A Balanced Outlook on Live!

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04000640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" ><B>Church of God, In Truth</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church of God, In Truth"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> back to<B>  </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Edification Articles"><B>Edification Articles</B></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="man_made_traditions.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Man Made Traditions">Man Made Traditions</A></div> <div> <A HREF="safety_in_numbers.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Safety In Numbers?">Safety In Numbers?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="will_everyone_be_saved.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Will Everyone be 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have it so!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id347.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Betrayal of Christ">The Betrayal of Christ</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id348.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Purpose of Gods Law!">Purpose of God's Law!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id349.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The evils of sin">The evils of sin</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id350.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="He who overcomes">He who overcomes</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id351.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing Gods word">Sharing God's word</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id352.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Out of Egypt I called my son">Out of Egypt I called my son</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id318.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GODS HOLY DAY OFFERINGS">GOD'S HOLY DAY OFFERINGS</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id320.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Time to count">Time to count</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id323.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Trumpet of God">Trumpet of God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id324.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="To forgive is divine">To forgive is 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valign="top" height=380 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> A BALANCED OUTLOOK ON LIFE!<FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >         </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Have you ever asked yourself, in a meditating moment “is life really worth living?”  We have in our possession a considered response to this basic question from one of the wisest - richest most powerful men to have walked the earth and yet even today his counsel is widely ignored or misunderstood. </div> <div>      The book of Ecclesiastes has long fascinated many readers. The Apostle James must have read Ecclesiastes to have been encouraged to write, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:5-6) . </div> <div>      We find when skipping through- thought to be Ezra's book of Chronicles “God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, ask what I shall give you. And Solomon said unto God, give me now wisdom and knowledge, and God said to Solomon, because this was in your heart, And you have not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like”(2 Chron 1:7-12), Acknowledging all the Old Testament scriptures were “written for our learning.” Rom 15:4 -“for our admonition;” 1 Cor 10:11-“for doctrine”,- “for reproof”,-“for correction, for instruction in righteousness”( 2 Tim 3:16-17).  Then Ecclesiastics  is not a book, God's called should ignore. Ecclesiastes is a book itself - divinely inspired. It describes the nature of unregenerate man apart from divinely inspired truth and revelation. </div> <div>      Solomon was a king in Jerusalem and was well known for his outstanding thirst for the good life. One was his God given talent of having great wisdom, that he bragged about.  “I communed with mine 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: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge” (Eccl 1:16). </div> <div>      Having this wisdom - brought him great wealth and riches. “I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: so I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me” (Eccl 2:8 -9). </div> <div>      Having wisdom, fame and money allowed him - not to deny himself having worldly pleasure and express joy in doing it for the learning. Notice what Solomon said to himself, “ I said in mine heart, go to now, I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life” (Eccl 2:1-3). </div> <div>      Solomon had many servants who worked for him and provided him with labor so he could brag of his having great building and houses, gardens, - orchards, - and ponds for watering them. He had many beautification programs going on.  “I made me great works; I build me houses; I planted me vineyards:  I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that brings forth trees: I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my House; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me”(Eccl 2:4-7). </div> <div>      These are the words of Solomon the preacher - the son of David,- king in Jerusalem, who's theme  stated in Chapter 1 and verse  2, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!” All is futile, - useless, - meaningless! Even though - this vanity pertains to life “Under the sun.” </div> <div>      All the effort one makes in life as far as this life is concerned is like grasping for the wind.  Solomon used the word  "Vanity" - 38 times in Ecclesiastes and he wrote about life “Under the sun”- 29 times! The word "vanity" means: Emptiness; Futility;  Vapor;" that which vanishes quickly and  leaves nothing behind. </div> <div>      From the human point of view, life under the sun does often appear unprofitable. In today' s world we see many having that feeling and it is easy for us to get pessimistic.  But we should not mistake calculating honesty with a lack of hope or confidence in the future. God loves us and He will take care of us!