Chapter Six

Solomon concludes his observations of his search for the pleasures of this world in his search for satisfaction from Chapters Three through Six. Perhaps it is best to bear in mind what values were in those days. They are not much different than today. He also uses exaggerations to make his point before he moves on to other matters. Things are not the way they seem to be in this world. We may think things are a certain way, when, in fact, they are not. In verses 1 through 6, the example given of a man is described as the epitome of wealth and success in the view of the world.

Verse 1: I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weights heavily on men: God causes his sun to shine upon the evil as well as upon the good. Why does God allow those who do what he considers evil to prosper the same as those he know are doing the right thing? In a sense, it is a sense of God's fairness to all people. 2: God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. So God provides and blesses all people, but only those who study and attempt to follow God's instruction receive joy. Those who follow these pleasures for their own sake, do not gain pleasure from them for long. Idleness and being a workaholic are both vexations. Do you want to know who your God is? What do you spend the bulk of your time thinking about or doing. There is no ultimate satisfaction in things of this world. We end up needing or wanting more and do not end up satisfied. God does not give those who do not seek him the power to enjoy. Gratitude is a fruit of the spirit, not of vanity. It is one of the most important elements of our lives for joy. Faith is what pleases God, believing him and acting upon his word. Obedience based on faith. Things unseen and not known for certain. How are we certain that material things bring joy?

Our God wants us to enjoy life. We have it all wrong. There are those who profit from the manipulation of our desires. They convince us there is satisfaction to it. We believe it. Verse 3: A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that stillborn child is better off than he. These examples reveal what was considered wealth in Solomon's time. Here, he gives an example that exceeds any reality: a long life, lots of children and grandchildren and a in contrast to the greatest tragedy: a stillborn child who has no chance of having a life and in our death receive no proper burial. It was an abomination to people in those day to not have a proper burial. 4: It (the stillborn child) comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. 5: Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man. 6: even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place? Adam Clarke's commentary on this is: When a man learns to provide for his soul as he does for his body, then will he be happy. Worldly sinful desires are insatiable.Is there any real doubt about all of this? This is what Solomon considers wealth in retrospect. 7: All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.

Verse 8: What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others? Solomon spoke of wealth and now shifts his focus upon wisdom. You may receive God's blessing of wealth; you may chase pleasures with restraint, but if that is all you have, you are no better off than the fool. Even a poor man can learn to attract others to himself by means of charm, but he is still empty, lonely and miserable. 9: Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This, too, is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. How often to we get what we have planned, wished and worked for to find its pleasure soon passes and we have another desire to pursue? If only, and when this happens, I will be happy...think again. We waste our lives this way. It hasn't changed in 13 centuries. In our appetites, the intellectual seeks wisdom, the miser seeks money. Both seek permanence and significance in the face of death and tumble in meaninglessness. Smoke.

Verse 10: Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known: no man can contend with one who is stronger than he. Can this be at the root of what we desire, to be greater than the next man? Solomon is telling us God has decreed that enjoyment can't be found by effort, work and the pursuit of pleasure. It is just the way it is and always will be. Enjoyment of life can only be taken as a gift from God. It is as concrete as the law of gravity. You can't argue it successfully, change or beat it. Solomon has spent much time in trying to tell us to enjoy life for what it is as a most precious gift from God. God made our lives to be enjoyed, not collected.

Solomon is exclaiming three points in this lesson: 1.) God decided what is so before man was created. God created this law before man was present on earth. Understand it and don't try to figure out ways around it. It won't happen. 2.) God made us, he knows what we are and how we function, what we like and what we don't like. Jesus says, "A man's life does not consist of the abundance of things which he possesses." He gave us those things to enjoy our life and he takes away that enjoyment when we don't know or accept what is so. 3.) How are you going to change the laws of God? He is stronger than all of us put together. C. S. Lewis states, "To argue with God is to argue with the very power that makes it possible to argue at all." We can talk back to God all we want, but we end up frustrated. Life is to know God.

