A Feast is Made for Laughter - Ecclesiastes 10:19

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through”, and in chapter ten and verse nineteen of his book Solomon said, “A feast is made for laughter” where we read,

A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: 

but money answers all things.

The verse reads, “A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry:” Solomon began with the words, “a feast” or “bread, food and grain” “is made for laughter” which means “is fashioned , produced and accomplished on behalf of joyful sport”, “and wine makes merry” or “and the fruit of the vine causes those who imbibe it to rejoice, exult and be glad for being alive”. Solomon referred to the way food is prepared to make the consumers of it to rejoice, and the fruit of the vine causes those who drink it to be happy and glad. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “but money answers all things.” Solomon continued with the words, “but money” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover silver metal, shekels and talents” “answers all things” which means “responds, speaks loudly and shouts toward each, every and the whole of acts, deeds and objects”. Solomon said silver talents and shekels respond to each and every act and deed. 

When we think through words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how “feasts” or “parties” provide joy to people, and fruit of the vine cause them to rejoice, however, silver talents or shekels provides everything. We know this is a worldly view, but nonetheless, they are activities that Solomon observed. God wants us to rely upon Him for our joy, and when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us through His Holy Spirit how to live according to His ways as we rely upon Him for exultation, rejoicing and remuneration while being alive. (See Nehemiah 8:10)

Next time Solomon says, “curse not the king”, 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".

By Much Slothfulness - Ecclesiastes 10:18

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!”, and in chapter ten and verse eighteen of his book Solomon said, “By much slothfulness the building decays” where we read,

By much slothfulness the building decays; 

and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.

The verse reads, “By much slothfulness the building decays;” Solomon began with the words, “by much slothfulness” or “through the means of a great and abundant amount of indolence, sluggishness and laziness” “the building decays” which means “the edifice, frame, beam work is made low, humiliated and sinks”. Solomon said through the means of abundant laziness an edifice sinks and is made low.

 

The verse continues, “and through idleness of the hands the house drops through.” Solomon added the words, “and through idleness” or “and by inactivity and the sinking” “of the hands” which means “pertaining to the physical hands of strength, might and ability” “the house drops through” or “the habitation, abode and dwelling place drips and leaks”. Solomon said the dwelling place leaks by means of inactivity of physical hands.

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how “slothfulness” and “idleness” cause structures to rot and decompose. When an edifice is not maintained, catabolic forces take over, and the “building” perishes in place. God wants us to maintain that which He provides to us, and when we align with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us not to be lazy so we maintain the structures He provides in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

Next time Solomon says, “A feast is made for laughter”, 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".

Blessed are You, O Land - Ecclesiastes 10:17

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!”, and in chapter ten and verse seventeen of his book Solomon said, “Blessed are you, O land” where we read,

Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, 

and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

The verse reads, “Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, …” Solomon began with the words, “blessed are you” or “O how happy do you exist”, “O land” which means “O country, territory, district, region and earth”, “when your king” or “at the time and moment your, the people’s, royal ruler and leader” “is the son” which means “exists as the male offspring and progeny” “of nobles” or “belonging to pure and freeborn ones”. Solomon said a country and region exists as “O how happy” at the time and moment their leaders and rulers are the progeny of freeborn ones.  

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” Solomon continued with the words, “and your princes” or “and your, the land’s, rulers, leaders, chiefs, chieftains and officials” “eat in due season” which means “consume and devour within the proper time, season and occurrence”, “for strength” or “on behalf of power, mighty deeds, valor and ability”, “and not for drunkenness” which means “and not in any way or manner on behalf of intoxication”! Solomon said the rulers and officials under the leadership of the “son of nobles” consume food to perform mighty acts and deeds and not to become intoxicated. 

When we consider Solomon's words in this verse, we see how he considered a country and region “O how happy” at the time and moment they possess a royal ruler who comes from freeborn ones. Their officials consume food and drink at the proper time to provide power and ability to perform mighty acts and deeds rather than to become intoxicated. God Himself appoints leaders and rulers in all the countries and lands, and although people may be involved in some way to promote them, He ultimately is in charge. It is said, “a country gets the leadership it deserves”, and we are to pray and yield to their leadership as long as they do not violate God’s principles in the Bible. (See Romans 13:1-7) God loves us, and He wants us to have a personal relationship with Him 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 yield to 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 all truth so we know how to respond to “God’s” leaders whoever they may be.

Next time Solomon says, “by much slothfulness the building decays”, 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".

Woe to You, O Land - Ecclesiastes 10:16

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city”, and in chapter ten and verse sixteen of his book Solomon said, “woe to you, O land, when your king is a child” where we read,

Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!

The verse reads, “Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, …” Solomon began with the words, “woe to you” or “alas toward you”, “O land” which means “O country, territory, district, region and earth”, “when your king” or “at the time and moment your, the land’s, royal ruler and leader” “is a child” which means “exists as a youthful progeny or offspring”. Solomon called upon his country and region to be alerted at the time and moment their royal ruler is a young human being.