</div> <div>      The Hebrew title for Ecclesiastes is  <I>ko-he-leth</I>, and it is the title given to an official speaker, a person who calls an assembly. The Greek word for “assembly” is <I>ekklesia, </I>and thus the Septuagint version  gives us the English title of the book, Ecclesiastes. But the preacher did more than call an assembly and give an formal speech, the Hebrew word <I>ko-he-leth </I>carries with it the idea of debating, not so much with the listeners as it does with himself. </div> <div>      Solomon would meditate on a topic, mentally discuss it from many viewpoints, and then come to a practical conclusion. Ecclesiastes is different from any other book of the Bible.  It does not dwell on the covenant, nor the election of Israel, redemption, prophecy, sacred history, or the temple. Its  focus is on man the creature, and his life on earth, searching for understanding of God and His ways.</div> <div>      Ecclesiastes goes beyond the other wisdom found in the literature of the Bible to emphasize the fact that human life and human goals, are ends in themselves, and apart from God, is nonproductive and meaningless. </div> <div>      Among other things, Solomon saw injustice to the poor. “So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.  Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.  Yea, better is he than both they, which has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun” (Eccl 4:1-3). </div> <div>      Sensitive hearts in every age have been grieved to see the oppression that is carried out by men  against their fellow-men.  It tormented Solomon,  also he was grieved to see the tears of the oppressed, the power of their oppressors and the failure of anyone to defend the downtrodden. Power was on the side of the oppressors and no one dared to defy that power.  But Solomon could not see that behind the dim unknown, stands God within the shadow keeping watch from above His own. </div> <div>      Next Solomon reverts to the subject of crooked politics<B>.  </B> “If you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regards; and there be higher than they” (Eccl 5:8 ). Too often the system of checks and balances breaks down and every level of official-dom receives its share of graft and payola.  The only satisfaction that righteous people have is in knowing that God is higher than the highest authorities, and He will see that all accounts are settled some day. </div> <div>      Another inconsistency which bothered Solomon in this mixed up world proceeded from unwise decisions made by incompetent leaders.  “Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.  I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth” (Eccl 10:6-7 ).  Often men are appointed to positions with out suitable qualifications, while capable men waste their talents on menial tasks. </div> <div>      The preacher did not stop with just these thoughts. When he studied life under the sun, he saw it is possible to over protect the criminal at the expense of the victim.  He saw guilty people being allowed to commit more crimes.  “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed “Speedily,” therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Eccl 8:11).  Fair impartial justice handed out promptly serves as a deterrent to crime, but on the other hand postponing punishment  make offenders more fixed in their determination to break the law. </div> <div>      Another wise statement of Solomon is that wealth and materialism does not buy contentment. “He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with  increase: this is also vanity” (Eccl 5:10).   People who love money are never satisfied, they always want more - profits,  -  dividends,  -  interest payments - capital gains,  all whet the appetite for more. </div> <div>      Solomon saw that hoarding riches gives rise to disastrous consequences- take today,  calamity such as a market crash or the housing crash and oil inflation, can cause saved money in the bank to rapidly disappear. </div> <div>           It is for these reasons Solomon had a desire for "the good old days.  “Say not you, what is the cause that the former days were I better than these? For you do not inquire wisely concerning this” (Eccl 7:10).  It is foolish to try living in the past, wishing they would return because they were so much better!   <B>"Yes" </B> but that is living in a world of unreality. Solomon has put the key to Ecclesiastes right at the front door for us: "Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is Vanity. What profit has a man of all his labor which he takes under the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3). Don't assume he is cynical or pessimistic: that would miss his real point.  </div> <div>      Whether he considers his wealth, - his work - his wisdom - or his world, Solomon comes to a sad appraisal all is vanity and vexation of spirit. However this is not his final conclusion. Nor is it the only message that he has for his readers.  We will discover much more as we dig into the depth of the book.  In spite of his painful encounters with the world and its problems, Solomon does not recommend either pessimism or cynicism, rather -  he admonishes us to be realistic about life, accept God's gifts and enjoy them.  “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God” (Eccl 2 :24 ). Vs. 12 - 15, “I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.  And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.  I know that, whatsoever God does, it shall be for ever: Nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before Him.  That which has been is now; and that which is to be has already been; and God requires that which is past.  Vs. 22, “Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? </div> <div>      God gives to us richly all things to enjoy. Words related to joy are: enjoy, rejoice, etc. are used at least 17 times in Ecclesiastes. Solomon does not say, “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die!"   Instead<B>, </B>-  he advises us to trust God  and enjoy what we do have,  rather than complain about what we don't have!  He is saying to us - life is short and life is difficult, so make the most of it while you can. </div> <div>      Solomon initially opens with three bleak observations: 1). Nothing is really changed; 2). Nothing is really new; 3). And nothing is understood. </div> <div>      After experimenting and investigating life under the sun, he initially concluded:<B> No</B> - life is not worth living!  