In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Be not righteous over much; neither make yourself over wise: why shouldest you destroy yourself?”, and in chapter seven and verse seventeen of his book Solomon said, “be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish” where we read,
Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time?
The verse reads, “Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish:” Solomon began with the words, “be not over much wicked” or “do not exist in an increased, numerous and an overly measured state of guilt, evil, condemnation, vexation and violation”, “neither be you foolish” which means “no and not in any way exist you, Solomon’s readers, as silly and sottish”. Solomon instructed his readers not to exist in an overly guilty, evil and silly manner.
The verse goes on to say, “why should you die before your time?” Solomon continued with the words, “why should you” or “for what reason and cause ought you, Solomon’s readers, to” “die before your time” which means “to be killed, executed, slain and put to death in advance and prior to your, Solomon’s readers’, occurrence, occasion, fortune and season”? Solomon asked for what reason his readers ought to expire and be put to death in advance of their occasion.
When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Solomon instructed his readers not to extend themselves in violations and evil, and they were not to act silly and sottish. He questioned the reason they would shorten their time of living on the earth by their “wicked and foolish” ways. God knows our needs, and our greatest need is to be saved from our sins which leads to death. (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) When we yield ourselves to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and keep us from “wickedness and evil” that may shorten our lives and the time we have to live.
Next time Solomon says, “it is good that you should take hold of this”, 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".
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