Category: Ecclesiastes

In Conclusion…

Ecclesiastes 11-12

Psalm 106

1 John 5

-By Paula Kirkpatrick (MN)

Picture a beautiful sunny day in the countryside.  Fluffy white clouds move across the blue sky as a gentle wind blows.  A young shepherd boy named David, tending his father’s flock of sheep, is enjoying the beauty of God’s creation surrounding him.  He attentively cares for the sheep, assuring water and green pastures are available to them, keeping a watchful eye out for dangerous animals that could threaten them. 

As David did his work each day, he often composed songs of praise to God, singing and playing his harp.  His whole life was attuned to his heavenly Father, honoring and following Him.

It’s not hard to see why David, the shepherd boy, was chosen to be the next king of Israel to replace Saul.  His seven older brothers passed by the prophet Samuel, but none of them were God’s choice.  It was young David, out in the field, tending the sheep, communing with His Creator, who was eventually anointed as the next king of Israel.  Why? 

“God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  (I Samuel 16:7b)

David did not live an easy life.  After Samuel anointed him as the next king of Israel, he would not take the throne for 15 years.  During that time, he experienced astounding victories and merciless defeats.  He killed the detestable giant Goliath, yet fled for his life from jealous King Saul.  He was praised by throngs of people for his mighty triumphs in battle, yet committed moral failure with Bathsheba, even having her husband killed in battle. 

Yet throughout David’s life, the Lord was by his side.  From the young shepherd boy to the ailing, aged king, he sought and served God; repentant when he sinned, faithful until the end of his life. 

Ecclesiastes 12:1a proclaims, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth.”    David did that, lived that.  His strong, steadfast relationship with his Lord enabled him to withstand life’s trials and challenges. 

In Psalm 37:25, aged David declares, “I have been young, and now I am old; I have not seen the righteous forsaken.”

Whatever age we may be, God will not abandon us. 

BUT, IF YOU ARE YOUNG, I say this with heartfelt conviction.  NOW, is the time to serve the Lord.  DON’T WAIT!

He is always there to listen. 

“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (I John 5:14)

He is always there to help you with your problems. 

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (I John 5:4)

He is always there to love you. 

”We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (I John 4:16)

Let God’s overwhelming love envelop you.  Respond with gratitude and resolve to serve Him faithfully.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” (I John 5:3)

As the writer of Ecclesiastes concludes his discourse, he offers the same guidance. 

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.”  (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Reflection Questions

  1.  Why is it important to “remember” and serve God when we are young? 
  2.  In I John 5:3 and Ecclesiastes 12:13, how does the love of God and fearing God      compare, in keeping His commandments?  

Prayer

Dear God of Heaven & Earth – I praise You for Your always superior wisdom, love and righteousness. Thank You for Your amazing creation and the miraculous gift of life and Your presence. May I faithfully serve You, fear You, love You all my days. Help me to speak truth and the good news, always guiding others in knowing You, keeping Your commands and preparing for Your Son’s incredible and coming return. In his name I pray, amen.

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Preparing…to be a Fool?

Ecclesiastes 9-10

Psalm 105

1 John 4

-Devotion by Paula Kirkpatrick (MN)

With any activity, there can often be a hidden risk involved.  It’s simply a fact of life and the fallibility of the human race.  The writer of Ecclesiastes, chapter 10, points this out in verses 8-10.

Dig a pit – you might fall into it.

Break through a wall – a serpent might be on the other side and bite you.

Quarrying stones could result in injury.

Splitting logs could be dangerous.

The Preacher elaborates on the log splitting with a simple explanation. 

“If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength.”

Simple logic, what we might call a “no brainer.”  But as the writer has been sharing throughout Ecclesiastes, foolish people lack good sense.

“Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.” (Ecclesiastes 10:3)

One of my husband’s favorite television programs is “Forged in Fire,” found on the History Channel.  Four bladesmiths compete in three rounds of elimination, forging various kinds of knives or other bladed weapons, out of diverse kinds of steel.  Besides the drama of completing their blades during a three-hour period, the competitors must also get them hardened and sharpened for rigorous testing. 

During the last minutes of the first round, viewers often see the bladesmiths feverishly sharpening their blades on sanding belts, the sparks flying.  They want their blades as sharp as possible before they are tested. The goal?  To watch Judge Doug Marcaida test their blades, perhaps slicing through a row of apples or sacks filled with sand, and say these words.  “Your edge is razor sharp.  Your blade—Will Cut!”