And he gave four arguments to support his conclusion: 1).The humdrum of life; 2). The vanity of wisdom; 3). The futility of wealth; 4). And the certainty of death. </div> <div>      But being a wise man, - Solomon, in chapters 3 to 10,  reviewed his arguments and this time brings God into the picture. What a difference  it makes!  By re-examining each of these impressions more carefully, he realized that life was not monotonous, but filled with challenging situations from God,  each in its own time and each for its own purpose. </div> <div>      He also learned that wealth could be enjoyed and employed to the glory of God.  And  man's wisdom couldn't explain everything. Solomon concluded that it was better to follow God's wisdom than to practice man's folly. And as for the certainty of death, there is no way to escape it!</div> <div>      Examining these verses ought to motivate us to enjoy life now and make the most of the opportunities God gives us.  So he asks his listeners to look up, look within,  look ahead, and look around, and take into  consideration time, -  eternity - death, and suffering: </div> <div>      These four factors God uses to keep our lives from becoming humdrum and meaningless!  So in Solomon's final conclusion and personal application, Solomon then presents four pictures of life and attaches to each picture a practical admonition for his readers to heed:  </div> <div>      Life is an adventure <B>- </B>so live by faith. “So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.  Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.  Yea, better is he than both they, which has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.  Again, I considered all travail, [labor - toil] and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. [a striving after wind]. The fool folds his hands together, [this is a Hebrew  Expression for idleness] and eats his own flesh  [concerned exclusively with the pleasures of life]” (Eccl 4:1-5).  Solomon continues in vs. 9, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.”  Two workmen engaged in cooperative effort can often earn <U>more</U> than double the wage of a single person. </div> <div>      Life is a gift - enjoy it. “Cast your bread upon the waters: for you shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for you know not what evil shall be upon the earth” (Eccl 11:1-2). The traditional interpretation is to exercise charity or kindness toward others for which a reward will someday be received.   Vs 3<B>, </B>“If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be.”  In other words - some events are beyond one's power to influence because life has many unforeseen events but these are not to be made occasions of despondency and loss of determination. Vs 4<B>,</B> “He that observes the wind shall not sow; and he that regards the clouds shall not reap.”  A person cannot always wait for a perfect day or for perfect conditions before making a venture, some risks must be taken. Vs's 5-6<B>, </B>“As you know <B>not </B>what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so you know not the works of God who makes all. In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for you know not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.”   </div> <div>      Results do not come by accident, diligent through preparation is necessary. Early or late and  constant experimentation and effort are the prelude to success. </div> <div>      We can see - Solomon looked at life as a school in which -to learn lessons, yet he concludes -  “Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity” (Eccl 12:8).  Even with this thought - he felt a responsibility in that life is a stewardship, so fear God!  “And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.  The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.  The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one Shepherd.  And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh” (Eccl 12:9-12 ). </div> <div>      These four subjects pictures the four arguments that Solomon had wrestled with  throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. </div> <div>      Life is- not humdrum, rather, it is an adventure of faith, that is anything but predictable or tedious. Yes, - death is certain, but life is a gift from God and He wants us to enjoy it. </div> <div>      Are there questions we can't answer and problems we can't solve?  <B>Yes</B>!  God having  patience, teaches us His truth, and as we advance in “The school of life,” He will give us wisdom enough to make sensible decisions. </div> <div>      As far as wealth  is concerned, all of life is a stewardship from God; and one day He will call us to give an account. Therefore, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep His commandments” (Eccl 12:13). “I am the LORD thy God,”. 7 “Thou shalt have none other gods </div> <div> A Balanced Outlook on Live!olomons WisdomA Balanced Outlook on Live!efore me.</div> <bR> <div> 8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:</div> <bR> <div> 9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me,</div> <bR> <div> 10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.</div> <bR> <div> 11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.</div> <bR> <div> 12 Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.</div> <bR> <div> 13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:</div> <bR> <div> 14 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.</div> <bR> <div> 15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day.</div> <bR> <div> 16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.</div> <bR> <div> 17 Thou shalt not kill.</div> <bR> <div> 18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.</div> <bR> <div> 19 Neither shalt thou steal.</div> <bR> <div> 20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.</div> <bR> <div> 21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.</div> <div>                                   </div> <div> 22 These words are the LORD.......(Deut 5:6-22).</div> <bR> <div> In Ecclesiastes - we have practical advice about life from one of the wisest, richest,  most powerful man to have ever lived.  His insights about life, money, values, and ordering one's personal priorities  are priceless. This is a rewarding guidebook  to the reader who looks behind  the initial impressions to find the wisdom this remarkable man Solomon,  gleaned from his unique career!</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> James Russell</div> </td> </tr></table></body>