Ecclesiastes 12

"Remember and Fear Our CREATOR"
Ecclesiastes 12
5/18/07

Summary:
The final chapter in Solomon's book of Ecclesiastes - his main message begins with the title of this blog: "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come..." (1). Wise Solomon ends his thoughts with a repeat of the first verse in the book (poetic style I would say), then gives probably the most important message in the whole book - I would even say the climax of the book (ironic that it's at the end - but maybe not).

Key Verse(s):
12:1 - "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come" (NIV)
12:11 - "The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails - given by one Shepherd." (NIV)
12:13 "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Lesson:
This last chapter contains 14 verses:
In the first half of these verses, Solomon implores his readers to remember the Creator - who is God. When all is said and done, when we're old and gray, we should still remember who are Creator is, and who we've been living our lives for!
Verse eight - Solomon repeats the lines from 1:1 - "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!" This is poetic in style but ties the book together. So why did Solomon continue to write six more verses after this? It seems the next six verses should purposely stick out as a special conclusion or special advice if not tied in to the rest of his wisdom.
The rest of the verses are written in the third person. the "Teacher" was wise, but ALSO imparted knowledge to the people (9). He looked to find "the just right words, and what he wrote was upright and true" (10).
Then Solomon gives this crazy awesome analogy - comparing these collected words of wisdom to embedded nails given by one "Shepherd"! Now there are no capital letters in Hebrew, but my Bible used a capital "S" to point out this possible reference to Jesus. Interesting stuff huh?
Solomon quotes the college students' favorite verse next "much study wearies the body" (12b)!
Finally, Solomon wraps his thoughts together by saying that his conclusion to the WHOLE MATTER is this: "Fear God and keep His commandment, for this is the whole duty of man" (13). God will bring to judgment every deed, good and bad (14) - so we need to be careful what we do here on earth!

Insight/application:
I think the insight and application to this chapter is very straight forward. Remember who we're living for. Are we living for ourselves or for God? If we live for ourselves, we're going to have to answer to this at the end of our lives. If we live for God, we're also going to have to give account for this as well!! So - be careful what you do and who you're doing it for!
Secondly, seek wisdom, but also knowledge so your wisdom can be applied properly.
Third - don't kill yourself over studying too much. Solomon said that much studying wearies the body, but he didn't say to stop studying! Running hard and lifting weights wearies the body! That doesn't mean you should stop! But be cautious what you're doing to your body. Don't overdo it!
Finally, and most importantly, Fear God and keep His commandments! This is the whole duty of man! How do we do this? train yourself to read the Word on a daily basis, spend time talking to God, and spend time listening to Him as well! Listen to your parents and their wisdom, and respect those who are older and wiser than you.

My Shepherd,
Thank you so much for this embedded wisdom. May it never leave my heart, and may I always remember to apply what I've learned in Your Word to my life. Help me to keep serving you in everything that I do!
Help me to NEVER stop fearing You or keeping Your commandments!
I love you Father,
Amen.

Ecclesiastes 11

"Cast Your Bread"
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!

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!