Making Great Works - Ecclesiastes 2:4

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life”, and in chapter two and verse four of his book Solomon said, “I made me great works”, where we read,

I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

The verse reads, “I made me great works;” Solomon began with the words, “I made me”  or “I, Solomon, fashioned, accomplished me, Solomon” “great works” which means “mighty and powerful acts, deeds, undertakings, enterprises and pursuits”. Solomon shared how he fashioned and produced mighty undertakings and pursuits.  

The verse continues, “I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:” Daniel added the words, “I builded me houses” or “I, Solomon, me, Solomon, set up, erected and established abodes, habitations and dwelling places”; “I planted me vineyards” which means “I, Solomon, fixed, established and fastened me, Solomon, gardens of vintage fruit”. Solomon shared how he established abodes and dwelling places and fixed and established gardens of vines.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon how he turned his attention toward forming and erecting mighty undertakings, dwelling places and gardens of vines of fruit. (See 1 Kings 7:1-2, 9-12) Once again, he continued to seek for something that would be fulfilling, but we shall see that all these pursuits beneath the sun ended in emptiness and a desire to find something else to make, fashion, establish or do. God make it this way so that people would seek a personal relationship with Him to fulfill their lives. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and empowered by His Holy Spirit to build that which He desires for our lives which will be fulfilling for all eternity.

Next time Solomon says, “I made me gardens and orchards”, 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".

Giving Myself to Wine - Ecclesiastes 2:3

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What does it?”, and in chapter two and verse three of his book Solomon said, “I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine”, where we read,

I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

The verse reads, “I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom;” Solomon began with the words, “I sought in my heart”  or “I, Solomon, searched, spied and looked within my, Solomon’s, soul, mind and will” “to give myself unto wine” which means “to draw, drag and march my own self to the fruit of the vine”, “yet acquainting my heart” or “still driving, leading and guiding my, Solomon’s, soul, mind and will” “with wisdom” which means “by the use of skill, shrewdness and prudence”. Solomon shared how he looked within his soul and mind to lead his own self toward fruit of the vine while continuing to guide his soul and mind toward skill and prudence. 

The verse goes on to say, “and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.” Daniel continued with the words, “and to lay hold” or “and to grasp, take hold on, seize and take possession” “on folly” which means “onto silliness and foolishness”, “till I might see” or “until I, Solomon, may be able to see, look at, inspect, perceive and consider” “what was that good” which means “that which existed as pleasant, agreeable and excellent” “for the sons of men” or “on behalf of the offspring and progeny belonging to human beings”, “which they should do” which means “that they, the human beings, were to make, accomplish, perform and produce” “under the heaven” or “beneath the visible sky, atmosphere and sidereal heaven where God dwells” “all the days” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of the sunrises to sunset” “of their life” or “belonging to their, the human beings’, active and flowing living and sustenance”. Solomon shared how he also decided to take hold of foolishness to discover what would be pleasant and agreeable to people as the live all their “days” beneath the sun.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he decided to imbibe of “wine” while continuing in skill and prudence, and he seized foolishness to determine what would be pleasant and agreeable for people while they lived out their lives beneath the sun. Once again, Solomon is sharing how he continued to try the different things that are available to people in the world. Wine, wisdom, foolishness and pleasure all present an opportunity for us to indulge, however, they are only temporal in nature. Pleasure and sin have a few moments of delight, but as soon as the “high” from them comes, it flees and another activity of fulfillment is sought. God was aware of this, and for this reason He works in the eternal. Everyone is separated from a personal relationship with God because of our sins, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into His satisfying truth for all eternity. 

Next time Solomon says, “I made me great works”, 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".

Laughter is Mad - Ecclesiastes 2:2

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I said in my heart, Go to now, I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity”, and in chapter two and verse two of his book Solomon said, “I said of laughter, It is mad”, where we read,

I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What does it?

