Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 - Joy and Judgment

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
⁹ Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. ¹⁰ So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.

Message:  Joy and Judgment

Time: The Book of Ecclesiastes does not directly identify its author. The conventional belief is that the author is indeed 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: I don't know what it is about these Spring months of the year, but I notice my time in the Word really seems to diminish as compared to the Fall and Winter months. I continue to walk through chapter 11 of Ecclesiastes. Verses 1 and 2 of chapter 11 spoke of serving and giving our all to serve. But we can't secure ourselves from zero failures. We must remember God is in control. We can trust God for outcomes. We are not all-knowing creatures, we come to God with humility anchored in the fact that He knows it all. And - rejoice in the years of life that I have and do not focus on the years of life after the grave. The days of darkness, as in the days of life, will be many. Both type of days are futile or unpredictable. In review:

1. Do my best
2. Life is unpredictable
3. God knows it all, not man. 
4. Rejoice in the years of life that I have

These are the themes I have seen thus far. Now as I look at verse 9 and 10, I see Joy and Judgment. 

First Glance
To the young man, as you age and grow - rejoice. Allow your heart to be pleasant, especially as you prepare to be a man. Follow the impulses of your heart and desires of your eyes, yet know that God will judge you for your actions. 

Now, that is an odd sort of verse there. Be pleasant; follow the impulses of your heart. Follow the desires of your eyes. Yet, know God will judge you for your actions. Remove grief and anger, put away pain. Childhood and old age are fleeting (passing swiftly). 

Clarification
Solomon speaks to young man, as I have seen. Young men are the most impressionable people. Plus, they are hit with the greatest of temptations in life. I am dealing with that right now, as I watch my youngest son, Derek, in those years. He is 16. My oldest retreated more to his world, of computers, but I know still struggled with different demons. He has such a strong inclination toward things that are out there, different from mom and dad, and is thus, so against restraint and counsel. This is why these words are so important, because of the position the young man is in.

But, I am a little vexed by these words. The preacher states be of good cheer, follow your heart, follow the desires of your eyes - but know this - God will bring you to judgment for all these things.

Again, backing up, looking at the context, I see words that encourage enjoyment in each day. Verse 8 - if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all. But he also says in verse 6 - Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening. Enjoy, but work hard. The reality is that days of darkness, for they will be many.

How does this all fit together? Rejoice in your days; work hard; do not be idle; there will be days of darkness, yet follow your heart realizing you will be judged.

Again, I think the subject matter is a little vexing and perhaps intended to be a little puzzling. The Preacher here continues to cover a lot of ground, a lot of thoughts. But he concludes his writing with these words in chapter 12, verse 13-14: The conclusion, when all has been heard: 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. Yes, we are to pursue life and consider all that it offers as it states in verse 9 - follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes; but, as we do, we must realize that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. Thus, I feel the conclusion in this is to be careful. If God will bring us into judgement for all these things, then I am to have sound judgment. 

My last son sleeps now in our house. He is 16 and as I think about this words I think about some of the things he is experimenting with in life. I think of things I experimented with in life as well. And I wonder, the experience is not the problem, but rather it is the indulgence in that experience that is often the problem. We can learn much from these experiences. My hope and desire with my children has not been to just put them in a box and restrict their enjoyment and choices to things, but it is to allow them to make choices, but then to see that with those choices there are consequences. I guess I just didn't realize it was my job always to show them consequences. I was hoping for natural ones. And yet, I must remember, God has given each person a conscience, the ability to understand good and evil. That conscience always has the ability to draw him back in.

Promise: I'm continually reminded of these words -- "Be Careful." I think that is a sentiment I find int the Book of Numbers and it applies here as well.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the truths of Your Word. Help me to be more anchored in those truths, in all seasons of the year. I pray that me and my family are always doing in our best in whatever activities we are involved in. Remind us that we can always trust you, even though life is unpredictable. You know it all. Help us to enjoy our days, rejoicing that each day is a gift from you. Lord, in the world we have many choices as to how to live our lives. I pray Lord that we all, me, my family, friends and others, choose you. What a wonderful world this would be, if this was so, for all. Yet, the reality and the truth is many choose alternate ways. For my children, help them in their choices, sometimes trying out new things, looking to see if life has enjoyment in these things and through it all, help them to conclude that you are the author of life. Help them to return to you. Help them to return to truth. It is easy for me to sit in judgment, but what concerns me the most is not trying things out, but it is indulging in those things, to the point that it hampers life. Lord, make us wise and wise followers of You.