Ever hear the adage, be careful what you ask for? Or God answers our prayers, but not in the way we ask for it? Verse 12: For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone? Who knows the true meaning of life? We don't even know what we should wish for. Riches, wealth and honor are given to some and not others as God sees fit. These gifts are given to some who don't make good use of them. To those of us left out of this blessing, he gives us other gifts which are not as harmful as those he gives these gifts to and has them misused. Who is better off? Those who can collect those gifts, may not enjoy them and they are left to others who benefit from his labors is no better off than the fool.

Which of these has more value, the riches and fame of this world or the person who is grateful for everything he/she has? Who is truly richer? Any of us can be a millionaire, any of us. The question is, do we want to spend our lives doing what it takes to accumulate this wealth and forsake the things which suffer when money becomes our quest and goal? Solomon was indeed wise to set these examples, questions and observations to the greatest of our desires and the deepest purposes of our psyche. It is the root of the evil he saw as a king over Israel.

AdamOsbourne.net was utilized in the structure of this blog.

Chapter Five

Fools don't even know that they are doing the wrong thing. Ignorance should be painful? It is. This chapter was difficult for me to assimilate, let alone trying to blog upon it. The first difficulty is in grasping Solomon's awe and reverence of God. Is he trying to explain to me why I should fear my God? We live in a world where the messages regarding religion are either sugar coated, or hell-fire and damnation. 5:1: Be careful what you do when you go to the temple of God; draw near to listen rather than to offer a sacrifice like fools, for they do not realize that they are doing wrong. Do you think you are excluded from the term fool? I don't. Solomon is telling us to keep our mouths shut to listen and obey what God wants us to do. One big way to be a fool, is by being intellectually dishonest with our self. That arises when we pray to God. 5:2: Do not be rash with your mouth or hasty in your heart to bring up a matter before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth! Therefore, let your words be few. 5:3: Just as dreams come when there are many cares, so the rash vow of a fool occurs when there are many words.

Oh, when the troubles come are we not prone to pray and plead to God. Maybe make a vow that we will enact when the trouble has been thwarted? Are we whining and fussing to a God who controls the entirety of the universe? We should be willing to put some value to a request we make of God, but do we follow through with our commitments once the problem has passed? Solomon says God pays attention to this. Be very careful when you address God. Perhaps this is where fear should be recognized. We should not only be careful with our pleas, but pay attention to what we are trying to pay God off with. Ever have a friend, or relative who is in deep circumstance and comes to you to borrow money? I think the very first consideration is how in tune this person is with their promises. How many follow up their words with their promised actions? How many times do you get burned before you realize it was a bad idea to help them? It took me a long time to learn this lesson. Some things cannot be repaid when they go on too long. Your character suffers. Your credit score suffers.

In education, one of the guru's state that there must be ethical thinking to align our thoughts, actions and deeds. The first step is to ask,"What am I thinking about," then "What do I think about this," then how am I proceeding, based on my thoughts and beliefs. God holds us accountable. It is a good gauge to determine a person's sincerity when necessary. 5:4: When we make a vow to God, do not delay in paying it. For God takes no pleasure in fools; Pay what you vow! 5:5: It is better for you not to vow than to vow and not pay it. 5:6: Do not let your mouth cause you to sin, and do not tell the Priest, "It was a mistake!" (I didn't really mean it...) Why make God angry at you so that he would destroy the work of your hands? 5:7 Just as there is futility in many dreams, so also in many words. Therefore, fear God!

Leviticus 5.15 lays out what one should do, in the Old Testament, if you intentionally or unintentionally fail to honor your obligations. Bring a ram, or the equivalent in silver ($50 to $300) that has no defects to the official standards of the holy place. 5:16 Pay for what holy things you used plus 1/5th more. Give it to the Priest so he will use the sacrifice for a guilt offering to make peace with the Lord for what you did wrong to be forgiven. Jesus paid that sacrificial offering for us. God was upset and bored with all the slaughtering going on. Does God destroy our work for such things? Read Joshua 7:1 - 26.

5:8 If you see the extortion of the poor, or the perversion of justice and fairness in government, do not be astonished by the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them. The Bible teaches there is no authority, except that which God gives. How is this that our powerful God lets this occur? The culture of a business or government comes from the top down. All have a job to do based on profit in accordance to the leadership's demand. It all gets traced back to the CEO, or even the devil himself. God holds all accountable in the end. It might very well be that you might do the same thing under the circumstances. God is in control. He is the judge, not us. There are many rules and regulations we don't fully grasp the purpose of sometimes.

