God is our Creator and He is Sovereign

This morning’s reading is in Ecclesiastes Chpters 10, 11, and 12. It speaks to me that God is our Creator and He is sovereign. These final three chapters are full of wisdom, and I will write about some of it.

10:1–Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment,
And cause it to give off a foul odor;
So does a little folly to one respected for
Wisdom and honor.
This is saying that a single fly can ruin the ointment, a moment of foolishness can mar the reputation of someone thought to be wise and honorable. Have you ever heard someone say of another, “Well, I never thought he’d do a thing like that”?

10:10–If the ax is dull,
And one does not sharpen the edge,
Then he must use more strength,
But wisdom brings success.
The lesser trained person will have to work harder, as though with a dull ax, than one who is wise and whose tools are in order. Can you imagine attempting to cut down a tree with a dull ax?

10:11–A serpent may bite when it is not charmed;
The babbler is no different.
The Annotation in the NKJV says that this, along with preceding verses mean that an unused skill is wasted. How many of us are guilty of not using our talents…for whatever reason?

11:6–In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your
hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good.

I think this means to get started with the tasks at hand. Let the outcome rests in God’s hand, but just get started. We do not know which of what we do will be successful, maybe all will be. But unless we start, we cannot finish.

Ecclesiastes 11 also tells us to seek God early in life. Verse 10 tells us, “therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity.” This tells us that youth does not last, that it passes quickly. It is fleeting like vapor. I agree with the Annotation that says “we get old too soon and smart too late.”

12:13–Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
For this is man’s all.
To “fear God” is one of the major themes of this book and of wisdom literature in the Old Testament. To fear God is to respond to Him in awe, reverence, and wonder, to serve him in purity of action, and to shun evil and any worship of anything else in His universe. “keep his commandments:” The commandments of the Law are in view here. Jesus summed them up as to “love the LORD your God” and “your neighbor as yourself.” “man’s all:” We are whole or complete only when we fear God and obey His commandments. What profit is there in living? If we follow what this book has said, we will have a relationship with God and find life in Him. (Nelson’s NKJV, Annotation)

12:14–For God will bring every work into
judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.
“judgment:” This same teaching is echoed by the apostle Paul in 2 Cor.5:10. Death is not the end. All of life will be reviewed by our righteous Lord (see at 3:17) Life must be lived through faith with the values of the eternal God in view.(Nelson’s NKJV, Annotation)

Reading in Nelson’s New King James Version, and its Annotation.

All Things Come Alike to All

Reading today is in Ecclesiastes 7, 8 and 9.

9:1 For I considered all this in my heart, So I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them. 2 All things come alike to all:
One event happens to the righteous and the
wicked;
To the good, the clean, and the unclean;
To him who sacrifices and him who does not
sacrifice.
As is the good, so is the sinner;
He who takes an oath as he who fears an
oath.

3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: That one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

As I understand this Scripture, the Preacher is saying that everything is in the control and possession of God. sometimes in Hebrews two opposites together are a way of saying “everything.” Love and hate could mean God’s favor and disfavor. Verse 2 seems to be saying the same things happen to us all–to the good and the bad–the righteous and the wicked–the outcome of which is determined by God. Verse 3 says that one thing happens to us all: evil. That the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil. That madness is in their hearts while they live, and then they go to the dead. This sounds like no hope. But as long as there is life, there is hope of our doing something for the glory of the LORD. In the New Testament we learn of Jesus Christ who gives us hope for eternal life. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Scripture is taken from the New King James Version, and reference is made to its Annotations.

The Vanity of Life

Reading this morning in Ecclesiastes 1-3 in the New King James Version. Reference is made to its annotation. Reference is also made to the Nelson’s Student Bible Dictionary.

The Preacher says “vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” What is vanity or vanities? Here in the Book of Ecclesiastes it might express “the ultimate obsurdity” or “utter emptiness.” The book clearly says that life itself is “vanity of vanities.” The word vanity means “breath” or “vapor,” and thus speaks of life as “quickly passing.” Wherever we read the word vanity in Ecclesiastes, we should think not what is “meaningless,” but what is “quickly passing.” The teaching of the Preacher is to realize that life is a fleeting thing that needs to be savored and enjoyed as a gift from God.

In 2:24, “Nothing is better for a man than he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor.” This means that eating, drinking, and even earning a paycheck are gifts from God.

2:26-“For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.”

When vanity is applied to persons, it means emptiness or futility of natural human life. When applied to things, vanity is especially used to describe idols, because there is no spiritual reality to them. believers are urged to stay way from vain things and to live their lives in the reality of their relationship to Christ. Anything short of God Himself that people trust to meet their deepest needs is vanity.

