I have finished reading Ecclesiastes, and started Song of Solomon this morning.
I found Ecclesiastes to seem almost like an extension of Proverbs, probably due to the writing style of Solomon. Of course, the difference is that Ecclesiastes is about the meaningless of life... but it's not a downer, although guess I just made it sound like it is!
I wrote down many verses to post, but didn't get around to it. So here are most of them:
Ecclesiastes 1:10-11 (KJV)
10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
This reminded me about how much we think we are smarter than previous generations.
Ecclesiastes 1:13 (KJV)
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
Notice the juxtoposition between wisdom/light and folly/darkness. (compare with John 8:12 use of light and dark, with Christ. Also, Job 30:26, when good and evil are defined as light and dark, as in sin - there are many more examples of these... lots of light and dark used in Job).
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (KJV)
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (KJV). Ryrie: Man may overcome his frustrations over the futility of life by enjoying life and being occupied with God's good gifts.
Ecclesiastes 6:9 (KJV)
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ryrie: It is better to enjoy present good than to long for future desires. sight of the eyes. What the eyes see.
Ecclesiastes 7:10 (KJV)
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
Opposite of what 1:10-11 said, more about being nostalgic than haughty.
Ecclesiastes 8:3-8 (KJV) Ryrie: When we avoid God's plan, we don't fit well in it - aren't blessed - because it is a fixed plan.
Ecclesiastes 8:12 (KJV)
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:Ryrie: Believer v. unbeliever. Notice sinner v. those who fear God. Being a Christian doesn't mean that one ceases to be a sinner. It means that one fears God.
Ecclesiastes 9:1 (KJV)
For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
I found Ecclesiastes to seem almost like an extension of Proverbs, probably due to the writing style of Solomon. Of course, the difference is that Ecclesiastes is about the meaningless of life... but it's not a downer, although guess I just made it sound like it is!
I wrote down many verses to post, but didn't get around to it. So here are most of them:
Ecclesiastes 1:10-11 (KJV)
10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
This reminded me about how much we think we are smarter than previous generations.
Ecclesiastes 1:13 (KJV)
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
Notice the juxtoposition between wisdom/light and folly/darkness. (compare with John 8:12 use of light and dark, with Christ. Also, Job 30:26, when good and evil are defined as light and dark, as in sin - there are many more examples of these... lots of light and dark used in Job).
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (KJV)
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (KJV). Ryrie: Man may overcome his frustrations over the futility of life by enjoying life and being occupied with God's good gifts.
Ecclesiastes 6:9 (KJV)
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
Ryrie: It is better to enjoy present good than to long for future desires. sight of the eyes. What the eyes see.
Ecclesiastes 7:10 (KJV)
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
Opposite of what 1:10-11 said, more about being nostalgic than haughty.
Ecclesiastes 8:3-8 (KJV) Ryrie: When we avoid God's plan, we don't fit well in it - aren't blessed - because it is a fixed plan.
Ecclesiastes 8:12 (KJV)
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:Ryrie: Believer v. unbeliever. Notice sinner v. those who fear God. Being a Christian doesn't mean that one ceases to be a sinner. It means that one fears God.
Ecclesiastes 9:1 (KJV)
For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
Ryrie: Many events are beyond the control of men. Every possible circumstance can befall man, but whether faced with love (happy circumstances), or hate (unhappy circumstances), God has arranged what will take place in one's life.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 (KJV)
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.
Pro-life.
Ecclesiastes 11:10 (KJV)
Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 (KJV)
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
Ryrie: Solomon's words are like goads to prod us and nails to anchor us. The reference to the one shephard confirms the fact that the teaching of Solomon is God-given.
Ecclesiastes 12:12 (KJV)
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Ryrie: A warning against excessive devotion to secular literature.
(Just found that last one interesting... )
But really, here is the conclusion to the book:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
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