5:9 The produce of the land is seized by all of them, even the king is served by the fields. 5:10 The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. this is also futile. 5:11 When someone's prosperity increases, those who consume it also increase; so what does its owner gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes. The wheels of the economy are greased by penalizing those who don't continue to invest their wealth. The wealthy don't see much of their earnings. We tend to spend all we make, don't we? The only way I could save money was to take it somewhere before I could get my hands on it. That way my mind didn't know I had it. This could also mean that God sends people in need to those who have it. How many unknown friends and relatives do those who win the lottery discover shortly thereafter? Our wealth is gained to help others less fortunate, but it is to spend at our discretion.

5:12 The sleep of the laborer is pleasant whether he eats little or much but the wealth of the rich will not allow him to sleep. I knew a So. CA woman once who stole money from her drunken husband's slumber and secretly bought rental properties in the early 1960's. She became a millionaire a few times over. She never could take a vacation to enjoy her wealth for fear of being robbed. Ironic, isn't it? 5:13 Here is a misfortune I have seen: Wealth horded by its owner to his own misery. There comes a time when our possessions own us. A healthy garage sale, donating items to charity, or helping someone in need really frees us from some of that. Do you see the disease of a hoarder? The deeper meaning here is that wealth is not intended to be kept by the owner alone. 5:14 Then that wealth was lost through bad luck, although he fathered a son, he does not have anything left to give him. The word "bad luck" is a translation that has many in debate. The dilemma comes in how we interpret this. Is it through bad luck, or bad intention that the meaning can change. The Hebrew word means business affair. No matter how much preparation is in success, it can come down to circumstance. Perhaps you invested in Enron, God forbid. Perhaps you invested in a pyramid scheme. Living in Las Vegas taught me lots of lessons of gambling losses, though not a personal lesson per se. I have too low a threshold for pain.

If we are judicious about where we spend our money, we might not suffer the fate of fools. If you do not know this, every dollar you spend is an economic vote. It is far more influential than the vote for the politician who is supposed to be your servant. Your dollars drive what is available, what is important, even the price you pay. Be judicious in your spending as you are in your prayers and vows. It makes a difference.

5:15 Just as he came forth from his mother's womb, naked will he return as he came, and he will take nothing in this hand that he may carry away from his toil. 5:16 This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling in the wind? 5:17 Surely he ate in the darkness every day of his life, and he suffered greatly with sickness and anger. One of the biggest definitions I have of economics is that it is the study of man's unlimited wants (exponential function, 1 to the nth power) and the limits of growth (arithmetic function, 1 +1 = 2). Our time is short and limited. Be careful with your investments, both in how you save and how you invest. OK, how many of you have a great LP record collection? Any value there now?

5:18 - 19) I wonder if all of this is to drive home Solomon's conclusion we should eat, drink and enjoy our work? It further spells this out and he concludes on the same note. Is it making more sense? Perhaps it is further defining this tenet. 5:20 For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity. Is it God's intention to distract us? God does not worry so much about death as we do. If we were to focus on our death, we would accomplish little. I do not think our minds comprehend our mortality for the most part either. We do stay distracted.

This chapter uses http://www.ezekielsmessage.com/studies/080-Ecclesiastes5.pdf rather extensively in this blog.

Chapter Four

This chapter starts with Solomon's observation of acts of oppression. "Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living. But better off than both of them is the one who has never seen the evil activity that is done under the sun" (verses 1-3).

He is speaking to the lonely, or alone facing oppression. It is not good to be oppressed obviously, but it is worse to be oppressed and all alone. Solomon is saying it is better to not be alive when oppressed and alone. In the midst of Job's oppressions, he says, "Why did I not die at birth?" When I was going through my first divorce and my family were in the Midwest when I was on the west coast, I may have said something similar. I felt it. For anyone with compassion, it grieves us to see oppression and pain. It pains us to see might win over what is right and such injustice. It goes to our soul. It can cause us to despise life. It can cause us to withhold and not participate in life and develop bitterness.

