13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
Message: Our Certainty in an Uncertain World
Time: The Book of Ecclesiastes does not directly identify its author. The conventional belief is that the author is Solomon. The book was likely written towards the end of Solomon's reign, approximately 935 B.C. It is a book of perspective whereby the speaker reveals the depression that inevitably results from seeking happiness in worldly things. Most every form of worldly pleasure is explored by the Preacher, and none of it gives him a sense of meaning. He accepts that life is brief and ultimately worthless without God and advises the reader to focus on an eternal God instead of temporary pleasure.
What the Lord is Saying:
As I have studied this book off and on the past couple of years, I have seen some interesting conclusions about life. Life is not meaningless, but it is fleeting and repetitive. This book was written some 3000 years ago and yet its principles still hold true. That is amazing and yet, should remind me that much of life is the same in thought and deed. We have more conveniences today and more resources, but the nuts and bolts of life remain the same.
For each of us, there is a proper time to do (3:2). Our lives are not much different than the beasts of the field who live for a while, then die. In life, we are to enjoy it. We are to enjoy the time with our wives and enjoy our labor and the fruits of it. Youth is a time of strength, but old age will come as well, and our bodies will get weak and our thinking will be more firm and unbending.
Knowledge is interesting as well in life. We often are on a pursuit for more and more understanding, yet in this understanding we often end up with more questions than answers. Riches are something we pursue, but if we love them too much, they will not satisfy. Sometimes we work and acquire, only to die and have someone else enjoy them. There is no guarantee that the righteous man's life will be prolonged by being righteous or the wicked person's life will be short. Often the opposite is seen.
The conclusion reached here by the Preacher is not to throw up one's hand in despair, but rather to find in God, in His Word, in Christ, we have all that we need and we have a certainty. The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. This is every person. No one is exempt. We are to fear God and keep His commandments. God sees all that we do. God also sees what man doesn't, our motivation and reason for doing what we do. Our reward is coming. And all of life will be exposed.
Fear the Lord
Repent of our sin
Trust in Him alone
Live a life of gratitude by keeping His commands
Enjoy Him for eternity
Promise: For each person, the same holds: fear God and keep His commandments.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for giving us a book like Ecclesiastes, that helps me to review life and see it for what it is. Thank you that you show me the importance of enjoying each day, enjoying my wife and family and provide me opportunities to enjoy the fruits of my labor. I appreciate this and value this in my life, but I also return to You and realize that my life remains about loving You and keeping your commandments. Help me to remain steady, despite ailments I may be experiencing more and more as I age. I never want to lose sight of You and who I am in You. Thank you Lord. I praise Your Name.
What the Lord is Saying:
As I have studied this book off and on the past couple of years, I have seen some interesting conclusions about life. Life is not meaningless, but it is fleeting and repetitive. This book was written some 3000 years ago and yet its principles still hold true. That is amazing and yet, should remind me that much of life is the same in thought and deed. We have more conveniences today and more resources, but the nuts and bolts of life remain the same.
For each of us, there is a proper time to do (3:2). Our lives are not much different than the beasts of the field who live for a while, then die. In life, we are to enjoy it. We are to enjoy the time with our wives and enjoy our labor and the fruits of it. Youth is a time of strength, but old age will come as well, and our bodies will get weak and our thinking will be more firm and unbending.
Knowledge is interesting as well in life. We often are on a pursuit for more and more understanding, yet in this understanding we often end up with more questions than answers. Riches are something we pursue, but if we love them too much, they will not satisfy. Sometimes we work and acquire, only to die and have someone else enjoy them. There is no guarantee that the righteous man's life will be prolonged by being righteous or the wicked person's life will be short. Often the opposite is seen.
The conclusion reached here by the Preacher is not to throw up one's hand in despair, but rather to find in God, in His Word, in Christ, we have all that we need and we have a certainty. The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. This is every person. No one is exempt. We are to fear God and keep His commandments. God sees all that we do. God also sees what man doesn't, our motivation and reason for doing what we do. Our reward is coming. And all of life will be exposed.
Fear the Lord
Repent of our sin
Trust in Him alone
Live a life of gratitude by keeping His commands
Enjoy Him for eternity
Promise: For each person, the same holds: fear God and keep His commandments.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for giving us a book like Ecclesiastes, that helps me to review life and see it for what it is. Thank you that you show me the importance of enjoying each day, enjoying my wife and family and provide me opportunities to enjoy the fruits of my labor. I appreciate this and value this in my life, but I also return to You and realize that my life remains about loving You and keeping your commandments. Help me to remain steady, despite ailments I may be experiencing more and more as I age. I never want to lose sight of You and who I am in You. Thank you Lord. I praise Your Name.
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