Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Week Eight – Day 5 – Ecclesiastes  12:13-14   SOAP v. 13-14

¹³ The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. ¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

O – It’s the end of Ecclesiastes, and Solomon finally writes the summary of what he thinks is true in his life.  After deciding that life is vanity, chasing the wind, he states the truth – all the end, what matters is God.  Fear God and keep His commands.  THIS is the whole duty of man.  It’s similar to the saying )I forget where it is from….   What is the chief end of man?  To glorify God and enjoy Him forever!  YES!

A – I am glad that Solomon FINALLY writes the positive side of life.  Life IS WORTH living – living in God’s grace.  To fear God (love Him, look at Him in awe, live according to His word) and to keep His commandments, as found in His Word.  YES!   I am reminded of the verse that has impacted my life so many ways over the past few years… “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires your heart.”  (Psalm 37:4).  BUT – it is in the delighting, living in, living according to – that our heart lines up with His desires.  So – our desires line up with His.  His desires become ours – IF we are delighting in Him!  This is the crux of the matter.  To glorify Him and enjoy Him – forever!

P – Father God, thank You for Your Word.  Struggling through Ecclesiastes IS worth it – coming to this end.  To know You, delight in You, to be in awe of You – it is such a blessing.  Thank You for Your fiathfulness, as seen in Your word.  Help me to living according to Your word, not only today, but every day.  I know that You will evaluate all of us in the end.  Search me, O God, and know my heart.  Try me, and know my thoughts.   And lead me in the way everlasting.  Thank You, Father for searching, trying, and leading me.  Amen.

You are Awesome in this Place Mighty God – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faiLQCuoskM

As I come into Your presence
Past the gates of praise
Into Your sanctuary
Til we’re standing face to face
I look upon Your countenance
I see the glory of Your Holy face
I can only bow down and say…

You are awesome in this place, Mighty God
You are awesome in this place, Abba Father
You are worthy of all praise
To You our hands we raise
You are awesome in this place, Mighty God

Ecclesiastes 12:9-12

Week Eight – Day 4 – Ecclesiastes 12:9 – 12  SOAP v. 11

⁹ Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care.¹⁰ The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

¹¹ The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. ¹² My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

O – As Solomon comes to the end of his writings (and – the end of his life…), he realizes that he had to have used wisdom to teach the people, and evaluating proverbs.  He sought words carefully.  The “words of the wise are like cattle prods – painful but helpful.  Their collected saysing are like a nail studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.” (V. 11 – NLT).  The words of the wise are “prodding” – they make us “move” and think and rethink – and change our ways, just like cattle prods make cattle move and change their direction.  Firmly fixed nails….   Keep buildings and furniture together so that they are useful.  Given by the One Shepherd.   By God.   His words are fixed.  They are useful.   They will endure forever.  They are sharper than a two edged sword.  But – here’s the warning….”Beware of anything beyond these….”   Watch out for “additions” to the Word!

A –  I need to be careful when interpreting the Word – nothing added or taken from it.  Typically, I look at the scriptures and compare different versions to see what the Word says.   Sometimes, I look at commentaries and Strong’s concordance.   I pray for God’s revealing and understanding of His word.

But I also see God’s Word as living and active – and sharper than an two edged sword.  It “speaks” to me – and is useful for teaching correcting, reproof and training in righteousness.   It is God’s Word – for me. When I read it, I am convicted of what I am doing – either wrong attitudes or wrong actions.  Right actions and attitudes are confirmed.   I cling to the promises.  And, I am able to teach after I study His Word.  I have seen how God’s Word comforts others, especially in grief or sorrow.  It helps in raising children – or in knowing how to treat others.  NO OTHER book can do all this!