Here is the brilliance of God in our lives. With this philosophy, those ungodly men and women would be better not born than to waste their lives in vanity and suffer a miserable after-life, for reasons explained in the next verses 4- 6. The troubles of those who do well, including all who are industrious and those whose efforts are prosperous end up with this dilemma: Greatness and prosper invite envy and opposition. Those who see great results foolishly expect more satisfaction and develop sloth and idleness. Those who earn great results expect more. Moderate pains and gains do best. The idle and the workaholic create vexation. One hand of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. I think other cultures find this philosophy better than we do in the US. They have had to in order to survive. Our productivity is better than it was in the 1960's, one of the greatest era's of productivity in our history, yet those in power have done nothing but take away from the workers who create this wealth by taking away benefits, pay and rights for personal profit. Look at what businesses are doing right now. They are holding on to profits which would ease the economy and making people do the work of three right now. They are not employing anyone, which is another way it could ease the economy. It is vanity by definition of Solomon.

Man is competitive by nature, yet Solomon shows that the two extremes of dropping out of competition is as bad as wanting it all. It is both vanity that causes these diametrically opposed philosophies in this world. Here we look at the loneliness of man. And it is lonely at the top and the bottom, though I know more of the bottom. Verse 8 describes a hypothetical situation of a man who has no brother, or children, but works himself to the bone and amasses wealth. Who is he to share it with or pass it on to? He never stops to ask himself who is it for? We live in a culture in which we should all be a John Wayne. Current surveys have stated that parents do not want to end up with their children. This is more so for men than women. It is a shame in our culture that we don't want to extend the family and strengthen it, or even be with it in our old age. "It is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). Think of when you feel lonely. It is usually in a crowd or with a bad relationship in its height.

Verses 9-12 lists four reasons why it is better not to be alone: 1). You are working for a reason, 2.) We can support and pick each other up in trouble, 3.) We keep each other warm when it is cold, and 4.) We can watch each others' back in adversity. Those who are industrious can sometimes lament they can do the work better than with someone, but in reality, we are more productive when working with someone. It is more enjoyable. Even the God forsaken IRS gives advantageous tax credits to partnerships. Woe to the man who falls when there is not another to lift him up. How often do we ponder being alone in old age and chastise in conversation those children who abandon their parents at this time? Sharing the cold with someone you love not only helps keep us warmer, it does so on the physical, emotional and spiritual planes. " And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart" ( 4:12). When a man takes a woman, and the Spirit of Christ is with them, the strength of this union holds fast. You can witness this.

When we take our sight away from this world, and focus on doing the right thing, in work, play and philosophy, we loosen the binds of vanity. This is a lesson for people and corporations. How much better is it to witness someone who is doing the right thing? Where does this exception come from? How much does it please our souls to make a difference in this world? It is invaluable. It is truly the essence of life. People are never satisfied and look for change. There is nothing new under the sun. When we have God in our philosophy, we rejoice in seeing and doing good. Ever watch Undercover Boss? Make a point of it some Sunday evening. Solomon uses himself to address this issue. It is better to be a young lad, then an old king and foolish. We admire a self-made man. We don't admire those to whom all is handed and all popularity is fleeting. There is an abundance of wisdom in Solomon's perceptions.

In our culture, we put people up on a pedestal to knock them off of it. A true friend, children and companionship lasts and give us purpose to do better. It is a part of God in our lives we can feel and experience. Without God, it is all smoke. Perhaps this is where we feel emptiness and feel the emptiness within our culture. The bulk of my writing this chapter come from two commentaries, Matthew Henry Concise Commentary and One is the Loneliest Number, www.angelfire.com/nt/theology/eccl04-01.html

Chapter Three

In the first two chapters, Solomon explained the extent he searched for purpose in life. In Chapter three and the next three chapters, he shares his philosophy in this search. Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and the Byrds made his observations starting Chapter 3 known to the past few generations, but used these passages as a secular pleading to end the war in Vietnam. In fact, the last verse of these observations state there is a right time for everything. The last verse says a right time to wage war and another to make peace. Jesus said there will be wars and rumors of wars until he returns. What he is saying is that there are many things God has control over that we don't have.