A dull axe shows a lack of preparation.  A lack of preparation for log splitting can result in more work, and even possible injury.  The difference between the wise and the foolish could not be clearer.

Each day is a new beginning in our pursuit of a meaningful life.  If we don’t prepare properly for that day, we often miss out on opportunities to live a life of purpose. 

Don’t live the life of a fool—unfocused, and directionless. 

“The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city.” (Ecclesiastes 10:15)

Seek the wisdom of God, assured that whatever the day brings, whatever activity or opportunity presents itself, you will be prepared to confidently meet it. 

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  (James 1:5-8)

Reflection Questions

  1. In the spirit of Ecclesiastes 10, what kind of example can you give of a fool?
  2. How do you prepare for each new day God gives you?   

Prayer

Dear Wise, Righteous and Loving God – help me learn from You and Your Word. Show me how to prepare and to live a life of wisdom, righteousness and love, making the most of every opportunity. Thank You for the gifts you give daily. May I use them to faithfully serve You.

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Working on a Good Name

Ecclesiastes 7-8

Psalm 105

1 John 3

-Devotion by Paula Kirkpatrick (MN)

My Grandpa Burnett was a quiet, unassuming man.  When I was young, he was a hard-working farmer, milking cows and raising chickens and other livestock.   Even after he and my grandma moved off the farm to a house at the edge of town, he was always busy with chores and responsibilities.  I rarely saw him sit down and rest. 

Grandpa Burnett was always willing to lend a helping hand to a neighbor.  Sometimes, the neighbor might not even be aware of it.  I remember my mom saying this about her dad. 

“If your grandpa found a hole in his neighbor’s fence, he wouldn’t tell the neighbor.  Grandpa would just fix it himself.”

That story from my mom has stuck with me through the years and embodies who my grandpa was—a good man, a Christian man, a man with a good name, a good reputation. 

Ecclesiastes 7:1a says, “A good name is better than precious ointment.” (ESV) In Bible times, ointment was a perfumed oil used for anointing, healing, and beauty.  Ointments were made with olive oil and fragrant spices that were usually uncommon and expensive. 

Young King David was anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel; Jesus’ dear friend Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair.  These examples reflect the reverence and high regard of the individuals giving and receiving the oil or perfume, and they help us to better understand the intrinsic value of a good name. 

The rich sweet smell of the costly ointment will eventually fade away.  A good name, a solid reputation, will endure the test of time. 

The author of Ecclesiastes finished the verse with a stark contrasting statement.  “And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.”  What is he saying?

At the end of our lives, we can look back and see our journey with our Creator.  We can reflect on the winding paths, the mountains and valleys of life we encountered, exalted in, endured.  We can testify to God’s goodness and love, affirm his steadfast faithfulness every step of the way.

Let us endeavor each day to serve God fully, seeking His glory and not our own.  Let us strive to have “Good names” by the grace of God. 

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” 

Micah 6:8 (ESV)

Reflection Questions

  1.  Who do you know who has a “good name?” How did they get it?
  2. The writer of Ecclesiastes compared a good name to a precious ointment.  What item comes to mind, if you would make a similar comparison? 

Prayer

Dear God – I praise You. You have the perfect name forever and ever. Help me stay focused on You and what You want me to be and do. Give me the desire and energy to faithfully serve and give of myself with a good attitude. I want my light to bring others to You and Your Son and eternal life.

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Draw Near to Listen

Ecclesiastes 5-6

Psalm 104

1 John 2

-Devotion By Paula Kirkpatrick (MN)

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Psalm 46:10. “Cease striving and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (NASB) This verse daily reminds me that all my planning and busywork, which often brings me stress, fades in the knowledge that God is sovereign in the world’s events and should be sovereign in my life as well.  “Striving” is a good word description of my often, feeble attempts to meaningfully serve Him.  And yet, I am drawn to the NIV version of the first part of this verse. 

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (NIV)

Be still.  Not moving. Quiet.  Then, you can be aware of God’s presence.  Then you can be aware of His vibrant touch in the world that surrounds you. 

In Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, the writer encourages this same reverence as God’s people went to the house of God.

“Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words.  When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!  For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:1-3, 7)

Guard your steps, draw near to listen, do not be hasty.  Why?  Because God is in heaven and we are on earth.  Let our words be few.  Be still! 