P – Father – keep me in Your word.  Help me to live it, and apply it to my heart.  May I delight in You – and find Your word as living and active.  Thank You for using it to speak to me – and for prompting me to change my actions and attitudes.  Father, I need your Word.  May I crave it, and depend upon it.  Thank You for giving it to me.  Give me understanding and knowlge how to apply it to my life.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  (Heb. 4:12 – ESV)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”. (II Tim. 3:16 – ESV)

Lord I Need You – Chris Tomlin – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rR_Rdb1CTE

Verse 1:
Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart

Chorus:
Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Verse 2:
Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Yes where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Bridge:
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay

Ecclesiastes 12: 1 – 8

Week  Eight – Day 3 – Ecclesiastes 12:1 – 8  SOAP v. 1,2

12 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; ² before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, ³ in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, ⁴ and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low— ⁵ they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— ⁶ before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, ⁷ and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. ⁸ Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.

O – Remember your Creator in the days of your youth….   Oh, it is SO important for the young to know of Him while they are still young!  It is easier to memorize scripture, learn songs, and remember stories from the word.  There are no great sins to mourn.  Their whole lives are in front of them.  They have a natural curiousity.   Jesus even told his disciples and followers that “unless you turn and become like children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  (Mat 18:3 – ESV).

A – How do you “remember your Creator in the days of your youth” and “come as a child?”   Do I memorize the word Ike a child?  Do I keep a clean slate?  As I grow older (57, almost 58….), there is less of my life in front of me than behind me.  Am I living it, so as to leave a legacy?  Do I have that natural curiosity of a child when seeking the Word, or discerning ministry?  Do I get excited about what I am reading or learning about spiritually?  Before I am “old” – I want to invest in what is eternal – and lasting!   That is in lives.  I am glad that, in this season of life, God is giving me the time and opportunities to invest in others.   Leading a Bible study, mentoring a few young women, hosting “Friday Night Meatballs,” and being available to help others has brought such joy to my life.  I need to invest in others as long as, and as well as, I can.  With HIS strength and wisdom – and love.

P – Father God – thank You for Your love and patience with me.  Help me to keep the right perspective with my life and time.  I want to use the time that I have – to minister for You.  Help me to invest in ths of people – to love, to minister, to care, to teach, to model Your love.  Father, I want my life to be a legacy for You.

Legacy – Nichole Nordman – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zf-2dKMt0Q

I don’t mind if you’ve got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
And you can take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the Who’s Who’s and So-and-So’s
That used to be the best at such-and-such
It wouldn’t matter much

I won’t lie, it feels all right to see your name in lights

We all need an “atta-boy” or “atta-girl”
But in the end I’d like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don’t have to look too far or too long a while
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It’s an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such
Will soon enough destroy

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

Not well-traveled, not well-read
Not well-to-do or well-bred
Just want to hear instead
Well done, good and faithful one

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don’t mind if you’ve got something nice to say about me

Ecclesiastes 11: 5 – 10

Week Eight  – Day 2 – Ecclesiastes  11:5 – 10 – SOAP v. 8

⁵ As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.

⁶ In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

⁷ Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.

⁸ So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.

⁹ Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

¹⁰ Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

O – We cannot possibly understand the ways of God, according to Solomon.  No, indeed, we can’t, as God’s ways and thoughts higher than ours.  No, we don’t know the future, but we know that God’s ways and God’s plans are for our good, not for our harm.  (Jeremiah 29:11). In all of this, we are told to rejoice in the time that we have – “many years” and “in the days of your youth.”  We are to walk in the “ways of your heart” and in the “sight of your eyes.”  We need to have a balanced view of our lives – not too important, but also important enough so as not to waste them.

A – Rejoice in our days.  Rejoice in the time that God gives us – no matter how long it is.  Relationships are important.   Develop them wisely.  Choose wisely.  Rejoice in the time that we have.  We don’t know the hour of our demise, but it will be sooner than we think!

