Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 - Money and Satisfaction

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on? The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.

Message: Money and Satisfaction

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

I'm noticing that as I age, my perception of things changes. Money is one of those things that I notice is changing in my life. I am 48 now and have noticed over the past 10 years or so that as our family income grows, our expenses grow as well. It would seem that through this process life would get easier and better and we would have more money for things, but in reality, our spending habits simply shift and our needs expand. It is sort of depressing to notice. It is only recently, as the older kids leave the house that I am starting to, at times, see less expenditures. I have been more focused and disciplined this year on tithing 10% consistently. That is good. But, I also admit that has been a hard thing to prioritize. I also notice that every year, about May or June I get in this pinch where we can't pay all of the bills and have to take a one-year no interest loan out with the credit cards. Last year, it was the largest it has ever been. Life would just be easier if I didn't have to do that, but graduation expenses and summer camps are tough on expenses.

As I look at this verse 10 from Ecclesiastes 5, it rings true: He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. Our desire for money will never be satisfied with money. There is always something more that we think that we need. It's an interesting thing. If you love food, food can satisfy you. If you love your wife, her love can satisfy you. If you love to go hiking, then when you go hiking, you will be satisfied, but the love of money is not satisfied with money. That's the danger because we often assume it will satisfy us.

Even though Jesus plainly said that no man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), many people seem bent on trying to prove Him wrong. - Mark Dunagan

This too is vanity. This too is vanity or striving after wind. There is no lasting joy in the pursuit of money.

When good things increase, those who consume them increase. As money increases in our life, our proportion for more money increases. Millionaires often have millionaire valued houses. Isn't it interesting that as we age, the desire seems to be to travel and go many places? All of these things take a lot of money.

It amazes me that these ballplayers making millions sign contracts in which they make more millions. And I often will read about the people they then have in their life. I heard the other day about a millionaire golfer that hired an old friend to be his accountant. Like one person can support one person as an accountant for all his money. There is a growing need for legitimate and necessary help such as personal accountants, lawyers, body guards, managers, gardeners, drivers, cooks, maids, etc.

So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on? I saw this: This may mean: 1. In the end the wealthy man outside of Christ only gets to look at more than the poor man. 2. Solomon argued that the only results of increased wealth for a covetous person are increased anxiety and increased vigilance, not increased enjoyment (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 989).

The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep. It is interesting, but in this verse the contrast is a working man and a rich man. It is interesting that what is often the aim of people is play, entertainment, time off. Yet, what is mentioned here is good sleep comes to those that work hard. It is through working hard that we sleep well and are well rested. It is not through having a lot that makes us content. I saw this commentary: 

"One of the human absurdities is we pour out money and effort on exercise-machines and health clubs to undo the damage of money and ease."

We sit around and entertain ourselves, enjoying the couch when there is work to be done and accomplished. 

I find that I worry to much about money and how we are going to pay for things. See, my focus is on having things and then thinking this is what we will bring joy. I cannot even enjoy myself completely unless I have a bunch of things. My focus is not on the right things. This message is a wake-up call for that.  

Promise:  It is perplexing that many people remain discontent even when they can afford any comfort they desire. Keep using my money to fund the Gospel.

Psalm 72:12-20 - The Enduring Name of the King

Psalm 72:12-20

For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help, the afflicted also, and him who has no helper. He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and the lives of the needy he will save. He will rescue their life from oppression and violence, and their blood will be precious in his sight; so may he live, and may the gold of Sheba be given to him; and let them pray for him continually; let them bless him all day long. May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains; its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon; and may those from the city flourish like vegetation of the earth. May his name endure forever; may his name increase as long as the sun shines; and let men bless themselves by him; let all nations call him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who alone works wonders. And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.

The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

Message: The Enduring Name of the King

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

We need to intercede for all of our rulers. 

Rescuing the helpless

Verse 12 presents ideas from previous Psalm 72 verses, but now as if the requests had already been carried out. In those verses the prayer was that the king would defend the cause of the helpless and now Solomon speaks as if these requests have been fulfilled. For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help, the afflicted also, and him who has no helper. He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and the lives of the needy he will save. He will rescue their life from oppression and violence, and their blood will be precious in his sight. Or it could be that he is still praying, but praying with much more confidence now.

A life of praise and gratitude
so may he live, and may the gold of Sheba be given to him; and let them pray for him continually; let them bless him all day long. So may he live. Those are amazing words. The cry of the forgiven, the saved, the redeemed -- it is a glorious thing. I think of that song by Mylon LeFevre, Stranger to Danger that I have always loved. It speaks of a life that was being lived, but then was found, new life in Christ. "I'm finally free." Lord, my prayers are rarely for the oppressed. Instead, I am often praying the comfortable would be more comfortable or the safe would be more safe.

