2019 Mar 22 Ecclesiastes 1, 1Peter 2
2019 Mar 22 Ecclesiastes 1, 1Peter 2
Welcome to all, wishing you a lovely day! We’ve concluded Proverbs 22, so let’s continue in our sub book, Ecclesiastes, chapter 1 verses 12-18:
“12 I, the congregator, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I set my heart to study and explore with wisdom everything that has been done under the heavens—the miserable occupation that God has given to the sons of men that keeps them occupied. 14 I saw all the works that were done under the sun, And look! everything was futile, a chasing after the wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot possibly be counted. 16 Then I said in my heart: “Look! I have acquired great wisdom, more than anyone who was before me in Jerusalem, and my heart gained a great deal of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 I applied my heart to knowing wisdom and to knowing madness and to knowing folly, and this too is a chasing after the wind. 18 For an abundance of wisdom brings an abundance of frustration, So that whoever increases knowledge increases pain.”
Eccle 1:12 Solomon refers to himself as “the congregator,” fitting, as with the wisdom God had given him, he was a foreshadow or type of the Greater Solomon, Jesus Christ. Jesus, wisdom personified, proved surely able to unite his followers, forming the Christian congregation that maintained remarkable unity throughout the first century of it’s existence. (Prove 8:22-31; 1Cori 1:10). Even such a divisive issue as circumcision was peaceably resolved by the early Christians, as shown at Acts 15:1-35.
Eccle 1:13,14 With wisdom from God, we can see the futility of pursuits in life that leave the Creator out of the picture. Not yet having God’s kingdom to strive after, as came with Jesus’ ministry, people were not yet attuned to the need of a self-sacrificing spirit in service to God. They were primarily occupied with making a living and enjoying the pleasures and gifts of God common to men at that time. Thus, it could be written that “everything was futile, a chasing after the wind.” How much more meaningful will life be in God’s new world, as we cooperate to turn the earth into Paradise, helping one another embrace the knowledge of eternal life, and teaching resurrected ones that we welcome back from the grave also the happy knowledge of God’s Kingdom purpose! Life need no longer be futile, but rather, filled with meaning and purpose, as we acknowledge God’s will that “4...all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.”
Eccle 1:15 This statement should move us to do all we can to assist our young ones from an early age to embrace the knowledge of God, growing in true godly wisdom, with love, by love of caring parents and others. The Scriptures are clear, however, that many wrongdoers are capable of repentance, a turning around from a bad course, to pursue righteousness and qualify for eternal life. Christians in Paul’s time were warned of evil practices such as thievery, greed, and sexual immorality, and told, at 1Corinthians 6:11 “11 And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean; you have been sanctified; you have been declared righteous in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.” So, evidently, once again Solomon here writes regarding the limitations of human wisdom. Without the power of God’s spirit, a long-time evildoer may have little hope of turning around his life course, so that it could be written that “What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot possibly be counted.” How different when God’s power and love are taken into consideration! At Matthew 19:25,26 Jesus’ disciples asked him: “25...Who really can be saved?” “26 Looking at them intently, Jesus said to them: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” Thus specifically regarding the salvation of humans, we find Jesus recognized the power of God’s spirit to affect changes in peoples’ lives. May we thus do all we can to get a firm hold on everlasting life in harmony with God’s righteousness, leading to true peace and happiness among mankind.
Eccle 1:16-18 So Solomon did not stop with the divine knowledge leading to salvation, which reasonably might include knowledge of history, the sciences, social studies, and the like. Solomon, while his motive was likely good, wanted to know so much that his “abundance of wisdom” brought him “an abundance of frustration,” and his increase of knowledge an increase of “pain.” May we take a lesson to heart, that we’ll have an eternity to explore and learn new things, to examine and reexamine things we may delight to know and understand well. We needn’t rush to learn everything there is to know, when we may not yet have the wisdom or discernment to tell the difference between what’s important and useful and what isn’t. As Solomon later acknowledged regarding books, after acknowledging the need for godly instructions, God's loving words and corrections, “12 As for anything besides these, my son, be warned: To the making of many books there is no end, and much devotion to them is wearisome to the flesh.” (Eccle 12:12). Solomon also explored and found that “madness,” or literally “extreme foolishness” and “folly” were also “a chasing after the wind.” Thus, ignoring God’s standards and seeking to establish our own does not lead to happiness or any success—it is God’s will and way that accomplishes what our hearts truly seek. May we exercise faith or trust in God as holding the key to our true happiness and enjoyment of life, as He designed us to find, accordingly appreciating and honoring Him for such goodness. Thus we’ll be living in harmony with the purpose of life itself.
1Peter 2:4-6 Once again, we find Peter writing to those anointed as kings to rule with Christ, but those with earthly Paradise hopes may find encouragement in his words as well. We may appreciate Christ’s role in God’s purpose, despite having been initially rejected by many, to form the foundation of a holy temple and priesthood, to assist humanity to a right relationship with God, to worship Him acceptably, with faith in Jesus. Notice Peter’s words:
“4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen, precious to God, 5 you yourselves as living stones are being built up into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, in order to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it says in Scripture: “Look! I am laying in Zion a chosen stone, a precious foundation cornerstone, and no one exercising faith in it will ever be disappointed.””
Thus may we continue to place confidence in God’s Son, in Christian teachings, and the rest of God’s word, to lovingly assist us toward our goal of eternal life, in true happiness and peace, with a restored relationship with Jehovah, a loyal marriage partner to share life with, and fine dealings with friends. What delight we may find in God’s eternal purpose, awaiting what lies ahead for humans that God may yet reveal!


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