The BIble and Homosexuality

New American Standard Bible 

Genesis 19:4-9

⁴ Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; ⁵ and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” ⁶ But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, ⁷ and said, “Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. ⁸ Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof.” ⁹ But they said, “Stand aside.” Furthermore, they said, “This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them.” So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door.

Leviticus 18:22
You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. 

Leviticus 20:13
If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them.

I Timothy 1:9-10
⁹ realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers ¹⁰ and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,
  
Jude 7 
just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. 

Romans 1:24-27
²⁴ Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. ²⁵ For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
²⁶ For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, ²⁷ and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

I Corinthians 6:9-11
⁹ Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Mark 7:21-22
²¹ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, ²² deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.

James 1:14-15
¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. ¹⁵ Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Titus 2:11-14
¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹² instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
 


 

Ecclesiastes 11:8 - Joyful Living in Light of Death

Ecclesiastes 11:8
Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come futility.

Message:  Joyful Living in Light of Death

Time: The Book of Ecclesiastes does not directly identify its author. The conventional belief is that the author is indeed 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 continue to study and read through Ecclesiastes 11, I consider the themes put forth by the author. So far, I'm hit with these ideas. 

1. Do my best. 
2. Life is unpredictable. 
3. God knows it all, not man. 

The message is not to be passive or idle and one may expect this response to life when we realize and hold onto the idea that God is in control. But, this doesn't make us passive, but instead intensifies our focus on giving God all the glory while we work hard in life. 

In this verse, I see this idea of being a person that rejoices in life. I spend too much time in thought, in contemplation, in a melancholy state, and I do not spend enough time rejoicing nor encouraging my family. I'm thankful for the time we have had taking trips together and going places. Going hiking together last summer was wonderful. I've been a better father, at least in my disposition, as the kids have aged. I'm not real happy with the person I was as they were growing up. I like their independence. But, I don't enjoy how life is now more about money and spending. 

We need to enjoy our days. I need to be smiling more and laughing more. My wife is wonderful, but also are my kids. Megan has this countdown on the knot wedding page. There is something like just 70 days left with her here. Lord, help me rejoice in those days. 

I like how the writer begins this verse -- if, a man should live many years. There is no promise in life of the number of years that we live and the author knows this, and then remarks, if a person should live many years, then there is behavior that the person should enjoy. The reality is many die at a young age. I hear of it all the time and it is heart breaking. When I was young, death was barely in the equation. Yes, it was the fear of death that had a lot to do with my salvation, but that was after witnessing an emotional scene from a movie and movies have always tugged at my heart. But beyond this I think of myself as invincible, until I start getting into my mid 40s and word of people dying that are friends starts to mount. Suddenly, death is a reality and the thought of it is more prominent in my thinking. 

On the heels of this sort of thinking is verse 8 of chapter 11 when I am encouraged to embrace two ideas: Rejoice in the years of life that I have and do not focus on the years of life after the grave. The days of darkness as in the days of life will be many. Both type of days are futile or unpredictable. 

There is lasting joy with our creator. This needs to be my focus.  

Promise: If we are unprepared to meet our Creator, death will be a terror for us.

Prayer: Lord, yesterday for the Easter Message at church we discussed the inevitability of death. It comes for every person. It is guaranteed. Yet, Lord, we can have comfort in it. Help me to be comfortable and not see it as an end, but a continuance. Thank you for the life you have given me and the joy of being with people and spending time with them. Thank you for family. You are the matchless God.

Ecclesiastes 11:5 - Humility of Understanding

Ecclesiastes 11:5
Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.

