2019 Mar 29 Ecclesiastes 2, 2John 1
2019 Mar 29 Ecclesiastes 2, 2John 1
Well wishes for you, and a warm welcome! Let’s conclude Ecclesiastes 2 with a consideration of verses 22-26:
“22 What does a man really gain from all his hard work and ambition that drives him to work hard under the sun? 23 For during all his days, his occupation brings pain and frustration, and even at night his heart does not rest. This too is futility. 24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in his hard work. This too, I have realized, is from the hand of the true God, 25 for who eats and who drinks better than I do? 26 To the man who pleases him he gives wisdom and knowledge and rejoicing, but to the sinner he gives the occupation of gathering and merely collecting to give to the one who pleases the true God. This too is futility, a chasing after the wind.”
Eccle 2:22,23 God’s word teaches balance with regard to our need for money and material resources. God recognizes our need for such, to make a living, realizing this can bring a measure of protection. Still, true wisdom is superior, contributing toward one’s eternal life. Ecclesiastes 7:12 says “12 For wisdom is a protection just as money is a protection, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.” However, one pursuing material wealth and pleasure without regard for God or true wisdom will not find genuine happiness, but this pursuit results in “pain and frustration,” without real rest. Such pursuits are futile. Material wealth alone does not bring happiness. We must remember that God himself is the giver of “every good gift and every perfect present,” including normal pleasures in life, and be ever appreciative of His kindness, responding with loving regard for His commands. (James 1:17). Says 1John 5:3, “3 For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.” What happiness we may find as we maintain God’s balanced view of material wealth and pleasure.
Eccle 2:24,25 To eat and drink and find enjoyment in one’s hard work is one of the kind gifts of God in life. Jehovah encourages us to avoid laziness, and to learn to be “skillful” in our work. (Prove 22:29). We should be rewarded for our earnest efforts to make a living for ourselves and our family, or to “work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith”—our spiritual family. We should not be rewarded simply for our head knowledge, but rather for using that knowledge beneficially, perhaps even to “rescue” others. (Prove 11:9). Solomon fairly rewarded himself for his hard work in accord with true wisdom, as we may rightly reward our children or family for their efforts at good, teaching them to appreciate this gift “from the hand of the true God.”
Eccle 2:26 God can give one true wisdom, but he or she should put forth effort to attain it. Proverbs 2:1-6 shows one should call to God for it and seek it “as for silver, and...keep searching for it as for hidden treasures.” James 1:5,6 says “5 So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him keep asking in faith, not doubting at all...” Thus even some in the Christian congregation of the first century were “lacking in wisdom,” but could in time receive more. So it is today. It is in this context that we should understand Solomon’s words. To the man who pleases God, “he gives wisdom and knowledge and rejoicing.” Thus an important way we please God is by searching for divine wisdom, praying for it and reading God’s word where it abounds, and receiving of divine discipline and correction. Proverbs 1:7 says “7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.” The sinner who remains unrepentant will not ultimately benefit himself by his hard work. Proverbs 4:7 says “7 Wisdom is the most important thing, so acquire wisdom, And with all you acquire, acquire understanding.” Therefore, may all take a lesson, and examine our relationship with God and his son Jesus.
2John 1:4-7 John writes to “the chosen lady,” likely a cryptic reference to the anointed bride of Christ, to rule with him in the Kingdom of God. He continues, acknowledging her “children” as among those “walking in the truth.” Notice his further counsel and insight:
“4 I rejoice very much because I have found some of your children walking in the truth, just as we received commandment from the Father. 5 So now I request you, lady, that we love one another. (I am writing you, not a new commandment, but one that we had from the beginning.) 6 And this is what love means, that we go on walking according to his commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should go on walking in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those not acknowledging Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
Interestingly, at this hour late in the first century, the apostle John rejoices greatly that only “some” of her children were walking in the truth. Her “children” may have thus been ones with earthly hopes, rather than anointed ones who “keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes,” and are “without blemish.” (Revel 14:4,5) Nevertheless, anointed ones were to “love one another,” as Jesus had instructed his apostles the night before he died, to love one another just as he had loved them, with a spirit of self-sacrifice. This is largely the spirit the Protestant Reformation was born from, as many risked excommunication from the universal church, and even their lives, to stand up for Bible truth. Their stand, however, did little to “reform” the church. Rather, pockets of Christianity sprang up, in harmony with Bible prophecy. Look for an upcoming article entitled “The Twelve Tribes of Christianity,” to be available soon on this website. One fallacy explained in the article “Finding Truth” is the idea that Jesus was not really God’s son, but rather as God himself, among three equal persons forming one. However, God is not “deceptive,” Jesus Christ came as the son of God, “in the flesh.” Thus Christ prayed to “God the Father,” seeking not his own will, but that of the Father. (Phili 2:11; John 6:38; 20:17). May we examine and grasp the truth regarding the nature of God, his son, and the holy spirit, perhaps considering the article mentioned above if not having done so already. John acknowledges it would be a “deceiver and the antichrist” who would fail to acknowledge the true nature of God’s son, Jesus Christ.
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Between Winchester, Virginia, and hopefully, Washington D.C., having confidence that our thankful trust in God will not fail to inspire us to the peace He has purposed via His Kingdom!