But Solomon also says that some of the days will be “dark.”  Yes, some of our days ARE dark!  I have had dark days.  They have served to strengthen me, teach me, help me depend on Him, learn to wait, and to give me new perspective.  They have saved me from myself.  Divorce.  Death.  Accidents.   Pre-mature birth.  Miscarriage.  Unemployment.  Singleness.  Betrayal.  yes – all of these have helped to mold and shape me into the woman that I am today.  I see in that passage from Isaiah – again – that God’s Word does not return empty, but will accomplish what HE has purposes.  Yes, those days did – along with His promises  be with me through them all.  His purpose was to bring me to the place where HE is glorified.  To bring me to the place to depend on HIM – and Him alone.  To bring me to the place to “walk in the ways of HIS heart.”  That is my prayer today – to walk in the ways of His heart.

P – Father God, thank You for all the days of my life.  Those times of rejoicing in my youth, and in the “good” times sthat You provided.  But, I also thank You for the times that were dark – when I learned to depend upon You , to call upon You, to wait on You.  Thank You for all of them, for they molded and shaped me into who I am today.  Father, keep my eyes on You, my heart focused on You.  Help me to walk in the “ways of Your heart.” Today and tomorrow, and each day that You give me.  Thank You for this time of blessing in my life.  Help me to be a blessing o others today.   Amen.

My life is but a weaving, between my God and me,

I do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily.

Ofttimes he weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.

Not till the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly,

Will God unroll the canvas, and explain the reasons why

The dark threads are as needful in the skillful weaver’s hand

As threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

 

He knows, He loves, He cares,

Nothing this truth can dim.

He gives His very best to those

Who leave the choice with Him.

 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”  (Isaiah 55: 8 – 11 ESV).

Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_GBKSqtgvI

1 Rejoice, O pure in heart,
rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
your festal banner wave on high,
the cross of Christ your King.

Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

2 Bright youth and snow-crowned age,
both men and women, raise
on high your free, exulting song,
declare God’s wondrous praise. [Refrain]

3 Still lift your standard high,
still chanting as you go,
from youth to age, by night and day,
in gladness and in woe. [Refrain]

4 At last the march shall end;
the wearied ones shall rest,
the pilgrims reach their home at last,
Jerusalem the blest. [Refrain]

5 Praise God, who reigns on high,
the Lord whom we adore:
the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
one God forevermore. [Refrain]

Psalter Hymnal, 1987

Ecclesiastes 11:1 – 4

Week Eight  – Day 1 – Ecclesiastes  11:1 – 4 SOAP v. 4

11 Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
² Give a portion to seven, or even to eight,
for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
³ If the clouds are full of rain,
they empty themselves on the earth,
and if a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
⁴ He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

O – It seems that Solomon is talking about faith here.      It’s a series of “if….then…”  If you cast your bread upon the waters….. Is this the possibility of the “fleece”, as in Gideon?   Maybe.  However, Solomon is talking about natural effects.   “If the clouds are full, then they will empty themselves on the earth.”  Then – if you keep looking at the wind, you will not sow the seed.  IN other words, if you keep just looking – you won’t get anything done!  If you keep looking at the clouds – you won’t reap.  You have to work!  Spurgeon’s comment is priceless here….  (Paraphrased….   If God tells you to do something, and you wait, or wait until “ideal” conditions, it is disobedience. ). Ouch!   If God says to do something, if He puts that urge into you – obey.  Right away!

A – I have been aware lately of my needed obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.   How many times do I sense that “urge” to do something, either in obedience or to minister to someone?   I am becoming aware of the need to obey WHEN I get that sense.  Will that opportunity pass, or go away?  If I don’t obey, then the opportunity will pass.  A friend of mine had that sense lately – to go see her friend, who was dying of cancer.  She went, and ministered to her friend – and two days later, her friend passed away.  If she didn’t obey, she wouldn’t have that opportunity to bless – and be blessed herself.