“The Communicator’s Commentary, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon” by David A. Hubbard, page 131, paragraph 2, explains more on this passage as it relates to the Israelite nation. 

“‘The sacrifice of fools’ was empty sacrifice, going through the ritual but missing its meaning.  What was the basic purpose of the offerings God required?  It was communion with God expressed by ‘listen’ which means virtually to obey, and ‘draw near’ which frequently describes the intimacy between God and those who go to Him for worship and fellowship.  The sacrifices dealt with the major human needs.  They brought forgiveness…they expressed thanksgiving…they fulfilled vows.  Listing them, was an essential requirement if the sacrifices were to have any meaning.”

As verse 7 says, in many words there is emptiness.  The last three words of the verse declare the remedy.  “Rather, fear God.”

God desires a relationship with us. Yet, in that bond, He deserves our reverence.

Open your mind and your ears to God’s message for you.  Come before Him in humble devotion.  He has much to share with you.  Just listen.  

Reflection Questions

  1.  How do you listen to God?
  2.  In what ways, do you show reverence to God? 

Prayer

Dear God in Heaven – Thank you for creating, loving, sustaining, guiding us on Earth. I want to praise You, revere You, fear You, love You, serve You, and follow You, Your Word and Your Son all the days that You give me. Help me to listen to You.

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Timing is Everything

Ecclesiastes 3-4 

Psalm 104

1 John 1

-Devotion by Paula Kirkpatrick (MN)

“Timing is everything.”  How often have you heard someone say that?  It may be a familiar phrase, but those three words hold true in many areas of life.

Baking cookies?  Take them out of the oven too soon, they fall apart.  Take them out of the oven too late, they turn black and inedible. 

In the sports world, there are plenty of examples of timing.  The baseball player stealing a base, the wide receiver catching the quarterback’s pass, the long jumper planting his takeoff foot at the exact right moment. 

Every comedian definitely realizes his joke’s punchline depends on the perfect pause to deliver its greatest impact, and hopefully a room full of laughter as well. 

God has always known that “timing is everything.”  The six days that God created the earth highlight this fact.  During the first three days of Creation, God CHANGED a dark, wet environment into a world ready for living creatures.  Each day of creation built upon the previous one, so that living vegetation, then animals, and ultimately Adam and Eve, would be able to thrive. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is an appointed time for everything.“ Verses 2-8 then give us detailed examples.

“A time to give birth and a time to die;
 A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

A time to kill and a time to heal;
 A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
 A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
 A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
 A time to keep and a time to throw away.
 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
 A time to be silent and a time to speak.
 A time to love and a time to hate;
 A time for war and a time for peace.”

There is good, there is bad; there is productive, there is destructive; there is action, there is reaction.  There is life, in all its ups and downs, each day, each event unfolding as God appointed it.  In His time. 

“He has made everything appropriate in its time.”  (Ecclesiastes 3:11a)

These are the events God has given us to occupy our lives.  We live out these events with God’s love upon us.  His love is unwavering and constant, throughout each joy and trial.

What is OUR response to our Creator, our loving Father? 

“I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12,13)

Begin each new day rejoicing and striving to DO good, to SEE good in all that you do.  Our labor, our life, is a gift of God.

“I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities.” (Ecclesiastes 3:22a)

Timing is everything.  There is no better time to praise the Lord than today.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul.  Praise the Lord!  (Psalm 104:35b)

Reflection Questions

  1. Think of an event in your life when “timing was everything.”  How did it turn out? 
  2. Have you ever questioned God’s timing?  Who or what do you turn to when that happens? 

Prayer

Dear God – I praise You for being Creator, Sustainer and Sovereign. Thank You for Your perfect ways. Help me to trust You and Your timing and fully rely on You through all seasons. Whatever a day may hold, may I spend it rejoicing in You and Your faithfulness, doing good, and finding good in my labor and the gifts You have generously given.

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When You Hate Life…

Ecclesiastes 1-2 

Psalm 103

2 Peter 3

-Devotion by Paula Kirkpatrick (MN)

It’s the end of a long hard day, and nothing went the way you planned when you awoke that morning.  The coffeemaker quit—you don’t have time to pick up coffee on the way to work because you are already late.  Overcast skies reflect your mood.  Entering the door of your office, someone has piled ten new files on your desk for you to tackle.  There is no time for lunch, so you grab a stale granola bar from your desk drawer.  On the way home during a rainy commute, your car gets a flat tire.  Starting to call for help, you realize you forgot to charge your phone last night, and it is out of battery power!  At the end of your rope, you exclaim, “I hate my life!” 