Everyone is valuable. The gold of Sheba is obviously something of great value that can now be offered to God. and let them pray for him continually; I am to pray that this leader, who has this power, would have a great reign and be able to protect and keep safe the oppressed. let them bless him all day long. From Albert Barnes - "Their lives are lives of praise and gratitude. From their dwellings daily praise ascends to him; from their hearts praise is constant; praise uttered in the closet and in the family; praise breathed forth from the heart, whether on the farm, in the workshop, on a journey, or in the busy marts of commerce. The time will come when this shall be universal; when he who can take in at a glance the condition of the world, will see it to be a world of praise; when he who looks on all hearts at the same moment will see a world full of thankfulness." It is interesting how wonderful and contagious is praise time. And yet, we have lives to live and so we must live those lives. I struggle sometimes living in this praise because it does feel segmented from the other ways of life. And then I struggle thinking what it could be live for eternity. Yet, maybe eternity will be praising God. And that experience may be eternal, but actually feel momentary. We will be caught up in blessing God all day long. But, also here is the idea that the leader is blessed for saving his people. 

Abundance of vegetation
I move to verse 16 and continue to break this down: May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains; its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon; and may those from the city flourish like vegetation of the earth. As he continues to pray, he remarks that the grain and produce of the world will be abundant. He mentions that vegetation will produce. He prays that life will be healthy.

His name endures forever
May his name endure forever; may his name increase as long as the sun shines; and let men bless themselves by him; let all nations call him blessed. I dream of a day when God's name is cherished more. I can't help but see more and more as I walk around in life and how the name of God is just not praised and blessed more. God is an afterthought or something that is just a part of our lives, but not our entire lives. It is sad to see. But, one day "his name endure forever." Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders. And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.

Promise: Even the best rulers do not fulfill the task of peace and justice. The failure of earthly leaders point us to to the only king who will never fail -- Jesus Christ.

Psalm 72:1-11 - Praying for the King

Psalm 72:1-11

Give the king Your judgments, O God, and Your righteousness to the king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness and your afflicted with justice. Let the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills, in righteousness. May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. Let them fear You while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. In his days may the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon is no more. May he also rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. Let the nomads of the desert bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust. Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. And let all kings bow down before him, all nations serve him.

Message: Praying for the King

Time:  The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

The idea in this passage, in relation to kings, was originally praying for a king who came from the line of David. Therefore, he was presumed to already have an association with Israel and then there was the expectation that the king would adhere to divine covenants. But, there is also conjecture that this is a Psalm meant for the Messiah and his reign.

So how would we apply this today? Our kings or presidents very often do not have any direct affiliation with God nor do they desire to be obedient to God's commands. And yet we still must pray for them. We could also think about our church leaders, that in a way mirror a king, and so we can pray for them with these words.

Leaders are to rule by God's ways
Give the king Your judgments, O God, A king is a maker of laws and the primary role of a king is to exert justice upon his kingdom. The king is to dispense right to all of his subjects.

and Your righteousness to the king’s son. The king's righteousness is not simply to be of his own doing, but a righteousness that mirror's God's righteousness. A king is to display God's righteousness. He is to mirror the laws of the Bible. And may this sort of administration and righteousness pass on from son king to son, so future reigns have the same focus.

Those in need be delivered
May he judge your people with righteousness and your afflicted with justice. May your judgments be free from sin and have abundance of fairness.  Let the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills, in righteousness. As I read this I am thinking not just about me and where I am, in a big city metropolis, but also all people in all walks of life -- those at school, living in rural areas, primitive situations, poor monetary environments, in all of these we are to think about the idea that the mountains are meant to be peaceful. The land in which we reside are meant to be places of peace. Instead of mountains it could say tall buildings; it could say a large barn or a tree. Let these surroundings be pleasing to us. Righteousness is to be free from sin. To have peace and freedom from sin is not necessarily an easy life free of problems. 

May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. May he deal with those that do not seek peace. A leader needs to deal with evil. We are in an election time right now and the issues are not necessarily along these lines. The injustices of our life are often more about our comfort, education, and keeping our land free from others. We are now trying to defend all people's rights and yet not everyone can have the same rights and we are redefining right and wrong. We do not seem to focus on taking care of the poor and needy. Those are not the big issues.

An All Encompassing movement of God
Let them fear You while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. 

