of God. – Eccl. 3:13
Solomon asks, “What does the worker gain from his toil?” (v. 9).
This is one of the questions we hope to answer in this series by
exploring what God’s Word says about the subject of work. We
want to know what we should expect to gain from our work--and,
more importantly, what God expects to gain from our work. Martin
Luther summarized it this way: “To put it briefly, God wants
people to work.”
For
most people, work is not a big philosophical issue. As the
bumper sticker says, “I owe, I owe, so off to work I go.” We
know that if we don’t work, we don’t eat and the bills don’t get
paid. Very few of us have the option of not working.
But as Christians, we need to see our work as something more
than an exchange of time for a paycheck. God is profoundly
interested and involved in what we do to make a living, and that
makes work a theological issue. Work is God’s idea, and He even
set the example as the first Worker in the universe.
Ecclesiastes is filled with references to human work--and much
of what Solomon has to say is negative. But we should remember
that he was writing about life “under the sun” (1:3), life as it
appears from a limited, human standpoint. Solomon was also
frustrated by his attempts to find meaning (Eccl. 2:1-11).
Whether you spend your days in an office, a shop, a classroom,
or at home, the opportunity to work is a gift from our gracious
God.
October 25
Ecclesiastes 3:9-22
I know that everything God does will endure forever. -
Ecclesiastes 3:14a
Peter
Pan told Wendy that he ran away the day he was born. He
explained, “It was because I heard father and mother talking
about what I was to be when I became a man. I don’t want ever to
be a man. I want always to be a little boy and have fun. So I
ran away.” If only Solomon had thought of that!
Today's reading actually resembles Peter’s “just have fun”
philosophy, the chief difference being that Ecclesiastes doesn’t
provide the escape clause of Neverland. The primary direction
given to us in chapter 3 is to enjoy life and be satisfied
(Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13), and that’s the second time Ecclesiastes
makes that point (Eccl 2:24). But we need to understand that
idea in its context. The end of today’s reading brings up for
the third time the issue of enjoying one’s lot, but with a
qualifier–no one knows what comes next (Eccl 3:22).
Don’t miss the point of verse 11. It’s natural to single it out
as a warm, sentimental statement about the glory of every part
of creation. But this passage really emphasizes the humility of
all creation. It is God who dictates the seasons of life, & He
alone understands the eternal plan. The labor of man is subject
to change & death, but what God does lasts forever (v. 14).
That’s the unmistakable distinction between God & man!
And so it follows that, although men won’t remember the rulers
of the past (2:16), God keeps record of all man’s deeds, and
will judge them righteously, unlike the fallen system of this
world (Ecclesiastes 3:15-17).
Few people in the world illustrate how our actions can have
enduring meaning as effectively as our mothers. A mother’s love
is an important channel of God’s grace in our lives, and a
mother whose example leads her child to faith in Christ has
taken part in a wonderful, never-ending accomplishment. So what
better gift to give your mother, no matter where she might be,
than to rededicate your life to following Christ, bringing honor
to her and glory to God. (Of course, flowers are a nice touch,
too.)
October 26
Ecclesiastes
3:12-22
I know that
everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and
nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him (Ecclesiastes
3:14).
How different
this picture of life under the sovereign lordship of a living God is from
what most people think God is like! A popular book for Christians on the
topic of sex explains the truth that God has designed sex for pleasure. But
it is not merely sex that is designed for pleasure; all things are designed
for human pleasure. If you think a certain thing in and of itself is going
to produce lasting pleasure, however, you will miss it. The secret is that
it is the knowledge of God in that relationship that produces enjoyment. We
are not in the grasp of the "Great Cosmic Joy Killer," as many people seem
to view God. God delights in human enjoyment.
Solomon says
that all enjoyment must be discovered by realizing that God is in charge, &
He will not bend His plan for anyone. God has sovereignly, independently,
set up the plan of life in a way with which we cannot interfere. He has done
so in order that people should revere Him.
All through the
Bible we read, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs
9:10). Until a person recognizes and trusts the superior wisdom of God, he
or she has not begun to fear God. This fear is not a feeling of terror of
God; it is respect & honor for Him. If you attempt to live your life without
the recognition of God, ultimately you will find yourself, as Solomon found
himself; empty, dissatisfied, & restless, feeling that life is miserable &
meaningless. The secret of life is the presence of God Himself.
Most
of the struggle of life comes from our wanting to play God ourselves,
wanting to be in charge of what happens to us. That’s true even of
Christians. When God refuses to go along, we sulk, pout & get angry with
Him. We throw away our faith and say, "What's the use? I tried it, but it
doesn't work." What a foolish statement! God will not surrender His
prerogatives. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken away from
it--God has made it so in order that men should revere him.
Try
this prayer out today, “Lord, forgive me for thinking I know what is best
for those I love & me. Teach me to trust in Your work, because I know that
nothing can be added to it.”
Oct 29
Ecclesiastes
4:1-8
In
this text Solomon exposes the emptiness of many who make it to the top.
This is not a plea for mediocrity. The problem with the people he’s
talking about soon becomes clear; they have no fear of the Lord. For
people like this, tyranny can become a calling card. Since they view
people as pawns, it’s easy for the powerful to become abusive. Sadly,
those whom they oppress often have no one to help or comfort them (v.1).
