Traumatized

The book of Ecclesiastes is one of many conundrums.Wise sayings that cause me to shake my head and chuckle. Here for an example is the eleventh chapter of Ecclesiastes:

Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

1.  Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.

• Show hospitality, even though the corresponding return of hospitality you may never see. Do good for 'whatsoever ye sow, so shall ye reap.

2.  Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

• Let your hospitality and your alms be extensive: for you know not what evil may befall either the person who by your liberality will be strengthened to meet them, or yourself who may come to need grateful friends.” 
• Luke 16:9  "And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles." 

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.

4.  He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

5.  As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.

6.  In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

• Verses 3-6 : "Unforeseen events come from God; --the man who is always gazing on the uncertain future will neither begin nor complete any useful work: but bear in mind that times and circumstances, the powers of nature and the results to which they minister, are in the hand of God; and be both diligent and trustful.” The writer uses images to serve as our example which are connected chiefly with the occupation of an agricultural laborer: the discharge of rain from the cloud, and the inclination of the falling tree, and the direction of the wind, are beyond his/our control, though the result of his/our work is affected by them."  

7.  Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.

• Savor the good, beautiful, and lovely things of today; the pleasant things of our lives

 8.  Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

• Those pleasant things of today will comfort us during our dark days, which all lives experience

9.  Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

• Youth is a wonderful time of growing. A child's occupation of  'play' is for their learning.Likewise older children are encouraged as ones who posses certain gifts from God, to remember that they come from God and are to be used in accordance with His will. In the ways ... - These words are probably used in an innocent sense. Judgment - This includes a judgment beyond the grave; Even the sins of our youth is part of our record. Young people want to choose wisely--it will affect them in this life, and possibly beyond.

10.  Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

• Remember that to live as God directs (in His scriptures) from youth to the end of one's days will bless us with a guilt free life, and keep us from lives containing remorse and pain. 

Hallelujah. What a Savior!