The Word for Today with Ray

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Eat, Drink and Enjoy Labor - Ecclesiastes 2:24

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon asked, “For what has man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he has labored under the sun? For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yes, his heart takes not rest in the night. This is also vanity”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-four of his book Solomon said, “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink” and to “enjoy good in his labor”, where we read,

There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

The verse reads, “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, …” Solomon began with the words, “there is nothing better” or “there exists not one thing good, pleasant, agreeable and excellent” “for a man” which means “on behalf of a male human being”, “than that he should eat” or “than that he, the male human being, would consume and devour” “and drink” which means “and imbibe”. Solomon said there was not one thing more pleasant and agreeable for a person than that the person consumes and imbibes.

The verse goes on to say, “… and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” Daniel continued with the words, “and that he should make his soul” or “and that he, the male human being, should cause his mind and soul to” “enjoy good” which means “see, look at, perceive and consider that which is pleasant, agreeable and excellent” “in his labor” or “within his toil, trouble and wearisome efforts”. “This also I saw” which means “this, even so and indeed, I, Solomon, looked at, inspected, perceived and considered”, “that it was from the hand” or “that it, the toil and work, existed separate and apart from the power, might and authority” “of God” which means “belonging to the Supreme Deity”. Solomon said a person should cause their mind and will to perceive that which is pleasant and agreeable because he observed they were from the power and authority belonging to the Supreme Deity Jehovah God.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he concluded that nothing exceeds eating, drinking and enjoy “good” in toil and wearisome efforts. Solomon said these came from the authority of Jehovah God, and the person who is blessed by them has received His blessings. God loves people, and He gives them certain gifts and abilities according to His authority, power and choice. When we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will grant us gifts to be used in His Kingdom which shall remain forever and ever. (See 1 Corinthians 12)

Next time Solomon asks, “who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?”, 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".

Days of Sorrow and Grief - Ecclesiastes 2:23

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon asked, “For what has man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he has labored under the sun?”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-three of his book Solomon said, “all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief”, where we read,

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief;

yes, his heart takes not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

The verse reads, “For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief;” Solomon began with the words, “for all his days” or “because, since and on account that each, every, the whole and everyone of his, the man who labors’, sunrises to sunsets” “are sorrows” which means “exist as painful and filled with anguish”, “and his travail grief” or “and his, the man who labor’s, occupation, job and employment exists as anger, vexation and provocation”. Solomon said each, every, the whole and every one of the sunrises to sunsets of the man who labors exist as painful and filled with anguish, and his job and employment exist as vexation.

The verse continues, “yes, his heart takes not rest in the night. This is also vanity.” Daniel added the words, “yes, his heart takes not rest” or “even so and indeed, his, the man who labor’s, soul, mind and will does not lodge, lie down or relax” “in the night” which means “within the nighttime hours”. “This is also vanity” or “this, no rest in the nighttime, exists even so and indeed as vapor, breath and wearisome dissatisfaction”. Solomon said the person who labors in anguish and whose employment is vexing is unable to rest and relax in the nighttime hours which also is as vapor and grasping at the wind.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he considered the person who has grievously worked and is vexed within his soul and mind as one who perpetually has pain and anguish because of his vexing employment. This poor individual is so troubled that he is unable to rest and relax when the nighttime hours arrive, and it becomes emptiness and as grasping for the wind to him. God doesn’t want our lives to exist in that manner. He has an eternal purpose for 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 surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will not only guide us into His eternal truth, but also empower us to live in a manner that is forever pleasing to Him.

Next time Solomon says, “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink” and to “enjoy good in his labor”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

What has a Man of All His Labor? - Ecclesiastes 2:22

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “there is a man whose labor is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that has not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-two of his book Solomon asked, “what has a man of all his labor?”, where we read,

For what has man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart,

wherein he has labored under the sun?

