17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time– For strength and not for drunkenness! 18 Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks. 19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything. 20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10:17-20
Keep something in mind as you read through Ecclesiastes. Life may feel chaotic, but it isn’t truly out of control. God is in control. He is sovereign over all things. He providently works the “counsel of His will” for His glory and for “our good.” (Ephesians 1:11 & Romans 8:28).
Seeing that all this is true, we can trust God. Life possesses inherent meaning, and it is not appropriate to characterize God as inactive. He is working on our behalf and moving history to His desired end.
We cannot trust our feelings and emotions alone. Feelings can fool us. We must trust in the revealed word of God. He will do what He has promised.
**He has promised His presence (Matthew 28:20)
**He has promised His power (Romans 15:30)
**He has promised His peace (John 14:27)
**He has promised us a place in heaven(John 14:1-3)
Trust in God’s promises. They are trustworthy and true.
You are loved! You are loved more than you can ever know.
The Bible tells us how much we are loved. God’s Word has revealed the one, true God who loves us in word and deed.
He loves us unconditionally……
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
He loves us unwaveringly…….
Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
He loves us sacrificially……
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
We should never frustrate the love of God by living in willful sin. But, we know that He will forgive us when we call on Him in repentance. (1 John 1:9-10)
We know that it may not always feel like God loves us. But, we also know that His love is not based on feelings. God loves us because He chooses to love us.
Always remember the love God has for you. May this simple truth undergird and encourage you this day, and every day!
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place. 7 I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants. 8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. 9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it. 10 If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. 11 A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; 13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness. 14 A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him? 15 The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city! 16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning! 17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time– For strength and not for drunkenness! 18 Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks. 19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything. 20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10:5-20
The inane madness of this world is seen very readily today just as it was in the days of the King. It is meaningless and insane. Once again, the preacher breaks it down for us to see in plain fashion. Here are some thoughts about the madness of life.
**Solomon begins by telling us that the fool ends up in authority. This is one example of the vanity of life on this earth. Not every leader is a fool. However, some truly are. It’s illogical, yet undeniably true.
**Though work is good and healthy, it can also be harmful in certain cases. Work doesn’t mean that all our wishes and desires will be fulfilled. Working hard does not guarantee material wealth.
**The foolish receive recognition and fame. Those who seem to be the least worthy of recognition receive fame and fortune. In our day, we have folks who are famous for nothing. They haven’t achieved anything of significance. But somehow, they end up well-known and even adored.
**At times, rulers are self-seeking and foolish. This thought should not surprise us. Solomon has made this point several times already in the book of Ecclesiastes.
**Laziness can also lead to disaster. Some give in to laziness and fail to take care of God’s blessings. The results of this folly can be devastating not just for the slothful one but also for his/her family. God has blessed us with much and we ought to take care of it.
**Finally, Solomon teaches us that our words can be used against us. I would imagine that has happened to you. To be fair, sometimes we use our words to tear down and destroy and that is wrong. At times, language intended for positive purposes may be misused, resulting in misinformation or misrepresentation.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible is the persuasive force for salvation and growth in the life of a Believer. Maturity and growth occur through the study and application of God’s Word. The Scriptures promote maturity, joy, and peace for the Christian.
The Bible isn’t just a moral guidebook; it’s a powerful tool that God uses to draw us to Himself. Through its pages, we discover the grand narrative of creation, fall, and redemption. We learn about our own sinful nature and our desperate need for a Savior. But we also encounter the incredible news of God’s love and grace, manifested in the person of Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:17 reminds us that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” It’s through Scripture that we’re persuaded of our need for salvation and led to put our trust in Christ. But the Bible’s persuasive power doesn’t stop at salvation – it continues to work in our lives, urging us towards spiritual maturity and deeper devotion to God.
1 Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left. 3 Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool. 4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.
Ecclesiastes 10:1-4
Solomon concludes the book of Ecclesiastes with application for the hearer. The last three chapters give instructions on how we are to live in the meaninglessness of life. It is advisable to give this matter careful consideration at this stage.
