December 2, 2020
The title of the book in the Old Testament we refer to as Ecclesiastes comes from the Septuagint (LXX) which uses the Greek word ekklesiastes. The word means “preacher” and refers to the one who gathers an assembly of people and speaks to them. Solomon is accepted as the author of Ecclesiastes by most scholars. In the first verse he refers to himself as “the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” Additionally, he says he is, “king over Israel in Jerusalem” (1:12), and “besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge.” (12:9). Solomon was known as the son of King David (1 Kings 3), the third king over the united kingdom of Israel, and for unmatched wisdom in the land (1:16). The book can be dated around 930 B.C. because it was most likely composed in Solomon’s latter years.
Even though Solomon did not initially ask for long life, wealth, or the death of his enemies, but for wisdom to govern the people of Israel, God granted both. However, even though he knew better, he acted foolishly by taking many wives and worshipping other gods. He became selfish and apathetic towards God. Ecclesiastes is autobiographical as the old king reflects on his many foolish decisions and empty pursuits. He concludes that life without God and the pursuit of pleasure is all “vanity.” He warns subsequent generations to avoid the same mistakes he made and that a life lived without God is futile and meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 8
Keep the King’s Command
1 Who is like the wise?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
A man’s wisdom makes his face shine,
and the hardness of his face is changed.
2 I say: Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him. 3 Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. 4 For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6 For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him. 7 For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? 8 No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. 9 All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt.
Those Who Fear God Will Do Well
10 Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity. 11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.
Man Cannot Know God’s Ways
14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- Man’s wisdom is not like God’s wisdom. Man’s wisdom in life without God is futility. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
- There will be a time for judgement (vv. 5-6). Hebrews 9:27 says, “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.”
- Without trust in Christ, not knowing when the end will come, the thought of judgement can cause anxiety and misery in a person (v. 7). Does the thought of judgement cause you fear or do you have peace about it (v. 12)?
- Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I desire a long life and time with my loved ones. I pray that I will be wise and not foolish and bring glory and not shame to you in my life. I thank you for the peace I have with you and no fear of the final days. I thank you, because of your sacrifice on the cross, I am no longer under condemnation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for each day that you have given me. We dont know when our days will end but please help us to make good use of the ones we have left. Guide us as we don’t have your wisdom. Only you know what us best for us. Help us each day , I pray, until we come before you in judgement. Hopefully you will be pleased at our lives that were centered around you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Father,
We are your workmanship, created in your image, and are commanded to do good works. May we abide in the vine and bear much fruit.
May we pray: Bless us Lord and enlarge our influence. Fill us LORD, anew and afresh with the Holy Spirit. May we have spiritual eyes to see evil, and to run from it, so as not to cause you, Father, pain.
May our names, LORD, be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and may my life reflect your grace and mercy for all to see.
Forgive me Father, for I am such a sinner,
Amen
I’ve screenshot this prayer. I am not an eloquent writer but God knows my heart. It is just comforting to see my thoughts & prayers from another. (See? I told you I was not eloquent!)?
Amen I know what you mean. I the same way. I want to be the best that I can be for my Lord and Savior. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen
A wise heart is my desire.
God I thank you for the 12 beautiful years with my husband Walt and told me he is septic . The antibiotic is going to work only so long. I do not feel you even though I pray every morning and all the time. I have never been like this in my entire Christian life and no do understand. Please pray for me I need your prayers Vickie
Vickie, I can’t pretend to know what you are going through but I have wondered if God could hear my prayers to ease the pain of a loved one. Our Father in heaven, we ask that Vickie will be filled with your Holy Spirit and receive the peace that her mind needs so much right now. Father, we ask for your grace and mercy to extend the length and strength of the antibiotics to allow Walt more time and perhaps complete healing if it is in your will. Please give them both a sense of peace and calm that only you can give. In Jesus’s name, we pray, amen.
Vickie, I am here if you want to talk. I’m what some would call “born again” because I considered myself Christian all my life. Baptized and everything. But, God had me go through a series of grief from loss to where I was even questioning my faith. I am sugarcoating this as we are on a public post. My point is, you are not alone. (281-844-7870 ?)
Amen Vickie, God is in control!
Thank you for reminding me Lord, that you are all powerful, all knowing, everywhere, all the time. Nothing is above or beyond you, and you are for me! I do not have to fear anything because you are with me! Thank you for allowing me to know you, and trust you to empower me to live boldly with courage. In Jesus’ name.