So – do I listen carefully – and obey?  Or, do I “observe the wind?”  I don’t want the “whole autumn to pass without one handful of grain reaching the furrows….”  (Meyer)  New challenge – to respond – right away.  To not “think it over” or procrastinate.  To check my feelings with scripture.  To ask myself, ‘Is this what God is calling me to do?’  I don’t want to miss an opportunity to minister!

P – Father God – impress on my soul today Your heart.   What would YOU have me to do?   Keep my soul awake and alert to Your call, to Your prompting.  Thank You for this reminder, so I can minister in Your name more effectively and timely.   May I not be lax.   May I not procrastinate.  May I readily heed Your call. May You be honored and glorified by my actions and attitude today.  Amen.

1. He who observes the wind will not sow: The farmer who is overly analytical about the wind or the clouds will never plant his fields, and thus he will not reap. The Preacher gently pushes us away from an overly analytical approach to life.
2. “If we are always waiting for favouring conditions, we shall resemble the farmer who is ever looking out for perfect weather, and lets the whole autumn pass without one handful of grain reaching the furrows.” (Meyer)
3. “If we keep on observing circumstances, instead of trusting God, we shall be guilty of disobedience. God bids me sow: I do not sow, because the wind would blow some of my seed away. God bids me reap: I do not reap, because there is a black cloud there, and before I can house the harvest, some of it may be spoiled. I may say what I like; but I am guilty of disobedience.” (Spurgeon)

iii. Spurgeon went on in that sermon (Sowing in the Wind, Reaping Under Clouds) to describe other ways that this attitude sins against God and man. To observe circumstances instead of trusting God shows unbelief, rebellion, foolish fear, and idleness

Here I Am Lord – http://youtu.be/K6fYAiqV-B

I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard My people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin,

My hand will save.

I who made the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear My light to them?

Whom shall I send?

 

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?

I have heard You calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if You lead me.

I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,

I have borne my people’s pain.

I have wept for love of them, They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone,

Give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak My word to them

Whom shall I send?

 

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?

I have heard You calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if You lead me.

I will hold Your people in my heart.

 

Still – Hillsong – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHATCAvlqQA

Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still, know You are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are king over the flood
I will be still, know You are God [x2]

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are king over the flood
I will be still, know You are God [x2]

Ecclesiastes 10:16-20

Week Seven  – Day 5 – Ecclesiastes 10:16 – 20  SOAP v. 18

¹⁶ Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
and your princes feast in the morning!
¹⁷ Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,
and your princes feast at the proper time,
for strength, and not for drunkenness!
¹⁸ Through sloth the roof sinks in,
and through indolence the house leaks.
¹⁹ Bread is made for laughter,
and wine gladdens life,
and money answers everything.
²⁰ Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
nor in your bedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter.

O – Solomon again talks about the leadership of a nation.   The nation’s success or fall really depends on its leadership.  When the king is a child (is either young – or foolish) or when the leadership “feasts in the morning” – or doesn’t take its leadership seriously.  The nation will prosper when the leaders come “from the right place” and when it is taken seriously.  Laziness brings a fall, not only of one’s house, but also of the nation.  It is interesting to note the last few verses, of not cursing the king – even in one’s own house, less the king find out.   (a little birdie told me??)

A – If we take a look at our own lives, and ministry, the same applies here.   If we, in ministry, ignore those who we serve, or don’t take our service to the Lord seriously, yes – our ministry suffers!  In our personal lives, we know that if we do not take care of the things we own, they will fall apart.  Roofs leak.  Yards grow over.  Weeds take over – so quickly!  And, the same is true in ministry.  If we don’t serve with the right attitude, or lead those we are responsible for, things will fall apart!

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. …. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”  (Colossians 3:17,23 – ESV)   Oh, that my service to Him would be in His name – for Him – to His glory!

