"Cast Your Bread"
Ecclesiastes 11
5/17/07
Ecclesiastes 11
5/17/07
Summary:
Almost the last chapter in this book, Solomon continues to emphasis the message of working with diligence, and honoring God with our lives - as long as we live here on earth. As these chapters begin to come to a close, Solomon's writings seem to become a little more vague, but more poetic as well.
Key Verse(s):
11:1 - "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." (NIV)
11:9 - "Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth."
19 - "...banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless." (NIV)
Lesson:
At the beginning of the chapter, Solomon says to cast your bread upon the water because you will find it again. In essence he may be comparing the water to the great ocean of business and people, and bread to wealth. If this analogy follows through, Solomon is encouraging others to risk investing their wealth (or maybe time) in other people and business. We can only profit if we take risks, and even though the profits may not be physical wealth, they may also be simple internal satisfaction of what you have done! God is pleased with us when we do things selflessly, not expecting anything in return! :->
Solomon goes on to encourage us to always work, for we don't know when we'll run into troublesome times (6). Finally, Solomon takes the last part of the chapter to encourage us to be happy, to follow the ways of our heart (sounds like Disney), but also reminds us that we WILL be judged by God Himself in the end (9)! But he also tells us to cast off our troubles and anxieties (10). We just need to trust in God! He'll take care of us!
Insight/application:
Goodness! Where do I start?! Two things come to mind when reading this chapter today. First of all, this "cast your bread upon the waters" analogy - I like it! I admit, I was confused at first until I thought it through. You know, the Hebrews were never great merchants at sea, compared to other cultures. I doubt if Solomon was using this analogy as a simple "grain and profit" analogy, but rather what I mentioned before - an investment, with self gratification and joy, knowing that you did something for someone else.
Verse two goes on to say to give portions to seven and even eight people - encouraging charity perhaps!
The last part of this chapter also spoke to me in a 'loud' way. The idea where God WANTS us to be happy! He WANTS us to enjoy life, to cast off our troubles and anxiety, and to follow our heart - as long as we know that we'll be judged in the end. So our hearts should in essence, reflect the heart of our Saviour - King Jesus!
Almost the last chapter in this book, Solomon continues to emphasis the message of working with diligence, and honoring God with our lives - as long as we live here on earth. As these chapters begin to come to a close, Solomon's writings seem to become a little more vague, but more poetic as well.
Key Verse(s):
11:1 - "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." (NIV)
11:9 - "Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth."
19 - "...banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless." (NIV)
Lesson:
At the beginning of the chapter, Solomon says to cast your bread upon the water because you will find it again. In essence he may be comparing the water to the great ocean of business and people, and bread to wealth. If this analogy follows through, Solomon is encouraging others to risk investing their wealth (or maybe time) in other people and business. We can only profit if we take risks, and even though the profits may not be physical wealth, they may also be simple internal satisfaction of what you have done! God is pleased with us when we do things selflessly, not expecting anything in return! :->
Solomon goes on to encourage us to always work, for we don't know when we'll run into troublesome times (6). Finally, Solomon takes the last part of the chapter to encourage us to be happy, to follow the ways of our heart (sounds like Disney), but also reminds us that we WILL be judged by God Himself in the end (9)! But he also tells us to cast off our troubles and anxieties (10). We just need to trust in God! He'll take care of us!
Insight/application:
Goodness! Where do I start?! Two things come to mind when reading this chapter today. First of all, this "cast your bread upon the waters" analogy - I like it! I admit, I was confused at first until I thought it through. You know, the Hebrews were never great merchants at sea, compared to other cultures. I doubt if Solomon was using this analogy as a simple "grain and profit" analogy, but rather what I mentioned before - an investment, with self gratification and joy, knowing that you did something for someone else.
Verse two goes on to say to give portions to seven and even eight people - encouraging charity perhaps!
The last part of this chapter also spoke to me in a 'loud' way. The idea where God WANTS us to be happy! He WANTS us to enjoy life, to cast off our troubles and anxiety, and to follow our heart - as long as we know that we'll be judged in the end. So our hearts should in essence, reflect the heart of our Saviour - King Jesus!
Lord,
Forgive me for sinning against You again today. My thoughts and actions prove I'm a sinner and no where close to being perfect. Thank you for Your Son Jesus and for the fact that You look at me as if I'm totally clean and set apart for You!
Lord I cast off my burdens, anxieties, and worries! Thanks for Your promise to take care of Your children and to provide for their every needs. I'm thankful and joyful for the life You've given me! May I live my life here on Earth glorifying You in everything that I do! Keep my thoughts and actions pure.
Make my actions to be honoring to You alone. May my mind never wander into darkness and may You be my ever constant light.
In Jesus name I pray these things (with love and adoration),
Amen!
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