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GOOD MORNING SIBLINGS!
Today’s readings are Ecclesiastes 9-12

Click here to read today’s passages on BibleGateway.

Rabbit Trails

Today we finish up Ecclesiastes. That went by fast, didn’t it?
There is a lot of wisdom given in this short book and a lot to think on. You may have found that this book is best eaten and then digested slowly.

Be encouraged, our goal has never been to read the Bible only once. Instead, the goal is for us to realize how very much we need the word of YHWH in our lives, to dig deeper, dedicate ourselves to reading His word in its fullness, and to become lifelong Bible readers as a result of that newfound wisdom and a strengthened relationship with our Father!

Ecc 8:1 says A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

Keep in mind that this wisdom comes from the Father and y’all, living by that wisdom and applying it to our lives, changes everything. Everything. Even our countenance.

Ecc 8:11-12 reminds us that for many who choose to live in evil ways, it may seem as if they are getting by without repercussions and for a time in this life that may be the case, but don’t envy them because the Father is a righteous and just God and each of us will answer for our deeds in this life.

Ecc 9:7-8 needs to be read carefully:

Go, eat your bread with joy,
And drink your wine with a merry heart;
For God has already accepted your works.
Let your garments always be white,
And let your head lack no oil.

We could take this out of context and use it to say that we can do whatever we want because YHWH is fine with it. That is how a lot of people treat this verse and others like it.

But we must remember that there are over 30,000 verses in the Bible and each of those verses has the weight of all the verses around it bearing down upon it. We cannot separate a single verse from context and expect to have the meaning. If we look at the last two sentences, we see who is being addressed. People in white garments, with oil on their heads. Who does this sound like? Righteous people who keep YHWH’s commandments. You can eat with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart. See: Revelation 7:9–17 Daniel 12:10 Acts 1:10 Rev 3:5 Rev 4:4 Rev 3:18  Rev 6:11 Rev 7:14

Ecc 9:17-18 I will leave here without comment. I’m just gonna spend my energy taking it to soul (which is much better than taking it to heart).

The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. Ecc 9:17-18

Ecc 10:4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. 

Do not lose self control in the presence of someone whose anger is rising against you, no matter their station. Remaining gentle and calm will calm both your own spirit and the aggregator, and can possibly prevent the both of you from taking actions you will regret. One of the themes we see over and over in the Bible is that the wise person humbles themselves. They are not worried about saving face before their peers. Instead, they are more concerned with using every situation to bring honor to the Father.

Ecc 10:20 reads: Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
    nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
    or some winged creature tell the matter.

My handwritten notes in my Bible on this verse state: “A little bit creepy! But a good reminder to set our thoughts on Godly things and wish the best for people, even in evil times.” Now that’s some serious thought discipline – and it is one of the gifts the Father wants to give us!

Ecclesiastes sums up itself in the final set of verses and this wisdom is every bit as valid and beneficial today as it was when it was written. I haven’t issued a challenge in a while so this it, write this on a post it, index card, or the like and tuck it into your Bible. Encourage others in the group by posting a picture of your note in today’s group discussion comments. :

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecc 12:13-14

This completes Ecclesiastes. Rak Chazak!

Click here to get the Ecclesiastes Focus Sheet

Click here to view the answer key

Test everything, hold tight to what is good.~ 1 Thess 5:21

We are saved by Grace alone: Obedience is not the root of our salvation, it is the fruit!

May YHWH bless the reading of His Word!

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Christy Jordan
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