My favorite book in the Bible is the the book of Ecclesiastes. Here's my summary:  |
| Many believe King Solomon to be Qoheleth, the author of Ecclesiastes. |
King Solomon shared lessons throughout life. He emphasized that everything around us are the same even new generations may follow the wind blows in circles and rivers flow in same manner. He even built all great things to please himself but it does not bring happiness, but only trouble and headaches, caused him into stress and depression. He understood that everything he worked for in the search for happiness will only come to waste as man are heading the same route to graveyard. He exclaimed he may worked and planned carefully but it only be passed on to those who didn't work for it. In chapter 2:3 he questioned what did he get out from it, only stress and anxiety. He then found out on the next verse that the most rewarding in life are the satisfaction of work and enjoyment of food. He considered these things a gift from God and wouldn't enjoy these without Him. He said God is the source of all knowledge and of all joy. He gives wisdom and happiness to those who please Him.
Solomon taught everything has its own time and that God knows what is best for us. Although it wasn't God's original plan to make a man work hard, he created a sense of destiny which only He knows the beginning and end. Man may not understand it but he knows the way to make man happy and satisfied from all the endeavors in the end.
Solomon also learned that wickedness and evil took away fairness and justice and God has to intervene to straighten it up.
When he noticed the injustice and oppression ever present he concluded those who died and those who are to be born yet are better off than those who are living as those who died already will not experienced all pain and those who are yet to be born haven't seen what's going on just yet.
He said success is never satisfied as it arises from wanting what others have.
He continued, two people are better than one because they can work and enjoy each other together. And if the other one fails the other encourages. They formed a strong bond just like a rope with three strands.
He said that popularity doesn't count. A teachable young man although who is born poor will overcome trials and one day could become king.
He stretched to be humble and teachable when we come to the house of God and keep the vows we make to God. Not letting our emotions lead us to give promises because once we promise and and not fulfilling it God is not happy. We need to think before we speak our promise to God. We need to show respect to God by being careful what we promise.
He said that money will not buy happiness. When a man is in love with it, will never be enough and never be satisfied no matter how much he makes. When money increases he gains friends that consumes it. The only benefit he got from it is to let them know that he has it.
A rich man works hard but robs his sleep but a working man who barely bring food sleeps better at night.
It is good when a man enjoys his work. When God gives him wealth it is a gift from Him and there's nothing wrong with it.
God allows man to be wealthy but does not let him live beyond his years. Solomon thought this is what made life unfair. Man only does is to keep himself alive. So he works hard to get continuous food, but nothing on earth lasts. It's like chasing winds. The more you argue the more restless you get. Death is part of life and it will never change. No one can plan the future because no one knows after he's gone.
Above all he said, choose to be wise because good reputation is better than fine perfume. On chapter 7 he emphasized more to take into serious matter and reflect on it than going to parties because death is where man goes. There's no escape from it. A wise man thinks of his end of life but a fool laughs his way through. Sorrow is better than laughter because it teaches things that laughter can't.
On 7:11-12 He said "wisdom is like inheritance, only useful to those who receive it. It's like a shelter in the storm, it gives security than money. It is better than knowledge because it protects those who have it"
Wisdom puts a smile and makes you happy.
Be a good citizen and listen to your king because this is what you promised before God. His law is supreme in the land and no one can challenge him. Keep the laws and be a good citizen and you'll not be punished. There's a right time and a right place and a wise man knows what to do. There are right time and right way to do things that man can't understand. No one knows but God no matter how hard we tried we can't fully understand why things happened.
Therefore Solomon concluded our future relies on God whether it will turn out good or bad. So he suggested to enjoy life instead with our families, wife and children and friends because God designed it that way, to eat with them and be happy because without happiness life is not worth to live for. Enjoy whatever we do because in the grave, we eventually leads, we'll be thoughtless.
He taught us to be diligent and grateful. He emphasized on giving to those who needs and it will return in folds. He also encouraged to invest in seven or even eight times because we don't know which will succeed.
He told the youth to enjoy life and be bubbly. Follow what they desire but be reminded that everything has consequences and asked them not to do things that is harmful or cause harm because not long youth passes on as old age come soon. So enjoy and give glory while you're young so that you can't say you didn't enjoy your youth. The body is temporary. It will decay and turn to dust.
"Life is futile because what you do doesn't last." Ecc 12:8
Solomon's thoughts on the duty of man is to "Reverence our Heavenly Father and do what He says. That's the only one thing that has meaning and lasts. So love god and keep His commandments. He loves you and has told you all you need to know. One day He will judge everything we have done in this life, including every secret thing, whether it was good or bad." Ecc 12:13-14
Reference:
- Ecclesiastes, The Clear Word, Jack J. Blanco, pp 689-698
- https://sites.google.com/a/maetherese.com/cognizance/home/faith/eccletiastes
- Work and ecclesiastes, Faith, Work and Culture, Jeff Haanen, My favorite book in the Bible is the the book of Ecclesiastes. Here's my summary:
No comments:
Post a Comment