Their lot is so painful Solomon concludes that the dead or unborn are
better off than the oppressed. If all of this sounds familiar, it’s
because these verses capture much of the history of the human race.
That’s why those who strive for success must also strive for compassion.
Another reason many successful people feel empty is that
they see others as competitors to be beaten rather than as companions to
be embraced. It isn’t easy to make friends under those conditions.
That’s why those who strive for success must also strive for
companionship.
The overachiever can also feel empty because success may
bring with it a pack of problems he hadn’t expected. For these people,
Solomon’s advice in verse 6 is worth heeding. That’s why those who
strive for success must also strive for contentment.
Solomon’s final picture (vv. 7-8) is a sad one: a successful
person alone with his money. Yet his loneliness and frustration drive
him even harder. A person like that needs help! That’s why those who
strive for success must also strive for cessation—knowing when enough is
enough. Are you still on the treadmill seeking, or have you gotten off
and have found contentment? (Note: Phil 4:11)
Oct 30
Ecclesiastes 4:1-8
F.
Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, serves as a modern-day
Ecclesiastes. Jay Gatsby epitomized the reckless extravagance of the Roaring
Twenties as well as the hollow dreams that left America as a whole
unsatisfied. He amassed enormous wealth to impress another man’s wife–and he
never really experienced genuine love, only affectionate greed. As
Fitzgerald assessed, “No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a
man will store up in his ghostly heart.”
In the book,
Gatsby died alone, but sadly he’s not alone in his pursuits. At the outset
of today’s reading, the Teacher bemoans the evil oppression that pervades
this world and the suffering it causes (vv. 1–3). Look at the extreme terms
used to describe the hopelessness of the situation! Verse 4 gets at the
reason behind the sad state of affairs–greed. Notice that it’s not just
personal desire, either. It’s a matter of wanting what someone else has. At
its extreme, greed causes oppression. At the very least, though, it results
in meaningless labor (v. 6).
The image of the hands in verses 5–6 provides a gripping mental
picture. To fold our hands and rest would be laziness, to grab everything
within our reach would be greedy, but to take only what we need without
seeking something more brings peace and satisfaction.
Verses 7–8 point to a good test of satisfaction–is there anyone
to enjoy life with? A life of envying one’s neighbor only promotes
alienation and loneliness. The questions that the man asks are remarkably
probing. For whom am I doing all this (v. 8)? “Myself,” would be quite an
empty answer, and the Teacher can find no good motivation for such an
existence.
Reread this passage. It shows how our outlook on life involves
more than just ourselves. This seems as good a time as any to search out
your life for any signs of greed. Does the statement in verse 4 apply to any
part of your life? Try asking yourself the question in verse 8: “For whom am
I toiling?” Make a concerted effort today to turn the focus of your attitude
outward–work to serve others and share the love of Christ!
Oct 31
Ecclesiastes 4:4-8
Competition is a trademark of American life. We’re taught at an early age
that being the best is what it’s all about. But competition can cut both
ways, sometimes with deadly results.
We saw
that shocking lesson several years ago when a mother in Houston arranged for
the murder of another woman—the mother of her daughter’s chief competitor in
a cheerleading competition. The woman’s reasoning was chillingly simple: her
daughter would have a better chance to win the competition if her rival was
too distraught over her mother’s death to perform well.
We can be grateful that incidents such as that one are
relatively rare. But we should ask ourselves—how can the so-called
competitive spirit become so corrupted? Today’s text suggests a reason and a
solution.
In verse 4 Solomon gives us another word for what we often call
competition: envy. Much of what goes on “under the sun” (see 1:3) is driven
by an inordinate desire to outdo the other guy.
The competitive urge is so ingrained in most of us that our
immediate reaction is to say, “So what does Solomon expect us to do? Fold
our hands and quit?”
Verse 5 answers that question. What Solomon is decrying is the
extreme case in which envy drives a person to work until he ruins his health
and his enjoyment of life, all for no good reason (vv. 7-8). That kind of
madness makes life seem empty and meaningless.
The cure for envy is not sloth (which we will study later this
month). The picture of the lazy fool in verse 5 is graphic. Literally, he
“eats his own flesh.” He destroys himself, wasting away because he won’t
work.
Here’s something for you to think about….“Didn’t Paul tell us to
run to win, go for the prize, and all of that?”
Nov 1
Ecclesiastes
4:4-12
Better one handful
with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. -
Ecclesiastes 4:6
The
late British Bible teacher G. Campbell Morgan gave this powerful description
of what a lust for money does to a person: “It dries up the springs of
compassion in the soul. It lowers the whole standard of morality. It is the
inspiration of all the basest things, even covetousness. . . . Avarice is
often created by prosperity and the consequent possession of money. It is
also often powerfully present in the lives of those who are devoid of
wealth. It is wholly material, the result of a wrong conception of life.”
That’s quite a list of evils. Solomon had seen enough of life to
agree that there are some wrong and futile motives for working hard and
trying to be successful. He explained two of them here, and then offered an
antidote. We need to learn what Solomon learned from experience and wise
observation.
The first wrong motive is envy. Verse 4 is true from the sinful
world’s standpoint--exactly the perspective from which Solomon wrote, as the
term “under the sun” indicates.
But the answer to the driving force of envy is not foolish
laziness, which also brings a person to ruin (v. 5). The cure is
contentment, being willing to settle for less materially if it means we can
have some “rest” or “quietness,” good alternate translations for
tranquility.