Would you believe that the wisest man that ever lived once stated the same thing?   

“So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.”  (Ecclesiastes 2:17)

Reading that declaration, it’s hard to comprehend that King Solomon began his reign over the nation of Israel in humility and with a sincere heart to serve God. 

When Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar of Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and told him, “Ask what you wish me to give you” (I Kings 3:5a)

“Then Solomon said, ‘You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So, give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?’” (I Kings 3:6-9)

God was pleased with Solomon’s reply, particularly that he had not asked for a long life, or riches, or revenge to his enemies.  Consequently, God granted Solomon’s request and so much more.

“Behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.” (I Kings 3:12-14)

What remarkable blessings for the start of Solomon’s reign—wisdom, honor, long life.  What more could he desire?  With these incredible gifts from God, his fame spread. 

“Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.” (I Kings 4:30,34)

Ecclesiastes 2 shares a first-person summary of Solomon’s activities.  He experimented with wine and folly; built houses and planted vineyards; made gardens and parks and ponds; bought slaves and possessed larger and larger herds; collected silver and gold and treasures of others; enjoyed the pleasures of many concubines; and became greater than all who preceded him.

Yet, this all-wise, anointed king of Israel was not immune to sin.  His hundreds of wives and concubines allowed idol worship to creep into his kingdom.  Despite building the temple in accordance with God’s direction, despite writing thousands of proverbs, because of Solomon’s sin, Israel became a divided kingdom after his reign. 

Whatever Solomon desired he had obtained, as a reward for his labor.  Yet, he realized it all was meaningless.  The same fate awaited the wise and the fool. 

Solomon exclaimed, “So, I hated life!”  (Ecclesiastes 2:17a) 

Solomon went on to express his dismay that all his work and accomplishments could be diminished or destroyed by his successor.  So, what was the point?  He answered his own question.

“There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?”  (Ecclesiastes 2:24,25)

Only with God, only with our Creator, our loving Father, can we enjoy the fruits of our labor.  As Solomon expressed, “Who can have enjoyment without Him?”

Yes, we have bad days when we voice our anguish.  But God is on His throne.  He hears our concerns, He calms our fears, offers His comfort.  God and God alone is the reason we exist.  Living for God and God alone, is the only way to enjoy this life as we anticipate His coming kingdom. 

“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless (II Peter 3:13,14)

Reflection Questions

  1.  What do you do to lift yourself up when you have a bad day?
  2.  If the Lord appeared to you in a dream, like he did Solomon, and said “Ask what you wish me to give you,” what would your answer be?

Prayer

Dear Father God, Thank You for the gifts of life and labor, food and drink, companionship along the way, and the sun that rises and sets every day. Mostly though, thank You for being You, the Great God who sees, hears, knows, provides, and cares. Without You, who can have enjoyment? Help me train my eyes, heart and mind to focus on Your greatness and Your goals for me when I am looking instead at the size of my trials, needs or moods. Show me what sin is and make me wise and strong to pursue righteousness instead so I am ready to live in Your new heavens and earth with You and Your Son.

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The Final Conclusion

Ecclesiastes 7-12

Yesterday we searched Ecclesiastes for the wisdom that Solomon put there for us to find.  Today we continue our search for the eternal truth that God has set for us to find.  Remember that the human mind wants to have the certainty of knowledge and wisdom, but that the only true wisdom is from God and not human thought. 

Ecclesiastes 7:8-13(NLT) Finishing is better than starting.
Patience is better than pride.
9 Control your temper,
for anger labels you a fool.
10 Don’t long for “the good old days.”
This is not wise.
11 Wisdom is even better when you have money.
Both are a benefit as you go through life.
12 Wisdom and money can get you almost anything,
but only wisdom can save your life.  Accept the way God does things,
for who can straighten what he has made crooked?

It is interesting that wisdom and money can go hand in hand.  When we are part of God’s family we have the resources of the head of our Household to help us. 

Does God give us the financial resources that we have for us alone?  Or are the resources for the work of His church and kingdom?

Ecclesiastes 7:29(NLT) But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.”

Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people’s burdens here on earth, I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. 17 I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim.

