RELIEF

RELIEF

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Ecclesiates [ESV] 1:1-14 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, "See, this is new"? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

  This morning I reread yesterday’s DT, STRUGGLE, having to do with Solomon’s realization of the hollow meaninglessness in life.

  I counted several times and each time found “vanity”35 times in KJV Ecclesiastes; the Hebrew meaning “emptiness” on every occasion. Emptiness the sort of feeling that if dwelled upon can give rise to sadness > depression > despondency > despair = I QUIT! But King Solomon did not do so.

  Solomon didn’t suggest “Be happy!” or discounting or attempting cancellation of vanity; being a man of wisdom, instead applying his heart to seek and search out the solution (1:13). Solomon arrived at the only conclusion that includes both vitality in purpose and relief in faithful activity.

 

Ecclesiastes [CEV] 12:6-14 The silver cord snaps, the golden bowl breaks; the water pitcher is smashed, and the pulley at the well is shattered. So our bodies return to the earth, and the life-giving breath returns to God. [Gen.2:7] Nothing makes sense. I have seen it all-- nothing makes sense. I was a wise teacher with much understanding, and I collected a number of proverbs that I had carefully studied. Then I tried to explain these things in the best and most accurate way. Words of wisdom are like the stick a farmer uses to make animals move. These sayings come from God, our only shepherd, and they are like nails that fasten things together. My child, I warn you to stay away from any teachings except these. There is no end to books, and too much study will wear you out. Everything you were taught can be put into a few words: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about. God will judge everything we do, even what is done in secret, whether good or bad.

EBB4