The Word for Today with Ray

Monday, March 9, 2026

Greater than All Before Me - Ecclesiastes 2:9

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I got me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts”, and in chapter two and verse nine of his book Solomon said, “I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem”, where we read,

So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem:

also my wisdom remained with me.

The verse reads, “So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem:” Solomon began with the words, “so I was great” or “wherefore, therefore, then and on this account I, Solomon, existed as important, promoted, powerful and magnified”, “and increased more” which means “and grew to an even greater decree” “than all that were before me” or “compared to each, every, the whole one everyone who existed prior and in advanced to me, Solomon” “in Jerusalem” which means “within Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Solomon concluded that he was promoted, powerful and important, and he grew to an even greater degree than anyone else who existed prior to him within the city of Jerusalem.

The verse goes on to say, “also my wisdom remained with me.” Daniel continued with the words, “also my wisdom” or “even so and indeed my, Solomon’s, skill, prudence and understanding” “remained with me” which means “stayed, tarried, abided, persisted and continued alongside of me, Solomon”. Solomon shared how his skill, prudence and understanding continued alongside of him even when he became “great” and “increased more” than any other.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon concluded that he was powerful and important, and he grew to an even greater measure beyond anyone who preceded him in the city of Jerusalem. This was because he accumulated so much, and sometimes wealth causes people to become important and believe themselves to be better and greater than others. God is no respecter of persons, (See Romans 2:11; Acts 10:34) and everyone, regardless of what they do or do not possess, is invited to receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days as their “Savior and Lord”. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to show us our value is in our relationship with Him and not within the temporary possessions available in the world.

Next time Solomon says, “whatsoever my eyes desired I kept not from 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".

Gathering Silver, Gold, Singers and Instruments - Ecclesiastes 2:8

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me”, and in chapter two and verse eight of his book Solomon said, “I gathered me also silver and gold … and singers … and instruments” where we read,

I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces:

I got me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

The verse reads, “I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces:” Solomon began with the words, “I gathered me also” or “I, Solomon, collected and assembled me, Solomon, even so and indeed” “silver and gold” which means “silver and gold metal”, “and the peculiar treasure” or “and valuable property” “of kings” which means “belonging to royal rulers and leaders” “and of the provinces” or “and belonging to the districts and regions”. Solomon shared how he assembled silver and gold metal as well as valuable property belonging to royal rulers and districts.

The verse continues, “I got me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.” Daniel added the words, “I got me men singers” or “I, Solomon, fashioned, accomplished, established and produced me, Solomon, males who used their voices to make music”, “and women singers” which means “and females who used their voices to make music”, “and the delights of the sons of men” or “and the dainties, luxuries, delights and comforts pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to human beings”, “as musical instruments” which means “for all sorts of implements and devices to make music”, “and that of all sorts” or “and the pertaining to each and every type”. Solomon said he obtained both “men and women” who used their voices to make music, and they also used many different luxurious comforts belonging to people as utensils to make music.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he assembled a band or orchestra as well as a choir of men and women to make music. He used all types of luxurious items to make music, and we can only imagine the sound they made together. God gives people musical abilities, and when they use them to glorify Him and to bless others, they employ their voices and instruments in ways that are pleasing to Him. God 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 grave after three days. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to use our gifts and “instruments” to worship Him all the days of our lives.

Next time Solomon says, “I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Getting Servants, Maidens and Cattle - Ecclesiastes 2:7

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards. I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits. I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that brings forth trees”, and in chapter two and verse seven of his book Solomon said, “I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house … and small cattle”, where we read,

I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house;

also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

The verse reads, “I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house;” Solomon began with the words, “I got me servants” or “I, Solomon, acquired and obtained me, Solomon, bondmen, men of servile condition and slaves” “and maidens” which means “and female slaves and bondwomen”, “and had servants” or “and possessed bondmen, men of servile condition and servants” “born in my house” which means “birthed within my, Solomon’s, habitation, abode and dwelling place”. Solomon shared how he obtained male and female people of servile condition, and in addition he possessed bondmen who were birthed within his dwelling place.

