7.14 Ecclesiastes 7-12

Gabriel Cross

7.14.2020

Ecclesiastes 7-12

Summarize the day’s reading in one paragraph

Life is meaningless.  No matter what one does, the truths of life cannot be changed.  There is suffering, God is our ruler, and people die.  Therefore, everyone should enjoy life.  Even wise people die.  Sometimes the righteous get bad things and sometimes the wicked get nice things.  Therefore, worrying about the intricacies of life is meaningless.  Just enjoy your time on Earth while you can, since our lives are fleeting.  It seems Solomon was pondering his own life as he was getting closer to death and was looking back at his own life and what it entailed.

What is one key verse?  Why?

There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless. So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:14-15

There are a lot of things to question in life.  Sometimes, it is better to trust in God and believe in his truth, even when bad things are happening to righteous people.  When life seems unfair, The Lord is still with us.

How does what you read change your vision of God?

This passage shows me that God loves us all, and reminds me that His love and human love look different.  God wants us to seek a relationship with Him and love Him, but that doesn’t mean evil ceases to exist.  Solomon was given wisdom as a gift, yet his life was filled with sin and wickedness.  Doesn’t mean God doesn’t love him.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

This reading helps me to better understand those that are very often extremely joyful.  No matter what happens, God is always good and is always present.  Since we don’t know the future, that is a universal truth that will never change.  That is truly a reason to be joyful.

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

I will complain less and work to be less jealous of those that seem like they “have it all” because the things of this world are fleeting.  I will be a light of joy to those around me so that they can better understand the beauty of God’s work on our lives.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. Do not be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

Ecclesiastes 8:2-4

Solomon is talking about earthly kings, but Jesus’s obedience to God, the true king, is unparalleled.  I think his ability to obey, even when it was hard, is something to look to for guidance and replicate.