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SEPTEMBER 2
Ecclesiastes 1-3
After reading Job you probably didn't think things could get worse. But
they can and they did, and we hear it from the mouth of King Solomon, the
person God said was the wisest man who ever lived.
While Job has a great positive lesson, Ecclesiastes has a great
negative warning. There are similarities between these two men and the despair
they describe, and at times, they sound the same; but they couldn't be greater
opposites. Job suffered because he was righteous. Solomon suffered because he
became unrighteous. Job's trouble came from outside him. Solomon's trouble came
from within. Job is used by God as an example of a godly man desperately
holding on to what he knew was true of God, and he was saved from personal
ruin. Solomon is offered as an example of what happens to a godly man who lets
go of what he knows is true of God and is then ruined. In this book we see what
can become of a person who loves God and decides to ignore Him. How low can a person
sink? What is notable here is that Solomon doesn't mention his idolatry. In my
mind, that means that it hadn't occurred yet. I doubt that Solomon wrote
anything after he became a server of pagan gods. What we see in Ecclesiastes is
not how low one could go, but we see how a believer can progressively destroy
his life.
Just like in Job, we know the background of what is happening here.
Having read Kings, we know that Solomon ignored the warnings in the Word and
did everything God said a king was not supposed to do. Read Deuteronomy
17:15-20. I doubt that Solomon wrote his own copy of the law and read it every
day. God is not mocked, even by those He loves. If a man sows to the wind, he
will reap the whirlwind. Solomon became like the seed planted among thorns. He
became choked by stuff and drifted away from God. To hear that Solomon learned
that life on earth is senseless should make sense to us. Just to put this in
perspective and understand that this is still possible for any believer or
disciple, look at what Paul wrote to the Romans.
Romans 8:12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according
to the flesh. 13For if you
live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death
the deeds of the body, you will live.
Since Paul is warning believers, you realize the issue is not loss of
salvation, but damage of your mind and heart on earth. We can ruin it all if we
try, and many believers today are ruining their lives for Christ. They are
distant from the Word, absent from the harvest and they have lost their love
and gratefulness to Jesus. They are lost on earth and living to die. Solomon
"died," and God will show us how it happened, so that we can
"live."
Ecclesiastes 1
Vs. 1-2 This is Solomon's message in the book. At this point you could
stop reading, but it is worth going on to see how Solomon fell into the trap
and to see his regret.
Vs. 3-11 It is actually amazing that Solomon grasped this. Many people
never see that a life without God, just lived on this earth, is meaningless.
But realize that Solomon is not teaching us as a warning, he is expressing his
view of life. God is allowing us to see the heart of this once godly, but now
hollow, man.
I'm going to suggest a progress in Solomon's decline to despair. Notice
that he relies on his wisdom and position. He does not seek God to understand
life and circumstances. All the godly kings sought God when they were following
Him. Because Solomon was so smart, he sought to understand life without God.
The poorest person in the world might not be that foolish. The simplest
believer in Christ, in the most poverty stricken place on earth, would be
richer and wiser than Solomon; because he would begin with Christ to understand
life on earth and be dependent on the Word and the Spirit.
What we're looking for in this section is Solomon's description of what
he did, and his own conclusion about what he did. This section shows a
progression of looking into one thing and then looking into another, until
Solomon finally hit bottom. The "bottom" will be total despair,
hopelessness. After writing this book, Solomon broke through the bottom and
fell into horrible idolatry.
Vs. 12-15 Trying to understand human life and activity by wisdom.
Notice the words applied, seek, and search. I think this is Solomon's first
step. It was a step without God.
Notice in v. 13 what Solomon did and what he learned.
V. 14 is his conclusion regarding this phase of his study. Here,
Solomon's conclusion is marked by the word vanity
(vapor or breath) and a descriptive phrase, striving after wind. Now look for the next.
Vs. 16-18 Can you see what he applied his heart to here? Can you
understand how this is different than the thing he tried to find out in 12-15?
Notice at the end of v. 17 that Solomon says that this endeavor was as
meaningful as chasing after wind. Solomon is slowly progressing to the
"dark side."