Maybe Artificial Intelligence will be able to find all knowledge? 

Will it find that God’s Word is ultimate truth or will it decide that the Word is not correct? 

Is there ultimate true wisdom in any human endeavor?

I think these verses give us the truth that God alone has ultimate wisdom and we will find it when we search for Him, and not for the knowledge that comes from the world.  All else is “vanity” trying to breath into a bottle.

Ecclesiastes 12:11-14(NLT) The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.
12 But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

How does the conclusion of Ecclesiastes compare with the proverb that Jesus gives us in Matthew?

Matthew 10:16(NKJV) Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves

May you have a great day being shrewd in the world’s ways, but with God’s love and truth as the foundation of the way to live.

-Tom Siderius

See Reflection Questions above in bold

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The Words of the Preacher

Ecclesiastes 1-6

Ecclesiastes 1:1-5(NKJV)  The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
3 What profit has a man from all his labor
In which he toils under the sun?
4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes;
But the earth abides forever.
5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down,
And hastens to the place where it arose.

“Ecclesiastes” comes from the Greek “Ekklesiastes” which is from the word “ekklesia” which in the NT is translated into “assembly” or “church”.  Solomon is the writer, and the book is the “Speaker to the Assembly”.  Or we could say “Preacher”.  These are words that the church needs to hear.

Ecclesiastes 1:14-17(NKJV)  I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
15 What is crooked cannot be made straight,
And what is lacking cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.

Our readings for today and tomorrow are wisdom from Solomon about the meaning of life.  He explores wisdom, wealth, work, art, and faith throughout the book.  The word “vanity” used in many versions of the Bible is the Hebrew word “hebel”.  It is translated in different versions as vanity, meaningless, or futility.  It is a word which is not easily translated directly to English.  The meaning comes from the idea of “breath” or “vapor” like the breath of steam from your mouth on a cold day.  It cannot be grasped with your hands or put into a bottle or jar.  Meaning in our lives without God being involved is like trying to grab ahold of that breath or vapor.   People desire for their lives to have meaning and purpose.  We also want to be remembered as doing things that are useful and lasting.  Solomon certainly did all that a man could do in his life and had God given wisdom to work from.  Yet he says that all is meaningless without the purpose of serving God.  Even our Christian religious activity doesn’t have meaning without true godliness at its base.  This fallen world needs to find Christ in order to find meaning.  Only God in His wisdom knows what we need and has provided it for us.

Reflection Questions

Do you feel like you are grasping the wind or vapor when trying to understand life?

How does the Word of God change that?

Are you sometimes frustrated by your study of the Bible?

How does the perspective of Ecclesiastes change your thinking?

 Enjoy reading Ecclesiastes today and tomorrow and try to look for the purpose of your life in the reading. 

God Bless!  Tom Siderius

The Conclusion

Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 23 & 24

Poetry: Ecclesiastes 12

New Testament: Colossians 3:1-17

In the final portion of the book, Solomon turns to remind his readers to think often of their Creator early in life before all the “evil days” come. His point is not to just think of God when you are young, but the need to establish the foundation of one’s life in their youth. The phrase “evil days” probably refers to old age (and eventually death). As life goes on, there is more opportunity for trouble and adversity. Old age has its host of difficulties and struggles. One’s youth is often thought of as the best of times, and during that period of life it is good to develop the habit of remembering the Creator before the days of “evil” come. That doesn’t mean that older individuals cannot “remember” the Creator. Solomon is simply asserting that this practice is best formulated and built into the foundation of life at an early age before life’s complications arise and produce much turmoil and frustration.

Verses 1-7 is a whole poem that focuses on the remembrance of one’s youth and the pleasures of life that a young person is able to enjoy in contrast to the gradual decline of physical abilities and the dulling of the senses with age, a relentless progression ultimately toward death. To be “afraid of heights” and the “terrors…in the road” refer to the weakening of the body and the feebleness that accompanies aging to where a person cannot defend themselves. The “almond tree will blossom” is likely a figurative reference to the graying of one’s hair with age, like the white blossoms of the almond tree when it is in season.

The complicated saying that the “grasshopper will be a burden” likely represents small activities and simple tasks; when you are old even the smallest endeavors can seem difficult. Furthermore, when one’s “desire will fail” perhaps refers to sexual desire, but if that is true, by metonymy it refers to the failing of the physical body in general. And the “age-long home” is the place, after the failing of the body, when a person goes to the grave.