The next evil motive is greed (vv. 7-8), illustrated by the
person who is driven to always get more even though he has no one to share
it with and will someday leave it all to nobody.
At least this hypothetical overachiever finally woke up and
realized he was beating his head against the wall and missing out on life
because he was all alone in his world. One way to conquer greed is by
refusing to live our lives in isolation from other people. Connection and
meaningful relationships with other people help overcome both loneliness and
greed.
No matter where you work or what you do for a living, we hope
you have some godly friends who form a “cord of three strands [that] is not
quickly broken” (v. 12).
Nov 2
Ecclesiastes
4:9-16
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. -
Ecclesiastes 4:9
During
the reign of Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia, Vladimir Lenin was
arrested multiple times for his radical conduct, but he emerged as a
powerful new leader after the October Revolution. After Lenin died, Joseph
Stalin, son of a shoemaker, took the Soviet helm. All three rulers had one
thing in common–their popularity waned completely by the end of their lives,
but their spirit of tyranny lived on. It was out of that state of oppression
that renowned author Alexander Solzhenitsyn fled the KGB. His friend, the
famous musician Mstislav Rostropovich, risked his career and life to give
Solzhenitsyn asylum, where he was able to continue writing in peace for
years.
The
second half of today’s reading takes us through a power-shifting scenario
much like the one Russia endured, and it shows us just how fleeting public
support of a leader can be. The old ruler can succumb to stubborn
foolishness (v. 13), to the point where he can be overthrown by an
imprisoned foe or succeeded by a poor commoner from his own land (v. 14).
The masses may be swayed by the hope a new leader brings (v. 15), but before
long the newness wears off and the ruler’s approval rating plummets (v. 16).
Verses 9–12 show that the fleeting approval of many is far
inferior to the loyalty of one friend. When two join together, their work is
more efficient (v. 9), they can rescue each other from downfall (v. 10), and
they can keep each other safe and warm (vv. 11, 12). The history of Russia
illustrates the point here–Solzhenitsyn gained more from the love of one
friend than any Russian ruler ever received from the near-absolute power
they wielded.
Today we consider that any popularity gained from such selfish
ambition is easily lost, but the love of friendship offers a more lasting
reward.
Nov 5
On this day, as
well as every other, we are encouraged to worship our God. I thought I
would give you a little help from the book of Ecclesiastes to start your
week off. So, here is some simple steps from the first part of chapter 5.
Have a great day
in the Lord.
Pastor Dave
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
A Portrait of a
True Worshiper
First, we are to
enter the place of worship to listen (vv. 1-3).
Second, we are to
enter worship intending to keep the commitments we make to God (vv. 4-6).
Third, we enter
worship in awe of God (v. 7).
Nov 6
Ecclesiastes
5:1-7
In
her short story, “Greenleaf,” Flannery O’Connor draws a parallel between
realizing the truth about God and being charged by a bull. The character
Mrs. May, who had dismissed religious people as simple, suddenly finds
herself squarely in the path of a bull’s ferocious horns. As the beast
pierces Mrs. May’s heart, O’Connor writes, “she had the look of a person
whose sight has been suddenly restored but who finds the light
unbearable.” Sometimes God’s revelations to us can be striking, perhaps
coming too late in life to take advantage of the truth. Solomon may have
fit into that category. Verse 1 in today’s reading is a vast departure
from Solomon’s grandiose approach to offering sacrifices. This is a
strong warning against taking God and His glory too lightly.
Verse 2 puts us in our place, drawing the distinction between
our confinement under the sun and God’s elevated presence in heaven. It
doesn’t seem like Solomon to do anything in a limited way, but verses 2
and 3 give wise counsel against multiplying our words to God.
The last section of this reading seems to come from the point
of view of someone who learned the hard way not to leave vows
unfulfilled. If any of Solomon’s numerous fellowship offerings were the
result of a vow, he would have likely regretted the unbridled enthusiasm
with which he made them. James repeats this wise advice when he warns
against swearing by heaven, earth, or anything else (James 5:12).
As you plan to attend church tomorrow, now is a good time to
prepare your heart for corporate worship. Before you go to bed tonight,
quietly reflect on the great things God has done in your life, His
glorious attributes, and His unfailing promises.
Top of Page
Nov 7
Ecclesiastes
5:8-17
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much. -
Ecclesiastes 5:12a
In the
late 1980s, a revolutionary anti-depressant drug hit the market, and by the
early '90s, the name Prozac entered the popular vocabulary of American
culture, along with yuppies, thirty somethings, and workaholics. The drug
was intended to treat a chemical imbalance that caused clinical depression,
but it became a fashionable cure for anyone with a priority imbalance for
whom success, career, and money just wasn’t enough to bring happiness.
Imagine that…fulfillment in a pill!
Ecclesiastes diagnosed that condition long ago. We read in our passage today
that oppression, injustice, and denial of basic human rights is to be
expected because the sickness of greed is widespread, and even the king is
not immune (vv. 8, 9). The basic problem is inherent in their desires: a
love affair with money can never be satisfied (v. 10).
Verse 11 points out an additional problem with wealth: the more
you have, the more people tend to turn up at your doorstep wanting their
share. This type of friend doesn’t offer any of the benefits mentioned in
chapter 4–shared labor, rescue, warmth, protection–all they bring is
superficial acceptance that fades just as fast as the money that they’re
spending!
