Ecclesiastes 7-9
Get ready
for another shock treatment, compliments of the wisest man on earth. When you
read what Solomon says today it shocks you, realizing that at one time this man
loved God and it says that God loved him. (2 Sam. 12:24) Much of what we'll
read will sound like the book of Job, but darker. Job was grieving the loss of
his children, his life and his friends. Even more disturbing to Job was not
understanding why God had allowed this to happen to him. Solomon is in greater
danger. He thinks he knows what's going
on. He has sunk deeply into the darkness of his own soul. That is a pretty bad
place to be. Scripture shows us that he never found a friend to pull him out of
this and God allowed him to stay like this. That is an interesting thought when
you consider what God did to King Manasseh and how Manasseh turned to God.
Ecclesiastes
7
Vs. 1-13
Some of these observations are wisdom like in Proverbs, and a couple of them
are just dark.
Vs. 4-5
These are wise advice.
V. 10 This
is something to think about as each of us gets older. It is also good for
congregations to think about. The best days for us as disciples always lie
before us.
V. 14 This
is a very interesting thought that is dark, but it has some truth to it. From
this point on, notice that it really bothered Solomon that he didn't know what
God was doing or that he didn't know the future.
Vs. 15-18
Again, this is very much like Job. It seems like there is a little truth here
and a little darkness. We can all agree with v. 18.
Vs. 19-24
It seems that Solomon is beginning to say that in his wisdom he discovered that
all men were depraved.
Vs. 25-26
Solomon is probably referring to some of his wives.
Vs. 27-28
I think that Solomon was gathering wives in disobedience to the Word and got
what he wanted. I don't think godliness was the first thing Solomon was looking
for as he considered who to add to his harem.
You notice
that Solomon was not the guy who wrote about the Virtuous Woman at the end of
Proverbs.
V. 29 If
Solomon would have read Genesis 3, he would have known about depravity without
having to ruin himself to discover it. Solomon could have written, "The
Heart of Darkness;" in fact, that's what he's doing.
Ecclesiastes
8
As you
read this chapter, the paragraphs are laid out for you, so try to title the
paragraphs. What issues or observations is Solomon stating?
Vs. 1-9 It
seems that Solomon is attesting to the wisdom of the wise and the power of the
king; but then in vs. 6-8 he is saying that in spite of wisdom and power, man
is limited. Man bears the weight of his trouble. He doesn't know the future and
he cannot keep from dying.
Vs. 10-13
This seems to be saying that the prosperity of the wicked causes men to prefer
evil. Still Solomon held that those who feared God came out better.
Vs. 14-15
Like Job, Solomon couldn't figure out the disparity of how the wicked and the
righteous end up. Unlike Job, Solomon's answer was just to be happy with what
the Lord gives you, to eat and drink and
be joyful. Again, if this is saying to be content and enjoy the Lord's
provision without having to have all the answers, I agree. I think Solomon is
more on the side of "eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
Vs. 16-17
This statement contains truth. We shouldn't try to understand everything. We
should trust God because He is wise beyond our understanding. But I sense that
to Solomon's darkened heart, this was a deep frustration to him and it made him
want to give up seeking God.
Ecclesiastes
9
Vs. 1-6
This is an important summary statement on chapter 8. Notice the mentions of
love and hate in v. 1 and v. 6. Since we just read Job, it seems that Solomon
was really depressed that life ended in death, and that the same fate came to
both the wicked and the righteous. He couldn't see any farther; and so it
seems, he questioned why it was better to be wise.
Vs. 7-10
This was Solomon's grand conclusion. It sort of reads again like, "let us
eat and drink for tomorrow we die." It doesn't mean that there isn't some
wisdom here, but because Solomon couldn't see there was life after death, he
valued only that which could be done on earth. And since nothing on earth
lasted, this contentment was more like resolving to give in to the futility of
life on earth and just enjoy.
Vs. 11-12
This is "What's the sense?" based on the fickleness of life and
events. Notice that Solomon mentions again that man cannot know. This really
upset him. For Job, the issue was that man could know God. That saved Job. Job
kept appealing to God for an answer. Solomon, wise as he was, didn't think he
needed anything but his wisdom.
Vs. 13-16
This is "What's the sense?" based on the fickleness of men.
