The Word for Today with Ray

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Proved by Wisdom - Ecclesiastes 7:23

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you. For oftentimes also your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-three of his book Solomon said, “all this have I proved by wisdom”, where we read,

All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

The verse reads, “All this have I proved by wisdom:” Solomon began with the words, “all this” or “each, every and the whole of these things” “have I proved by wisdom” which means “have I, Solomon, tested, assayed and tried through the means of skill, shrewdness and prudence”. Solomon said he tested and tried everything he wrote about through the means of skill and prudence.

The verse goes on to say, “I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.” Solomon continued with the words, “I said” or “I, Solomon, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “I will be wise” which means “I, Solomon, shall exist as shrewd, skilled and prudent”; “but it was far from me” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover it, the wisdom for acting, existed a great distance and separated from me, Solomon”. Solomon determined that he would be “skilled and prudent”, however, skill, prudence and shrewdness were separated from him.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon attempted to manage the “words, acts and deeds” that are committed by people through the means of skill and prudence, however he was unable to find the ability to do so. God’s wisdom is available to everyone who submits to 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 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 guide us into the truth of His wise ways to speak, act and live in the world.

Next time Solomon says, “That which is far off … who can find it out?”, 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".

You Have Cursed Others - Ecclesiastes 7:22

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-two of his book Solomon said, “your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others”, where we read,

For oftentimes also your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others.

The verse reads, “For oftentimes also your own heart knows …” Solomon began with the words, “for oftentimes also” or “because, since and on account that on many occasions even so and indeed” “your own heart knows” which means “your, Solomon’s readers’, own personal souls, minds and wills are aware, perceive, discriminate, discern and recognize” the following. Solomon said many times his readers even so and indeed have been aware of the following within their souls and minds.

The verse continues, “… that you yourself likewise have cursed others.” Solomon added the words, “that you yourself likewise” or “that you, Solomon’s readers, their own selves in a similar fashion” “have cursed others” which means “have slighted, trifled and thought little of people other than themselves”. Solomon told his readers that they too have slighted and thought little of “other” people.

When we meditate upon Solomon’s words in this verse, we see how he recognized that the same behavior that his readers were recognizing in others was in themselves as well. We all are guilty of “sinful” behavior which includes speaking ill of others (See Romans 3:10, 23) and because God knows this, 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 so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit so we adhere to the words we should listen to and are convicted when we utter words that are adverse to others.

Next time Solomon says, “all this have I proved by wisdom”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Take No Heed to Words Spoken - Ecclesiastes 7:21

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. For there is not a just man upon earth, that does good, and sins not”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-one of his book Solomon said, “take no heed unto all words that are spoken”, where we read,

Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you:

The verse reads, “Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken.” Solomon began with the words, “also take no heed” or “even so and indeed do not listen to, obey and hearken” “unto all words” which means “to each, every and the whole of speeches, utterances, declarations and proclamations” “that are spoken” or “that are uttered, declared and proclaimed”. Solomon instructed his readers not to listed to every utterance that was declared.

The verse goes on to say, “lest you hear your servant curse you:” Solomon continued with the words, “let you hear” or “unless you, Solomon’s readers, perceive, regard and listen to and yield to” “your servants curse you” which means “your, Solomon’s readers’, slaves, man-servants and bondmen slight, trifle and lightly esteem you, Solomon’s readers”. Solomon said the bondmen of his readers would lightly esteem and slight them if they listened to every utterance.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how we are not to adhere to every “word” that is “spoken” by people. The result would be that bondmen would lightly esteem them if we do. In other words, not everything that is said is true, and we certainly know that today. God wants us to be in 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 put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and be granted the discernment by His Holy Spirit as to what is true and what is not when “words” are spoken.

Next time Solomon says, “your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Not a Just Man Upon Earth - Ecclesiastes 7:20

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty of his book Solomon said, “there is not a just man upon earth”, where we read,

For there is not a just man upon earth, that does good, and sins not.

