July 14 - Ecclesiastes 5-8
This section of Ecclesiastes is much more like the book of Proverbs than the first four chapters were, but it is still a statement of what Solomon found to be the truth about life on this earth. His main point in these chapters is to fear God and to live by His wisdom instead of the wisdom of man. Look at Ecclesiastes 5:1, for example. Solomon says to go to the Temple to hear from the Lord rather than to offer sacrifices that are not from the heart. How many people need to hear that today? They go to church to get points with God, but not to hear from the Lord. Then, he says to keep your vows. Many people make a vow to the Lord while in church, but once they walk out, they never fulfill their vow. That is a dangerous way to live. It is not living in the fear of God.
Chapter seven has several surprising truths. "Sorrow is better than laughter."(v3) "Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry."(v9) "Do not be overly righteous nor be overly wise."(v16) The truth is that we learn more from the sad times of life than from the happy ones. We think anger is good, so we let it out quickly, which is foolish. It is possible to be "overly" righteous. That does not mean we can be too much like Jesus, but it could be a reference to legalism like the Pharisees practiced.
Ecclesiastes 7:21 is a fantastic truth. If you go by what people say, your life will be a mess. Look at your own words, and see how many times you say something you should not say. The truth is that we should go by what God says. He is the only one who sees everything clearly and who always says the right thing.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ecclesiastes 9-12.
Chapter seven has several surprising truths. "Sorrow is better than laughter."(v3) "Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry."(v9) "Do not be overly righteous nor be overly wise."(v16) The truth is that we learn more from the sad times of life than from the happy ones. We think anger is good, so we let it out quickly, which is foolish. It is possible to be "overly" righteous. That does not mean we can be too much like Jesus, but it could be a reference to legalism like the Pharisees practiced.
Ecclesiastes 7:21 is a fantastic truth. If you go by what people say, your life will be a mess. Look at your own words, and see how many times you say something you should not say. The truth is that we should go by what God says. He is the only one who sees everything clearly and who always says the right thing.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ecclesiastes 9-12.