The verse reads, “I said of laughter, It is mad:” Solomon began with the words, “I said of laughter”  or “I, Solomon, uttered, declared and proclaimed concerning joyful mocking, derision and sport”, “It is mad” which means “it, laughter, exists as folly, madness and senseless”. Solomon concluded that joyful mocking and derision is senseless.

The verse continues, “and of mirth, What does it?” Daniel added the words, “and of mirth or “and concerning joy, gladness, gaiety and pleasure”, “what does it” which means “whatsoever does mocking and derision accomplish”? Solomon questioned the value and accomplishment of joy, gladness, gaiety and pleasure.

When we mediate upon Solomon’s words in this verse, we discover how he said joyful mocking and sport is senseless, and he questioned what gladness and pleasure accomplish. Once again, these are temporal activities, and they never satisfy. Only a personal relationship with God’s Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days will truly satisfy. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into God’s truth that will not only satisfy in this life, but also in the eternal life to come.

Next time Solomon says, “I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine”, 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".

 

Proved with Mirth and Pleasure - Ecclesiastes 2:1

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.”, and in chapter two and verse one of his book Solomon said, “I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure”, where we read,

I said in my heart, Go to now, I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: 

and, behold, this also is vanity.

The verse reads, “I said in my heart, Go to now, I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure:” Solomon began with the words, “I said in my heart”  or “I, Solomon, uttered, declared and proclaimed within my soul, mind and will”, “go to now” which means “come, proceed and live”, “I will prove you” or “I, Solomon, will test, try, and assay you, Solomon’s own self” “with mirth” which means “by the use of joy, gladness, gaiety and pleasure”, “therefore enjoy pleasure” or “wherefore, then and on this account see, look at, perceive and consider that which is good, pleasant, agreeable and excellent”. Solomon purposed within his soul and mind to test and try himself by the use of gladness and pleasure, so he began to consider that which is agreeable and excellent.

The verse goes on to say, “and, behold, this also is vanity.” Daniel continued with  the words, “and, behold” or “and, lo, look and consider”, “this also is vanity” which means “this, the pursuit of that which is filled with joy and gaiety, even so and indeed exists as vapor, breath and unsatisfactory emptiness”. Solomon concluded that the pursuit of happiness and gaiety also ends in unsatisfactory emptiness.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he moved from the pursuit of educational and mental accouterments  such as “wisdom and understanding” to pleasurable acts and deeds. His idea was to seek after happiness and things that are pleasurable, however, he found them to be empty as well. It has been said, “sin is pleasurable for a season”, however, that season soon ends and a person finds themselves pursuing another means to make them feel happy and pleased. God is aware of this, and His idea is to bring eternal salvation to every person who yields their life to 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 give us the satisfaction of His Holy Spirit who will guide us into His truth that continually satisfies in a way no other pursuit of pleasure will. 

Next time Solomon says, “I said of laughter, It is mad”, 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".

Much Wisdom Much Grief - Ecclesiastes 1:18

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit”, and in chapter one and verse eighteen of his book Solomon said, “in much wisdom is much grief”, where we read,

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.

The verse reads, “For in much wisdom is much grief:” Solomon began with the words, “for in much wisdom”  or “because, since and on account that within a multitude, abundant and great amount of skill, prudence and understanding” “is much grief” which means “exists an abundant and great amount of vexation, frustration and provocation”. Solomon said a great amount of skill and prudence is accompanied by exceedingly great frustration and vexation. 

The verse continues, “and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow.” Daniel added  the words, “and he that increases knowledge” or “and he, the person, who adds, exceeds, and joins himself to perception, skill, discernment and understanding” “increases sorrow” which means “adds, exceeds and joins himself to pain, affliction and anguish”. Solomon concluded that an exceeding amount of pain and affliction accompanies the person who exceeds in skill and discernment. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon made conclusions concerning a great amount of “wisdom” and “knowledge”. He said people who excel in an abundant way in “wisdom” and “knowledge” also excel in “frustration and affliction”. Perhaps he knew this personally as he pursued both “wisdom and knowledge” more than anyone else at that time. God is aware of the desire to have “skill, prudence, perception and discernment”, and we should remember that He knows all things that people seek. His desire is to have a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him, we have yielded to the greatest “wisdom and knowledge” available, and He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth according to His desire for our lives.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Solomon say, “I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure”, 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".