Message:  Humility of Understanding

Time: The Book of Ecclesiastes does not directly identify its author. The conventional belief is that the author is indeed 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: Ecclesiastes 11 began with the message that time is short and I need to do my best each day and give my best. And life is unpredictable; as we do our best and be responsible we can trust God for his outcomes. Now, verse 5 has these words: Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. 

Now, it seems like we are in the age of knowledge. I often think about right now and our lifestyles. Their is an influx of entertainment, recreation, activity, choices -- and all of these things have one thing in common: more knowledge. With more knowledge we have more choices and more options for our time. It is actually mesmerizing. 

Yet, this knowledge does not mean we have greater wisdom. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" and Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Knowledge and wisdom are found by fearing the Lord or letting God define in our lives these virtues. In God is true morality. In life, morality is blurred. Life is constantly in motion, but we need to remember where we have come from. Religion is often seen as tradition which then flies in the face of now, when knowledge is erasing tradition.

This verse would not be a popular verse of today because it states that we do not know the activity of God. In God, there is mystery, which causes us to trust. Mystery is not what we like as it is being erased with knowledge. We would much rather say that people get what they deserve (i.e. karma). Often, the only time God is brought up is when we are at a stage of helplessness or not understanding and to me, this occurs often, in the realm of sickness. In sickness, we don't see why things have occurred the way they have and so at those moments, we continue to pray and ask God for his mercy.

Creation testifies always of God's handiwork. This verse states 3 ideas:

1. We do not know the path of the wind (or spirit in other translations)
2. We do not know how bones work in the womb of a pregnant woman
3. We do no know the activity of God who makes all things.  

Man does not understand the breath of life, how it begins, when it begins, nor how it ends or when it ends. On a side note, it is interesting the obsession we have now with robots, for man desires to have control over something and so the creation of a robot is more in that control. The body is often self healing, yet sometimes it isn't. There is definite mystery in how one body works, while another does not. We do not know how bones work. And we do not understand God. Evil is present. Weather disasters it seem have increased. Man introduces these ideas of climate change or global warming as the answer to increases in natural disasters. Yet, God's timing could be a wake-up to us that he is real, that he is real and still present in lives today. And those events are startling ways in which he attempts to get our attention.

Job 11:7-9 Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.
Psalm 145:3 Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.

Promise: The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. Life begins with Him and knowing Him. Get to know the character of God more than the ways and means of man.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for not seeing and acknowledging You. We love our progress and our advancement. More and more we are leaning on our own understanding and with greater knowledge we become more independent of our creator. Even in our worship, we want to achieve an altered state of being in Your Presence. Bring us back to You Lord. Remind us you are the author of life. Remind us that you are in control. Remind us that you are present. Remind us continually that we need you. Lord, keep us couched in wonder and amazement, and keep reminding us we are not in control, but You are in control. You define life. Guard me Lord so that I am defined by You.

Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 - We are Not in Control

Ecclesiastes 11:3-4
³ If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. ⁴ He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap.

Message:  We are Not in Control

Time: The Book of Ecclesiastes does not directly identify its author. The conventional belief is that the author is indeed 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:
Unpredictable life occurrences
Verses 1 and 2 of chapter 11 spoke of serving and giving our all to serve. Now is the time and we are to give our best. Verse 2 ends with the phrase - for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth or we do not know what tomorrow brings. We may experience calamities and when we do our care-free way of life may be no longer, and we may be the ones on the other end needing to be rescued and hoping for acts of service toward us.

Thus, the end of verse 2 idea that we do not know what may occur on the earth bridges what is found in verse 3 and 4: there are fixed laws in this universe and man does not have the power to suspend them. Man is powerless over the weather. We do so much in this world, in our lives, to try and control our outcomes. While there is no problem being prepared, we still need to realize that God is in control. The rain and weather is a great example of this. If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. 

From Westminster Confession 3 - Of God's Eternal Decree - I - God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass. 

Life is unpredictable. This is true. Jesus said in John 3:8 - The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.