P – Father God, today may all that I do, all that I say, all that I think – be for Your glory.  May I work heartily.  Take the “weeds” out of my heart – and clear it up to make room for the works that YOU would have me do.  Father, work in my heart, so that my service, my ministry, my life for You is full of You, not me.  Thank You for this reminder in Ecclesiastes.  Keep me focused on You today – and through the end of this study.  Help me to finish strong, learning all that You have to teach me.   Amen.

Woe to you, O land … Blessed are you, O land: The Preacher understood that a land was blessed by good, faithful leaders, but cursed under wicked and incompetent leaders.

1. Because of laziness the building decays: “Lazy rulers bring down the great house of the nation, as a lazy householder lets the beams of his house collapse so that the roof sags and lets in the rain.” (Wright)
2. If Ecclesiastes 10:18pictures the fall of a nation, the following lines give the reasonfor fall – leaders who are foolish, selfish, and concerned only for their own pleasure and good.

iii. “They do nothing in order; turn night into day, and day into night; sleep when they should wake, and wake when they should sleep; attending more to chamberings and banquetings, than to the concerns of the state.” (Clarke)  (Guzik – blueletterbible)

As we think about what God has for us TO DO today, think about the impact that you have…. If we do not fulfill what God gives us, if we do not take care of our gifts and talents, we cannot bring glory to Him. Are you thinking “I am JUST A ……….. (fill in your own blank)?” Well, listen to this video…. and go through your day – knowing that you can make a difference!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qYobWEjl_A

Ecclesiastes 10:8-15

Ecclesiastes 10:8 – 15  SOAP v. 12-13

⁸ He who digs a pit will fall into it,
and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
⁹ He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
¹⁰ If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed.
¹¹ If the serpent bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage to the charmer.

¹² The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor,
but the lips of a fool consume him.
¹³ The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
and the end of his talk is evil madness.
¹⁴ A fool multiplies words,
though no man knows what is to be,
and who can tell him what will be after him?
¹⁵ The toil of a fool wearies him,
for he does not know the way to the city.

O – We see Solomon’s wisdom coming out here in this passage.  It’s much like reading Proverbs.  They make sense!   It’s a series of cause and effect – and using wisdom helps us to avoid negative consequences:  digging a pit and falling into it, breaking down a wall only to have a snake bite, using a blunt knife needs more strength to wield it, using an untrained snake for magic will only lead to bites.

BUT – words. Words cannot be taken back once spoken.  SO – the words of a wise man win favor.  The words of a fool will “eat him.”  From just plain foolishness to evil madness, the words of a fool will bring trouble.  The excess of words of a fool just add to his foolishness.  He can’t even find “his way home” – he is THAT foolish.

A – How careful we must be of our words!  I would rather be known for my wise words, few that they may be, than an excess of foolish talk!  And – to be wise, I need to seek the SOURCE of wisdom, my Father God Himself.  He promised wisdom – if we ask for it.  In James, it says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  (James 1:5 – ESV)  There is no need to be foolish!  But – it also means to keep a watch on our mouths, to think before speaking, to not go “on and on,” and to “let our words be few.”  Psalm 141:3 sates, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (ESV)  We can’t do this on our own!  The fool doesn’t realize this.

P – Father God, thank You for this reminder of the importance of my speech.  Father, give me wisdom in my words.  May they be pleasing to others, but more importantly, to You.  Set a guard over my mouth – so that I do not speak rashly, or in a way that would bring dishonor to You.  May my words today be encouraging, supportive, and loving.  When, or if, I need to confront, help me to do that with love.  Father, walk with me on this journey in learning to seek You in ALL that I do.  And yes, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart bless Your name – and the deeds of the day and the truth in my ways speak of You.  Amen.

