The Word for Today with Ray

Friday, April 17, 2026

God Shall Bring Every Work into Judgment - Ecclesiastes 12:14

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man”, and in chapter twelve and verse fourteen of his book Solomon said, “God shall bring every work into judgment” where we read,

God shall bring every work into judgment,

with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

The verse reads, “God shall bring every work into judgment, …” Solomon began with the words, “God shall bring every work” which means “the Supreme Deity will lead and carry each, the whole and all deeds, acts, labors, pursuits and undertakings” “into judgment” or “to justice, ordinance, procedure, process and litigation”. Solomon declared that the Supreme Deity will carry all acts, deeds and undertakings to justice, procedure and litigation.

The verse continues, “… with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Solomon added the words, “with every secret thing” or “alongside and accompanying each, the whole and all hidden or concealed matters, deeds and acts”, “whether it be good” which means “if and in case the secret thing existed as pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuable” “or whether it be evil” or “or if and in case the secret thing exists as bad, malignant, disagreeable, unpleasant, hurtful and wicked”. Solomon shared how all concealed acts, deeds and matters will also be brought to justice by Jehovah God as to if they are pleasant and valuable or malignant and wicked.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon that God will indeed have all the acts and deeds brought before His judgment seat and throne to be judged. Nothing is hidden from God, and if acts and deeds are pleasant or wicked, He knows. He knows we have all sinned and come short of His glory (See Romans 3:23), and the wages for those sins is death. (See Romans 6:23) For this reason 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 after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will help us keep His commandments and ways so when our acts and deeds are judged He declares, “well done good and faithful servant”. (See Matthew 25:14-46; John 16:13)

Next time we begin a new book, the book of Joshua, 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 Conclusion of the Whole Matter - Ecclesiastes 12:13

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished of making many books there is no end; and much study is weariness of the flesh”, and in chapter twelve and verse thirteen of his book Solomon said, “let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter” where we read,

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

The verse reads, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:” Solomon began with the words, “let us hear” which means “allow and permit us, Solomon and his readers, to listen to, obey and perceive by ear” “the conclusion” or “the termination, hinder participle and end” “of the whole matter” which means “pertaining to each, every, the totality and everything about the word, speaking, utterance and business”. Solomon called upon himself and his readers to perceive the end of everything that he declared.

The verse goes on to say, “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Solomon continued with the words, “fear God” or “be afraid, honor, stand in awe and revere the Supreme Deity”, “and keep his commandments” which means “and guard, give heed to, have charge of, obey and protect his, God’s, law, ordinance and precepts”: “for this is the whole duty” or “because, since and on account that fearing God and keeping His commandments exist as the entire responsibility” “of man” which means “belonging to people, whether male or female”. Solomon said having honor and reverence toward the Supreme Deity Jehovah God and observing His law exist as the entire responsibility of people.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover the principle Solomon learned after attempting everything that was available to Him. There is nothing greater than having awe and reverence toward Jehovah God and obeying His laws and ways. God wants to have a personal 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 as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us through His Holy Spirit to honor and revere Him while we keep and observe His laws and commandments.

Next time Solomon says, “God shall bring every work into judgment”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Words of Admonishment - Ecclesiastes 12:12

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd”, and in chapter twelve and verse twelve of his book Solomon said, “and further, by these, my son, be admonished” where we read,

And further, by these, my son, be admonished of making many books there is no end;

and much study is weariness of the flesh.

The verse reads, “And further, by these, my son, be admonished of making many books there is no end;” Solomon began with the words, “and further” which means “and to a superior, excess and greater degree”, “by these” or “through the means of the following”, “my son” which means “my, Solomon’s male offspring and progeny”, “be admonished” or “exist as taught and warned” “of making many books” which means “for fashioning, accomplishing and producing a great and abundant amount of missives, writings and documents” “there is no end” or “there exists not any completion or utmost border”. Solomon warned his “son” that there exists no completion of producing missives and documents.

The verse continues, “and much study is weariness of the flesh.” Solomon added the words, “and much study” or “and a great, numerous and abundant amount of intense mental application” “is weariness” which means “exists as tiring and fatiguing” “of the flesh” or “pertaining to the body”. Solomon told his son that excessive mental application causes tiring of the body.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon warned his male offspring concerning numerous amounts of missives and documents as well as the excessive intense mental application. As great as they are, “books and study” can become overbearing. God wants us to know Him and 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. When we surrender our lives 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 know how to keep a balance in the number of “books” we observe and how much time we spend in “study”.

Next time Solomon says, “let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Wise Words are as Goads - Ecclesiastes 12:11

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth”, and in chapter twelve and verse eleven of his book Solomon said, “the words of the wise are as goads” where we read,

The words of the wise are as goads,

and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

The verse reads, “The words of the wise are as goads, …” Solomon began with the words, “the words of the wise” which means “the speeches, utterances, declarations and proclamations belonging to people who are skilled, shrewd and prudent” “are as goads” or “exist similar and in likeness to pointed cattle prods and rods”. Solomon said utterances from people who are shrewd and prudent exist similar to cattle prods.

