Ecclesiastes 8

WEEK 11                                           Ecclesiastes 8

FRIDAY  Reflections

Once again, the teacher settles on the conclusion that since death comes to all we might as well eat, drink and be merry. St. Paul would agree with him except for the fact of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:32). The resurrection and eternity are what is missing in this book. There is wisdom here in Ecclesiastes, be wise, listen to authority, in this case, the king, do good, which makes life bearable but doesn't give a person hope. Enduring hope really isn't found under the sun.

Ecc 8:1-17
(1)  Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
(2)  I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
(3)  Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
(4)  Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
(5)  Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.
(6)  Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
(7)  For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
(8)  There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
(9)  All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
(10)  And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.
(11)  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
(12)  Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
(13)  But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
(14)  There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
(15)  Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
(16)  When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
(17)  Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

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Matthew 11

WEEK  11                                            Matthew 11

THURSDAY  Reflections

John the Baptist sends people to assure himself that Jesus is the promised Messiah. After which, Jesus bemoans the fact that by and large the people of his generation had seen the greatest prophet and had seen the miracles of Jesus, and yet did not repent. Many came out, but as we hear Jesus proclamations, it is clear that there was no large-scale repentance. The truth was, Jesus seems to say there was a refusal to repent.

Jesus proclaims judgment on them; not only does he proclaim judgment, but he also warns the people of these cities that the most vile offenders in the Old Testament will be in a higher standing than they would be. WHY? They had been given much, seen much, and didn’t repent.

However, after this denouncement of all those who would reject, Jesus' words turn to a call to freedom from oppression. After the hellfire of the prophet, we see not the  shepherd calling out, “Come all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

There is both judgment and compassion demonstrated here; this is an example to us to speak the truth with boldness and without compromise, but to also be filled with God’s love and compassion. Jesus had both, and we need them to.

Mat 11:1-30
(1)  And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
(2)  Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
(3)  And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
(4)  Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
(5)  The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
(6)  And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
(7)  And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
(8)  But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
(9)  But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
(10)  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
(11)  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
(12)  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
(13)  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
(14)  And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
(15)  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
(16)  But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
(17)  And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
(18)  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
(19)  The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
(20)  Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
(21)  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
(22)  But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
(23)  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
(24)  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
(25)  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
(26)  Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
(27)  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
(28)  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
(30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Ecclesiastes 7

WEEK  11                                          Ecclesiastes 7

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

ven in a world without God, it is better to be wise than foolish. Life lived under the sun is very pitiable. Wisdom has advantages even in this world. Wisdom, as the writer says, is a defense like money, but better.

 

The end or death is better than the beginning is repeated here in this chapter. One can see some logic in this because when it is over the struggles are done, and one can rest. This, however, is too depressing for my liking, but when considering the perspective, under the sun, it is realistic.

 

My outlook is where there is life there is hope. In Christ, which is absolutely not the writer's perspective, there is always hope and even defeat finds us victorious (Romans 8:28).

Ecc 7:1-29
(1)  A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
(2)  It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
(3)  Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
(4)  The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
(5)  It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
(6)  For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
(7)  Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
(8)  Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
(9)  Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
(10)  Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
(11)  Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
(12)  For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
(13)  Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
(14)  In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
(15)  All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
(16)  Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
(17)  Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
(18)  It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
(19)  Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
(20)  For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
(21)  Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
(22)  For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
(23)  All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
(24)  That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
(25)  I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
(26)  And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
(27)  Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
(28)  Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
(29)  Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

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1 Kings 11

WEEK   11                                       1 Kings 11

TUESDAY  Reflections

BUT, this is how chapter 11 starts. I have often said that when you add a “but” to the end of a sentence, it negates everything before it. Chapters before this record the wisdom and wealth of Solomon and his mighty deeds, it seems like God was giving Solomon all that he wanted, and all that God promised. However, there was a problem: women, more accurately, how Solomon treated women.

 

First, I would say Solomon treated women as a commodity. He used (this is the keyword “used”) them for pleasure, as slaves, and to gain political alliances. None of these reasons were acceptable to God.

 

Secondly. God specifically told the children of Israel not to intermarry with other nations. God warned what would happen if people started intermarrying. They would turn from the Lord to follow the gods of their wives. This is exactly what happened. With Solomon, the problem just wasn’t one wife bringing in a false god, but a hundred wives.

 

God would have some mercy on Solomon because of David (here again we see the positive influence of others changing the world even after their death). However, God promised to make an enduring kingdom from David’s line. Some may argue it was God who brought conflict into Solomon’s kingdom. I happen to believe that it was Solomon’s own actions that brought it. Solomon might have seen his mistakes if he had been serving God, but he wasn’t and so adversity came.

 

David’s obedience made the way for Solomon’s long rule. Solomon’s disobedience insured that his descendants would be in near-constant warfare between the tribes of Israel. We may never see how our actions play out, but they always change the world around us.  

1Ki 11:1-43
(1)  But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
(2)  Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
(3)  And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
(4)  For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
(5)  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
(6)  And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.
(7)  Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.
(8)  And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.
(9)  And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
(10)  And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.
(11)  Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
(12)  Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.
(13)  Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.
(14)  And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.
(15)  For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;
(16)  (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)
(17)  That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.
(18)  And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.
(19)  And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.
(20)  And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh.
(21)  And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.
(22)  Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.
(23)  And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:
(24)  And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.
(25)  And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
(26)  And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
(27)  And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.
(28)  And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.
(29)  And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:
(30)  And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
(31)  And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
(32)  (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)
(33)  Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.
(34)  Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:
(35)  But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.
(36)  And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
(37)  And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.
(38)  And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.
(39)  And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.
(40)  Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
(41)  And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?
(42)  And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.
(43)  And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

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1 Kings 10

WEEK   11                                             1 Kings 10

MONDAY  Reflections

Verse 23 sums up this chapter, "So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom." This to me proves one can be wise but not act in wisdom. As the story of Solomon unfolds, I can't help but believe that his wealth and political connections cause him to go from trusting God to trusting himself.

 

It is interesting that Solomon received 666 talent of gold a year. This is the same number as the number of the beast in Revelation. The Pulpit commentary observed this might not be an accident as Solomon's wealth is probably what lured him away from God. What is interesting for me is if I were writing the story I would have the number of the beast come first, but God reveals things differently than we do.

 

This is again a reminder that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10).

1Ki 10:1-29
(1)  And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
(2)  And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
(3)  And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.
(4)  And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,
(5)  And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
(6)  And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
(7)  Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.
(8)  Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.
(9)  Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
(10)  And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
(11)  And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.
(12)  And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.
(13)  And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
(14)  Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,
(15)  Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
(16)  And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.
(17)  And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
(18)  Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.
(19)  The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
(20)  And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
(21)  And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
(22)  For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
(23)  So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
(24)  And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
(25)  And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
(26)  And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
(27)  And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.
(28)  And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
(29)  And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.

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