May the Words of my Mouth – Tim Hughes – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvNXs71SjkQ&nohtml5=False

Verse 1
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
Bless Your name, bless Your name, Jesus
And the deeds of the day and the truth in my ways
Speak of You, speak of You, Jesus

Chorus
For this is what I’m glad to do
It’s time to live a life of love that pleases You
And I will give my all to You
Surrender everything I have and follow You
I’ll follow You

Verse 2
Lord, will You be my vision, Lord, will You be my guide
Be my hope, be my light and the way
And I’ll look not for riches, nor praises on earth
Only You’ll be the first of my heart

I will follow
I will follow
I will follow You

Ecclesiastes 10: 1 – 7

Week  Seven – Day 3 – Ecclesiastes 10:1 – 7  SOAP v. 1,2

10 Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
² A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right,
but a fool’s heart to the left.
³ Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
⁴ If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,
for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

⁵ There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: ⁶ folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. ⁷ I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

O – Oh, this passage made for a great conversation this morning!   Asking the theologian in the room about the “right and left”  led us into language, commentaries, and just plain fun….

First off, Solomon talks about what foolish does in our lives.  It ruins them.  Even if we have earned a good reputation, we can ruin that with foolish acts and thoughtlessness.  We see in great people, Presidents even – what we remember of them is their foolishness:  Nixon and Watergate, Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe.  Just like “flies in the ointment” ruin it, our foolish decisions can break a good reputation.

But, it was the “left” hand and “right hand” that prompted the discussion.  My mind went immediately to the idea that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father.  If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  (Colossians 3:1 – ESV)  The right hand is the place of honor in the Bible.  Then we were brought to Matthew 25 – the story of the sheep and the goats.  Jesus said that when the Son of Man comes again, he will sit on his throne, gather the people of the nations, and separate them, just as a shepherd separates sheet and goats.  The sheep are placed on the right; the goats are placed on the left.  Those on the right were blessed – those on the left were cursed and sent to eternal punishment.

I remembered when I went to Hong Kong for Alliance Youth Corp in 1978, and was told, that when out in public, that it would be best that I eat with my right hand.  I am left handed.   But, in that culture, at that time, the right hand was the hand for eating, the left hand was considered “dirty.”  It was the hand used for bathroom necessities.  Therefore, it would be best that I use my right hand as much as possible.  That point stuck with me for many years!

Then the conversation went to language, as I had looked up David Guzman’s commentary.  I read out loud the short article, mentioning that the Latin word for “left” came from the base word of sinister.  This went to the Portuguese language.   In Portuguese, the word for right is “destra” – coming from a Latin base that implies dexterity.  The word for left is “sinistra” – coming from the Latin base of sinister.

A – SO – what does this all mean for today??  I think that Solomon was comparing the wise and the foolish.  Using the right and left hand analogies or metaphors would make sense to his culture.  We see so many instances in the Bible of wise and foolish – in the Proverbs, in the Psalms, even in James.  Jesus told parables of the wise man and the foolish man.  We even have our kids sing songs that describe this:  “The wise men built his house upon the rock…..”  With so many examples, one would think that we would all choose to be wise!  But, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6 – ESV)

Do I really think before I act?  Before I speak?  Before my face shows my true feelings?  Oh, that I would consistently choose to be wise!  I want to be a woman who CONSISTENTLY is choosing the RIGHT, not the LEFT!  It is interesting that Solomon uses the heart in his analogy.  “A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.”  (Eccl. 10:2 – ESV)  I desire that my HEART would INCLINE me to the right!  It doesn’t mean that I would always choose the right, but that my heart would be inclined to choose the right.  I want my heart in the right place, today.

P – Father God, thank You for this reminder – to incline my heart to You, to the right, to the place of wisdom.  Father, my heart IS inclined to follow its own path – incline it to follow You.  Incline my heart to You – to walk in all Your ways, to keep Your commandments.  Incline my heart to obey You – your statutes and testimonies – not to pursue selfish gain.  Incline my ear to hear You, to listen for Your voice, so that I will obey and follow You, not my own inclination.  Thank You for this strong reminder, and Your Word, which is living and active – and sharper than a two-edged sword.  Today, You pierced me with it – helping me to look at my own life, attitudes and actions.  Walk with me today – in all that I do, so that I will bring glory to You.  Amen.

