Ecclesiastes 4

"a cord of Three strands"
Ecclesiastes 4
4/30/07

Summary:
Solomon continues his thoughts about life in the matter of oppression, friendship, and wisdom in the workplace. Depression factor: half

Key Verse(s):
4:12 "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
4:13 "Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning."

Lesson:
This story opens up with Solomon commenting on the horrors of oppression, and how those who are not yet born are better off (v.3)! What a statement! Look at the world today! Not much as changed has it? If I were to see everything under the sun, I would probably agree with wise Solomon.
In the next part of the chapter, in only a few verses, Solomon talks about the problem with just working, without enjoying life. This reminds me of a couple friends who don't know any other life, but to work all day...I can understand the fun of work at times, but if you nothing else BUT work...hmm.
Two more parts of this chapter: the next part focuses on friendship, and the importance of staying together as friends. Two [friends] can defend themselves, though one may be overpowered. A cord of three strands is not easily broken (v.12). The final part of this chapter talks about the benefit of wisdom over foolishness, and compares a poor, but wise youth to a foolish, but old king. However, even though the youth may have followers, but those who came "later" (v.16), meaning those who didn't know the foolish king, did not like the youth.

Insight:
I see a couple things in the chapter that really stand out to me. First of all, in verse 12, it talks about the cord of three stands that are not easily broken. I see (or should I say, it was revealed to me) a couple ways to look at this verse. The first is the most obvious: a bond of three friends together is more powerful together than alone - or something to that nature.
The second, and more deeper way I see this verse follows the same line of thought, but I believe that the third strand is not another human friend, but rather God Himself. The first part of this verse mentions two people defending themselves, yet now we're talking about three. I believe two friends plus God (as a friend of course) makes the ultimate cord!

Also, in the last part of this chapter regarding wisdom and succession: isn't that so true in today's society? A wise, but young person can replace a foolish old manager (for example) and those currently under his/her supervision are happy and pleased with this - even if the person is younger than they are. But those who come in later, and don't know the foolish old manager don't like the younger and wiser youth. How true...but how sad. I'm reminded (and perhaps Solomon was too) of Joseph, who came from prison into kingship (v.14). You might also think of Daniel today, but Solomon didn't know of him, since the story of Daniel took place in the divided kingdom after Solomon's death. I mean, it's possible God revealed to him the story of Daniel...I'm not putting it completely out of the picture...but unlikely! And that was a pointless rabbit trail! The point is - moving up in the ranks won't always gain you respect - or at least, the respect you may gain won't last forever.

My conclusion to this story is this: It's important to stick with your close friends, and to make God that third strand of cord. Pray for each other, encourage each other, and stand together, lest Satan try to separate you from each other. These are words of personal wisdom as well. It is better not to exist than to cut the strand of Christ from your friendship. For if Christ isn't part of your friendship, how can anything prevail? I've made this mistake not long ago, and the consequences are hardly bearable. Yet I know with Christ, our bond as three strands will be stronger than ever once again.

My Friend, who has promised to never leave me nor forsake me, I thank you once again for your unfathomable love. I come to you with personal issues that only You can heal with time. Please make me a stronger servant of yours, and reunite the friendship I have forsaken into a cord of three strands, so that nothing will be ever again be able to unravel it, as long as You part of the cord.
Help me not to focus on advancing my life into high job placements, but to rather work at everything I do for the glory of Your kingdom, and may Your will be done in the workplace, that I may increase your kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit.

And Lord, may I never again be the oppressor, but may I be the one who helps put an end to oppression. I love you - and even those three words don't come close to saying what I really want to.
Your servant and your friend,
Amen

The Blessing of Godly Parents

I can't say enough how blessed I am to have such godly, patient, and wise parents. They are most definitely my pride (Proverbs 17:6b) and I would not be where I am today had God not bestowed these two people upon my life.
I spoke to my father just yesterday about some things going on in my life. Every word he said brought comfort and strength to my soul. It was as if God Himself was using my dad to explain to me what He wants for my life.
As if that wasn't enough - I spoke to my mother this evening. I was slightly distressed about a couple things, but it was if God used her as well to bring comfort to my ears. Her words of wisdom gently balanced the scales of my dad's wisdom - as if singing a song in perfect harmony and melody.
I only pray now that the words that were bestowed upon me will reflect outwardly the advice given to me by my parents (woah - that was a long sentence)!
God has been teaching me patience in ALL things, since I asked Him to help me develop this virtue several years ago. He has now tested me in a new area, and I feel the growing pains developing. The good news is though, that growing pains are a sign of strength. It will only be a matter of time until the pains are gone and I can once again walk away with more wisdom and virtue under my belt.
This bring to mind a simple prayer I made to God just a few days ago on my walk to the bus stop. It reflects Ephesians 6:

