Today in God's Word—July 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
July 23, Ecclesiastes 11
So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. - Ecclesiastes 11:8
Solomon painted a rather bleak portrait of life in the previous chapters of Ecclesiastes. But in the final two chapters, the tone changed as Solomon addressed an alternative way to live that does not leave you feeling empty. There is a way to live that does not lead to frustration and hopelessness.
As he focused on optimism and living with reverence for God, Solomon repudiated many of the dark things he wrote earlier in the book. Solomon had amassed and spent a great fortune on his unbridled desire to acquire. But in Chapter 11 he advised his readers to give and share instead of hoarding the resources at their disposal. He encouraged them to cast their bread on the waters, to give without the calculated expectation of what we might get in return. Jesus taught us to “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” Solomon noted that God is generous like the clouds full of rain that empty themselves to water the earth. It’s easy to find excuses for not doing what we have the opportunity to do. But like a farmer who obsessively watches The Weather Channel instead of sowing and reaping, excuse-makers who fail to do their work will not have a happy harvest.
Most rational people base their behavior on what they know, believe and understand. But Solomon advised the course of giving instead of hoarding on the basis of some things we do not know. He said we do not know what disasters may happen and take away our resources and our opportunity to do good. We also do not know how God works, just as we don’t know how God directs the wind on its path or forms a child in a mother’s womb. We do not know what the product or outcome of our kindness and generosity will be. So we ought to
be kind and generous whenever we have the opportunity to do so, and leave the results to God.
Do you hear the difference between leaving the results to God and what Solomon did when he pursued meaning and satisfaction by his own “wisdom” and plans? That plan led to empty futility. There’s a better way to live than putting self at the center, and it’s in donig good and relying on God for the outcome.
Then Solomon turned to the next part of the plan for keeping life from being empty or meaningless. He advised his readers to appreciate the light and enjoy the bright sunny days. He said we should rejoice if we are blessed to live many years, but we should remember that there will also be dark days during our lifetimes. But like the other days of our lives, the dark ones will be fleeting. James taught us to rejoice in our trials, because God uses them to develop us to maturity. Paul’s triad of counsel for troubling times was to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer.
It’s important to realize that Solomon’s advice to enjoy youthful life comes with a cautionary statement. He reminded the young person that death is coming and judgment will follow death.
So enjoy your life here, but remember that it is fleeting. After your days are over here, you will face judgment and eternity. If we are truly wise, we will enjoy our bright days and put youthful energy to work in good ways. When dark days come, let’s not forget the bright ones we’ve enjoyed and trust that these dark ones will pass. Living with God and his will at the center of my life is the best way to do both kinds of days in this world, and prepare myself for judgment and the world to come.
Copyright © 2023 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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