Vs. 17-18
These verses are a contrast to v. 1 and end on a dark, but true, note.
For us as
disciples, isn't it great to know the Lord? Knowing Jesus is enough, especially
living in a fallen world and lugging around this body of death. We are
motivated by His love and we follow with a purpose that defies all the damage
this world may have inflicted on us. We know what we need to do every day in
the harvest, and staying in the Word reminds us of His love, our mission and
our sure hope of being made new in Him forever.
A fruitful, but battered, disciple shared
his wisdom with a younger disciple. It is a little more positive than what
Solomon has to say and it reflects reality in the harvest. But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 11But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 17As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (1 Tim. 6:6-17)
2 Corinthians 7:8-16
Paul is
still debriefing himself and the Corinthians on the events that took place. He
is showing God's purpose in all that happened. Look for words that repeat. This
is a good section describing the heart of working through conflicts, and the
purpose of God in chastening us and others.
Vs. 8-10
This was hard on Paul. It was hard on the Corinthians.
V. 10 The
difference between depression and feeling grieved because of our sin is that the
love of God is never forgotten when we are grieved in Him. Because of His love,
we repent and are restored. Depression mis-understands God's power and
sovereignty, and it focuses us on us, that we're stupid and disobedient and
worthless. Paul was a violent persecutor of the church and responsible for the
murders and imprisonments of men and women who loved Christ. He destroyed
families. Paul never forgot this, but the love of Christ and the sovereignty of
God moved him to repentance and service, not depression.
Vs. 11-12
Why does God allow conflict? Why does He let us, or others, melt down? To show
us something and to reveal something about ourselves and about others.
Difficulties, even conflicts, show us how He can use all things for His
purposes.
Vs. 13-16
Paul, again, is affirming his love to them, and he is grateful and happy with
the happy ending. God also used this situation as a good lesson for Titus in
following Christ in the harvest.
Psalm 48
I think
this psalm, too, was written in the afterglow of God destroying the Assyrian
army that came against Jerusalem when Hezekiah was king. As I read a psalm like
this, in the back of my mind I know that Jerusalem has been destroyed several
times and today there is no temple. If this psalm is about the pride of having
a great city or a great worship structure, then that was all, as Solomon would
say, vanity.
So, let's
assume that this symbolizes something that is still true and important to
anyone who loves the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
V. 1 What
shows God's greatness and shows He is worthy of praise?
V. 2 What
do we point to that is beautiful and majestic, where God is found?
V. 3 What
is it about God that shows what a secure refuge He is?
Vs. 4-7
What is it about God that confounds and humiliates all of the pride of man?
V. 8 What
have we heard and seen and shows a hope that God has established forever?
V. 9 What
makes you think of God's steadfast love?
V. 10 What
praise of God will reach the ends of the
earth? When you think of God's right
hand, do you think of something/someone who is righteous?
Vs. 11-14
What one thing gives us joy, is our dwelling place, and will guide us forever? We could all answer this a little
differently. Is it a place where you first found Jesus and learned of His love?
Or maybe it is Jesus Himself.
Proverbs 22:17-19
Up to this
point, all of the proverbs have been written by Solomon. The rest of Proverbs
will be written by others, some of whom are named and others who are not.
These
verses are reminiscent of those that begin the book of Proverbs. They are a
call to the reader (or hearer) to incline their hearts and apply what they
hear. Unlike the opening words of Proverbs in chapter 1, here there is a very
strong assertion that the result of this inclining and applying will be to move
the listener to put complete trust in the Lord.
We should
notice and be warned that the Solomon who is writing this in Proverbs is very
different from the Solomon we read today in Ecclesiastes. Wisdom tells us that
we need to be in the Word at Jesus' feet every day.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year
Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't
work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/
and click on “Every
Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are
following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple,
following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship
culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging
each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make
disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our
growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here
or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some
explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My
comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on
Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups
will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with
and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the
harvest.
If you would like a complete description of this model
of being and making disciples you can find it in my book: Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is
still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's
keyed to the NIV, so the result is the commentators are constantly telling you
what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in
fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is
encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the
comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding,
that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but
only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like documents containing an entire month
of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download
these to use on your computer or to print.
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