[Brother V]

Ecclesiastes 10-12

Ecclesiastes 10

1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

A little foolishness from a wise man, stinks up the place.

Today's reading is a bit different than the previous few days. These sayings seem to belong more in Proverbs than in Ecclesiastes. The writer is again talking about wisdom and foolishness. He has abandoned the Carpe Diem/ seize the day style, and has resorted to just spouting off tidbits of knowledge.

3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

A fool might as well be wearing a nametag that says "fool".

10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

A sharp knife is like wisdom. It cuts cleanly, and gets to the point.

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

Um, I'm really not sure what the point of that was.

20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Your words will be heard. Big Brother will discover what you do.

Ecclesiastes 11

3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

The author is back to a little bit of emo poetry. If it rains it rains... if a tree falls, there it is.

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

It's better to actually do things now, than to try to wait until the time is exactly right. How many times do you see that with newly married couples waiting to have kids. First I want to have my career and be settled in my job and be financially secure, then I can think about having kids. Once you start waiting, you will always find an excuse to continue waiting.

5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.



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

Don't wait, don't procrastinate, do. And DO with gusto.

10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Think of it more as, "childhood and youth are fleeting". Not that they are worthless. Enjoy being a kid, because youth is like smoke, once the wind blows, it's gone.

Ecclesiastes 12

1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Enjoy your youth, look back fondly at it. Keep your innocence as long as possible. Some day, bad things will happen. Don't dwell on the bad things that are bound to come, enjoy the good days while they are there.

8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

Dust in the wind, all we are, is dust in the wind.

9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

He gave good HEED. good HEED. Not like Ted Haggard.

The final part of this chapter seems to be written by another author. Which lends to the idea that the whole thing was written after Solomon's time.

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Even though you should seize the day, remember, God is still watching. So do good, and enjoy doing good.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

None of the suggestions for doing good have included breaking any of the ten commandments.

So what have we learned today?

1. Happiness is all around you.

2. Seize the day.

3. Life's too short to drink cheap beer.


YIC
V