Perplexities

Ecclesiastes 1:3-6 What profit hath man of all his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun? 4) One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever. 5) The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth. 6) The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its course, and the wind returneth again to its circuits.

The book of Ecclesiastes speaks to the common person as well as to the philosopher. It begins by pointing out that in this whole world all is vanity--with out God. Yet there are so many jewels scattered through out this book that a person must read and reread to catch even a smattering of them. Take for instance Ecclesiastes 1:7;
"All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full;
unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again."

All the rivers run into the sea.... Ever think about it? And here is another one; Ecclesiastes 1:8 "All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing."

Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
In our world today we can't hear the rebuke of the wise, because the song of fools seems to shout so loud that, the song is all we can hear.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 -"If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer." If you are going to take up snake charming--don't be careless!

Ecclesiastes 10:19 "A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things." --Literally, For merriment they make a feast (bread), and wine gladdens the living, and money supplies all things. --There really is nothing new under the sun!

Ecclesiastes 11:3 "If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be." How clever...of course these statements...by themselves are...clever. Like the question, "if a tree falls in the forsest and no one is there to hear...does it make a sound?"

One of my favorites, not being the swiftest racer in the bunch: Ecclesiastes 9:11 "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."

Every time I read this book it brings to my mind an older king that has had his share of experience. In the end he admonishes the young to remember that they will answer for their deeds-- the ones done in their youth as well as the remainder of their lives. Sometimes the quality of their lives depends on the deeds done in their youth...so go carefully...and remember to love God and his words of instruction daily and forever...no matter whether young...or old.

Ecclesiastes 12:11) "The words of the wise are as goads; and as nails well fastened are the words of the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12) And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13) This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
14) For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!