The verse reads, “For there is not a just man upon earth, …” Solomon began with the words, “for there is not a just man” or “because, since and on account that there does not exist a person who is lawful, righteous and correct whether male or female” “upon earth” which means “upon the arable land, territory, region and world”. Solomon said a righteous person does not exist within the world.

The verse continues, “… that does good, and sins not.” Solomon added the words, “that does good” or “who fashions, accomplishes and produces that which is pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuable”, “and sins not” which means “and does not miss the mark, err, do wrong and make mistakes”. Solomon said there does not exist a person in the world who performs that which is agreeable and pleasant without missing the mark and doing wrong.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Solomon discovered a New Testament principle written by Paul the Apostle, “there is none righteous, no, not one” (See Romans 3:10) and “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (See Romans 3:23). Paul also wrote, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (See Romans 6:23). For this reason 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 to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and cleanse us from our unrighteous ways.

Next time Solomon says, “take no heed unto all words that are spoken”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Wisdom Strengthens the Wise - Ecclesiastes 7:19

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “it is good that you should take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not your hand: for he that fears God shall come forth of them all”, and in chapter seven and verse nineteen of his book Solomon said, “wisdom strengthens the wise” where we read,

Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

The verse reads, “Wisdom strengthens the wise …” Solomon began with the word, “wisdom” or “shrewdness, skill and prudence” “strengthens the wise” which means “hardens, makes firm and stronger people who are shrewd, skilled and prudent”. Solomon said strength and firmness is the result of being shrewd and prudent.

The verse goes on to say, “… more than ten mighty men which are in the city.” Solomon continued with the words, “more than ten mighty men” or “to a greater and increased amount compared to ten powerful, imperious and domineering warriors or governors” “which are in the city” which means “who exist within the place of waking and guarded town”. Solomon said the person who has and is “strengthened” by skill and prudence are more powerful that ten strong warriors who dwell within a guarded town.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how important skill, prudence and shrewdness are in a person’s life. Solomon said it was a great degree more powerful than “ten” strong warriors who dwell within a “city”. God wants us to have His “wisdom” (See James 1:5), and when we receive His Son Jesus who was crucified 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 give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to live in keeping with His “wise” ways. (See John 16:13)

Next time Solomon says, “there is not a just man upon earth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Monday, March 30, 2026

Good to Take Hold of This - Ecclesiastes 7:18

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Be not righteous over much; neither make yourself over wise: why shouldest you destroy yourself? Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time?”, and in chapter seven and verse eighteen of his book Solomon said, “it is good that you should take hold of this” where we read,

It is good that you should take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not your hand:

for he that fears God shall come forth of them all.

The verse reads, “It is good that you should take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not your hand:” Solomon began with the words, “it is good” or “the following exists as pleasant, agreeable and excellent” “that you should take hold” which means “that you, Solomon’s readers, ought to seize, take possession and grasp” “of this” or “pertaining to this, the following”; “yes, also from this” which means “even so and indeed separate and apart from the following” “withdraw not your hand” or “do not leave of, put down or withhold your physical hand of power, might, strength and ability”. Solomon said it was pleasant and agreeable to grasp the idea of not withholding his readers’ physical hands of strength and ability from the following.

The verse continues, “for he that fears God shall come forth of them all.” Solomon added the words, “for he that fears God” or “because, since and on account that he, the person whether male or female, who reveres, is in awe of and admires the Supreme Deity Jehovah God” “shall come forth” which means “will exit, go forward and proceed” “of them all” or “pertaining to each, every and the whole of the extremes mentioned above”. Solomon said the person who is in awe and reverence of the Supreme Deity will proceed forward from every one of the extremes mentioned above.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon told his readers that it is pleasant and agreeable to grasp the ideas of not involving themselves in destructive activities and thinking. He said the person who holds Jehovah God in awe and respect not only removes themselves from the effects of these activities, but also helps them to keep their distance from them. God loves us, and His desire is to have an intimate personal relationship with us 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 ourselves to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us to have respect to God and to keep us from the wicked things in the world that cause ruin and a shortening of our lives.

Next time Solomon says, “wisdom strengthens the wise”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Not Wicked or Foolish - Ecclesiastes 7:17

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…