The next observation stands out as the sole positive point in this
passage. A hard day’s work yields a good night’s sleep (v. 12). But the
sheer accumulation of riches brings insomnia. The next verses give us some
idea why–wealth, whether it’s hoarded or lost altogether–seems to be a
grievous evil either way (vv. 13, 14). In the end, riches really do not
matter, because, as the saying goes, you can’t take it with you (vv. 15,
16). If you’re ever in danger of making money too much of a priority, verse
17 should instantly cure that line of thinking. An existence marked by
“great frustration, affliction and anger” isn’t worth pursuing. A pill might
alleviate those symptoms for awhile, but no pharmacy can change the end
result!
Once again, Ecclesiastes reveals that so much of life depends on
attitude and desire. What is your attitude toward money? A good test is to
ask yourself this question: do I have enough money? Another question…Is what
I am doing with my money the best use of it?
Nov 8
Ecclesiastes
5:10-12.
In a
report that should surprise no one, the Better Sleep Council says
Americans are chronically sleep-deprived. In the last twenty years, we
have added 158 hours, nearly an entire month, to our yearly work
schedules. That doesn’t include time spent taking care of our homes and
families. The hazards of sleep deprivation are numerous, from aches and
pains to loss of productivity, greater vulnerability to sickness, and
more accidents at work and on the road.
The
report did not mention fretting over finances as a major reason for this
massive inability to sleep. But the fact that many now work almost
thirteen months a year says a lot about our focus. Instead of wasting
time turning in our beds, we need to turn to the timeless wisdom of
God’s Word.
Solomon has a lot to teach us here. The futility of giving our
lives to the accumulation of wealth is a recurring theme in
Ecclesiastes. Today’s text is helpful because it reveals the core
problems with this pursuit and suggests a cure.
Verse 10 contains a truth that is richly illustrated all
around us. Part of the seduction of wealth is that its accumulation
brings no lasting satisfaction. It has been well documented that
people’s standard of living tends to go up in proportion to the increase
in their income. The result is more consumption (v. 11) and no real
progress.
When finances become the focus, another result is worry
instead of sleep. This is true whether we have a lot or a little. The
problem is with our wants, not with our wealth.
Many of us reason that if we could just get out of debt and
have enough in the bank to be comfortable, we’d stop worrying about
money. But the Bible never allows us to fall for that flawed logic. If
money is your passion, you’ll fret either about getting it or about
hanging on to it.
Will worry over finances rob you of sleep tonight?
If
so, try this antidote to nighttime worry, suggested by Psalm 63:6-8:
1. Make the Lord the focus of your thoughts as you go to bed,
and turn your thoughts back to Him if you awaken.
2. Sing in your heart to the Lord,
offering praise to Him through one of your favorite hymns.
3. Picture yourself clinging to the Lord like a child to a loving
parent, as His mighty hand holds you securely.
Nov 9
Ecclesiastes
5:18-20
A recent survey of American households attempted to
discover the relationship between income and happiness. They polled
people at varying income levels from very poor to extremely rich. The
results came as some surprise to the group conducting the study. The
only connection found between an increase in money and an elevated sense
of happiness came at the poverty line. Families who had trouble meeting
their basic needs–clothes, food, a warm home, etc.–were generally less
happy than other families. But from that point on, even as the income
level increased, the satisfaction level stayed the same.
If you’ve been
following along with the study so far, you shouldn’t be surprised at all
by those findings. Today’s reading
marks the fourth time that Ecclesiastes has come to the conclusion that
it is good for us to enjoy what we have and find satisfaction in our
work (cf. 2:24; 3:13, 22). The fact that it has been repeated so often
makes the point worth driving home again. We’ve already gone over the
idea that attitude and obedience play a major part in determining
satisfaction and happiness. The previous passages, like today’s, have
also made the point that the ability to enjoy what we have comes from
God (vv. 19, 20).
But today’s passage adds a new wrinkle. It is God who gives a
man his wealth and possessions (v. 19). It’s not a new idea that
everything we have comes from God, but in this context it’s particularly
noteworthy.
Isn’t it interesting how concerns about money can distress us?
Whether it’s retirement or a new job, welcoming a new baby into the
world or sending him on to college, building a new home or
downsizing–all those issues can fill our minds with oppressive worry.
Nov 19
Shakespeare’s
Hamlet had issues. In quite possibly the most famous soliloquy in any
play, he asks the question, “To be, or not to be?” He had reached the
point that many people come to when he wondered if it was better to
suffer the pains of life or to end them altogether. But for Hamlet, the
rub was the unknown. The uncertainty of “what dreams may come” during
the sleep of death was enough to stop him from ending his life. But the
inability to bear the suffering that life brought kept Hamlet from
enjoying one second of his existence.
Hamlet, in
effect, was fighting the same inner struggle as Ecclesiastes in today’s
reading. Verse 12 is the key verse in this chapter, because it
essentially asks the question, “What’s the point of living, and what
comfort can you Good find when you don’t know what comes next?”
The chapter
starts out with an “about face” from the point we left off. The previous
verses discuss enjoying a worry-free life. But if God doesn’t enable a
man to enjoy life, look out (v. 2)! It’s meaningless, but it’s worse
than that. The passage makes the case that it would be better not to
have lived at all than to live a long, productive life without joy.
