Category Archives: – Thru the Bible Series

We began this series on January 11, 2017 and continues to this day.

It chronicles our ongoing trek through the Bible beginning in Genesis, though our trek has not followed a 100% traditional order.

We have attempted to keep books whose contents are related in time, as much together as possible with some noteworth exceptions.

The specific chapters covered are NOT usually part of the title of each post making specific scriptures a little tricky to find by a simple “search”.

To compensate for that we have a page dedicated to this series which lists each of the scriptures we’ve covered so far as a link. It is our hope that this will help aid you in your studies….God Bless!

The final answer to the ultimate question…

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After the roller coaster ride of chapters 1-11 verse 8, this conclusion is well worth the trouble.

As I said last week the turning or pivot point of the entire book was Chapter 11 verses 9-10. The chapter ends with a perfect segue into this final chapter which begins with the phrase “So remember your Creator in the days of your youth – before the difficult days come”.

This is a verse out of time, in that 3,500 years ago there was not the mans to conduct large scale polls. But today we know that much of what will determine a person’s future life will be solidified before 18 years of age. So Solomon was spot on!

The rest of the chapter leading up to the final 2 verse conclusion is a series of progressive imagery serving as an apt allegory for the final stages of “the difficult days”. When our health begins to fail, our passions begin to wane and our interests diminish – then death.

Solomon does this to create a climax into which to inject his two sentence conclusion of the whole matter.

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Joy cautionary action

Cast your bread upon the Water

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This chapter begins with a very famous statement to “cast your bread upon the water”. I personally never understood this, since on the statement itself seems nonsensical. Upon a very simple word study, the passage reveals that this is actually a practical statement regarding commerce.

This introductory statement is used by Solomon to progressively move the reader towards advice encouraging bold decisiveness in matters of work and life, only tempered with wise caution.

This chapter seemlessly leads into Solomon’s conclusion to the entire book. It is where God’s INTENSIONS in inspiring the book and Solomon’s personal REASONS merge perfectly.

Verse 9 is literally the pivot point of the entire book. It is here that Solomon begins to bring in considerations of eternity, stewardship and accountability before God.

Chapter 11 through the beginning of 12 turns its attention towards the young since it is during this phase of life that many of these concepts are initially developed and lead to a lifestyle we live in.

Everyone, but especially the young, are encouraged the enjoy life but to temper their enthusiasm with reverence for the God – Who does and will bring them into account for those choices.

This chapter takes the entire book and turns it on its ear, making the ending of this writing a very interesting development which brings all of Solomon’s former thoughts – especially those which appear more scripturally rogue – back in line with the movement and point of all of scripture. Namely, reconciliation with and enjoyment of our relationship with our Creator!

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King ruler fool

Of Fools & Rulers

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This chapter focuses upon foolish people, rulers and then rulers who are also foolish people.

The progression of the thoughts go from how very little foolishness it takes to completely undo veritable tons of wise actions.

It then goes on the rulers and our proper response to the authority God has invested in them as a stewardship.

Then, Solomon marries the two together and still concludes that it is wisdom for those under unjust and foolish rulers to never curse them – even in your thoughts.

The reasoning is that they may discover your view of them, but the greater New Covenant truth is that we bless and NEVER curse. We pray the goodness of God upon those who afflict us, because the goodness of God leads to repentance. Furthermore, we dare not harbor unchaste thoughts in our minds, but God dwells there.

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…in the hand of God

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This chapter is building upon the conclusions of chapters 7 & 8 which is clear by the opening words, “But all this I laid to heart, examining it all…”

As we have come to expect in Ecclesiastes, the greatest amount of Solomon’s conclusions are from the very narrow perspective of physical life on this earth. This includes recognition, honor and status before mankind as well as opinions on justice.

This chapter bares down upon man’s inability to understand God’s justice since our point of view is largely limited to what we see and experience “under the sun”. Notwithstanding this, all things are “in God’s hand”.

Nevertheless, there are hints that there is more to consider than this and that wisdom is of great value to man, regardless of how it effects there standing before other men.

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Wisdom Shield

Wisdom is a Shield

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There were s few statements in these chapters which were a little tricky. Especially one where it seemed Solomon was giving advice to not be TOO righteous OR to wicked. As we examined these statements we were able to reach some clarity in what he was really saying.

There are a number of “better than” statements at the beginning of chapter 7 in which Solomon is focusing upon what has true and lasting value as opposed to temporary benefit.

In the end however, he circles back around to his old mantra of unsettled irritation at the fact that, at least now while we live out our lives “under the sun”, there are times where results do not seem to meet up with actions.

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