In Today's Email:
Ecclesiastes 9 Notes
In this chapter Solomon begins to discern some hope through wisdom in his search for meaning.
vs. 1-6 – Solomon again revisits his fatalist conclusion that life does not matter and that death awaits all. Those living have an advantage over the dead in that they still possess understanding. The dead have run their race and not more can be done for them except for forgetting them.
vs. 7-10 – Solomon concludes that mankind should make the most of this life while they can. Live it up! Whatever you do, you should do to the best of your ability . You only have one life so make the most of it. Eat, drink, and be merry! This is worldly wisdom that focuses on the now with no thought for eternity.
vs. 11-12 – Again, worldly wisdom says that there is use in trying to fight against our lot in life. We might as well give into the randomness of our existence, it says. A very fatalist and flawed way to see the world.
vs. 13-18 – Solomon now counters his own conclusions with an observation concerning wisdom. He relates how through wisdom a city was delivered from its attackers. The man was forgotten, but his impact was still felt. He begins to extol the greatness of wisdom as the means to make a difference in this life.
Ecclesiastes 10 Notes
In this chapter Solomon shows how folly counters wisdom.
vs. 1-4 – The counter to wisdom is folly. Foolishness betrays and spoils wisdom.
vs. 5-7 – An illustration of the power of folly to spoil wisdom. Here, leadership falls through folly.
vs. 8-11 – A second illustration of the power of folly to spoil wisdom. In this case, a man’s labor betrays him. Labor is counterproductive without wisdom.
vs. 12-15 - A third illustration of the power of folly to spoil wisdom. Here, the words of the wise are negated by the words of the fools.
vs. 16-20 - A fourth illustration of the power of folly to spoil wisdom. Here, it is a foolish and childish ruler that brings destruction to the nation. A wise king would not waste resources and effort on a luxurious lifestyle as the foolish prince would. The state of a poorly run kingdom is described in vs. 18-20.
Ecclesiastes 11 Notes
In this chapter Solomon begins to give advice based on his observations.
vs. 1-5 – Solomon exhorts his hearers to be generous in their dealings and not worry about the possibilities against it. The phrase “cast thy bread upon the waters” in vs. 1 refers to the practice of sowing on ground recently flooded by the spring floods, as done in Egypt with the Nile. The meaning is to be sure and sow when the time is right. We do not fully understand how the wonders of God’s creation work, but we know enough to trust in them.
vs. 6-8 – We are exhorted to work at all times and in all seasons. Life is full of bright days but also dark nights. We must make the best of all of it.
vs. 9-10 – Solomon now addresses the youth. These are told to live life to the fullest but understanding all is done under God’s watchful eye. The days of youth are fleeting, so make the most of them.
Ecclesiastes 12 Notes
In this chapter Solomon presses the young to seek God.
vs. 1-8 – Solomon speaks as an old man with many regrets. He recalls the golden days at the beginning of his reign and gives the advice he would give to himself in his youth. He just stated in the previous chapter that youth was vanity. Dark days will come when there is no joy. Before the shadows came, a young man should seek the Lord. It is better to walk with the Lord into a storm than to search for Him while in it.
vs. 9-14 – After all of the wanderings of earthly reason, we now emerge from darkness to light. Considering the vanity of human existence, what can we do? The answer is vs. 13-14. Fear the Lord. Obey the Lord. Serve the Lord. This is the purpose of man. It is the only way to have meaning in our earthly life and comfort in the next.
Closing Thoughts
Our faith is a reasonable faith. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, surveys humanity and finds it empty with God. The modern skeptic will tell you it is illogical to believe in God and serve Him. The opposite is actually true. It simply makes sense that there is a God who created all things and cares for us. It is our duty to serve and honor Him.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “Children, to your Creator, God” by Isaac Watts.
Children to your Creator God,
your early Honours pay,
While Vanity and youthful Blood
would tempt your Thoughts astray.
The Memory of his mighty Name,
demands your first Regard;
Nor dare indulge a meaner Flame,
'till you have lov'd the Lord.
Be wise, and make his Favour sure,
before the mournful Days,
When Youth and Mirth are known no more,
and Life and Strength decays.
No more the Blessings of a feast
shall relish on the Tongue.
The heavy Ear forgets the Taste
and Pleasure of a Song.
Old Age, with all her dismal Train,
invades your golden Years
With Sighs and Groans, and raging Pain,
and Death that never spares.
What will you do when Light departs,
and leaves your withering Eyes,
Without one Beam to chear your Hearts,
from the superior Skies?
How will you meet God's frowning Brow,
or stand before his Seat,
While Nature's old Supporters bow,
nor bear their tott'ring Weight?
Can you expect your feeble Arms
shall make a strong Defence,
When Death with terrible Alarms,
summons the Pris'ner hence?
The silver Bands of Nature burst;
and let the Building fall;
The Flesh goes down to mix with Dust,
its vile Original.
Laden with Guilt, (a heavy Load)
uncleans'd and unforgiv'n,
The Soul returns t' an angry God,
to be shut out from Heav'n.