Next comes a
string of observations on the subject. First, we have a sobering
revelation about human motivation that brings to mind Jesus’ powerful
statement in John 6:35: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will
never go hungry.” But without Christ, our appetites are never satisfied.
Verse 8 raises an interesting question about the worth of wisdom,
conjuring the ironic picture of a homeless man with excellent manners.
Verse 9 speaks of longing for things that are distant from us by time or
space. For example, during a cold winter, many New Englanders often wish
they could fly to Florida or turn the calendar forward to June. Such
longing, though, is meaningless.
If you
ever need motivation for witnessing, this passage is a good source.
Thoughtful people who don’t know Jesus Christ as Savior are tormented by
the reality of this passage. They, like Hamlet, find no meaning in the
suffering of life–and they are frightened by the horrible unknown future
that awaits them after death. You have the message of hope and light
that their souls long to hear. Share it with someone today! No endeavor
could be more meaningful than to lead someone to saving faith in Jesus.
Nov
20
This is from an old devotional book by F.B. Meyer. He was a very
godly man. I appreciate his writings.
Ecclesiastes
6:1-6
The Difference God Makes
[Do not] trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives
us richly all things to enjoy. --1 Timothy 6:17
One evening a news program devoted its entire broadcast to the
problems of many young athletes who suddenly become multimillionaire
sports celebrities. They start out buying expensive cars, living
luxuriously, and partying. Then they get into immoral conduct and
illicit drugs. Soon their careers are in shambles.
The writer of Ecclesiastes could have empathized with these young
athletes. In chapter 6, he illustrated the emptiness of a life that
has wealth and riches but does not include God. Two men are
portrayed. The first is either a workaholic or a playboy. He is a
quick success but is unhappy and dies with no heirs (vv.1-2). The
second lives longer and has many children but is also unfulfilled
and dies unloved (vv.3-6). The writer concluded that it is better
not to have lived at all than to be rich and famous but miserable!
The apostle Paul said that when we give God control of our lives,
earthly blessings can be enjoyed, for He "gives us richly all things
to enjoy" (1 Timothy 6:17). And when we use money to do good, we are
using it for God's eternal purposes, and we "lay hold on the true
life" (a literal translation of verse 19). A bright future and a
joy-filled present—that's the difference God makes!
To be rich in God is better than to be rich in goods.
Nov 21
Ecclesiastes 6:7-12
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.
--Romans 15:13
As a youth, did you have the opportunity to read The Adventures of
Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn? The author, Mark Twain, had his
share of tragedy.
He blamed himself for his younger brother's death in a
steamboat accident at age 20, and for the death of his only son, who
died from diphtheria at 19 months. He grieved bitterly over the
deaths of two of his daughters—one from meningitis at age 23 and one
from a heart attack at age 29.
But instead of turning to God, Twain became bitter and
pessimistic. When he died at 74, he was desperately lonely, unhappy,
and hopeless.
Mark Twain had an emptiness that could not be satisfied
with money and fame. His success as a writer only increased his
misery and sense of loss. His life illustrates the folly of living
without God, which is described in Ecclesiastes 6:7-12. If only he
had trusted Christ for salvation and looked to Him for comfort and
fulfillment!
How are you dealing with life's hardships? Be careful
to avoid allowing them to make you feel empty or bitter. Instead
allow God to use them to strengthen your relationship with God and
make you better!
Scripture tells us that "the God of hope [will] fill you with all
joy and peace" (Romans 15:13). —
Someone once wrote that “Life's trials should make us
better—not bitter.
Nov 22
Ecclesiastes
6:1-12
I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on
men: God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks
nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy
them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a
grievous evil (Ecclesiastes 6:1-2).
Immediately, Solomon recognizes that to have abundance and
possessions--all that money can buy--and yet lack the power to enjoy
them is a heavy burden to bear. Many people suffer from this. They
drive shiny new cars and own the latest electronic equipment in
their big luxurious homes. They are trying desperately to enjoy
these things, yet their faces have a hollowness about them; their
eyes betray an emptiness inside. Observe the jaded lives of those
who have everything but cannot enjoy anything they have.
Furthermore, the he says, material wealth and abundance can be
frustrating: imagine a stranger enjoying what you cannot enjoy. Can
there be anything more frustrating than getting something you always
wanted to have and then discovering that it has lost its luster; you
no longer enjoy it so you pass it on to somebody else who cannot
afford it, and that person enjoys it immensely? That would make one
frustrated, even resentful: "Why couldn't I enjoy it?" that person
would be entitled to ask.
The key to all of this is in the words "God does not enable him to
enjoy them." That lesson is pounded home to our hearts over and over
again throughout this book. Enjoyment does not reside in increased
possessions; it is a gift that God must give. If He withholds it, no
amount of effort is going to extract enjoyment from things. That is
a difficult lesson for some to learn. Enjoyment is a gift of God.
How contrary this is to the spirit of our age! Shouted at us on
every side today is the philosophy that we have a right to things.
Advertisers hold up some alluring object that they want you to buy
and accompany it with a propaganda line that says, in one way or
another, "You deserve this." That is the spirit of our age.
Do we realize that this spirit contradicts the teaching
that the Bible sets forth about our relationship to God? How can we
have gratitude if we are only getting what we deserve? Gratitude
only comes when we feel we do not deserve something, but we get it
anyway.