Numbers 15:39 – And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after.

Joshua 24:23 – He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

Judges 9:3 – And his mother’s relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”

1 Kings 8:58 – that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.

Psalm 10:17 – O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

Psalm 119:36 – Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!

Psalm 119:112 – I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

Psalm 141:4 – Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!

Proverbs 22:17 – [ Words of the Wise ] Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,

Ecclesiastes 10:2 – A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.

Jeremiah 7:24 – But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

Jeremiah 11:8 – Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not.”

 

“Since the right hand was regarded as the side of strength, skill, and favor, the wise man’s heart is known and a strength to him. This is not true of the fool, whose heart is at his left.

1. ” ‘Right’ and ‘left’ are natural symbols for the strong and good, one the one hand, and for the weak and bad, on the other hand … The Latin word sinistermeans ‘left.'” (Wright)” – David Guzman – blueletterbible

Verse two states that “wise people move to the right . . . while fools move to the left.” The contrast between “right” and “left” reflects the ancient Near Eastern ideas of “clean” and “unclean.” The right hand was considered the clean hand and was a symbol for prosperity, while the left hand was considered the unclean hand and a symbol for disaster. The clean hand was used for eating, for acts of hospitality, and for greeting others. The unclean hand was used for personal hygiene. Thus, in this metaphor the right is equated with God’s goodness, while the left is equated with ignorance of God’s goodness. – (The VOICE version – commentary within the passage – biblegateway)

Matthew 25 – Sheep and goats –“ ³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’³⁷ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? ³⁸ And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹ And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’  ⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ ⁴⁴ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ ⁴⁵ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ ⁴⁶ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”” (Matthew 25:31 – 46 – ESV)

Ecclesiastes 9:11-18

Week  Seven – Day 2 – Ecclesiastes 9:11 – 18  SOAP v. 17, 18

¹¹ Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. ¹² For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.

¹³ I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. ¹⁴ There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siege works against it.¹⁵ But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. ¹⁶ But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

¹⁷ The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. ¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

O – Solomon JUST DOESN”T get it.   While he realizes that it is not the swift, or the strong, or the wise or the intelligent that “win” – he doesn’t realize that it is ONLY by God’s grace and strength is the battle won, or life well lived.  When I read this passage, my mind went immediately to the old hymn, “Victory Through Grace.”  “Not to the strong is the battle, not to the swift is the race, Yet to the true and the faithful vict’ry is promised through grace.”  Solomon’s view is so fatalistic….. so negative.  Was having TOO MUCH – too much wisdom, stuff, honor, prestige, wealth  – his downfall?  Was seeking “MORE” of everything what made him feel that he was chasing after the wind?  Everything he seeks brings a negative response, or the opposite of what he was really seeking.  The poor have wisdom, but no one listens.  Wisdom might be better than might – but no one listens to someone without wealth.  Man doesn’t have control of his destiny.  It seems that he sees God as the “puppetmaster” – pulling the strings of men’s actions, and finding great enjoyment in man’s pain.  NOT SO!

A – I am so glad to have a RELATIONSHIP with my heavenly Father.  I see Solomon seeking, and seeking, and not able to find meaning.   What happened to this wise man, who asked for wisdom?  What got in the way?  His pride?  His desire for MORE?  His feeling that he could go it alone, without help?  In his writings, I see “nuggets” of wisdom, but the bulk of this book is so sad.  His proverbs seem to make the most sense – speaking words of wisdom in quiet are better than shouting them by fools.  Words of wisdom are better than weapons of war – but it only takes one person to destroy peace and to undo what good may have been done.  Yes – those words are true.  But – we need to have God’s perspective.  The “true and the faithful” are promised victory through grace.   But, beyond success is the fact that God is with us.  He will never, ever, leave us.  He promises to be with us through all of life.  I cling to that.