The verse goes on to say, “also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:” Daniel continued with the words, “also I had great possessions” or “even so and indeed I, Solomon, possessed massive, abundant and numerous amounts of livestock and domestic animals” “of great and small cattle” which means “containing large and small sheep, goat and flocks” “above all” or “over and beyond each, every, the whole one everyone of the people” “that were in Jerusalem” which means “who lived within Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split” “before me” or “prior to and previous to me, Solomon”. Solomon shared how he owned numerous amounts of livestock which consisted of large and small animals such as sheep and goats that were greater in number than anyone had gathered previous to him.

When we consider Solomon words in this verse, we learn how he assembled male and female “servants” to himself, and some of them were actually “born” within his home. He collected abundant amounts of “small and large” cattle, and they were so numerous that they outnumbered all the others who lived within “Jerusalem” prior to him. Once again Solomon sought to satisfy himself by excelling, and we shall see that not even this great feat would fulfill him. God wants us to find our fulfillment in Him, and when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross 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 teach us to use the things we possess to glorify Him rather than to seek satisfaction for ourselves.

Next time Solomon says, “I gathered me also silver and gold … and singers … and instruments”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Making Pools of Water - Ecclesiastes 2:6

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards. I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits”, and in chapter two and verse six of his book Solomon said, “I made me pools of water”, where we read,

I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that brings forth trees:

The verse reads, “I made me pools of water, …” Solomon began with the words, “I made me” or “I, Solomon, formed, fashioned, accomplished and established” “pools of water” which means “reservoirs and ponds containing water”. Solomon shared how he also fashioned and established ponds of water.

The verse continues, “… to water therewith the wood that brings forth trees:” Daniel added the words, “to water therewith the wood” or “to give drink, irrigate and cause to be moistened with the ponds of water the forest, thicket and wooded height” “that brings forth trees” which means “that sprouts, springs up and grows trees”. Solomon said the “ponds of waters” were meant to irrigate the forest and wooded height that produced “trees”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he not only formed the “gardens and orchards with fruit trees”, but also fashioned the irrigation system with ponds of water to moisten them. These were ingenious works, and yet we shall see that they did not satisfy him. God gives people their wisdom, skill, ability and drive, and when they make or fashion works of wonder, God should receive all the glory and credit for the process. Otherwise, the works, acts and deeds lead to pride and a lack of satisfaction. God designed the human race so there is only one relationship that truly satisfies, and that is a personal relationship 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. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us with His Holy Spirit who will empower us to establish whatever He desires as we give Him the glory for all He has done through us.

Next time Solomon says, “I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house … and small cattle”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Making Gardens and Orchards - Ecclesiastes 2:5

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards”, and in chapter two and verse five of his book Solomon said, “I made me gardens and orchards”, where we read,

I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

The verse reads, “I made me gardens and orchards, …” Solomon began with the words, “I made me” or “fashioned, established and accomplished for me, Solomon” “gardens” which means “plots and pieces of land with vegetation” “and orchards” or “and parks, preserves with enclosed forests”. Solomon shared how he established pieces of land with vegetation and parks of enclosed forests.

The verse goes on to say, “… and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:” Daniel continued with the words, “and I planted trees in them” or “and I, Solomon, fixed, set and established stalks and timbers within them, the gardens and orchards” “of all kind of fruits” which means “pertaining to each, every and the whole amount of produce”. Solomon said he set different types of produce within the “gardens and orchards”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon continued to “build and establish” as he sought for fulfillment and satisfaction in life. This time he made “gardens and orchards” with “fruit trees” within them. This is a continued list of his efforts that led to “vanity and vexation”. Each of these things are wonderful in themselves, but they will never completely satisfy because God designed us to be satisfied by a personal relationship with Him. When we receive His Son Jesus into our lives 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 put His Holy Spirit within us so we are able to “build and establish” from fulfillment rather than making efforts to be content by our own pursuits.

Next time Solomon says, “I made me pools of water”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Sunday, March 8, 2026

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…

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…