A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to reap. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to destroy and a time to construct. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to lament and a time to cheer. A time to make love and abstain. A time to embrace and at time to part. A time to search and count your losses. A time to hold and let go. A time to rip out and mend. A time to shut up and speak up. A time to love and hate. A time to wage war and make peace. There are times and seasons for everything under the sun. You have no control over it, God does. In the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does, he asks. Solomon says he had a good look at what God has given us to do...mostly busywork. He makes everything beautiful in its time, but we are left in the dark. We don't know what is coming, or going. He decided the best thing to do is go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life: eat, drink and make the most out of our job. It is God's gift.

Further Solomon concludes that whatever God does, that's the way it is going to be. You can't change it. You can't add to or subtract from it. So quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. God has hidden his purpose from us. He does require an accounting of what we have done with that time. We are to make the best of what is so. Solomon shows us the hand of God. We must reconcile what is and believe it is best for the present. As the earlier verses show us, the only thing certain is change. I believe a lot of our despair comes in not realizing that. Actually, I know this from my own experience. So, is that a truth for you? Do you think you have more control over what happens? Do you wrestle with changing seasons? I still do.

The verses continue. The place of judgment (courts and politics) is corrupt. The place of righteousness (religion) is corrupt. God is testing the lot of us, showing us up as nothing but animals. There is a right time for every thing, every deed and no getting around it. All will be judged for their actions. One commentary I have read says this: You are gods, but with out the fear of God it is all vanity. The judge will not rightly judge and misuse his power. It is vanity that causes oppression and greed. It is a fear and respect of God that causes a man to do what is right. We have no control over floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, or tornadoes. With the philosophy and mind of God, we can help others recover and overcome. Apart from what God gives us, we can't know or understand God or what is going on in our world or our own lives. Solomon says everything God does will remain forever. There is nothing to add to or take from it. God has made it this way that we might fear him. Nothing we do is permanent.

So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?

We come from dust and go back to dust. We don't know for sure that human spirits rise to heaven than we know animal spirits descend on earth. So Solomon made up his mind that there is nothing better for women and men to do but enjoy their lives and have a good time, whatever we do. Who knows if there is anything else in life? How in the world do we grasp this concept?

Chapter Two

I said to myself, "Let's go for it - experiment with pleasure, have a good time!" But there was nothing to it, nothing but smoke. Remember saying that to yourself? I am convinced that man and animal are addictive by nature. What is the purpose? To find that pleasure center in your brain, to feel pleasure. We each have our try at finding that pleasure center from the world. Look at almost every commercial, it tries to lure you into belief that your life is better with it. Once you find your addiction, and it is different for most people, look out! It will take you down the river with a rush of water and motion. It is not until you end up on shore that you have a chance to look at it. If you keep with it long enough, it will use those pleasure molecules and your brain will forget how to produce them on its own. Then, it has an opposite effect. It is sin. The wages of sin is death. Our God, our Bible clearly states that God wants us to be happy. The Bible offers a path to real happiness. How long does it take to realize that? How many things can we list that we think will do that and, in retrospect, we realize it was smoke (some of it literally).

What do I think of the fun-filled life? Insane! Inane! My verdict on the pursuit of happiness? Who needs it? Solomon states he tried his level best to find how to penetrate the absurdity of life. He vigorously pursued anything useful we mortals might do during the years we spend on Earth. He never said no.

Oh (I love that exclamation), I did great things: built houses, planted vineyards, designed gardens and parks, planted orchards, made pools of water to irrigate trees (the pools of Solomon are one of the only tangible authentic evidence of his existence now). He prospered. He bought slaves who procreated and increased his workforce. He acquired large herds and flocks. He amassed silver and gold. Homage from other kings and kingdoms. He had a chorus of singers (we might have a large CD collection and stereo system, a flat screen tv and sound system). And in his estimation, voluptuous maidens for his bed. Ok, he's got me beat all to heck.

He surpassed all his contemporaries and predecessors. More than that, he kept his head about him. He never said no to himself and took whatever he wanted. He gave in to every impulse, holding nothing back. He says he sucked the marrow out of every pleasure as a reward for a hard day's work. Quite the metaphor. Can you imagine the scope of what he is saying? In verses 1 - 11 he gave us a summary of his search for pleasure. In verses 11-23 he reflects upon it all.

