The Kingdom of Our Lord and of His Christ
Looking Toward the End and the Beginning
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, 3:18-22, 6:10-12, 9
Ecclesiastes 1:1 These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem. 2 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” Ecclesiastes is another record of Solomon’s wisdom writing. He is the “Teacher” reflecting on many thoughts and emotions. God’s purpose through the Teacher is to lead one to know that everything outside of God is meaningless. Although Solomon was a man of immense God-given wealth and wisdom, Solomon strayed from God’s ways. In response, God gave a very disturbing vision to Solomon. Solomon saw that Israel under the kingdom of his son Rehoboam would be divided. Two nations, Judah containing the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and Israel, comprising the other 10 tribes, would split God’s people. Jeroboam would become the king of Israel. Solomon also saw that the glorious temple he had built would be destroyed. Then God showed him that Judah’s people would be sent into captivity. Solomon’s immediate family, the temple, his personal wealth and his county would be gone one day. Thus, Solomon responded as any one of us would if we knew all our life’s work would disappear one day. “Meaningless!” he declares. Why? Solomon knew it was his rejection of God’s law. Without the foundation of the LORD’s purpose and truth in his life, his entire earthly work was empty work. Ecclesiastes is Solomon’s plea for us to look to God for a meaningful life. All on earth will vanish. All in God will endure forever Love the One You’re With Ecclesiastes 9:9 Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil. MANY years ago a song by the title of this lesson was popular. It spoke of free love, enjoying another for a moment of self pleasure. But of course, this is not about “free love”, which is really very, very costly. Sadly, humanity has a great disregard for marriage. Too many people think casually “loving” anyone you are with is a way to happiness. The world offers an advanced degree in self-pleasure and selfish purpose. This is an odd thing because obvious evidence reveals that kind of “be happy” lifestyle leads to a meaningless life. So many, many people are lonely, longing for a true loving relationship because they have not learned how to truly love the one God has placed in their life. Listen, though, to Solomon’s advice. It is God’s foundation for a complete marriage. “Enjoy life with the wife (husband) whom you love.” How good it would be for couples to work each day to become more completely devoted to each other. Love the one who God has placed with you. Remember God said, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” (Genesis 2:24) Strive for this unity, and live joyfully in a good, loving relationship. Comments are closed.
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AuthorBob James Archives
November 2024
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