The verse goes on to say, “and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.” Solomon continued with the words, “and as nails” or “and similar and in likeness to fastening pegs or spikes” “fastened by the masters of assemblies” which means “fixed, planted and established through and by way of the lords, owners, captains and rulers pertaining to collections of learned men”, “which are given” or “that are granted, bestowed and assigned” “from one shepherd” which means “by the source of a single person who tends, grazes and feeds pastures animals”. Solomon said “wise words” are also similar to fastening spikes which are established by lords and rulers, and those “wise words” proceed from a single person.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how “wise words” are not only valuable to those who receive them, but those words also prod along and establish the person who takes heed to them. God has given us His “wise words” which are found in the Holy Scripture, the Bible, and when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who was sent 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 equip us with His Holy Spirit so we take heed to His “wise words” and allow them to prod our hearts and minds as we live before His eyes.

Next time Solomon says, “and further, by these, my son, be admonished”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Finding Out Acceptable Words - Ecclesiastes 12:10

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs”, and in chapter twelve and verse ten of his book Solomon said,““the preacher sought to find out acceptable words” where we read,

The preacher sought to find out acceptable words:

and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

The verse reads, “The preacher sought to find out acceptable words:” Solomon began with the words, “the preacher” which means “the collector, public speaker and assembler Solomon”, “sought to find out” or “desired, exacted and requested to secure” “acceptable words” which means “delightful, pleasurable and longing speeches, utterances declarations and proclamations”. Solomon shared how he as the collector and assembler desired to secure delightful and pleasurable utterances and declarations.

The verse continues, “and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.” Solomon added the words, “and that which was written” or “and what was recorded, inscribed, registered and enrolled” “was upright” which means “existed as equitable, right and straight”, “even words of truth” or “also and indeed utterances, declarations and proclamations pertaining to sureness, firmness, faithfulness, continuance and reliableness”. Solomon said he wrote, recorded and inscribed righteous and truthful words.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he was driven to discover speeches and declarations which were delightful and pleasurable which allowed him to write “words” which were true and righteous. By what we have read in this book, he obviously discovered many “words” which were as he desired, and through the Holy Spirit of God, we have those “words” before us. God wants us to know Him and His Son Jesus, and when we receive Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth in keeping with the “words” of His perfect will and plan.

Next time Solomon says, “the words of the wise are as goads”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Teaching the People Knowledge - Ecclesiastes 12:9

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all is vanity”, and in chapter twelve and verse nine of his book Solomon said,“because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge” where we read,

And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge;

yes, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

The verse reads, “And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge;” Solomon began with the words, “and moreover” which means “and to a superior, advantaged, excess and better way”, “because the preacher was wise” or “since and on account that the collector, public speaker and assembler existed as skilled, shrewd and prudent”, “he still taught the people knowledge” which means “he, the preacher Solomon, continued to exercise, instruct and train the human beings both male and female in perception, skill, discernment and understanding. Solomon said to an even greater degree since he was skilled and prudent, he gave instruction to the “people” concerning perception, discernment and understanding.

The verse continues, “yes, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.” Solomon added the words, “yes, he gave good heed” or “even so and indeed, he, the preacher Solomon, weighed out, proved and pondered”, “and sought out” which means “and searched, examined and investigated”, “and set in order” or “and made straight, arranged and equalized” “many proverbs” which means “an abundant and numerous amount of parables, bywords, similitudes, aphorisms and poems”. Solomon shared how he weighed out, proved, searched for and arranged a great number of parables, similitudes and poems.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover Solomon’s labor in the kingdom where he served. He was “wise”, and he passed on this wisdom that was given to him by God to the people in his kingdom. (See 1 Kings 4:29-34) God wants us to be wise as well, and when we receive “wisdom” from God, we are to use opportunities to share with others in keeping with God’s will. God loves us, and when we surrender our lives to 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 eternal life and teach us His “wisdom” through His Holy Spirit who will enter our lives and come upon us to the benefit of ourselves and others.

Next time Solomon says, “the preacher sought to find out acceptable words”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Vanity of Vanities - Ecclesiastes 12:8

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon shared about, “when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goes to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets. Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it”, and in chapter twelve and verse eight of his book Solomon said, “vanity of vanities, says the preacher” where we read,

Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all is vanity.

The verse reads, “Vanity of vanities, says the preacher;” Solomon began with the words, “vanity of vanities” which means “vapor, breath and unsatisfactory emptiness belonging to vapor, breath and unsatisfactory emptiness”, “says the preacher” or “utters, declares and proclaims the minister, public speaker and collector of sentences”. Solomon repeated his words which he used in chapter one and verse two of this book in which he as the public speaker made a declaration concerning emptiness belonging to emptiness.

The verse goes on to say, “all is vanity.” Solomon added the word, “all” or “each, every, the whole and everything” “is vanity” which means “exists as vapor, breath and unsatisfactory emptiness”. Solomon declared everything to be as vapor, breath and unsatisfactory emptiness.

When we think through Solomon’s words in this verse, we see how after instructing the “young man” concerning death and living his life before the effects of aging take place, he resorted to his beginning phrase about all the things of life. God wants us to live the life He has given to us in a manner that is pleasing to Him and us, and when we 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 our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit so we are guided into His truth and empowered to live according to that truth so our days and years will never be known as “vanity of vanities”.

Next time Solomon says, “because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…