Men everywhere are to fear you, no matter what; keep the empire of the Messiah present; don't let there be any different sort of reign. May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. God, your influence should always be present. Even if the ground is eaten up and the land has been devoured, descend on us like a rain, and shower us with what we need. In his days may the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon is no more. May it be that righteous ones flourish. May God fearing people and God praising people multiply and fill the earth. And may the things which produce peace not be few, but numerous. May they be found in towns and village, and private dwellings; in the calm and just administration of the affairs of the State; in abundant harvests; in intelligence, in education, in industry; to the rights of all -- until the moon ceases to shine upon the earth. May he also rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. And Lord, may your dominion be far reaching, and cover throughout the universe. Let the nomads of the desert bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust. And let those that are unreached or unknown, or live in the outskirts or desolate places -- may they all bow before him; and may his enemies bow in submission licking the dust of the ground. Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. And let all kings bow down before him, all nations serve him. May your dominion be far reaching. 

My Words:
O God, give kings and leaders justice over their kingdom and people so their ways are right. May the source of his/her justice be righteousness according to your laws and standards. May this be present for future generations as well. Make our leaders order with your righteousness and rule fair; may those who are afflicted be treated equitably; make our leaders live and act free from any taint or form of sin. The land in which we reside are meant to be places of peace. Make peace in the big structures of life, the tall buildings, airports, stadiums, theaters, subways, trains and everywhere many people gather. May those that are receiving wrong and experience afflictions be cleared of any wrong doing; God, save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor; protect children and for those that are doing wrong to children, may they get unwelcome outcomes. Deal with those that are creating conflict instead of making peace. Men everywhere are to fear you, no matter what; keep the empire of the Messiah present; don't let there be any different sort of reign. Even if the ground is eaten up and the land has been devoured, descend on us like a rain, and shower us with what we need. May it be that righteous ones flourish. May God fearing people and God praising people multiply and fill the earth. And may the things which produce peace not be few, but numerous. May they be found in towns and village, and private dwellings; in the calm and just administration of the affairs of the State; in abundant harvests; in intelligence, in education, in industry; to the rights of all -- until the moon ceases to shine upon the earth. And Lord, may your dominion be far reaching, and cover throughout the universe. And let those that are unreached or unknown, or live in the outskirts or desolate places -- may they all bow before him; and may his enemies bow in submission licking the dust of the ground. May your dominion be far reaching.

Promise: Leaders are to rule by God's ways. Those in need will be delivered. And there will be an all encompassing movement of God throughout the earth.

Job 1 - The Trials of Job

Job 1
    There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.
    Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.
    Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and  behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

Message: The Trials of Job

Time: The time of Job is unclear and commonly debated. Often the language of the book can give clues. It seems to be that Job had a lifespan of close to 200 years as Job 42:16 says he lived 140 years after the events in the book.

What the Lord is Saying:

I've always enjoyed this chapter and studied it often. I have many notes in my Bible about it. There is much debate as to the dating of this book. I'm not sure what to conclude. It's possible that this is a story and not even true. Would that matter?

Description of Job
I often like how Job is described in verse 1. He is (1) blameless, (2) upright, (3) fearing God, (4) turning away from evil. He almost sounds like a Christlike figure. He is blameless so he is innocent of wrongdoing. He is upright or honest and true to His word. He fears God. He turns from evil.

He has 10 children and his possessions are not measured by gold or silver, but by the number of livestock that he has. He had many servants. He was a wealthy businessman.

Job was a man of piety. He loves his children and he prayed for them. He made offerings for them on their account. Their sins were his responsibility. He sought pardon for them, for their known sin and what he did not know of them. They were children. They had wealth and they loved feasts. They drank aplenty.

God and Satan Talk
Again, Job was blameless, upright, feared God, and turned from evil. And evil was brought against him often. Verse 6 picks up on a meeting, probably from above, in the invisible world, between Satan and God. Satan and his entourage have been roaming about the earth, looking for people to sway away from the Lord and worship Satan and his ways. God diverts their attention to Job. The text doesn't say that Satan is looking for people, but he is roaming, so I think it is inferred.

This is interesting. God shows Satan Job. Could it be that because Job was upright, he could handle Satan's work? Satan is fallen and will work, so God turns Job to him. He knows that the strong one will not be swayed. Satan is challenged to do his worst; man to do his best.

Satan makes a guess as to why Job is so great: he has been given a lot of good, family, and possessions and he has protection from God's enemies. Satan thinks he may have faith because he has great provision. God gives him permission to put him to the test.

The Trial
Job's messengers come to him while he is feasting with his family and begins to tell him bad news.(1) The oxens and donkeys have been taken and the servants have been killed by Sabeans; (2) fire burned up the sheep and servants, killing them; (3) the Chaldeans took the camels and servants and slew them; (4) a strong wind came and struck a house with your children in it and they died.