Verse 8 is a large inclusion (i.e., bookends) restating the thesis that Solomon presented at the outset of the book in 1:2, ““Utterly pointless,” says the Sage. “Everything is pointless!”

The change in voice to the 3rd person (i.e., “the Sage”) perhaps indicates that a narrator is giving an epilogue to the foregoing discourse (chs. 1:1-12:7). This epilogue functions to frame the previous discourse and Solomon’s investigation.

The summary of what Solomon discovered is that to submit to and obey God is what it means to truly live as a human being. It might be difficult to understand why Solomon asserts the “pointlessness” of life so heavily and exposes it in so many facets of life under the sun. His approach can appear to lean toward doubting everything or concluding that nothing ultimately matters (i.e., nihilism). But the pointlessness of everything he saw has driven him in the end to a deep piety and dependence on God. To understand that everything that happens under the sun has no ultimate significance or meaning only draws out the fact that meaning must reside outside of life under the sun and the work that humans do. In the face of all the oppression, injustice, uncertainty, and death in life, the Sage finds the only true meaning in life is humbling oneself before the Almighty Creator and remembering that he is God, and we are not. Our role as creatures is to worship and obey the one who makes everything and to not try and control or manipulate life, because everything we can try and do on our own is ultimately pointless. The only ultimate meaning is found in relation to the Ultimate Being whose breath fills the world and whose hand spans the universe. It is to him that we are accountable and will be judged for everything we do, whether good or evil.

So, let’s live for Yahweh and trust in him and not in our own understanding. We are weak and finite creatures, and our meaning and purpose in life can only be discovered through an obedient and faithful relationship with our God and Creator. This is the wisdom of the book of Ecclesiastes.

-Jerry Wierwille

Reflection Questions

  1. If you were to write a book of wisdom – what would your conclusion be? Where did you learn this “wisdom” from? Do you think God would agree with your conclusion?
  2. Regardless of your age, what changes have you seen in yourself as you have grown older? How does growing older affect your wisdom? What changes in your relationship with God would you like to see as you keep growing older? What can you do to bring this about?
  3. What challenges do you find in Ecclesiastes 12? Will you rise to these challenges?
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Life is Uncertain

Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 21 & 22

Poetry: Ecclesiastes 11

New Testament: Colossians 2

Life is uncertain. That seems to be the theme that Solomon focuses on in this chapter. His first statement seems quite enigmatic, “Cast your bread on the waters; for you may find it after many days.” “Casting one’s bread on the waters” may be a metaphor for maritime trade, and what one might “find after many days” could refer to the revenue that comes back to the person after the goods are sold. The numerical proverb in verse 2 could suggest the wisdom in diversification of cargo on different ships, so that if something happened to one ship, the entire shipment won’t be lost. The reasoning for this is that a person cannot know “what evil may happen on the earth,” referring to unforeseen disasters and circumstances in the future.

Another imagery that is used is that of clouds that are full of rain (v. 3). The imagery is meant to depict the randomness of life and the unpredictability of events. The implicit idea that the imagery represents is the uncertainty of disasters or bad things that will negatively impact one’s life. We have no control over where a cloud will drop its rain. We know that clouds bring moisture, but the definitiveness of when and where that will take place is outside the ability of a person to know. We are simply subject to the randomness of weather patterns. Now, ultimately we know that weather is not truly random, but it is impossible for us to know all the factors that play into the weather and the behavior of clouds.

A modern expression that captures this same idea is: “That’s the way the cookie crumbles.” No one can predict how it is going to happen. But when it does, then that is how it happens.

Next an agricultural illustration is used describing farmers and how the inevitable randomness can cause one to be paralyzed by the inability to know the future. If a farmer tries to predict when the wind will be favorable for planting, they will never sow their seed because the wind might change at any moment. In addition, the farmer who stares at the clouds in order to predict when it will be dry to harvest will never gather the crops because it might rain before the harvest can be completed.

As one scholar summarizes the point of v. 4, “…one cannot use the possibility of misfortune as an excuse for inactivity. Someone who is forever afraid of storms will never get around to working his field. The Teacher in effect says, ‘Just face the fact that things may go wrong, but get out there and do your work anyway.’” (Duane A. Garrett, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, [Vol. 14, The New American Commentary], 338)

We humans are vastly ignorant about the inner workings of life and of God. In this verse, Solomon is stressing that fact but using the developing fetus in a womb as a clear example of something we know nothing about. One of the great mysteries of human existence is how life comes together in a fetus as it forms in the womb. We have no idea how “spirit” (i.e., life) enters the bones of a baby.