Everything has its time, and “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” (3:11)

3:21-“Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of an animal, which goes down to the earth? 22So I perceived that nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his heritage. For what can bring him to see what will happen after him?”

Both humans and beasts die and go to their graves. But humans and animals differ: Their bodies go back to dust, but the human spirit is immortal. For what is his heritage? The allotment God has designated may include material possessions or the pleasures that come from them.

With the help of Holy Spirit I have realized that life is not vain. It is neither empty nor useless. To live a life praising God and working for the advancement of his kingdom for his glory brings us a joyful and abundant life here on earth, and hereafter eternal life in heaven.

The Virtuous Wife

Proverbs’ virtuous wife is an ideal woman. She is the finest of her kind, has strong morals, has aptitude for running the house for her husband, and has a fine character. She also is a wise business woman. She knows the quality of land and the value of land. That’s how she can consider a field, buy it, and from her profits plant a vineyard. There were many restrictions placed on women in the ancient world, so for a wife to build her own resources was quite remarkable. She knows wool and flax, and is willing to work with her hands.

She rises early and prepares breakfast for her household because she cares for every one in the house. She gives of herself to care for her family and servants.

She helps the poor and needy. She can be concerned for others because she has provided for her own family, and they are well clothed. She makes tapestry for herself. Her husband is known at the gates and sits among the elders of the land partly because of her reputation.

She makes linen garments, probably for women, and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Her clothing is far richer than linen or silk for she is dressed in strength and honor. She speaks with wisdom and is kindspoken to all. She is industrious and watches over the ways of her household. Her children call her blessed. Her husband praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.”

The virtuous wife is described in Proverbs 31. This morning I’ve penned my idea of her. I ask that you compare yourself with the virtuous wife in Proverbs. I did and it was eye opening. I ask you to leave your husband out of the comparison. Don’t say, for example, I couldn’t do for the needy because my husband wouldn’t let me. I wrote out my comparison because I like to see things in black and white–it’s easier for me to understand. But you might do this silently, like when your pastor asks a question that requires no hand raising, but does require you to search your soul. I hope this exercise will help you to know yourself better and to better understand what constitutes a virtuous wife.

Proverbs 25-29

This morning’s reading is Proverbs 25-29. I will share a few of my thoughts about the need to help the poor.

28:27-He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many
curses.
The word says in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” That sounds like blessings to me. If we do not help the poor and turn our eyes away from the sight of them, we do not love them. And if we do not love the poor we do not love one another. If we do not love one another, then we do not love God because God is love.

In Proverbs 19:17, Scripture tells us, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given.” Sounds like good measure to me.

Proverbs 29:7
The righteous considers the cause of the
poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
Righteous people are concerned for the poor, but the wicked don’t even consider them.

Proverbs 23 and 24

This morning I am reading in Proverbs again. When I asked the LORD what he would have me understand about this Scripture this morning, I understood Him to say He corrects us because He loves us. He chastens us. Nelson’s Student Bible Dictionary tells us that chasten is to correct with the intention of teaching. It seems I learn something more about God each day. Recently the LORD told me I need discipline. Then I was thinking more of a constructive routine. Now I understand discipline to mean much more. He is correcting me with the intent of teaching me. He is guiding me down the path He has laid out for me, and He is correcting me to keep me on that path with the intention of helping me grow into the child of God He sees me as. Would I see myself as God sees me. God is chastening me because He loves me. May I return His love by learning His ways.

Some of my thoughts on Proverbs 23 this morning are as follows.

4. Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
5. Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
Do not work overtime just to make more money. You know it’s not worth it, so stop it! Without being lazy, one should work with moderation. Those riches you make for yourself on earth can fly out the window. So store up treasures for yourself in heaven.

17. Do not let your heart envy sinners,
But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all
the day;
18. For surely there is a hereafter,
And your hope will not be cut off.
Do not be jealous of sinners, for death faces them. But love the LORD with all your heart, soul, mind and strength all day long. Surely you as a Christian have a glorious future, and your hope which is in God will not be cut off.

Proverbs 21 and 22

Reading this morning is from the New King James Version.

The LORD this morning tells me that Proverbs is all about love; that a father disciplines his children because he loves them. He disciplines so they may grow into mature, responsible people.

Following are some of my thoughts on Proverbs this morning.

21:31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the LORD.
Soldiers can prepare for a battle by training, but it is God Who determines the winner. No preparation can override God’s power. His power is awesome.