There was nothing to any of it-smoke. What a conclusion! I can barely imagine the scope of his pursuit and he came to the same conclusion as I have. I was sure that my conclusion would be different if my outcomes had been greater. He took a hard look at what was smart and what was stupid. What is left to do after doing all of that? He did conclude it is better to be smart that stupid. The smart ones' see where they are going; the stupid grope in the dark. They are all the same in the end. One fate for all and that's it. Wow. What happens on Earth is a bad business.

He hated everything he had accomplished. He had to leave it all to someone he had no confidence would appreciate it. It brought him to despair to realize this. Despite your wisdom, knowledge and skill, you leave your heritage to one who didn't work for it. Do we know the son of the successful man who has lost touch with reality and is self indulgent? I know many. That hasn't changed. He thinks all of his accomplishments are vanity and evil.

Verses 24 - 26 conclude this chapter. Man should enjoy the good in his labor (hear this, Bernie Madoff?). There is nothing better than to eat, drink and enjoy your labor. The ability to enjoy is a gift from God. No one can truly enjoy life without God. To those good in God's sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge and joy. To the sinner, God gives the work of gathering and collecting to give to the one who is good. The sinner's work becomes vanity and grasping for the wind. Nothing but smoke.

His conclusion can be interpreted as those who really know how to enjoy life as those that everyday life is a gift from God, thanking him and serving him in it. How truly good does it feel to be grateful for what you have and what you do? This is the difference belief in God can make in one's life. I am very thankful for this wealth. God bless us, everyone!

Solomon

Before we move to Chapter two, where Solomon recounts his achievements in his lifetime. Let's talk a little about the man. He was the son of King David and Bathsheba. He had other brothers but at the urging of Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan, David declared Solomon king on his deathbed. One of the qualities most associated with Solomon was wisdom. He had 700 wives and 300 c0ncubines! One wife was too much for me at times...

In the time of Solomon, there were only a few who God blessed with wisdom: Enoch, Noah and then Solomon. Their lineage was pure and set the way for Jesus to come through them. Solomon prayed to God when preparing to be King, "Give Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people and to know good and evil."1 Kings 3:9.

"So God said to him, 'Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked...'" (1 Kings 3:11-12) The Hebrew Bible also states that: "The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart." (1 Kings 10:24).

What I find particularly interesting about Solomon's accounting with Ecclesiastes is the stature that this man held in his lifetime. A Wikipedia accounting (sorry Professors) was his love of wisdom, which truly must have been a gift from God. My mother recounted this story when I told her what I was blogging, known as the Judgment of Solomon. Two women came before Solomon to resolve a quarrel about which was the true mother of a baby. One mother had her baby die in the night after rolling over it in her sleep and crushing it; each claims the surviving child as her own. When Solomon suggests dividing the living child in two with a sword, the true mother is revealed to him because she is willing to give up her child to the lying woman, as heartbreaking a decision as it is. Solomon then declares the woman who shows compassion to be the true mother, and gives the baby back to her.

We will hear Solomon account for what he had accomplished in his lifetime in Chapter two. Christianity has traditionally accepted the historical existence of Solomon, though some modern Christian scholars have also questioned at least his authorship of those biblical texts ascribed to him. Such disputes tend to divide Christians into traditionalist and modernist camps.

Solomon is accounted for also in the Muslim faith in the Qur'an. It is said he had command over man and animals and could make them dance and he could speak to them. Well, 700 wives and I would need someone to talk to for certain. There are accounting of Genies and magic. He reportedly became disgruntled with a Genie and had him cast in to a bottle and then to the sea. He reportedly received a "magic ring" which gave him power over demons. The seal of this ring was the Star of David and perhaps where this symbol of Jewish faith eminates from.

Such things I know little of, but you might just get a sense of this man's power and allure to the world. In later history, he married women from cultures forbidden by God and they caused him to sin and lose God's favor. Solomon ruled in the 10th century B.C. He certainly did it all in his lifetime. Please research some of this that interests you, for yourself, to try and put a mental image on who Solomon was. I think it makes Ecclesiastes that much more interesting.