Lord, thank you for equipping me with such technical and indestructible armor. May I use them according to your glory and good. May I take the breastplate of righteousness and walk upright with you. May my righteousness in you deflect the bullets that the enemy so eagerly tries to puncher me with.
May me feet, shod with peace, allow my attitude to reflect the peace your Son Jesus has shown the world.
May the shield of faith that you have given me, develop into a faith so great, that the enemy would shudder with fear when they think about advancing.
Thank you for the helmet of salvation, which saves the vital mind that You have given me. May my mind be used for wisdom, knowledge, and glory for Your sake alone.
Finally Lord, thank you for equipping me with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. May my lips only carry out words that please you, may you delight in my every word. May my lips be used as a strong offense against the enemy when danger draws near, and may the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, pierce those who defame your name.
This is pray in the precious and holy name of my King and Savior, hMelach vMeshiach sheli: Amen

Ecclesiastes 3

"The Balance"
Ecclesiastes 3
4/28/07

Summary:
The story of Solomon's journey unfolds as he begins to settle down a little bit, noting that God has a time for everything that happens.

Key Verse(s):
3:11a "He has made everything beautiful in its time.
3:14 "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."

Lesson:
I found some phrases in this chapter to be a little confusing, but I think I worked through them. I'll get to those in a minute.
In this chapter, we read the famous words to the Beatles song - there is a time for everything! I think that phrase in itself says it all: there is a time for everything. We need to find a balance in our lives, by doing certain things over others, and others over certain things. Each of us knows where we struggle in those areas. For some, it may be a problem with talking too much and not listening. For others it may be a problem with too much self awareness but not even awareness of others around us (though it's good to have both I think).
Also, Solomon noted now that, despite his worries in chapter 2, the righteous and wicked DO have different outcomes! God will judge both according to their deeds and their hearts (vs 17).
Finally, we need to realize and embrace the fact that, to find satisfaction in our work, to eat, drink, and be happy - these are gifts from God (12-13)! If you hate your job right now...it might be time to consider some other options. For what good is it if you hate what you work, then later die hating?

Insight:
Verse 14 says that everything God does will endure forever...so that men will revere Him. This confused me, since I know that not everything DOES last forever. But after thinking for a moment, I realized that God created things perfect with enduring purposes, but because of sin, this is no longer possible. (However, our souls are still intact and will last forever, whether we live our lives for our Messiah or not.) But let's look one more time at verse 14: "...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." What exactly does it meant to "revere" God? I see two parts to this word:
1. Idolization of God. I see reverence as an act of unquestionable love and complete allegiance to another. I think that's putting it a little too formally as a matter of fact. Imagine how a typical hardcore Beatles fan would act at a concert or backstage with them ("For every season...")! Imagine the crazy feelings one would have; the devotion; the utmost respect, hanging on every word that said or sang!
2. I also see reverence as awe, fear, and formal respect for another. This is a more solemn definition, but very important.

I see both parts of idolization, and fear, awe, and respect - working together to form the word "revere." Now things make more sense. Do we revere God for his enduring qualities, His love for us, and the satisfaction He's given us when we work to please Him?! Or do we sometimes ignore the fact that what we do in life, for ourselves or for God will have eternal blessings and consequences?

Everlasting God, thanks again for creating me, for loving me, and for promising me eternity with you in Heaven. Thanks for comforting and encouraging me with your Word, and teaching me to find a balance in my life. Help my daily routines to glorify you, and help me to ALWAYS remember that what I do on earth should be done for your sake and not for mine, and help my wants to reflect your desires. I love you.
Amen

Ecclesiastes 2

"Depression?"
Ecclesiastes 2
4/27/07

Summary:
In this chapter, Solomon dives deeper into his research on the meaning of life. The depression factor is high except for a couple verses in the end.

Key Verse(s):
2:14;16b "The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both...Like the fool, the wise man too must die!"
After "refusing [his] heart no pleasure" (doing everything he wanted to do), Solomon realized that the same fate comes both to the fool as well as to the wise: both will be forgotten and both will die.

Lesson:
In verse 18 Solomon realized that even after a wise man (like himself) works his butt off to develop something great, after he dies, his possessions will go to someone else - it could even go to a fool. So what difference does it make then?
I read this chapter, and like every time I read it, I start thinking about all that I have done in my life...all the trips I've taken, the people I've met, the things I've made and created, and the countless hours of work and volunteering for different organizations. But then, as I'm reading Solomon's great words, I know that I've only been denying myself the truth - that after I'm gone, everything that I've done will be forgotten in time...and who knows what difference I will have made in society (none). Ok - so now we're all depressed, right?