The verse reads, “For what has man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, …” Solomon began with the words, “for what has man” or “because, since and on account that whatsoever does a person hold, own or possess” “of all his labor” which means “pertaining to each, every, the whole and everyone of their toils, troubles and wearisome efforts”, “and of the vexation” or “and pertaining to the longing, striving and desire” “of his heart” which means “belonging to his, the man who labors’, soul and mind”. Solomon began to question “what” a person actually possesses for the toils and efforts as well as the longing and desire belonging to his soul and mind.

The verse goes on to say, “… wherein he has labored under the sun?” Daniel continued with the words, “wherein he has labored” or “in which he, the person, has toiled, suffered and had misery” “under the sun” which means “beneath the sun in the sky”? Solomon continued his question by including the wearisome work that was produced by the person beneath the sun in the sky.

When we consider Solomon’s words in this verse, we discover how he questioned what a person actually receives from every one of their works beneath the sun which includes a longing and striving of their soul and mind. Because Solomon’s view was that everything ends in “vanity”, even work and toil become “vexation” when it’s only reward is “beneath the sun”. God’s desire is to give us an eternal work in His Kingdom through 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. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and teach us to “labor” in a manner that shall be rewarding forever.

Next time Solomon says, “all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Laboring in Wisdom, Knowledge and Equity - Ecclesiastes 2:21

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor which I took under the sun”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-one of his book Solomon said, “there is a man whose labor is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity”, where we read,

For there is a man whose labor is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that has not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

The verse reads, “For there is a man whose labor is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity;” Solomon began with the words, “for there is a man” or “because, since and on account there exists a male human being” “whose labor” which means “whose toil, trouble and wearisome effort” “is in wisdom” or “exists within skill, prudence and understanding”, “and in knowledge” which means “and within perception, discernment and cunning awareness”, “and in equity” or “and within success, profit and advantage”. Solomon considered the person who makes his toil in skill, prudence, perception, discernment, profit and success.

The verse goes on to say, “yet to a man that has not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.” Daniel continued with the words, “yet to a man” or “even still to a male human being” “that has not labored therein” which means “who has not toiled, been troubled over or made wearisome effort within the labor” “shall he leave it” or “will he, the man who has labored, give, put, bestow or devote it, his labor” “for his portion” which means “on behalf of his, the man who has not labored’s, part, share or territory”. “This also is vanity” or “this even so and indeed exists as vapor, breath and transitory dissatisfaction” “and great evil” which means “and massive and abundant bad, disagreeableness, unpleasantness, displeasure and wickedness”. Solomon referred to how the person who has diligently worked in “wisdom, knowledge and equity” will “leave” his work to someone who has not “labored” at all, and Solomon considered this empty and abundantly unpleasant.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how Solomon shared about the person who devotes himself to “wisdom, knowledge and equity” but eventually “leaves” what he has possessed to someone who has not worked at all. We can imagine why he felt this was “empty” and like grasping the wind. Go knows temporal things only temporarily satisfy, and because He has an eternal plan for us to be saved through His Son Jesus who came 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 put our faith 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 lead us into works and activities that have an eternal significance and will never be seen as grasping the wind.

Next time Solomon asks, “what has man of all his labor … under the sun?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Despair of All the Labor - Ecclesiastes 2:20

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. Who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity”, and in chapter two and verse twenty of his book Solomon said, “I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor”, where we read,

Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor which I took under the sun.

The verse reads, “Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair …” Solomon began with the words, “therefore I went about” or “wherefore, then and on this account I, Solomon, turned, changed and made a circuit” “to cause my heart” which means “to make my, Solomon’s, soul, mind and will” “to despair” or “to be desperate, despondent and without hope”. Solomon shared how he turned his soul and mind toward despondency and lack of hope.