All through the Scriptures we are told that the proper relationship
of a believer to God, and that which pleases Him, is to give thanks
for everything: "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
This book of wisdom exhorts us to receive everything with a grateful
heart, realizing that we do not have it coming; it is a gift of God.
Even if it is painful for the moment, there is a wise Father who has
chosen it for you, and it will yield to you great and rich benefits.
You can be grateful for the pain as well as the pleasure; that is
the lesson of this book.
Nov. 23
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the lot God has given you in
this life?
Ecclesiastes 6:10-
Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is;
for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is.
Man’s arms are too short to box with God. We are too
short to box with God. Apart from the gift of God, the more man
struggles with his condition, the more the futility increases.
If God does not give the power of enjoyment, then a man cannot help
himself. It doesn’t matter how man cans a man might accumulate
unless the Lord gives to His people a can opener to go with the cans
of peaches He gave them.
Some of you don’t like God being sovereign, because you think you
have a better solution and would be a better god. But the fact is,
God has already called out what is, and has already given what He
has, and there is only futility in disputing with Him.
This is not fatalistic determinism. God still holds us
accountable for our decisions and for our efforts or lack of. Yet
God is sovereign, and this should be a comfort, not a hindrance to
our lives.
This same God, who is sovereign, is sovereignly good, and
sovereignly loving, and sovereignly holy. And this God has
sovereignly communicated with us the greatest of news found in the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Top of Page
Jan 3, 2008
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
Wisdom is a good thing, and this passage is filled with
pearls of wisdom that hope to form a string of meaningful truth. The
struggle, though, is that this inspired wisdom from God is
intentionally limited to the parameters of “under the sun” thought.
This is, in essence, wisdom for the here and now without a thought
given toward eternity. But the wisdom it offers for us today is
still powerful.
The comparison of a good name to fine perfume is a piece
of poignant poetic imagery–a reputation has a way of lingering like
an odor, good or bad. It also marks the first of seven “better than”
statements that offer wise guidance for our choices. The mood of the
passage shifts immediately, as mourning is counted better than
laughter (vv. 1–4). Before we dismiss that notion as the depression
of someone detached from God, consider that James reinforces the
same sentiment in his epistle (James 4:9). A sober attitude is the
fruit of a humble heart.
Rebukes are generally not our favorite thing to hear, but wise
correction is better than foolish reinforcement (vv. 5, 6). That’s a
difficult truth to accept sometimes, but again, humility is
important. Verse 7 refers back to the issue of money and
acceptance–a love for either can be used against even a wise man
through bribes or extortion. Verse 8 gives us an insightful contrast
between proudly beginning a project and patiently enduring until the
end. Part of that patience is having the humility to be slow to
anger… notice what a key factor humility is in wise living.
There is a strong connection between Ecclesiastes and
the book of James. Both of them focus especially on the here and now
in different ways. While Ecclesiastes looks to answer this world’s
questions without looking into heaven, James commands us to put our
heaven-bound faith into practice on earth. We will study the book of
James later this year, and you can get a head start. Set aside some
time to read through all of James and compare it to what we’ve read
so far in Ecclesiastes. It will be good preparation for tomorrow’s
study.
Jan 4
James 3:13-4:17
Robert Louis Stevenson gripped the world with his
horrifying tale of human duality, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and
Mr. Hyde. In it, he personifies the division between good and evil
with his title characters, Dr. Jekyll as the good side, and Mr. Hyde
embodying the evil. The essential downfall of the experiment,
however, was that Hyde’s evil was an inextricable part of Jekyll’s
being. In other words, Hyde was all evil, but Dr. Jekyll was never
completely good.
In light of today’s reading, Ecclesiastes appears to
portray a similar struggle going on inside Solomon’s heart. He has a
keen awareness of the fallen “wisdom” of this world that consists of
envy and proud selfishness. He also cites much of the heavenly
wisdom found in today’s passage in James. But the tone of
Ecclesiastes seems to indicate that Solomon never fully embraced the
wisdom of God, and so he was brought down. Can we not sympathize
with this battle for control of our hearts between the wisdom of the
devil and the wisdom of God?
This passage is an indictment against greed, and it’s
particularly humbling to see how greed and a thirst for pleasure
even enter into our prayer life (4:3). Then in verse 4, that
incriminating word, adulterous, makes unmistakably clear what is at
stake with the choices we make as believers. Staying true to God is
a matter of fidelity, and entertaining relationships with worldly
behavior, or other gods in Solomon’s case, is unacceptable. Because
we aren’t the only ones who can be envious–the Holy Spirit owns the
deed to our hearts, and He is not interested in sharing with the
world (4:5). Even when we stumble, though, there is hope. Again,
humility is key–there is grace awaiting the humble (4:6).
One thing we can say about Solomon: he was honest about
his struggles. With insight from James, we can see that Solomon
fought through an intense battle between the glorious pleasures of
kingship and the humble reality sewn into every sinner’s heart.
Before God, we must acknowledge that we’re fallen and that we’re
subject to His command. We have a choice. We can either go on
ignoring His sovereignty, or we can display our submission through a
“good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom”
(3:13).
Jan 5
Ecclesiastes 7:15-29
By this point in our study of Ecclesiastes, you may
have asked yourself, “If Solomon had so much wisdom, how could he
possibly turn to other gods? Isn’t that the most foolish thing
anyone could ever do?” But today and tomorrow we’ll see that wisdom,
even for the wisest of people, has its limitations, especially when
the perspective is limited to this earth.