Giving My Heart to Know Wisdom, Madness and Folly - Ecclesiastes 1:17

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I communed with my own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yes, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge”, and in chapter one and verse seventeen of his book Solomon said, “I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly”, where we read,

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: 

I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

The verse reads, “And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly:” Solomon began with the words, “and I gave my heart  or “and I, Solomon, put, set, ascribed and dedicated my, Solomon’s soul, mind and will” “to know wisdom” which means “to learn, perceive, find out, discern and discriminate skill, prudence and understanding”, “and to know” or “and to perceive, see, find out, discern and discriminate” “madness” which means “foolishness, stupidity, insanity and foolhardiness” “and folly” or “and foolishness, silliness and lack of sense”. Solomon shared how he devoted his soul and mind to learn and perceive skill and prudence, and he desired to discern stupidity and foolishness as well.  

The verse goes on to say, “I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.” Daniel continued with  the words, “I perceived” or “I, Solomon, learned, discriminated and found out” “that this also is vexation” which means “that the pursuit of skill, prudence, stupidity and foolishness even so and indeed exists as longing, striving and grasping” “of spirit” or “belonging to the wind, breath, trouble or sorrow”. Solomon learned that that the pursuit of skill, prudence, stupidity and silliness was also a striving emptiness of trouble and sorrow. 

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he determined within his soul, mind and will to learn and found out skill and prudence, and he wanted the opposite side to “wisdom” which is stupidity and foolishness. Solomon wanted to know both, and he discovered that each of them were like grasping at the wind. Both of these exist today, and God is aware of them. He knows exactly what we need to know and what we need to avoid. He is aware that we have sin in our lives, and those sins separate us from a personal relationship with Him and lead to eternal death. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and to receive His Holy Spirit who will guide us into His eternal truth that will provide peace and satisfaction rather than “vexation” of our souls like attempting to grasp the wind.

Next time Solomon says, “in much wisdom is much grief”, 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".

 

Communing With My Heart - Ecclesiastes 1:16

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered”, and in chapter one and verse sixteen of his book Solomon said, “I communed with my own heart”, where we read,

I communed with my own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yes, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

The verse reads, “I communed with my own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem:” Solomon began with the words, “I communed”  or “I, Solomon, spoke, conversed and talked” “with my own heart” which means “toward my, Solomon’s, own personal soul and mind”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “lo” which means “behold, look and consider”, “I am come to great estate” or “I, Solomon, have entered, arrived and been promoted to an important and magnified position”, “and have gotten more wisdom” which means “and have obtained and possessed a greater amount of skill, shrewdness and prudence” “than all they that have been before me” or “compared to each, every, the whole and everyone who has existed and was present” “in Jerusalem” which means “within Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Solomon shared how he talked with his own soul and mind, and he came to the conclusion that he rose to his position and gained a greater amount of skill and prudence compared to every other ruler previous to him.

The verse continues, “yes, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” Daniel added the words, “yes, my heart had great experience” or “also and indeed, my, Solomon’s, soul, mind and will possessed exceedingly and abundantly multiplied perception, vision and discernment” “of wisdom” which means “pertaining to skill, shrewdness and prudence” “and knowledge” or “and perception, skill, understanding and discernment”. Solomon reemphasized that he possessed an exceedingly multiplied amount of skill, prudence and understanding compared to anyone before him.

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we learn about Solomon’s assessment of his rise to power as ruler and his possession of skill, prudence and understanding over and above everyone who ruled before him. He gained an abundantly greater amount of these qualities than others, and because God blessed him, He excelled. God is omniscient. God is omnipotent, and God is omnipresent, and no one knows more than He. He knows that all of mankind is separated from Him because of their sin, and for this reason people die. (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with the “wisdom” of His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into His truth so we will live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

Next time Solomon says, “I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly”, 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".