P – Father God, thank You for Your presence in my life.  Thank You that You will never leave or forsake me.  Help me to cling to the Promiser, not just the promises.  Thank You for the hope that lies within me – the hope of eternal life, and the hope of being with You, forever.  In the meantime, help me to remain true and faithful to You – and to Your word.  Help it to continue to be living and active – change me, molding me, shaping me – to be the woman that You would have me to be.

“The words of wise men heard in quietness are better than the shouting of one who rules among fools.¹⁸ Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.” (v 17,18, AMP)

Victory Through Grace – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ7PaND76TI

1. Conquering now and still to conquer, rideth a King in His might;
   Leading the host of all the faithful into the midst of the fight;
   See them with courage advancing, clad in their brilliant array,
   Shouting the Name of their Leader, hear them exultingly say:

Refrain:
Not to the strong is the battle, not to the swift is the race,
Yet to the true and the faithful vict’ry is promised through grace.

2. Conquering now and still to conquer, who is this wonderful King?
   Whence are the armies which He leadeth, while of His glory they sing?
   He is our Lord and Redeemer, Savior and Monarch divine;
   They are the stars that forever bright in His kingdom shall shine.
3. Conquering now and still to conquer, Jesus, Thou Ruler of all,
   Thrones and their scepters all shall perish, crowns and their splendor shall fall,
   Yet shall the armies Thou leadest, faithful and true to the last,
   Find in Thy mansions eternal rest, when their warfare is past.

Ecclesiastes 9:7 – 10

Ecclesiastes 9:7 – 10 SOAP v. 10

7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
8 Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.
9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

O – Again, Solomon “sort of” has it – but not quite. Now, he is saying to enjoy life, be joyful, for “God has already approved what you do.” (ESV) His attitude toward life is “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”( I Cor. 15:32 – ESV) So, Solomon encourages us to: eat, drink, live a comfortable life (white garments, oil), enjoy life with your spouse – because “that’s what you get in life.” (kiclark version) Finally, he says to do whatever our “hand finds to do” with all our might – as we will not be able to do that in death. “Get all you can in life!” says Solomon.

But – is there another side to this? With the perspective of God and eternity – is it really “Enjoy what God has given you – food, drink, comfort, companionship, work…. – all the physical enjoyments that this world does give –BUT remember eternity. Remember WHO gave them to you. Remember WHY you work. Remember that we do ALL to the glory of God!” (kiclark)

We can apply the attitude reflected in Ecclesiastes 9:10 to our present service for God, and do it with your might. “No man ever served God by doing things tomorrow.” (Spurgeon)
iii. “Man was not created to be idle, he was not elected to be idle, he was not redeemed to be idle, he was not quickened to be idle, and he is not sanctified by God’s grace to be idle.” (Spurgeon)( David Guzik)

A – With the right perspective, I CAN enjoy the gifts that God has given to me: the comforts of home, companionship, relationships, work and ministry. Yes – I should do all that I do with “all my might”. It is “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. …. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” (Colossians 3:17,23 – ESV) THIS is the attitude towards work and life that we should have! To do what I do – to bring glory to Christ. To do what I do – for the Lord, not for people, or even for me or my own glory.

P – Father, what I do today – may it be done in Your name. Whether playing the piano, or working at home, or putting out mulch, or making dinner – may it be done heartily – and for Your glory. Thank You for all that You have given me – yes, the home, and food and clothing, companionship, and ministry. Father, may I use each gift as a gift, as an offering to You. Father, today, may I give my heart and mind and soul and strength – to serve the King of kings.

Rise Up o Men of God – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-aRClU5D_c

1 Rise up, O Men of God!
Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.

2 Rise up, O Men of God!
His kingdom tarries long;
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.

3 Rise up, O sons of God!
The Church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task,
Rise up, and make her great!

4 Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod;
As foll’wers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O Men of God!