Ecclesiastes 2
Vs. 1-11 This was a big phase of Solomon's "study" and it
involved a lot of his life. How would you title this?
V. 1 Notice what Solomon applied his heart to and how he says this
endeavor was vanity (meaningless, a
vapor). It is important to note that here he says that giving himself to pleasure was vanity. Later in these
verses he will say that what he found out was vanity too.
After Solomon built the temple, his "goal" in life was
fulfilled. It seems that all of his godliness was aimed at building the temple
and fulfilling his father's dream. I don't think Solomon had his own godly
desires, so he began to build and try to fill the void. He followed his dreams.
He had everything and everything ruined him. The size of his harem was not only
a violation of Deuteronomy 17, but it was obscene and excessive. He was out of
control. But he looked godly; he had a silver tongue and he paid the bills. Why
disagree with him?
V. 11 Notice that he saw all that his hand had done. Compare
this with Job 31:24-28, “If I have made
gold my trust or called fine gold my confidence, 25if I have rejoiced because my wealth was
abundant or because my hand had found much, 26if I have looked at the sun when it shone,
or the moon moving in splendor, 27and my heart has been secretly enticed, and
my mouth has kissed my hand, 28this also would be an iniquity to be
punished by the judges, for I would have been false to God above. It was
happening to Solomon and no one stepped in his way.
Vs. 12-19 This seems to be the same thing Solomon sought as in 1:16-18.
It seems like a way of stopping, after you've done something and trying to make
sense of life. When he tried to make sense of life in 1:16-18, it led him to
seek a meaning in life through pleasure and accomplishment. Here, it led him
into a deeper evaluation of the value of life and wisdom, and the result is
that Solomon hated his life. This is like a mid-life crisis on steroids. And
again, there is no mention of seeking God.
Vs. 20-23 Solomon gave into despair. This means giving up the hope that
there is a purpose to life. At this point, Solomon is ready for the "dark
side" and for stepping into idolatry with his wild women.
V. 21 Notice Solomon's comment here. Giving into despair was not only
vanity, but a great evil. I think this was the end of the road for Solomon. If
you conclude, as Solomon did, that there is no lasting contribution in life, if
there is no hope and no purpose, you have given yourself up to despair and
living as you please. Now he was ready for anything worse that came along. At
this point, Solomon is not wise, but incredibly bitter in his perception of
life. Solomon had eyes only for himself and his incredible wisdom, not for God
or God's redemptive purpose in the world. And look at what that did to him. I
see this same thing in believers who are not in the harvest, making a
comfortable life on earth.
Vs. 24-26 This is totally cynical, but interestingly, at the end of
this tirade he says this observation on life is pretty meaningless too.
Multiplying everything by zero (hopelessness) always gives you the same result.
Ecclesiastes 3
Vs. 1-8 The view of life from "hopeless heights." Simon and
Garfunkel made a song out of this, and I didn't like it either.
Vs. 9-13 Based on the previous verses, this is what Solomon will say,
over and over, is the point of life and as much as we should expect. For many
people, this is enough.
V. 11 Solomon's observation that God has put eternity in our hearts was
great, but because he didn't seek God, it was just a frustration to him. This
is true of believers too. To know the truth and know there is something
beckoning to us, and to not pursue it, makes for a frustrating life. This is
why we are to follow Christ in the harvest, not just stand here in life or sit
in church.
Vs. 14-22 As you read this section you'll notice that it sounds like
some of the things Job said. This is worse than Job, simply because of the
hopelessness. Job never gave up hope. He still thought that his Redeemer lived
and that he would be vindicated in what he held to. Solomon gave up.
