Ecclesiastes 3-6

 Well, hello. Welcome Back.

Today we are reading chapters 3-6. And what we aren't talking about is how many times I have to look at my Bible to remember how to actually spell Ecclesiastes. I will get it eventually, right?

First off, let's talk Bible translations. I'm using NIV. New International Version. I feel like this is the easiest translation to understand. and the least intimidating. When I switched to NIV, I finally felt like I could (mostly) understand what I was reading.....there isn't a "thou" in sight. So if you are having trouble reading your Bible, check out a different version and see if it helps.

Now, let's get into it. Did you go back and read chapters 1 and 2? I hope so. That's like, the entire point.

Chapter 3 is titled "A Time for Everything". It's slightly strange that Solomon is saying there is a time for hate and a time for war, because those aren't good, right? But he's saying there is a time for hate because let's all hate sin, not people. 

Romans 12:9 says "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." GOD HATES SIN. so there's your time for hate.

Time for war, well, I think this points more towards bad things like war happens, but God is in control. He has ALL THE THINGS in his hands and nothing happens without him already knowing about it. BALANCE.

Verse 13 says "That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil-this is the gift of God." so eat, drink and be merry! but seriously, he's just saying you should enjoy the day and be present.

Side note, I read somewhere that the word "toil" is in this book 31 times! Now, I did not go back and count, so please don't fact check me, but it is mentioned a lot, that is for sure.

Verse 14 says "I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it." So guess what? There is NOTHING you can do to make God love you more or to make God love you less. His love endures forever, no matter our sin. (Whew, can I get an AMEN?)

Three times in the bible, God says you are his treasured possession. TREASURED. so there is nothing you can do to change that! 

Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2; and Malachi 3:17. All three of these verses emphasize God choosing his people and valuing them deeply. (you are his people!!)

Chapter 4, verses 1-12: Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness

Honestly, this chapter is a bit depressing if you don't realize that in the end, Solomon realizes that life is good as long as you are living it with God. He is just having a hard time when writing this, and we've all been there, right? If anything, it makes him more relatable. 

He says that some people are better off not to have been born (v.2), living a life with moderation is the way to go because the more stuff you have, the more you want, the less content you are with life (v.6), and that if you live alone, trusting no one, you have no comfort (v.10)

We all need people in our lives to provide comfort. In fact, the very first time that God claimed something was not good, was when he noted Adam's loneliness in Genesis 2:18. "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him'."

verses 13-16: Advancement is Meaningless. this section tells about being poor and wise in your youth and growing into old and foolish. Everyone celebrates you and notices you when you are young and wise, but once you are old, everyone forgets you. So.....success is temporary. Popularity fades. Solomon is warning us that if advancement is your main goal, you will be disappointed because it will all eventually feel meaningless without God. 

Chapter 5, verses 1-7: Fulfill your Vow to God.  listen more, speak less. We should all do this. Guard your mouth. Don't make me be a mom and tell you that once you say something, you can not take it back. so think before you speak. 

5:6 says "Do not let your mouth lead you into sin." and boy can it. Be aware of this!

verses 8-20: Riches are Meaningless. Do not covet wealth because money does not satisfy. 

5:10 says "whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. this too is meaningless" so basically, MO MONEY, MO PROBLEMS. 

5:12 says "The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep." so the person who has little but is content with what they have can sleep easily at night, but the person who has a lot is constantly thinking about how they can get more, so they are up all night wanting.

Chapter 6 in my Bible has no subtitle, so it is still under the Riches are Meaningless theme.

Listen, verses 3-5 are again, a bit depressing. but these verses remind us that WE NEED GOD. Read these verses with that in mind.

6:8 says "what advantage have the wise over fools? what do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?"

Solomon warns us to make the best of what we have. Be content, even if you are content while striving for more. God is good, all the time.

If you are in a phase right now where everything feels meaningless and nothing brings you joy, I pray that these chapters take you deep into thought. Joy can be found in Jesus, nowhere else. and what joy it is! Praying that you find joy!

Now, go read these chapters and report back. Let's eat.