Its not a bad thing to take a little time out from this blog, as I have done. It is interesting to me to see how conversations lead to the issues I have covered in this blog thus far. There are meaningful answers to questions. Whether or not you choose to apply the answer Solomon provides, is up to you. It is a good thing to have this point of view to reference when dealing with some of life's questions. I hope this blog has been of value to you. It has been for me.
vs.1 Who is a wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. There is nothing better than being wise, knowing how to interpret the meaning of life. Wisdom puts light in the eyes, And gives gentleness to words and manners. How a person lives, how they walk, how they talk are all affected by their level of wisdom. It is not so much the wisdom of humanity that brings about change and fullness of life, it is the wisdom of God. It shows in your words, in your eyes and on your face. Keep in mind that Solomon had far reaching power over his subjects. It became imperative to avoid his wrath in understanding his value of wisdom with regard to government.
vs.2-4 I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment , and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest though? The wise man behaves appropriately in the presence of his king. He keeps his oath of allegiance that he has made before God. He does not join in a revolt against the king. Furthermore, he does not dispute the king's authority and sovereignty. To Solomon, this is a simple truth. To go against this tenet is more than likely death in his time. But even Jesus said "Render unto Caesar those things which are Caesar's. Our command, from God, is to obey the laws of the land. It certainly makes life easier to do so.
vs. 5-7 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment. Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be. The wise person also knows when and how to speak and act. Often people suffer harm as a result of not knowing what will happen and when. Consequently they misdirect their words and deeds. I have come to learn that spending time with a fool will certainly come back to haunt you. They do things which have great potential to do you harm and they don't even know what, or why they are doing these things. Pay attention to know who your children associate with. Certainly good advice.
vs. 8-9 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit: neither hath he power to the day of death and there is no discharge in that war: neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. All of this I have seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another in his heart. No one can escape the consequences of his or her own wickedness. The idea is that the king will punish him or her. Therefore, wisdom is pretty important in these matters. In a sense, Solomon is putting Godly tenets into a human perspective for a clearer understanding here. Wisdom can enable a person to avoid the king's wrath, but it cannot enable him/her to fully understand why God deals with people as He does. To go against the king has consequences on earth.
vs. 10-14 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. (The wicked get a good burial and the Godly are forgotten). Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of man is fully set in them to do evil (they think they are getting away with it). Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him (the wisdom and fear of God cause man to do good, vs. the evils he is telling of). But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked: again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. Solomon is saying don't be surprised by injustices as these, even though the wicked men get what the righteous deserve and righteous men get what the wicked deserve, God is still in control of our lives.
vs. 15 Then I commanded mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. In spite of these inequities, Solomon says enjoy the fruits of your labor. Joy will make your labor more purposeful. We should receive each day's joys as God's good gifts and rejoice in them. I think Solomon says, don't get so stressed out about even the greatest inequities in life. Enjoy what you have worked for as God's gifts knowing he is in control of our lives. I think it takes a lot of wisdom to see the sins of this world with out seriously stressing out sometimes.
vs. 16-17 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: for also, there is neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes. (There are reasons for things we know nothing about. He will not fail us). Then I beheld the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it. Solomon has been driving this point home with us since Chapter 6. Even the most wise do not fully know God's ways.
What makes these United States such a great nation? No kings. We somewhat elect those who we wish to rule over the government of our land. There is a great importance and responsibility in freedom to taking the time to elect the best person we can for our leaders. And stuff is going to happen beyond our control. Don't let it drive you to anti depressants and Xanax (too late?). God is in control of the show here. Enjoy your work, family and friends.
This blog was guided by Dr. Constable's note of Ecclesiastes, Bible Track commentary and Soulscape. God bless us, everyone!