For instance, how can a wise men make sense of the fact that
righteousness sometimes can lead to death, while some wicked people
enjoy long lives (v. 15)? Such a question leaves an “under the sun”
mind with two possible answers: either, a) righteousness has no
immediate or long-lasting benefits over wickedness, or b)
righteousness is impossible to obtain.
Verse 16 includes a tough statement to process, but it
helps to look at it together with verse 20–no one can be truly
righteous, let alone over-righteous, and it’s hard to imagine anyone
being over-wise, either, especially to the point of
self-destruction. Over-wicked or foolish, that’s easier to picture
(v. 17). But the verses may be speaking more about self-perception
than an actual state of being–a person with a proper view of God
seeks after wisdom and righteousness, but falls short of thinking of
himself as supremely good or wise (v. 18).
Overall, this passage offers a realistic look at one
man’s search for wisdom. After an interesting admonition not to hold
other people’s speech to a harsher standard than your own (vv. 21,
22), this wise man admits that even he falls short of ultimate
wisdom (v. 23). He seeks to understand the stupidity of wickedness
and the madness of folly (v. 25).
Beneath the surface of today’s passage lies the difference between
wisdom and righteousness. Part of wisdom is recognizing one’s own
sinfulness, but the remedy doesn’t come through wisdom,
righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe
(Rom. 3:22).
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Jan 7
Ecclesiastes 8
Eliot Ness, the well-known lawman who brought Al Capone
to justice, never enjoyed financial success. Even as his
crime-fighting career continued after such a remarkable achievement,
he and his family had to settle for common means. How humbling it
must have been to see the criminals he chased enjoy riches beyond
his wildest dreams. He died before his one chance at commercial
gain, the publication of his book, The Untouchables.
King Solomon, through all his exposure to foreign
rulers, must have seen many cases of wicked, powerful men enjoying
prolonged reign over their kingdoms. And with an “under the sun”
mentality, it’s hard to see the value of living righteously when
wicked men are rewarded with prosperity. Today’s reading is a
product of observing life through that lens–justice isn’t always
carried out “under heaven” (v. 11, 12).
But the beginning and the ending of today’s reading
offer an insightful look into wisdom. Verses 1 and 17 both point to
the fact that even a wise man can’t explain everything about
life–but his wisdom still allows him a positive outlook! Even if he
disagrees with the king, a wise man can still act appropriately with
respect and obedience (vv. 2–6). But not even the king has ultimate
power (v. 8). Death is the great equalizer that brings an end to a
wicked man’s glory days (v. 10). Even if the wickedness continues
for years, life will be far more enjoyable for the man who does good
(vv. 11–13).
Have you ever been under the authority of someone with whom you
disagreed? Maybe it wasn’t a king, perhaps a boss or even a church
leader? Verses 2–6 are quite valuable for anyone in such a
situation. When a person in authority has the power to make
decisions with or without your approval, it’s best to seek “the
proper time and procedure” for any action you might take instead of
making a rash, emotional decision. Ask God to show you the
appropriate course of action with a prayer for wisdom today.
Jan 8
Ecclesiastes 8:2-5
In this short passage we have three basic scriptural
reasons (rules) for obeying government. We experience the extremes
in our culture regarding this. On the one hand we see & hear the
people who say, “Heck no, we won’t go.” Then there is the other side
of the coin that holds the philosophy, “It’s not wacky to khaki.”
Most of us are in the middle!
So stay with me for a couple of minutes and consider
what Solomon tells us here. The first reason he cites is that we
are a citizen of this particular government. This is what it means
when we read, “Took an oath before God…” We restate this oath every
time we say the Pledge of Allegiance.
A second reason is found in verses 3-4. We obey because
the state (country) has the power to compel us to do so. We do not
have a king, but rather a head of state. He represents the power
and the authority of government and it trickles down all the way to
the lowest elected official. We also see this contained in our own
Constitution.
The third reason we find in verse 5. It is a wise thing
to obey the government. Obedience is the expectation. We’ll look
at this more closely tomorrow.
Have a great day in the Lord!
Jan 9
Ecclesiastes 8:5-7
Yesterday we were talking about 3 scriptural reasons for
obeying the government. I want to think a little more about reason
#3; namely, Obedience is a wise thing. Have you ever received a
parking ticket? It’s just a little thing, a minor annoyance in
fact. Oftentimes we meaningless, or trivial that we sort of blow it
off and disregard it, or forget about it all together. But many
times (not always, that’s what motivates us to blow it off) a notice
is received in the mail that states that the fine has increased
considerably and will continue to do so and in Massachusetts you
will be charged 1% per month on the unpaid balance. The clear
implication is that the longer we wait to settle the matter, the
more expensive it will become. When you go to renew your driver’s
license, this unpaid ticket usually comes to the attention of DMV
while we are standing in front of a clerk, who is looking at our
records on a computer screen.
The lesson is that the government has the power to
compel and the way to escape any harassment is to obey the
government and pay the fine. Our obedience is required. It is left
up to us to determine the time and the way to remedy the situation.
Solomon tells us that there is a solution to every
situation if we walk in the wisdom of God. Where are you walking
these days?
Jan 10
There is no government that does not have evil within it. Is that
anti-government? No, it is biblical. Check out these two verses…10
Then too, I saw the wicked buried—those who used to come and go from
the holy place and receive praise in the city where they did this.