 

The verse continues, “… and your princes eat in the morning!” Solomon added the words, “and your princes” or “and your, the land’s, rulers, leaders, chiefs, chieftains and officials” “eat in the morning” which means “consume and devour at the break of day or dawn”! Solomon referred to leaders and rulers of the people’s “land” who consume their food early in the morning. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon gave an alert and warning to the country and territory at the time their youthful offspring become the rulers and their leaders consume food or parties at dawn. The idea is that the land would be greatly disadvantaged by such leadership. God promotes and demotes leadership (See Daniel 2:21), and when a country or land is provided with inexperienced and disenfranchised officials, the whole land should be warned. God loves people, and because we have sin and error in our lives like this and that sin leads to death (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 to be raised from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us through His Holy Spirit how to live before Him regardless of the leadership, youthful or not, the He assigns to us.  

Next time Solomon says, “Blessed are you, O land”, 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".

 

The Labor of the Foolish - Ecclesiastes 10:15

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?”, and in chapter ten and verse fifteen of his book Solomon said, “the labor of the foolish wearies every one of them” where we read,

The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city.

The verse reads, “The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, …” Solomon began with the words, “the labor” or “the trouble, toil and work” “of the foolish” which means “belonging to the dullard, simpleton and stupid fellow” “wearies every one of them” or “labors, makes weary and exhausts each, all and the whole of people who are simpletons and foolish”. Solomon said the work of simpletons and dullards causes all of them to be exhausted. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… because he knows not how to go to the city.” Solomon continued with the words, “because he knows not” or “since and on account that he, the foolish person, does not perceive, see, find out, discern, distinguish or recognize”, “how to go” which means “in what way to walk, depart, be led and proceed” “to the city” or “toward the place of waking, guarded place or town”. Solomon said “foolish” people are so exhausted from their work that they are unable to walk and proceed toward to the town. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how work exhausts people who are simpletons and dullards, and the effects of their “labor” is so treacherous, they are unable to proceed toward their own town. We can imagine how they amplify the difficulty of their toil, and God does not want us to be this way. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead, He made the way through belief and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit so we commit to our labor in a manner that is not overly exhausting and always gives glory to Him. 

Next time Solomon says, “woe to you, O land, when your king is a child”, 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 Fool is Full of Words - Ecclesiastes 10:14

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself . The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness”, and in chapter ten and verse fourteen of his book Solomon said, “a fool also is full of words” where we read,

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; 

and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

The verse reads, “A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be;” Solomon began with the words, “a fool also” or “a simpleton, dullard and stupid fellow even so and indeed” “is full of words” which means “exists with numerous, abundant and an increased amount of utterances, proclamations and speeches”: “a man cannot tell” or “a person whether male or female is unable and incapable of knowing, perceiving, discerning and finding out” “what shall be” which means “that which will exist.” Solomon said a person who is a simpleton and dullard is filled with an abundant amount of utterances, and a person is unable to perceive that which will exist. 

 

The verse continues, “and what shall be after him, who can tell him?” Solomon added the words, “and what shall be after him” or “and that which will exist following him, the person”, “who can tell him” which means “what person is able and capable to be conspicuous, make known, announce and expound that which shall occur following them”? Solomon questioned what person is able to perceive that which shall follow them and to make known what shall exist when they are gone. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how Solomon continued to share concerning the “words” of dullards and simpletons. Although they have a lot to say, they are unable to disclose the future and what will exist following their time on earth. No one else, other than God Himself, is able to disclose this knowledge to them either, and this is why it is best for us to put our faith and trust in God’s Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us to trust Him with our future and that which shall exist following our time in this world. 

Next time Solomon says, “the labor of the foolish wearies every one of them”, 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".

Beginning Foolish Words - Ecclesiastes 10:13

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself”, and in chapter ten and verse thirteen of his book Solomon said, “the beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness” where we read,

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: 

and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

The verse reads, “The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness:” Solomon began with the words, “the beginning” or “the origin and commencement” “of the words of his mouth” which means “pertaining to the utterances, declarations and proclamations belonging to his, the foolish man’s, orifice in the face used for eating, drinking and speaking” “is foolishness” or “exists as folly and silliness”. Solomon said the commencement of the utterances from the orifice in the face used for speaking of a fool is filled with silliness and folly. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.” Solomon continued with the words, “and the end of his talk” or “and the after, latter and final part pertaining to his, the foolish person’s, extreme commands and sentence” “is mischievous madness” which means “exists as bad, evil, malignant and unpleasant folly”. Solomon said the final words from the speech of the foolish person exists as malignant and evil wickedness. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how the beginning and ending of the words of a simpleton and foolish person are silly and wicked. In other words, everything they say is unprofitable and leads to trouble. God wants us to guard our tongues, (See James 3:2-12), and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised from the dead after three days, those sins included the words of our mouths. When we surrender to Jesus, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the power of His Holy Spirit to help control what we say both in the commencement and in the finality of our words. 

Next time Solomon says, “a fool also is full of words”, 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".