Chapter One

There is nothing to anything-it's all smoke. Much learning earns you much trouble. The more you know, the more you hurt.
I can understand the frame of mind the writer must have been in, even though my life has not been anything close to the life of Solomon. I sometimes have difficulty reckoning the life I have in contrast to what I thought my life might be like at 55. Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans (John Lennon).
Where is the wealth, the notoriety and the sense of accomplishment you anticipated having in your life by this age? I spent my entire working life trying to make the best of what I could do. I have supported and help raise 3 children. I worked very hard to assist my wive's in having a better and fulfilled life. I paid lots of bills and never had the house I dreamed of owning, which is the one true sense of wealth that most people invest in-and the greedy have now found a way to rob a lot people of that.
In a sense, I can look at the fact that I did all that I could to enable my wives' an improved life. They ended up despising me for it. I am not near a perfect person, but I tried very hard to do that and be a loving husband. I am sorry they couldn't accept me for what I did or who I am. I have three beautiful children and a grandchild that I consider most precious. I did realize that our children are our greatest asset. I invested in it ethically. They live 2000 miles away and it is not easy to participate in their lives. Even as a divorced parent, I never abandoned my children. I saw to it their needs were met and I shared every bit of wisdom I could pass on to them. I have left everything I have to start over three times now.
I have pursued an education that I hoped would improve my circumstances and understanding. It has. The more you know, the less you realize you know. I have run up a considerable tuition debt to teach...I don't know that it will paid for before I pass on. It took me 30 years to complete my bachelor's degree. The corkscrew of life is a most prominent metaphor to me. I know every turn on it to this point of my life.
I am so discouraged by the political process. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of good civil servants doing work for all of us, but it seems the more power, or wealth one amasses, the more corrupt and greedy they can become. Politicians, business men, corporations and even Pastors. Where in this world are the truly earnest, caring and diligent? I don't perceive many in high places. It is a bit boring, don't you think?

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes is a word of Greek translation of the Hebrew title, usually translated to "the Preacher" or "the Teacher". I am 55 years old. Through my life I have tried to find meaning in many things. I am a christian though I can't say a devoted christian, but for certain a believer. I was a student of EST, Lifespring, a student with a bachelor's degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences which came to fruition after changing my major from a BS in Business Administration/Management. I have three children and I have been divorced twice. I have had 3 (maybe 4) careers. I am working on a Master's Degree in Special Education (I am almost there). My successes have been in my ability to endure life's twists and turns and not lose faith in God. I can say, most confidently, that it has taken my disappointments, failures and bad decisions to build my faith to a more meaningful existence of God. He has been with me all the way.
I don't have the answers. I would not qualify to attest to being a wise man. Never ask me for advice on relationships. I gave that illusion up after my last divorce. I do have faith in my God and I have faith in many, many other people. This blog is meant to be an open forum with your thoughts as well as my own and others thoughts I may use in preparing each chapter's blog. I try my best not to plagiarize this blog. I am currently using The Message, by Eugene H. Peterson to read through this book in the Old Testament. I may use a different translation from time to time. Please join in with your honest thoughts and experiences that we may grow together in this quest of understanding Ecclesiates.
What is most interesting about this book, and what compelled me to do this, is that it is written by Solomon or his descendants. Solomon was the son of King David and a king himself. Most notably the most successful king and wisest soul in his history. He experienced every temptation and success the world had to offer. Yet, he wrote this book to profess to the world that nothing compares to God. The book is not about God. Solomon allows the other 65 chapters of the old testament to do that. It's about answers about how to live your life with meaning.
Some arguments and an outline of this book exists here: http://www.theology.edu/biblesurvey/eccles.htm. The purpose of this book is Solomon attempting to answer this question: "What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?" (http://executableoutlines.com/ecc/ecc_01.htm) This is considered wisdom literature which is concerned with the application of truth (from creation and the law) to daily life and choices (http://bible.org/article/introduction-book-ecclesiastes). It seems this book was written between 300 and 200 B.C.
May God be with us, bless us and let us learn from this experience. Please share with me this journey, that we may learn together. Amen.