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".

 

The Crooked Not Made Straight - Ecclesiastes 1:15

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit”, and in chapter one and verse fifteen of his book Solomon said, “that which is crooked cannot be made straight”, where we read,

That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

The verse reads, “That which is crooked cannot be made straight:” Solomon began with the words, “that which is crooked”  or “whatever exists as bent, false, subverted and bowed” “cannot be made straight” which means “is unable to become equalized, arranged in order or compose”. Solomon declared that false and subverted things are unable to become equalized and arranged in order. 

The verse goes on to say, “and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.” Daniel continued with the words, “and, that which is wanting” or “and whatever is lacking, defective and deficient” “cannot be numbered” which means “is unable to be counted, reckoned, appointed or enumerated”. Solomon said whatever is lacking is unable to be counted.

When we consider Solomon’s words in this verse, we discover how he assessed that bent and subverted things are unable to be arranged in order, and things which have a lack, are unable to be enumerated. Once again he has this pessimistic attitude that counts everything to be a waste of time and energy “under the sun”. The things of the earth were exasperating to Solomon, even though he tried and attempted to discover and experience all of them. This is because nothing truly satisfies like a personal relationship with God through 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 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 His satisfying eternal truth which is able to make those who have been “crooked, straight” and those who have been “lacking” to be enumerated and fulfilled. 

Next time Solomon says, “I communed with my own heart”, 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".

 

Seeing All the Works Under the Sun - Ecclesiastes 1:14

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem,  and I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail has God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith”, and in chapter one and verse fourteen of his book Solomon said, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun”, where we read,

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; 

and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

The verse reads, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun;” Solomon began with the words, “I have seen”  or “I, Solomon, have perceived, discerned, distinguished and observed” “all the works” which means “each, every, the whole and every one of the acts, deeds, labors and pursuits” “that are done under the sun” or “which are performed and produced beneath the sun in the sky”. Solomon said he observed every act, deed and labor that was performed beneath the sun in the sky.

The verse continues, “and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Daniel added the words, “and, behold” or “and lo, look and consider”, “all is vanity” which means “each, every, the whole and everything exists as vapor, breath and unsatisfactory emptiness” “and vexation” or “and longing, striving and grasping” “of spirit” which means “belonging to the wind, breath, trouble or sorrow”. Solomon concluded that every work performed beneath the sun in the sky lead to emptiness and trouble.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon continued on his pursuit for everything “under the sun” and concluded that nothing satisfies and all of it leads to sorrow. In the grand scheme of things, eternally, God knows this. His idea is to give us eternal value, 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 give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and satisfy us according to His eternal perspective about everything.

Next time Solomon says, “that which is crooked cannot be made straight”, 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".

 

Seeking and Searching by Wisdom - Ecclesiastes 1:13

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem”, and in chapter one and verse thirteen of his book Solomon said, “I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things”, where we read,

And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail has God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

The verse reads, “And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven:” Solomon began with the words, “and I gave my heart”  or “and I, Solomon, put, set, ascribed, devoted and dedicated my, Solomon’s soul, mind and will” “to seek and search out” which means “to resort to, frequent, inquire and explore and spy out” “by wisdom” or “through the means of skill, shrewdness, prudence and wit” “concerning all things” which means “according to, on account of and for the sake and matter of each, every, the whole and one every one of the acts, deeds, gadgets and devices” “that are done under heaven” or “which are fashioned, accomplished, performed beneath the visible sky, atmosphere and universe”. Solomon dedicated his soul, mind and will to inquire and explore every act, deed, gadget and device that are made and performed beneath the visible sky.

The verse goes on to say, “this sore travail has God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.” Daniel continued with the words, “this sore travail” or “this bad, disagreeable, malignant and unpleasant occupation, task and job” “has God given” which means “has the Supreme Deity put, set, granted, permitted and ascribed” “to the sons of man” or “to the offspring belonging to human beings” “to be exercised therewith” which means “by which people may be occupied, busied, afflicted, oppressed, humbled and bowed down”. Solomon discovered that God has ascribed to people a miserable and unhappy existence through his seeking and searching of every act, deed, gadget and device beneath the sun.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he purposed in his soul and mind to explore every act, deed, device and gadget made and performed by people. This caused him to come to the conclusion that people were made miserable by all of them. What a perspective he had. We should remember again at this point that the conclusion to this book helps with our perspective about Solomon’s writing, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (See Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) With an eternal perspective in mind, 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 through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with true satisfaction in life through His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth in this life and the life to come.

Next time Solomon says, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun”, 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".

Solomon the Preacher - Ecclesiastes 1:12

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after”, and in chapter one and verse twelve of his book Solomon said, “I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem”, where we read,

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

The verse reads, “I the Preacher was king …” Solomon began with the words, “I the Preacher”  or “I, Solomon, the minister, public speaker and collector of sentences” “was king” which means “existed as royal ruler and leader”. Solomon restated the idea of him being the minister and public speaker as the royal ruler and leader. 

The verse continues, “… over Israel in Jerusalem.” Daniel added the words, “over Israel” or “above and beyond Israel whose name means God prevails the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “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 referred to how he ruled above the nation of “Israel” within the city of “Jerusalem”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon referred to his status, position, speaking ability and rule in the nation of “Israel” within the city of “Jerusalem”. In other words, he was speaking from a place of authority. God gave Solomon his position and wisdom, and when he spoke, he was using the position of power and right given to him. God loves people, and He wants to be in a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth so we may use the positions of authority He provides to benefit and bless others within His kingdom.

Next time Solomon says, “I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things”, 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".

No Remembrance of Former Things - Ecclesiastes 1:11

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon asked, “Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it has been already of old time, which was before us”, and in chapter one and verse eleven of his book Solomon said, “there is no remembrance of former things”, where we read,

There is no remembrance of former things; 

neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

The verse reads, “There is no remembrance of former things;” Solomon began with the words, “there is no remembrance” or “there exists not any memorial, reminder or record” “of former things” which means “pertaining to first, beforetime and previous acts, deed, gadgets and devices”. Solomon said the “things” that have previously been will not be remembered. 

The verse goes on to say, “neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.” Daniel continues with the words, “neither shall there be” or “no and not in any way will there exist” “any remembrance” which means “a memorial, reminder or record” “of things that are to come” or “pertaining to acts, deeds, devices and gadgets that are in the future” “with those that shall come after” which means “alongside and accompanying the people who will exist following them.” Solomon said there will not in any way be a memorial, reminder or record pertaining to acts, deed, devices and gadgets that exist within the future or with the future generations after that. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon seems exasperated. He proclaimed that nothing will be remembered whether it was in the past or in the future and the future after that. God knows the memory of people is short, and for this reason and others He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He 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 equipped with His Holy Spirit so we may know He remembers everything and will provide for our memories according to His Divine purpose and will.

Next time Solomon says, “I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem”, 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".