This example of human ignorance is being used to make the point that even though we don’t understand how many things in life really work, we should not let a lack of knowledge paralyze us into inactivity.

Thus, while trying to figure out what is going to come in the future is not profitable, we should still act wisely and take reasonable chances in life, unlike the skeptic and fearful who will not move forward in life even if the opportunity is there.

This illustration is compared then to the “work of God” in the world. Solomon describes God as the one who “makes everything.” The reference is to the operations of creation (e.g., gestation). God causes the sun to rise and the rain to fall, just as he gives life to the fetus and causes it to grow in the womb. And so, in the same way that we don’t understand how certain things happen, like a pregnant woman who is trusting God that the baby will develop as God designed, so also all future plans must likewise be put in the hands of God. We ultimately cannot control success or failure. We must simply do our best and trust God with the rest (i.e., the outcome).

In light of the general ignorance about life and the work of God, Solomon encourages the reader to work hard in the face of uncertainty, even if we don’t understand what is going to happen. He instructs farmers to “sow your seed,” meaning go out and plant the crops, and “do not withhold your hand,” meaning don’t refrain from working. Finish the job!

We have no idea whether something will turn out good or bad. We have to wait and see. Maybe one thing will work, and another will fail, or perhaps both will work, or both will fail. But one thing we can be sure of, if we don’t do anything, then nothing will ever happen.

“Light is sweet” appears as a mismatched metaphor. How can “light” be tasted. Here “light” is likely a metonymy of association referring to the perception of light by the senses of one who is alive. Thus, it refers figuratively to “life” and represents a living person (cf. Job 3:20; 33:30; Ps 56:14). This is the opposite of “darkness” which represents “death.” And “sweet” is a metaphor of taste referring to a pleasurable experience, not actual tasting with one’s mouth. This figuratively represents something that is good and delightful. Furthermore, “to see the sun” refers to being alive and able to work and do something “under the sun.” The idea is that being alive is “good” and something to be enjoyed.

Verse 8 provides the reader with encouragement to rejoice in life no matter what age a person might be. But that rejoicing is to be accompanied by an awareness that life is filled with “darkness” and that everything that happens cannot be explained or give ultimate meaning to life. Sometimes bad things happen, and no explanation can be offered to explain them. Thus, attempting to know the reason why everything happens is not possible, and therefore, it is “pointless.”

Solomon is advancing the premise that joy should accompany a person throughout their life, but life is not solely one of bliss and ease, it is also filled with hardship, pain, and various evils. And this is why he returns to the idea of “joy,” and now in more forceful terms, he flat out instructs the reader to “Rejoice!” The instruction is not meant exclusively to be directed or applied exclusively to young people. What is meant by the expression is for “joy” to become a set pattern early on in one’s life.

The phrase “let your heart cheer you…walk in the ways of your heart…in the sight of your eyes” uses the terms “heart” and “eyes” as organs of desire, and they refer to one’s inner yearnings and inclinations. The exhortation is not to follow whatever impulses one has regardless if they are immoral or reckless. Rather, one is to pursue desires and the joy they bring into life with the awareness of God’s impending judgment over everything you do.

Lastly, with God’s judgment in mind, a person should not allow the frustrations of life to incumber their pursuit of joy. We must not let the enigma of life and the unexplainable and uncontrollable realities weigh down our rejoicing in life. On the other hand, a person must not let their desires draw them into evil either. Pursuing one’s desires often can lead to wickedness and sin. Thus, one must be diligent about avoiding temptations that arise from the desires in our flesh. So, despite the human condition, we are to overcome the troubles that the “pointlessness” in life brings and focus on the joy that we can experience in the midst of it.

-Jerry Wierwille

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you ever used the possibility of misfortune as an excuse for your inactivity? If so, what might Solomon say to you?
  2. “Pursuing one’s desires often can lead to wickedness and sin.” How have you seen this in your own life? What desires? What wickedness and sin? How can you protect against this? Should some desires be changed? How? Should you go about pursuing some desires in different ways?
  3. Even with the unknowns and the difficulties in life, how can you still pursue and show joy?
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