22:9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed;
For he gives of his bread to the poor.
A person who has a generous eye sees the needs of others first. A person with a stingy eye sees only his own self-interest. One who has a generous eye not ony sees the need, but gives to those in need.

Proverbs 20

25. It is a snare for a man to devote rashly
something as holy,
And afterward to reconsider his vows.

In the not-too-distant past I made a vow to serve God 24/7, without pay. Though I have not changed my mind, I have had a tendency to go off the clock. My love for the LORD is growing daily and my desire to serve Him is even greater than the day I made the pledge. It is better to never vow than it is to make a vow and then change one’s mind. My tendency has been to start a project and not finish it. I’ve had this tendency in all areas of my life all my life…diet, exercise…you name it. I am being shown the wrongness of that and I have a new attitude growing within me. I pledge to not hastily make a pledge of any kind in the future. A pledge made with god’s approval will be a pledge much easier for me to keep. Though it may not be a spiritual thing to stop an exercise program or drop out of a club, et cetera, it does signify a pattern in my life which I have “not hastily” pledged to turn around.

Once the LORD tells us what He wants us to do, we should do that until and unless He tells us to do differently. Sometimes I wonder why God hangs in with me. But He does because He is faithful. and I want to be faithful to Him.

My prayer this morning is Habakkuk 3:19 Amplied.
“The LORD God is my Strength, my personal bravery,
and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet
and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk]
and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places
[of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!

Proverbs 16

This morning I’m reading in Proverbs 16, and will share some of my thoughts with you.

5. Everyone proud in his heart is an abomination
to the LORD;
Though they join forces, none will go
unpunished.
God detests those who are arrogant. The annotation says that pride has everything backwards. It takes away from the Giver (God) who gives graciously and awards it to the receiver who takes without thanking. That is why God sees it as an abomination, a word that throughout Proverbs refers to God’s revulsion.
Job 22:29 tells us, “When they cast you down, And you say, Exaltation will come! Then He will save the humble person.

8. Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.
No matter how much wealth we might have, righteousness is our real treasure.

9. A man’s heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.
A man may make his own plans out of the desires of his heart, but unless the LORD directs his steps, his plans are in vain.

20. He who heeds the word wisely, will find
good,
And whoever trusts the LORD, happy is
he.
He who loves the LORD will obey His commandments and will trust Him for all things–will not be worried or anxious about anything. Hence, he will be happy since he has eternal life to look forward to.

25. There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
The wicked plot their own way thinking it right; however, this way leads to death. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

31. The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.
The silver-haired-head, representing age and wisdom–is a crown of glory to those who walk the way of righteousness–one of the rewards of pursuing wisdom.

33. The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.
In ancient Israel lots were cast, and could seem like luck. But it was not, for when a lot was cast as a means of determining God’s will, the people knew it did not fall indiscriminately. God exercises sovereignty over human affairs.

Reading is from the Nelson Study Bible, New King James Version. Reference is made to its Annotation.

Proverbs 15

Here are a few of my thoughts on some of the Proverbs this morning.

1. A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
When we are spoken to in a loud and mean manner, we become angry. But if the same thing is said to us in a soft voice and gentle way, we are not inclined to anger. We calmly listen to what is being said. Hence, it is not so much what is said, but how it is said that determines our response.

5. A fool despises his father’s instruction,
But he who receives correction is prudent.
A child who loathes what his father tells him (a father who has been there and done that, so to speak) is a foolish person. A child who accepts his father’s correction is a cautious person and has practical wisdom.

14. The heart of him who has understanding
seeks knowledge,
But the mouths of fools feeds on foolishness.
He who has understanding has a wise heart. He will continue throughout his life to seek wisdom and knowledge. There is always something new and more to learn. The fool on the other hand, doesn’t realize how ignorant he is, and has no desire to learn more.

16. Better is a little with the fear of the LORD
than great treasure with trouble.
17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
than a fatted calf with hatred.
It is much more to love the LORD, and have reverence for Him than it is to have wealth that’s accompanied with trouble. Love is the greatest thing we have. Matthew 12:30 tells us, “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.”
It is more pleasurable to dine on little with those you love, than it is to dine on plenty with people you do not
like.

22. Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are
established.
When making a decision, we all need sound advice. The greater our decision, the more counselors we need. One person can’t cover all the details.

23. A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
When we speak good things, we feel better, and the people who hear us feel better. Our words are powerful and they can build us up or tear us down. Out words reveal what’s in our heart. If there is love in our heart, then our words will reveal that. A kind word brings joy to everyone within hearing–it’s like medicine to our disposition.

Still reading in New King James Version.