My Soul Seeks But Does Not Find - Ecclesiastes 7:28

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Behold, this have I found, says the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-eight of his book Solomon shared about, “my soul seeks, but I find not” where we read,

Which yet my soul seeks, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; 

but a woman among all those have I not found.

The verse reads, “Which yet my soul seeks, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found;” Solomon began with the words, “which yet my soul seeks” or “that continually, again and still my, Solomon’s, soul, mind and will require, desire, exact and request”, “but I find not” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover I, Solomon, do not meet, learn, recognize or encounter”: “one man” or “a single and certain male human being” “among a thousand” which means “in the middle and midst of one thousand men” “have I found” or “have I, Solomon, secured, attained, encountered and detected”. Solomon said his heart and mind desires to encounter a single male human being from one thousand who is upright.

 

The verse continues, “but a woman among all those have I not found.” Solomon added the words, “but a woman” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover a female human being” “among all those I have not found” which means “in the midst and middle of each, every and the whole of the human beings I, Solomon have in no way or manner secured, attained, encountered or detected”. Solomon said he did not find a single female human being who was upright in the midst of people. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Solomon had a bleak view of all of mankind, and because there were none who were righteous, he was unable to find one male or female out of a thousand who was considered upright. Paul the apostle said, “there is none righteous, no, not one” (See Romans 3:10) and “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. (See Romans 6:23). Paul also wrote, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (See Romans 6:23), and for this reason God sent His Only begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to be upright so we will reckoned among the righteous before Him in Heaven one day. 

Next time Solomon says, “God has made man upright”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Counting One by One - Ecclesiastes 7:27

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-seven of his book Solomon shared about, “counting one by one, to find out the account” where we read,

Behold, this have I found, says the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:

The verse reads, “Behold, this have I found, says the preacher, …” Solomon began with the words, “behold, this have I found” or “lo, look and consider, the following have I, Solomon discovered, perceived, discerned and learned”, “says the preacher” which means “utters, declares and proclaims the collector of sentences and public speaker to an assembly”. Solomon made the following proclamation about what he discovered.

 

The verse goes on to say, “… counting one by one, to find out the account:” Solomon continued with the words, “counting one by one” or “enumerating one piece or ordinal after another piece or ordinal”, “to find out the account” which means “to attain, secure and acquire the reckoning, intelligence and implication”. Solomon referred to the reckoning that he discovered by enumerating one ordinal after another. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he was accounting for a particular act and deed performed by people. We shall see what he was referring to in our next verse, but for now, let us be mindful that Solomon was tested throughout his life concerning everything that was available. God wants us to prioritize Him in our lives by receiving His Son Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord” who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him, regardless of the “one by one” pieces that enter our lives, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and keep an account of every ordinal that comes our way. 

Next time Solomon says, “my soul seeks, but I find not”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

A Woman More Bitter than Death - Ecclesiastes 7:26

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-six of his book Solomon said,“I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets” where we read,

And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

The verse reads, “And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands:” Solomon began with the words, “and I find more bitter than death” or “and I, Solomon, detect, encounter and recognize to a greater amount of anger, wickedness and discontentedness compared to dying and breathing your last” “the woman” which means “the female human being”, “whose heart is snares” or “whose soul and mind exists as siege-works, bulwarks and hunting implements” “and nets” which means “and dedicated things, bans and cursed things”, “and her hands as bands” or “and her, the woman’s, physical hands of power, might and authority similar and in likeness to bonds, manacles and prisons”. Solomon said he discovered that a female human being who has a soul and mind with bulwarks and cursed things causes more discontent than dying.  

 

The verse continues, “whoso pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.” Solomon added the words, “whoso pleases God” or “whatsoever is good, pleasant and agreeable to the Supreme Deity” “shall escape from her” which means “will slip away, be delivered and be saved separate and apart from her, the woman”; “but the sinner” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the one who is wrong, guilty and misses the mark” “shall be taken by her” which means “will be captured, grasped and seized by her, the woman”. Solomon said the person who does what is good and agreeable to the Supreme Deity Jehovah God will slip away from the “woman” mentioned above, however the person who errs and misses the mark will be snared by her. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon the difficulties that may be experienced when a person is connected to a “woman” who has a mind and soul who desires to trap and seize rather than bless. He said that dying is better. Those who desire to please Jehovah God will keep away from such a woman, however, those who are sinful will be seized by her. God wants us to be wise in our commitments to other people, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given the wisdom and discernment of His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and keep us away from the “woman” or any other person who would trap us by their snaring and sinful ways. 

Next time Solomon shares about, “counting one by one, to find out the account”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Applying to Seek Out Wisdom - Ecclesiastes 7:25

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon asked, “that which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-five of his book Solomon said, “I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom”, where we read,

I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, 

and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:

The verse reads, “I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, …” Solomon began with the words, “I applied my heart to know” or “I, Solomon, turned, changed and brought my, Solomon’s, soul, mind and will to perceive, discern, experience and recognize”, “and to search” which means “and to find out, explore and spy out”, “and to seek out wisdom” or “and to desire, require and secure skill, shrewdness and prudence”, “and the reason of things” which means “and the cause, accounting and intelligence pertaining to acts, deeds and speeches”. Solomon said he brought his soul and mind to explore and secure skill, shrewdness and prudence along with the cause of acts, deeds and speeches. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:” Solomon continued with the words, “and to know” or “and to perceive, discern, experience and recognize” “the wickedness of folly” which means “the wrong, guilt and iniquity belonging to silliness and stupidity”, “even of foolishness” or “also and indeed pertaining to silliness, imbecility and lunacy” “and madness” which means “foolhardiness, craziness and reckless behavior”. Solomon said he also brought his soul and mind to perceive the iniquity belonging to silliness, imbecility and foolhardiness. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon wanted his soul and mind to perceive, look for and secure skill and prudence, and he desired to be aware of the cause of acts, deeds and speeches as well as stupidity, imbecility and reckless behavior. God knows all these things, and because He desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth concerning skill, prudence, stupidity and foolhardiness so we may live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

Next time Solomon says, “I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Finding Out the Far Off? - Ecclesiastes 7:24

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you. For oftentimes also your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others. All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-four of his book Solomon said, “that which is far off … who can find it out?”, where we read,

That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

The verse reads, “That which is far off, and exceeding deep, …” Solomon began with the words, “that which is far off” or “what exists remotely, distant, abroad and a long way away”, “and exceedingly deep” which means “and unsearchably and mysteriously extending far down and profound”. Solomon referred to what exists in a remote and mysteriously profound manner. 

 

The verse continues, “… who can find it out?” Solomon added the word, “who” or “what person” “can find it out” which means “”is able to attain, secure, encounter, learn about and discover the exceedingly deep thing? Solomon questioned what person is able to discover that which is distant and mysteriously profound. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how there are unsearchable and profound things that are a long way away from us. God knows everything, and not one thing is unknown to Him. When He saw our sinful condition and the penalty of death that follows it, He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He raised Him from the dead after three days, and when we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us the unsearchable unknowns in keeping with His perfect will and purpose.

Next time Solomon says, “I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".