May 30: Ecclesiastes

Today's passage brings more of the Teacher's wry wisdom about life. While the Book of Proverbs generally offers clear, positive wisdom on life, some of the proverbs contained within today's reading appear more jaded or cynical. Through the totality of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher points out that, in the absence of knowing God, life is meaningless. Even with God's presence, sometimes we cannot see the greater vision betweens life's blessings and storms. In all, we trust in God's sovereignty and His perfect will for our lives. While we are still living, God has a journey for us, where the circumstances drive our sanctification.


1. As in Proverbs, wisdom reigns supreme among God's gifts.

"Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing
and benefits those who see the sun.
Wisdom is a shelter
as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor." (7:11,12)

"Who is like the wise man?
Who knows the explanation of things?
Wisdom brightens a man's face
and changes its hard appearance." (8:1)

Solomon teaches that wisdom provides a shelter through life and "preserves the life of its possessor." As we read in the New Testament, we reap what we sow. Wisdom's great blessing is to instruct us in these important cause-and-effect relationships and to avoid poor decisions that would imperil us. Wisdom gives life to its possessor and to those with whom its possessor associates.

Wisdom also "brigthens" the face and brings joy. We often surmise that living a carefree life brings joy and that spontaneity triumphs over careful planning. Solomon appears to indicate otherwise. Living intentionally -- planning our work and working our plan, but leaving the results to God -- pays great dividends over a lifetime and leads to "no shame."
　

2. We should offer gracious, truthful words to everyone, out of love for God and for His glory.

"Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious,
but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
At the beginning his words are folly;
at the end they are wicked madness --
and the fool multiplies words.
No one knows what is coming --
who can tell him what will happen after him?" (10:12-14)

"The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails -- given by one Shepherd." (12:11)

The greatest example of the combination of truth and grace came to us through Jesus, Whom John describes in this way: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) In the same way, God calls us to use "gracious words" to be "like goads." These charges remind us of the need for fellowship, where believers may sharpen one another like iron. In Hebrews 10:23-25, we read: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

　
QUESTIONS

1. How can you seek wisdom for your life? What "courses" do you wish to take? What does God have to say? Whom could you learn from?

2. Whom could you encourage this week in their walk with Christ?