*But wait until the end*: "Without God, who can find enjoyment?" If there is no God that we live for, if we don't have a God like Yeshua to invest our time, work, money, energy, and friendships in, what point do we have in living? None!

Insight:
I find it interesting to note that the wisest man on earth, who worked hard (under the sun) to build an amazing kingdom, beautiful gardens, while reigning as the great king of Israel; all that he has done, has been destroyed (so ironic it brings goosebumps doesn't it). His temple is totally gone - nothing left: his gardens are non-existent, his riches, his kingship, all of it is gone and buried within the dust of time.

BUT...the only thing that was not destroyed was the wise words of Solomon, inspired by our Savior, Yeshua hMeshiach (Jesus, the Messiah)!
(For these things were done under a different Son!)

2:26 "To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness."
I see in this verse that wisdom, knowledge, and happiness are three separate things (duh). But this proves a point that you can have one and not the other. You can be happy but not have wisdom. You can be wise, but without a vast knowledge of information. You can be both wise AND knowledgeable, but not be happy. But to the man who pleases Him, God gives all of these things!!

My Father...I'm currently at a loss for words. I know that everything I have done and worked for in my 22 years of living has been in vain if it hasn't been done for You. I know most of my life is a "chasing after the wind" but I want to glorify You in all that I do, in all that I think, and in all that I say.
God, I'm not perfect, nor will I ever be on this earth, but please refine me so that my toil will instead, be done under YOUR Son, instead of ours.
I'm waiting for your return,
Amen

Dennis Prager Lecture

I saw Mr. Prager speak at the UofMN last week, and just heard his recap online. I can't begin to say how true his statements were.
I'm majoring in Public Relations, with a minor in RELIGIOUS STUDIES - which is a complete JOKE! My religious studies classes refer to history using "BCE, and CE" terms (to remain "neutral") - which is ALSO a joke! I'm given loads of information, but no way to process them into something useful for after college.
My PR major is somewhat useful, but surely not worth what I'm paying for in expenses for these credits. I could read a couple books and learn what I have been taught in four years!
I was surprised to see Professor Doyle introduce Mr. Prager, as I doubt his viewpoints are anywhere NEAR the right! Seeing and hearing this lecutre on campus was the only real "truth" I've been taught and can apply (aside from the Christian groups I'm involved with outside of class)!

It saddened me to see only a few students at the actual lecture, while most of the audience was comprised of right-winged adults who were expecting to hear a lecture they already agreed with before it began.
The impact would have been much more substantial had Mr. Prager spoke at the School of Journalism just a couple blocks away inside the heart of campus. That's where the leaders of the future reside and would attend a free lecture. Not the alumni center, where the lecture was poorly announced to the student body.
Maybe next time?

Shalom,
Micah
6:8

Meaningless!

"Meaningless!"
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1
4/26/07

Summary:
Solomon introduces his thoughts with a thesis: "Everything is meaningless!" (1:2b).
He goes on to make general statements about nature, and how things are repeated time and again throughout the course of history.

Quote of the Chapter:
1:11 "There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow."
I picked this verse because it humbles me every time I read it. No matter what "good things" I do on earth, especially the selfish ones...they have no meaning. Also, no matter what I do to advance my name on this earth is futile. Even if every human being knew who I was; even if everyone on earth was my friend, or even general acquaintance, my name will still eventually be forgotten, given enough time. What's the point of being remembered if only to advance my own name and cause?


Questions/Comments:
Solomon said in verse 18: "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow: the more knowledge, the more grief."
It seems like the opposite would be true, and maybe that's the point. With much wisdom comes much sorrow...why? Maybe because you realize that most of the things you are actually doing on earth are pointless and stupid. It must be a "God thing" but today I had those same feelings before reading this chapter again. I realized that most of what I do is so pathetic and worthless, and I'm not even being hard on myself - it's just the truth.

Solomon said in verse 13b: "...what a heavy burden God has laid on men." What burden is this? The burden of gaining wisdom? The burden of trying to accomplish something worthwhile?

Lord, please help me to remember that what I do for myself is meaningless and thus not worth doing. May I do EVERYTHING for YOUR glory and for YOUR kingdom. Please take my thoughts captive and help me to control my desires of "self worth". As a matter of fact, help my desire to be about YOUR self worth and YOUR glory for ever and ever, Amen.