ECCLESIASTES

The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date.

1:7    All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. 

    This is from the section called "Everything is meaningless." I can't totally agree though, as who else could move the water from the sea to the mountains, but God? I can't think of any other source and think only of God's amazing works and how everything was created by Him. DRM 3/17/87) 

1:17    And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind.

    A college professor may not like this verse as it doesn't seem to encourage higher education; but I think this verse also shows the frustration at the amount of knowledge that is available in the world - and how no human being can know everything. (DRM 7/13/08)

2:1    I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility.

    Now that I have a small retail store and a lot of time between customers, I've played my favorite computer game in the quiet times. It used to be more of a pleasure, but after a while, even this pleasure gets boring.
    Solomon seemingly tried everything, as written in this chapter, and it all seemed futile. The best thing to do is to do things for the Lord in some way. What is Your suggestion? (DRM 12/11/11)

2:11    Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted , and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.

    Certainly my life activities don't compare with Solomon's, but after they have passed, we (I) reflect on how little was truly accomplished.
    Even today I wonder how much is being accomplished - but try to do something daily that either brings people closer to a decision for the Lord, or helps their spiritual growth. Jesus must be #1. (DRM 7/14/08)

2:24, 25    There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is the hand of God. ²⁵For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?

    Solomon is wise and right when he talks about how much time we waste on doing things that don't amount to anything for eternity. The only labor that really matters ( in my mind) is that which glorifies God, thus when that is accomplished - even a little - we (I) should feel a bit more satisfied. (DRM 7/15/08)

2:26    To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.

    The verse continues . . . "This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
    Certainly I agree that believers are given wisdom, knowledge and happiness in God's word. Gathering and storing up wealth for this world is meaningless and should no longer be pursued. (DRM 1/2/87)

3:4    A time to weep and a time to laugh;
        A time to mourn and a time to dance.

    As I read the verses in the first part of this chapter, I tried to match them up with the 1960's song, "Turn, Turn, Turn." It seemed that the words in my version of the Bible didn't match the song, but the thoughts are still clear and need to be reflected on - more. (DRM 7/16/08)

3:7    A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
         A time to be silent and a time to speak.

    This is from a series of times to do things.
    To "tear apart" could refer to different things. I can think of clothing and friendships.
    The second is easy to understand. Still, there are times when I speak and think later that I should have kept quiet.
    As we (I) age, hopefully I will learn to keep "time" in it's proper places. (DRM 9/19/11)

4:12    Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 

    Yes, I knew something like this, but not from the Bible! When I am alone, I can be overpowered - and I fear that situation the most. However when I am with a friend, I know that there is security and three is even better.
    Studying the Bible should be like that. When I can talk about and study the Bible with someone, the better understanding comes through; but alone, confusion can arise. (DRM 1/4/88)

5:4    When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!

    If You will do this for me, then I'll do this for You. Then He did what was asked, now you must do what you said you would.
    Do I (we) keep our promises to God? It's important not to forget a vow - thus better to write it down — and do it! (DRM 7/17/08)

5:6a    Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. . .

    This is exactly how I sin the most. So often I say something without thinking and always regret it later. 
    Lord, teach me to THINK before I speak!

7:20    There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.

    We are ALL sinners, no matter how good we try to be, we do sin. We can try, but even thoughts and motives sometimes are sinful. Look to Jesus for deliverance. (DRM 1/25/89)

8:4    Since a king's word is supreme, who can say to him, "What are you doing?"

    The King in my life is the Lord Jesus Christ. If I don't understand Him and His plans for my life, why should I doubt Him and His plan? I know that I shouldn't say "What are you doing?", but to be submissive and try to continue in His will. (DRM 1/7/87)

10:6    Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.

    The fools in this verse are unbelievers, and quite often they hold high positions. We believers are the rich (in His love) and we occupy the lower jobs - but we have the Lord! (DRM 1/26/89)

11:2    Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.

    Solomon has many thoughts in this chapter about a variety of things. This verse brings the word "diversity" to mind. Even financial advice is found in the Bible - if I'm looking for it!
    It seems the Bible is full of information on a lot of subjects, just that we (I) don't study it enough. (DRM 7/18/08)

11:4    Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

    We should concentrate on God; yes, and in doing His will for us, but we can't just watch the earth go by, either. Do our daily work and God will supply our needs. (DRM 1/27/89)

12:11    The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.

    As Solomon completes this book, he reflects on all the books that are available (v. 12) and can keep people reading. But the only worthwhile book is not written by "wise men," but rather the one Shepherd = the Lord God. (I believe this, but that might not be the correct interpretation here.) (DRM 7/19/08)

12:14    For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

    No matter if you are a Christian or not, God will judge every word and deed we perform. I should remember that more often and remember the phrase "Would Jesus be happy with what I just said, or did?" (DRM 1/28/89)