July 15 - Ecclesiastes 9-12
As Solomon finishes his report about the meaning of life on earth, he is very blunt. In fact, it could be depressing, if you don't read it closely and think about what he is saying. He begins by telling us that the "righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God."(9:1) This is reassuring to me, because even though life is not fair, and the same things happen to all people, God is fair, and He will make sure the righteous are treated fairly in the end. On the other hand, he proclaims that " the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil, madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead."(9:3) I understand this to mean that the sons of men are in a separate group from the righteous. Solomon emphasizes that each person must live life fully on this earth, because once death comes there is no making up for things done on earth. After death, there is a Judgment.
In fact, skip to the end of the book. His conclusion is to fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. That is life. One day God will bring every work into judgment. Life is not fair in the sense that good things always happen to good people and bad things always happen to bad people. Life is fair in the sense that each person has the ability to obey God in whatever happens in life. Then, each person receives a fair appraisal of his or her life by God after this life is over. Therefore, enjoy life on earth, but know that it is only a prelude to eternity. How one lives here determines his or her place in eternity. Through faith we receive a place with God, because of His grace, not because of our works. Now we can see some things that Solomon could not see. Jesus Christ is God. Trusting Jesus means fully following Him in faith because of His death, burial, and resurrection for us and for our sin. However, whether in the Old Testament or in the New Testament time, it all comes down to trust or faith. How do we know if we trust Him? If we fear Him and obey His commandments, it shows we love Him and we have put our faith in Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Song of Solomon 1-4.
In fact, skip to the end of the book. His conclusion is to fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. That is life. One day God will bring every work into judgment. Life is not fair in the sense that good things always happen to good people and bad things always happen to bad people. Life is fair in the sense that each person has the ability to obey God in whatever happens in life. Then, each person receives a fair appraisal of his or her life by God after this life is over. Therefore, enjoy life on earth, but know that it is only a prelude to eternity. How one lives here determines his or her place in eternity. Through faith we receive a place with God, because of His grace, not because of our works. Now we can see some things that Solomon could not see. Jesus Christ is God. Trusting Jesus means fully following Him in faith because of His death, burial, and resurrection for us and for our sin. However, whether in the Old Testament or in the New Testament time, it all comes down to trust or faith. How do we know if we trust Him? If we fear Him and obey His commandments, it shows we love Him and we have put our faith in Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Song of Solomon 1-4.