Today's Reading:

Ecclesiastes 7
Ecclesiastes 8
Ecclesiastes 9
Ecclesiastes 10
Ecclesiastes 11
Ecclesiastes 12

Chapter 8 explains how wisdom teaches kings and their commanders to put God above themselves. We cannot understand God’s timing, control the future, or escape death. When justice is delayed, evil people think they can get away with sin, but in the end, it goes better for those who fear God. Life can feel unfair when the wicked prosper. However, this is not an “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die,” fatalistic mentality.

Another book of the Bible completed!

Happy times teach us less than hard times. What do you remember learning from a celebration, and did it bring you closer to God? Funerals remind us how short life truly is. They should be viewed as a reminder of fleeting times to keep our focus on the end goal, which is eternity with God.

Listening to the wise will teach you how to live. Wisdom is better than money, but it will not keep you from failures, illness, frustration, or sorrow. Do not long for the old days (remember Lot’s wife!). Stay in the moment, as God made both the good and bad days. Do not go to the extremes either, such as being overly righteous or overly wicked.

No one on earth is absolutely righteous. Do not judge others for their amount of righteousness, as only God can discern that. The writer of Ecclesiastes found one upright man among a thousand, but not a single upright woman. This was his honest search (considering Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of which led him to idolatry 1 Kings 11:1-8). This was a warning of seductive and immoral relationships; it was not condemning all women.

It is positive to enjoy life, because it is a gift from God. Each day that you wake up, strive to find joy in the simple gifts that He gives us. Verse 9:9 exclaims, to “Enjoy life with your wife you love.” Relationships are not perfect; they take work. There is no “perfect condition” to enjoy your spouse in everyday situations. Human wisdom does have its limits. No matter what you do, be the best at it! Strive, whether it is in your job, marriage, raising kids, serving others, or any daily part of your life. We are not guaranteed success.

Chapter 10 declared that a little bit of stupidity can ruin a lot of wisdom (like one dead fly ruins an entire bottle of expensive perfume). Fools talk too much; they cannot keep secrets and make terrible leaders. The lazy person makes ridiculous excuses. The wise know when to speak and when to shut up, while the fool never learns. Do not dig a trap, as it may backfire. Even normal work has risks, so be careful. In verse 10:10, Scripture said to sharpen your tools. This is a reference to being prepared, because having skills makes life easier. It is the modern idea of “work smarter, not harder.” A fool is known by their words and lack of self-control. Eventually, their stupidity will leak out. Verse 10:15, said the fool does “not know the way to town,” running around like a chicken with their head cut off. They work hard and achieve nothing because they have no wisdom.

In chapter 11, the wise are called to be generous and take risks. Work while you can, because old age and darkness are coming. The young should rejoice, but they have to remember they will still have to answer to God for how they live and for the choices they make. Old age will set in; your body weakens, your sight dims, your hearing fades, and your desire fails. Fear God and know one day you will have to answer to Him. In the end, earthly life is meaningless, but obedience to Him is the only thing that really matters.

Today's Discussion question:

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