The writer commences with a warning against folly. Folly could be thought of as mindless pursuits that lead to nowhere. Folly doesn’t have to be sinful (though at times it includes sinful acts.) Even good things when done in mindless, non-thoughtful manner can be considered folly.
The preacher is making a point. Life is short and we need to be live carefully and thoughtfully. Recreation and fun have its place in our lives. But, when we are totally given over to these things they become our idols. We can lose God’s blessing and opportunities for growth when our time is occupied with folly. Therefore, we need to avoid folly and use our time wisely.
The Bible speaks often about light. The word light appears over seventy times in the New Testament alone. Today, we will consider a few thoughts about light.
**God created light.
Genesis 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
**Jesus is the light.
John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
**We are to shine the light by living in Christ-likeness.
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
**As Believers, we will bask in the light of Christ forever.
Revelation 21:3 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
**Let us draw closer to Christ and closer to one another by living in the Light!
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
14There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it. 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man. 16 Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength.Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised,And his words are not heard.17 Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heardRather than the shout of a ruler of fools.18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war;But one sinner destroys much good.”
Ecclesiastes 9:14-18
Proper wisdom occupies the last portion of this text. Christian, seek Godly wisdom through His Word, the Holy Spirit, and His people. Wisdom is needed now more than ever.
We can live our lives through the power of God. We don’t have to do this alone. Christ came to this earth to live for us, die for us, and He rose again to verify that all that He said and did was truth. Relationship with Christ is available. “The wages of sin is death, but, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another.” (1st John 3:23)
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 3 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Luke 6:1-5
In our journey through life, we often encounter the profound question: Who is Jesus? This inquiry isn’t just academic; it’s deeply personal and transformative. As we turn to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 6, we find a passage that offers profound insights into the nature and identity of Jesus Christ.
Let’s explore a powerful truth about Jesus that emerges from this scripture:
**Jesus is Lord of All
In a bold declaration that shook the religious establishment of His time, Jesus proclaimed Himself “Lord of the Sabbath.” This wasn’t just a casual statement; it was a thunderclap of divine authority. By asserting His lordship over the Sabbath, Jesus was claiming authority over one of the most sacred institutions in Jewish life.
When questioned about His disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath, Jesus reminded His critics of how David, when hungry, ate the consecrated bread from the temple. In doing so, Jesus wasn’t merely justifying His actions; He was declaring a new order. The old was passing away, and a new covenant was dawning with Jesus at its center.
7 Go, eat your bread with joy,And drink your wine with a merry heart;For God has already accepted your works.8 Let your garments always be white,And let your head lack no oil.9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. 11 I returned and saw under the sun that– The race is not to the swift,Nor the battle to the strong,Nor bread to the wise,Nor riches to men of understanding,Nor favor to men of skill;But time and chance happen to them all. 12 For man also does not know his time:Like fish taken in a cruel net,Like birds caught in a snare,So the sons of men are snared in an evil time,When it falls suddenly upon them.13 This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me:
Ecclesiastes 9:7-13
We can have enjoyment of life through our relationship with God in Jesus our Lord. God is the source of all good things and He delights in our enjoyment of them. These verses list three specific areas of life that should be meaningful to Believers.
**Through Christ, we should enjoy life’s blessings. God provides our food, our drink, our clothing, and our vitality. Thankfulness should permeate the life of the Christian. When praying, it is common to express gratitude. When you converse, give thanks. When you get up and when you lie down, give thanks for God’s blessings.
**Through Christ, we should enjoy marriage. Marriage is a gift from God. We should be grateful and give praise for that gift.
Marriage was God’s idea. Jesus defines it as being between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:3-11). The gift of marriage should be enjoyed and be a source of blessing as long as both the husband and wife lives.
**Through Christ, we should enjoy our work. God supplies us and blesses us through our labor. It’s not always easy and fun. But, work is necessary for our wellbeing. God teaches us much through work about dealing with people and finishing tasks honorably. God uses work to build our trust in Him.
mrtonyfrench 