Weather disasters have become common place. I am not sure if God wills these disasters, in order to wipe out large amounts of people; yet, I think they should be a reminder that there is much in life that is not in our control. Two days occur a landslide occurred in China that wiped out villagers. Tornadoes and hurricanes can displace people and vanquish life. 10 years ago a bridge in Minneapolis collapsed during rush hour. We cannot foresee these dangers. They can happen at any time. We do not know where it comes from or where it goes. 

Yet, we are not idle
Yet, we are not to sit idly by since we know this truth, that we don't control outcomes. Verse 4 states -  He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. The words from Joseph Benton are:

He who neglects the necessary works of sowing and reaping, because the weather is not exactly suitable to his desires, will lose his harvest. Whereby he intimates, that men will never do good here, which is expressed by sowing, and consequently not receive good hereafter, which is called reaping, if they be discouraged from it by every doubt and difficulty.

Yes, we understood and know that God is on the throne and in charge of outcomes, but in the meantime we continue to do our best, to work hard, to take precautions. We make the most of the harvest we have. We cannot secure ourselves from failure. Don't get deflated. Rough times will come, but continue to prepare and plan accordingly, yet trust God throughout.

Promise: The providence of God is the only foundation upon which we find confidence to act in this unpredictable world.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for being in control. It is hard to see events in life and see situations occur, like the mudslide I read about in Columbia recently. We are so prone to wanting answers, but the reality is life is unpredictable, but we seek to trust you through all of life and we continue to safeguard our lives and our families the best we know how. Help those people experiencing loss and help people everywhere to follow you all their days and make wise choices, but not to lose faith and when bad things happen. You Lord are our God and we can trust You. Help us to not give up, but to keep striving. Forgive my doubt.

Proverbs 28:27 - Generous Giving

Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

Message:  Generous Giving

Time: King Solomon is the principal writer of Proverbs. Solomon's proverbs were penned around 900 B.C. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reveals the mind of God in matters high and lofty and in common, ordinary, everyday situations, too. It appears that no topic escaped King Solomon's attention. Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition, discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and godliness are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings.

What the Lord is Saying: Belief and action are actually polar opposites of one another. We often say we believe in God, but as we navigate life and various circumstances, do our actions display believing God through them. The reason I think this is so hard is because we walk by sight instead of walking by faith. We focus on what we can see instead of trusting God to take care of outcomes. This is why we can rest on God's promises. There are promises such as all who call upon Jesus will be saved, the promise of having land, and the promise that God will supply our needs. 

A generous person without a lot of wealth to begin with is much different from a generous person with little wealth. We can give much money if we have much money to give, but the person that gives with little is really trusting God more for his hand of providence. I think this is what is inferred from this verse.

Promise: Strive to be generous with what we have, trusting in God to supply our every need.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to be a generous giver and in the process, trust You for outcomes. Help me to not simply wait to have money before I give.

Deuteronomy 15:11 - Why Do Some People Live in Poverty

Deuteronomy 15:11
For the poor will never cease in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’

Message:  Why Do Some People Live in Poverty

Time: Moses wrote the Book of Deuteronomy. It is a collection of sermons given during the 40-day period prior to Israel’s entering the Promised Land. The year was 1406 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: This is an interesting verse an idea. It states, the poor will never cease in the land. This is the context from verses 7-11:

“If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need whatever he lacks. Beware that there is no base thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,’ and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to the Lord against you, and it will be a sin in you. You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings. For the poor will never cease in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’

This is an interesting set of verses, reminding us to help those that are less fortunate. I don't exemplify this sort of attitude, but rather focus on what I can acquire. 

God will never make all people equal in this world. There will always be some with more, some with less. And my response therefore is: You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.There are two different types of people mentioned here: the poor and the needy.  The “poor” are in humble circumstances; the “needy” are actually in want.

There is a relationship we have with the poor. It is a permanent relationship, not simply momentary.   

Promise: To be wise stewards of God's resources, we must provide real help to people who are truly in need.

Prayer: Lord, help me to help others in need. The needs are great and there are many in need and yet there is too much of a desire in my life to acquire more than I probably need. Those that need help often live much simpler lives and yet I am often foregoing their needs for my own. Help me to be wise and look our for those in need.