The verse continues, “… of all the labor which I took under the sun.” Daniel added the words, “of all the labor” or “pertaining to each, every and the whole toil, trouble and wearisome effort” “which I took” which means “that I, Solomon, worked severely and with irksomeness” “under the sun” or “beneath the sun in the sky”. Solomon said his soul and mind were in despair over everyone of the toils and troubles beneath the sun in which he worked severely.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon caused his own soul and mind to be despondent and without hope because of the wearisome works he performed beneath the sun. His “works” or “labors” were unfulfilling and did not satisfy him. The futility of these efforts may trouble anyone who thinks upon these temporary works for a while, however, God did not intend for us to be despondent over such things. God is concerned with the eternal, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to lead and guide us into works and activities that have everlasting significance which shall bless God and us for all eternity.

Next time Solomon says, “there is a man whose labor is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

A Wise Man or a Fool? - Who Knows? - Ecclesiastes 2:19

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me”, and in chapter two and verse nineteen of his book Solomon said, “who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool?”, where we read,

And who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

The verse reads, “And who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool?” Solomon began with the words, “and who knows” or “and what person is aware, has learned, perceived, found out and discerned” “whether he shall be a wise man” which means “if and in case he, the man that shall be after Solomon, will exist as a shrewd, prudent and understanding person” “or a fool” or “or a dullard, simpleton and foolhardy”? Solomon questioned if the person who comes after him would be “wise or foolish”.

The verse goes on to say, “yet shall he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.” Daniel continued with the words, “yet shall he have rule over” or “still and at the same time will he, the person who follows Solomon, obtain and possess dominion, power, mastery and lordship above” “all my labor” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of my, Solomon’s, toils, troubles, grievances and wearisome work” “wherein I have labored” or “in which I, Solomon, have toiled, grieved and tirelessly worked”, “and wherein I have showed myself wise” which means “and in which I, Solomon, have demonstrated and revealed my own self as shrewd, skilled, understanding and prudent” “under the sun” or “beneath the sun in the sky”. “This also” which means “the idea of person following him having dominion over his toils even so and indeed” “is vanity” or “exists as vapor, breath and transitory emptiness”. Solomon shared how he understood the person who follows him will have dominion over everything for which he tirelessly worked and exposed his “wisdom” beneath the sun”, and he considered this grasping for the wind and empty.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon how he considered the inheritance he would leave to a person of which he did not know their character. They might be “wise”, and they may be “foolish”. Either way they would have dominion over his toils and wearisome works, and for this reason, Solomon concluded that it was as soap bubbles or grasping for the wind. God knows the things in this life are temporary at best. God owns everything, (See Psalm 24:1) and whatever we gain in this life will be left behind when we leave through death. Only when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days will we receive forgiveness of sins, everlasting life and the Holy Spirit of God who will guide us into all truth and help us to invest in riches that will not fade away. (See Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 16:11)

Next time Solomon says, “I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Hating All My Labor - Ecclesiastes 2:18

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dies the wise man? as the fool. Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit”, and in chapter two and verse eighteen of his book Solomon said, “I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun”, where we read,

Yes, I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun:

because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

The verse reads, “Yes, I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun:” Solomon began with the words, “yes, I hated all my labor” or “even so and indeed, I, Solomon, loathed and was odious to and existed as an enemy and foe to each, every and the whole of my, Solomon’s, toil, trouble, weariness and work” “which I had taken” which means “that I, Solomon, suffered, toiled and had misery” “under the sun” or “beneath the sun in the sky”. Solomon said he loathed the work he performed with misery beneath the sun in the sky.

The verse continues, “because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.” Daniel added the words, “because I should leave it” or “since and on account that I, Solomon, am to allow it to remain and be given” “unto the man” which means “to the person” “that shall be after me” or “who will exist following me, Solomon”. Solomon said the reason he “hated” all the work he performed beneath the sun was on account that he would only have to allow it to remain and be given to the person who follows him.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he loathed even the work that he performed and produced while living beneath the sun. He knew everything he owned would be left behind after his death, and all of his possessions would be given to the person who followed him. This kind of thinking can lead to despair, and it was not what God originally designed for people. God loves people, and He gives them purpose and gifts when they yield to His Son Jesus who came into the world to die 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 give us positions of service that will not only be rewarded, but shall also bless God forever and ever.

Next time Solomon asks, “who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…