In Ecc 8 the argument is made that it is frustrating that the good guys don't always win. However, we know that they don't. I guess the argument will be made that of course they win, they win because they go to heaven. But, I'm talking about here, under the sun. If you have nothing else, not God, not happiness, then for goodness sake eat, drink and be merry.
Everyone dies....everyone. No one is exempt from this one. A live dog is better than a dead lion. When we go, everything goes with us...the good, the bad and the ugly. Do good things while here, whatever you choose to do, do it with gusto. You don't get to finish that painting after you're dead.
I think this book is all about carpe diem. Live fully and enjoy the life God has given you.
Who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba? So Sol gets a visit from the Queen because she has heard that he is very wise. She wants to ask him a few questions. We don't get the questions however, why didn't anyone write down the questions?!
After a very uneventful trip, she leaves. We are told that Sol is a lover of foreign woman, he has about 8 gazillion of em. Eventually in his old age they turn him. He is burning incense and building temples to their gods. What? Really?! God is even like "I showed myself to you TWICE" We aren't even going on faith here buddy! Man oh man, anyone who says that women are the weaker sex needs to do a little reading. We apparently have the ability to bring down kings.
God says that he going to take the kingdom away, but not away from Solomon. He is going to wait and take it away from his sons. He is going to divide everyone up and in honor of David give one tribe to Solomons son. God stirs up some adversaries (love the visual of God cookin up some enemies). Drama, drama Solomon is dead.
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I can see your point about carpe diem. And although I think that is Solomon's point, I don't think it's God's point. Hence in vs. 15 it says "[without God]"
Problems in life have nothing to do with how good or bad of a person you are, they happen to us all....Christians like to think it's to affect others in some positive way, but regardless this game ends the same for us all. Here's a hint....no one makes it out alive.
I do like the wisdom in 8:11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, the hearts of the sons of men are fully set to do evil. Swift, public punishment (for without a doubt cases) would do much more for deterrence than our current system of 20 yr appeals.
8:17 makes me think of the current grass roots efforts (on fb and the like). The words of wise men (grass roots) heard in quiet are better than the shouts (constant media whoring)of him (Pres. O) who rules among fools (Congress). 10:14 has a similar application. A fool also multiplies words, though no man can tell what will be -
10:18-19 Through indolence the rafters [of state affairs] decay and the roof sinks in, and through idleness of the hands the house leaks. [Instead of repairing the breaches, the officials] make a feast for laughter, serve wine to cheer life, and [depend on tax] money to answer for all of it. CAN YOU SAY CONGRESS? AND BAILOUTS? How proverbial!
10:10 makes me think that it's better to work smart not hard (when you can).
11:4 A good plan now, is better than a great plan tomorrow.
12:12 But about going further [than the words given by one Shepherd], my son, be warned. Of making many books there is no end [so do not believe everything you read], and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
12:13 is awesome! All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man. This verse is why most of this book is wrong. It is what NOT to do or think.
1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chron. 9 Does anyone else find it strange that Solomon received 666 talents of gold? 1,000 women! What?! He must've bean one hen-pecked individual. Seems like God warned them 500 years earlier about letting foreign women lead them astray. It says God was gonna give Jeroboam that he was gonna give him 10 tribes of Israel and leave one for David's household, where's the other one? Is this the lost tribe? Gold, silver, apes, and peacocks...that's what I call bling.
I'm surprised you didn't comment about Prov. and all the how to be a good woman stuff. You shoulda read that 4 or 5 times.
More obeying your parents.
I love ants. They are amazing. Is this a signal that we should save [up for recessions]?
30:27 Self discipline?
31:17 sums up Crystal pretty good (there are actually a couple more that apply as well)
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