Ecclesiastes – Be Still…

Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 – Final Thoughts

Read Ecclesiastes 12:8-14

What an image describing how wise words inspire us! Neither a cattle prod nor a nail-studded stick sound like a pleasant way to direct our path. Yet sometimes that’s just what we need – like a “kick in the pants!” Understanding right from wrong can often be an eye-opening experience.

Encountering the Teacher’s reflections throughout the book of Ecclesiastes has been helpful. I appreciate his conclusions and parting thoughts in this final passage. “Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.” If more people in this world knew what their “duty” was, families, neighborhoods, and even churches would be much happier. Don’t you agree?

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 – Remember Before It’s Too Late

Read Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

Solomon doesn’t want us to wait too long to remember the importance of God. This passage should speak loudly, even yell, at young people today. Sadly, I could recognize myself in some of the “older” traits Solomon describes here. The outward signs of aging are becoming more of a reality for me. Yet, most of the time, I am in denial that I have reached and passed “middle age.” Thankfully, I remembered long ago how important God is to me. Solomon just confirms that significance.

But whether you are young or old, it is never too late to give devotion to God. He wants to be the ruler of our lives no matter what age we are. I think Solomon worried that the older we get, the more set in our ways we become and making changes can be hard. If we aren’t already remembering God and thinking of him regularly, it can get harder the more time passes.

Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 – Great Advice!

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Other than the reference to everything being “meaningless,” Solomon’s advice here has a lot of merit. God does give us lives to enjoy. Whether we are young, old, or somewhere in between, we should be focusing on positive things, looking for the good in all situations.

I love the apostle Paul’s counsel in Philippians 4:8 which reads: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” While Solomon is talking about rejoicing in each day, it’s so much easier to do that when we approach each day with a positive attitude.

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 – What is Certain?

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Rather than focusing on uncertainty, Solomon gives us some examples we can count on. Some of these certainties point to action steps, like planting or harvesting. Yet others are great advice, like the wisdom on diversifying your portfolio of investments or to stop waiting for the “perfect” time to do something.

What certainties do you see as you look around you? We all have the certainty of a sunrise and sunset each day–unless you live somewhere in the world (like northern Norway, for example) where it’s always dark or light at certain times of the year. You can believe it’s “certain” that if we don’t go to work, we won’t get a paycheck.

Ecclesiastes 10:5-20 – Possibilities in Life

Read Ecclesiastes 10:5-20

Solomon’s observations here tend to be from the “glass half empty” mentality. He’s got a negative slant to some “possibilities” in life. In general, we’ve noticed how being apart from God has skewed Solomon’s thinking. Having been given wisdom, he really must struggle with what he sees happening or expects could happen.

Of course, if you dig a well, we all know there is a “possibility” you may fall in. I’m afraid of heights, so even the depth of a well would make me queasy if I got too close. The fear of falling would be great enough for me to keep me from wanting to dig a hole in the first place! Is Solomon talking about something “bigger” than a well?