The Response
Job worshiped God and said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

Promise: Job understands that God is sovereign and everything we gain and everything we lose falls under the sovereign ordination of our Creator.

Proverbs 20:18 - Our Need for Counsel

Proverbs 20:18 - Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance.

Message: Our Need for Counsel

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

As a reminder, Proverbs are generally counsel given by parents to their children.

In this case, Solomon mentions that we are prepare plans by consultation. I am seeing that this can be a good thing and it can also be a not good thing. Right now, the issue we are having with my youngest son, who is 15, is that he is taking counsel from other 15 year old's in his life, and trusting their counsel over mine or my wife's. In this vein, it is causing us unrest because the counsel he is getting is not wise counsel. It is dangerous counsel that is putting him in precarious situations that he does not recognize as being unwise.

I just wish he would not take my counsel and consider it with a greater weight than his friends. It is a hard lesson to learn. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."

I think of my other son who is often not taking the counsel of anyone, but instead living in the manner that he thinks is best. 

And in this same light, I believe Solomon is saying that if you must go to war, be wise about it. Think about others and consider the advice of many, make war by wise guidance. As we engage in spiritual warfare, we need to understand that we cannot do it alone. We need help. We need to seek the Lord and we need to seek the help of others in our life. I think it is also saying to not just plunge into war. I think I need to remember this and be careful about waging war, even as I relate to my children.

Promise: Take care in choosing the company we keep, always heed wise, godly advice.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 - Timely Payment of Vows

Ecclesiastes 5:4-7
When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.

Message: Timely payment of vows

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

The first 3 verses of this chapter were very good as they spoke of being careful with our words and it reminded me of the song, "let the words of my mouth" and the line, "be pleasing to you." I am not to be hasty with my words and it is better that my words are few rather than plentiful.

These next 4 verses continue to expand on that thought and idea. More specifically, this passage is focused on vows or oaths that we make before God. I am reminded of the foxhole confessions that have been made, "God, get me out of this moment and I will serve you all the days of my life" or "I will become a priest." Those confessions I always found interesting because when you are at the end of your rope you then realize that it is only God that can save and the thought that God wants everyone to be a priest or always faithful before he will intervene and rescue a person.

I think the vow word means different words today: promise, contract, legal tender. We must be careful in what we say we are going to provide. This chapter started off by saying I need to be careful with the words I say; I need to also be careful about the promises I make for I am to be faithful in carrying out those promises. And do i ever try to deviate from a promise? 

[I have been working on this lesson for 2 days now. I guess I am struggling with the word vow and what that means to me. It just seems like a word that we do not use much and yet it is a word I hear from religious people when I watch historical religious movies.]

It seems like verses 1-3 of this chapter were about keeping your words few and not saying more than you should. It was about being careful with your speech. And this one is still speaking of being careful, but it is also about being a man of your word. It reminds me of the DeGarmo and Key song called just that:

He that obeys will be holy
He that believes will obey
Say what you mean but remember
To do what you say
So be a man of your word

I just remember that simple song and that simple reminder.

This passage ends with the phrase that in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.


Promise: Lean on God rather than leaning on our words.

Psalm 117 - Praising the Lord's Faithful Love

Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all nations;
Laud Him, all peoples!
For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.
Praise the Lord!

Message: Praising the Lord's Faithful Love

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

All nations are to praise the Lord. Everyone. This Psalm was obviously given to Israel and yet the call was to all nations. The goal was for all nations to Praise the Lord. This could have been a doxology or praise benediction in our service. Our church often does these before or at the end of a service. This would be a good one to do in a service.

As God's people, we have a responsibility before God to praise Him on behalf of all people and with the goal that all people will praise Him. If I think about it, praise dispels anger and jealousy. It has a powerful effect on people. We can see this and understand it. So, in turn we can understand that this is what we need to say to the Lord.

And why do we praise the Lord?

• His Lovingkindness is great - his mercy, compassion and kindness is great towards us. God wants the best for us. And he sees what is best for us. Even when we do not see it, he knows. And this is why we praise Him because he acts toward us in a way that is great and just what we need.
• The truth of the Lord is everlasting - what God has affirmed at any one time will always remain the same in all ages and in all lands. What was truth to Abraham is truth to us; what was truth to Paul is truth to us; what was truth to the martyrs is truth to us; what is truth to us will be truth to all generations of the world in all lands, and will be truth forever.

Note: This is the shortest chapter in the Bible and the middle of the Bible.

Promise: As in this chapter our lives and days should begin with "Praise the Lord!"