Ancient Wisdom for Modern Day Living
My routine this week as been fairly consistent. My mornings are spent in reading and office work and then I have an early afternoon work out. I come home and walk the dog and then work on my blog and hope Debbie comes home soon and we have our afternoon/early evening coffee. I believe the dog has picked up on the routine and may face a rude awakening when my days change.
I have had some evening meetings with my home owners association duties, so that along with church activities has been keeping me engaged and active outside the home
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “What has happened before will happen again. What has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new in the whole world. “Look,” they say, “here is something new!” But no, it has all happened before, long before we were born. No one remembers what has happened in the past, and no one in days to come will remember what happens between now and then.” Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
Solomon’s frame of mind in Ecclesiastes reflects a man who made it to the top and found there was no where else to go. When he arrived his response seems to, “this is it?!” He found “the top” could be lonely and frustrating. But while he concluded, “life is useless” he does make some interesting observations that have some relevance for today. As I near the end of the book here are some things that have caught my attention.
Live with the end in view. “It is better to go to a home where there is mourning than to one where there is a party, because the living should always remind themselves that death is waiting for us all.…A wise person thinks about death.” (Eccl. 7:2,4)
Solomon can be fairly morose in his outlook. However, he makes the point that too many run through life, trying to succeed and be happy and ignore that fact that our days are numbered. This is more difficult when you are young and more on your mind as you grow older, but still the prayer of Psalm 90:12 is an important one, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.“ Don’t just live your life, invest your life.
Character is important. “A good reputation is better than expensive perfume…You may be wise, but if you cheat someone, you are acting like a fool. If you take a bribe, you ruin your character.” (Eccl. 7:1,7)Â It not just the number of your days, or the life you live, it is the person you are that will help you make a difference, and save you from suffering.
The good old days are…just old “Never ask, “Oh, why were things so much better in the old days?” It’s not an intelligent question.” (Eccl. 7:10) Thinking nostalgically about “the good old days” is nothing new. Someone once observed that “those who long for the good old days, suffer from a poor memory.” Life changes, the world changes sometimes for the good and at times seemingly not so good. God is the God of the “now.” He doesn’t change and His purposes for our life remain the same.
Criminal Justice and end of the wicked. “Why do people commit crimes so readily? Because crime is not punished quickly enough. A sinner may commit a hundred crimes and still live. Oh yes, I know what they say: “If you obey God, everything will be all right, but it will not go well for the wicked. Their life is like a shadow and they will die young, because they do not obey God.” (Eccl. 8:7-13) It is interesting to see today how often delayed justice is a topic on deterring crime. If Solomon lived today, perhaps he would simply say, “crime doesn’t pay.”
Life isn’t fair. “Look at what happens in the world: sometimes the righteous get the punishment of the wicked, and the wicked get the reward of the righteous. I say it is useless.” (Eccl. 8:14) Have you ever responded to your child’s declaration, “you’re not being fair” with “life isn’t fair.” It was true in Solomon’s day and it is in ours.
Don’t make rash decisions. “If your ruler [or boss] becomes angry with you, do not hand in your resignation; serious wrongs may be pardoned if you keep calm.” (Eccl. 10:4) Think before you act is a good motto. Solomon realized that and we need to as well.
Investment Advice. “Invest your money in foreign trade, and one of these days you will make a profit. Put your investments in several places—many places even—because you never know what kind of bad luck you are going to have in this world.” (Eccl. 11:1,2) How many times have you heard, “don’t put all you eggs into one basket” or have been reminded about the value of “diversifying your investments.” Solomon understood this principle and the importance time and patience thousands of years ago, and it still holds true today.
These are just a few life lessons from Solomon. I believe we can all related. So, the next time someone says, “the Bible is irrelevant for today and doesn’t make any sense, and doesn’t have anything to offer me for my life.” You might point them to the wisdom and observations of Solomon in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.