Ecclesiastes and our Anniversary

If you are a morning-Bible-reader, I hope you enjoyed your foray into the book of Ecclesiastes!! And if you are a night reader then beware, it can be a little pessimistic reading at first. Either way, Solomon (or Qoheleth, aka the Teacher) is full with wisdom and he has a realistic look at the frailty and brevity of all things related to our lives here "under the Sun."

In honor of our 9th anniversary today, which Cari and I are celebrating, I share with you all one of the passages that we had read at our ceremony...

⁹ Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ¹¹ Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? ¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Eccles. 4:9-12)

What a wonderful and blessed day July 10th, 2004 was! Thank you Lord!! My nine years with Cari have been anything but meaningless!!

If this is your first time reading the book of Ecclesiastes it can seem depressing, especially since the phrase “everything is meaningless” (1:2) is a key theme that is found 24 times in the book. Even though wisdom (1:17), pleasure (2:1), projects and achievements (2:11), and money (5:10) are all considered meaningless Solomon still gives a reason for living. This reason is another key theme of the book and is repeated throughout, “a man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God” (2:25; 3:13, 22; 5:18-20; 8:15; 9:7). Solomon believes that the enjoyment of life is a gift from God; at the same time he realizes a person must “remember the days of darkness” (11:8, death) is around the corner and that “for all these things (that you do in life) God will bring you to judgment” (11:9). Therefore he exhorts his readers to “remember your Creator in the days of your youth” (12:1). In other words, God will hold us accountable for our actions so Solomon is not encouraging a life of hedonism, nor promoting a life of legalism. There is a balance to be found through fearing God and keeping his commandments (12:13).

God bless you all as you continue your Daily Walk Bible reading!