So what lessons do you get out of this? What does the Spirit say to
you? I definitely appreciate God's mercy and love in giving us understanding of
what is happening on this earth, and in the world of the spiritual. I'm
thankful that our lives are defined by Christ and His love for us, and I'm
grateful that we have a mission in life. We know what will last, and it is for
the glory of God and not for us. Now, of course, we could deny all of this like
Solomon did. Solomon could have lived for the redemptive purpose of God. God
spoke to Solomon twice and probably would have spoken to him more if Solomon
had asked, if he had sought God. The lasting value of our lives on earth is in
the harvest, working with our Lord and His church to bear much fruit,
glorifying the Father and so proving we are His disciples. And because of the
resurrection we know that we will be raised and live with Christ forever. This
earth is just a temporary, tragic prelude to the future. Here we work and bear
Christ's suffering as we reach the lost and equip others to continue and make
disciples. There we will rejoice with the redeemed and bear the glory of our
Savior.
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Vs. 1-2 This is a statement of Paul's office in life, but actually this
is for all of us. We have been offered the opportunity of working together with
God as His ambassadors. The idea of not receiving the grace of God in vain, I think, involves fruitlessness, a life
that doesn't grow in Christ and reproduce in reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. I think we're seeing this in Solomon. The quote
in v. 2 comes from Isaiah 49:8. If you read Isaiah 49 you will find a call to
Israel to follow and be a light to the nations. They will fulfill their
destiny. Although Solomon lived before Isaiah wrote, there was plenty in the
Word to have enabled Solomon to live for the promise of God and the redemption
of mankind. The key is that he never obeyed those words written to the king in
Deuteronomy 17.
How do you receive the grace of God in vain? I
think it is receiving salvation, then living for yourself, and not declaring
your praise of God to the lost. The Corinthian church was becoming religiously
lost in itself. Likewise,
my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that
you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order
that we may bear fruit for God (Rom. 7:4).
Vs. 3-10 This was
Paul's commendation showing he was a servant of Christ. This is like a visual
or an example of what Jesus told His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount. Paul
lived like a disciple is called to live in the harvest. Notice too that this is
similar to what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4. Paul told Timothy in 2
Timothy 3:12, Indeed, all who desire to
live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Paul was a model of both suffering for Christ
and fruitfulness in following. He loved Christ and endured anything to show
that love. What a guy to model.
Vs. 11-13 The conflict in Corinth is never out of view. Paul was their
spiritual father (led them to Christ) pleading to them as his children. What an
appeal. The ultimate end of what he was seeking is that they would love and
follow Christ.
Psalm 46
I think this was written after the Lord destroyed the Assyrian army that
came to threaten Jerusalem when Hezekiah was the king. This took place in 2
Kings 18 & 19.
Vs. 1 This is the declaration of faith and confidence in the Lord.
Vs. 2-3 This is the ultimate threat. The sea was like a devouring
monster, relentless and untamable, and it was able to swallow the mountains.
Vs. 4-5 But on God's mountain, in Jerusalem, there is a supernatural
calm. The stream brings an intoxicating gladness and peace. In confidence they
know that God will answer in the morning after a night of rest.
Vs. 6-7 God made Assyria totter when the Assyrians woke the next
morning and found 185,000 soldiers had died in their sleep.
Vs. 8-9 The people
of Jerusalem went out to the Assyrian camp, and it was full of supplies and
wagons and chariots. Apparently they used some of this stuff to burn in order
to keep warm. At the end of the Tribulation and extending into the Millennial
Kingdom of Christ, the people in and around Jerusalem will be doing this again. Then those who dwell in the cities of
Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and
bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs and spears; and they will make fires of them
for seven years, 10so that they will not need to take wood out
of the field or cut down any out of the forests, for they will make their fires
of the weapons. They will seize the spoil of those who despoiled them, and
plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord God
(Ezek.
39:9-10).
Vs. 10-11 The people "trapped" in Jerusalem with Hezekiah
didn't know what the Lord was doing or why He would allow Assyria to attack
them. They were in distress and cried out and waited. God rescued them and gave
them a message and song. God is telling us too, that we are to seek His shelter
and not to fear as we wait for Him.
Proverbs 22:15
Amen, but remember, you'll get arrested in Sweden if you do this.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are 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, that is, 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 and important discipleship manual we have and it is the 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, or whom we are to be following. 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, as disciples, 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, making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive
commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
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. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a
supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we
will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. Being in
the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the
essential essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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