This too is meaningless. 11 When the sentence for a
crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are
filled with schemes to do wrong.
These two verses contain two examples of observations that Solomon
made. First, he had been to the funeral of a prominent leader, a
man whom everyone knew was not inwardly what people saw outwardly.
There was an appearance of holiness. He was being praised &
glorified, but none of his evil actions were ever mentioned (this is
usually the course taken at funerals). Bottom line… we have a lot
of wretches who are buried in honorable graves that were remembered
as great leaders, that were in fact wicked and violent men. There
is a story of a woman who was at the funeral of her husband, who had
been a criminal and notorious wretch. On hearing the eloquent
eulogy of him, “what a wonderful man he was, etc.”, she said to her
son, “Go up and see if that’s your father that’s in that coffin!”
The second example is the slow “wheels of justice.”
Judges who turn loose criminals on technicalities when it is very
clear that the party is guilty, only encourages more crime! This
example is clearly one that portrays the evil that can be present in
government.
In closing, I encourage you to look further (12-14) at
the promises God offers in these verses.
May you look to God for the wisdom that you need to deal
with your present and future situations!
Jan 11
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16
In the baseball fantasy Shoeless Joe, by W. P.
Kinchella, Ray followed the command of a mysterious voice to turn
his cornfield into a baseball field. His act of faith brought
results, as baseball players from the past appeared out of thin air
to play there. Ray considered it an amazing accomplishment, but his
neighbors were sure he was crazy–they couldn’t see the players! A
marvelous revelation to Ray was viewed as complete nonsense by
everyone else because they couldn’t see the entire picture.
The same can be said of Ecclesiastes; a limited outlook
makes the world look meaningless. Today’s reading gives us the
picture of “foolishness” to everyone with an “under the sun”
mentality, and that picture is Christ crucified (1:23). Here we
learn that the approach of Ecclesiastes is similar to Greek thought
at the time, both seeking meaning through wisdom while the Jews
looked for miraculous signs from God (1:22). But what miracle, what
wisdom is there in the perfect Son of God being slaughtered?
Paul goes on to describe God’s paradoxical way of defeating wisdom
with foolishness, strength with weakness (1:27, 28). In fact, the
church is filled with less-than-impressive people whom God used for
His glory (1:26, 29). Paul is a perfect example of God’s strength
shining through weakness (2:1–5).
Today’s passage teaches us to boast, not in our own
power, but in Christ who is our “righteousness, holiness and
redemption” (1:30). On one hand, that means we should practice
humility. But on the other hand, we also need to open up our minds
to the possibilities–God can use you to accomplish His work, no
matter what limitations you’ve experienced. Not only can God
overcome the weaknesses of fallen people, they are His vessels of
choice! Ask the Lord for courage to do what He asks and for His
glory to outshine your sin.
Jan 14
Jan 15
Ecclesiastes 9:1-10
Whoever said death and taxes are the only two certainties in life wasn't
far from the truth. Solomon would agree with at least the first part of
that statement, because he emphasized in the book of Ecclesiastes that death
is a certainty for every person, regardless of status, wealth, or
wisdom--or the lack thereof.
You may be thinking that discussing death is not a very encouraging way to
begin today's study. However, the certainty of death is an important part
of the lesson Solomon wants us to learn about life. The fact is that even
for God's people the future is uncertain (vv. 1-3). We don't know what
awaits us. There are no guarantees that life will always land sunny side up.
Death, however, is certain (vv. 4-6). So what should we do about these
two inescapable realities? An uncertain future and a certain death may seem
like a bleak outlook, but Solomon's advice for us is anything but
morbid.
As we look at this passage, we need to issue a theological disclaimer.
Ecclesiastes is not God's only, or His final, word about life.
Therefore, we can't build an entire theology on these verses. For example,
when this book addresses themes such as certainty and
uncertainty, the doctrine of salvation is not in view. Solomon was concerned
with life ""under the sun.""
That being said, let's consider the king's advice on how to live as
God's stewards in the face of life's uncertainties and riddles that
can't be figured out. If you have read Ecclesiastes you know that
instead of urging us to retreat to the top of a mountain and ponder the
unexplainable ways of God, Solomon's counsel is to enjoy the good gifts from
God.
One conclusion of this book is that only God can give us the ability to
enjoy His gifts. It's because ""God favors what [we] do"" (v. 7) that we
can delight in His provision for our need of food and drink. The idea is
that the presence of these gifts indicates God's approval.
The same is true for gifts such as marriage and the work God puts before
us. Our days are not ""meaningless"" in the sense of being futile.
Instead, our days are fleeting, passing quickly. Let's make the most of them
to serve and please God.
The fact that life is short doesn't mean we have to be morbid about it.
Being God's steward was never meant to be a grim affair. Does your life
reflect the joy that comes with knowing God and living according to His
principles? Evaluate the level of joy in your life today.
Here’s a little exercise for you. List four or five reasons you have to be
joyful, then share what you found with your family or friends.
Jan 16
Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. - Ecclesiastes
9:10
During the Civil War, Union general George McClellan became well known
for being hesitant to respond to the enemy and move his army out into
the battle. In 1862, two Union soldiers found a copy of the Confederate
army’s detailed plans for a campaign in western Maryland, and gave the
plans to McClellan. Despite this advantage, McClellan was reluctant and
timid in his attack, and the |
