Bible Reading Reflection from Ecclesiastes 1-6

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (LRAU), a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝔼𝕔𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝟙:𝟜

"A generation goes and a generation comes,

But the earth remains forever."

Indeed, how transient is man's life! Well, how transient is the earth compared to the eternal God! As Jesus said, "Heaven and Earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away." We put all our thoughts, sweat, and efforts to build our careers to survive this transient life. Ought we not to consider the eternal things?

That consideration is to acknowledge God and fear Him! Without which, man's life is vanity, as chasing after the winds, no matter what and who we may ever become!

 

𝔼𝕔𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝟚:𝟚𝟜

"There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God."

God wants us to enjoy life. It was in Eden, also in heaven, and is also now. Even in the perfect Eden, Eve and Adam weren't enjoying themselves. They sinned for only one fruit that was withheld from them.

Is it a surprise that even now humans don't enjoy life. They complain about everything. Yes in the workplace, in marriage, in relationships, in family, in jobs, and in church.

Enjoying life, enjoying our works, relationships, and everywhere we are is a gift of God! If we get to eat and drink every day, that itself is sufficient to enjoy life. Or else, we are just not learning from the mistake of Adam and Eve!

 

𝔼𝕔𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝟛:𝟙𝟚-𝟙𝟛, 𝟚𝟚

v12-13 "I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor--it is the gift of God."

v22 "I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?"

Everyone wants to enjoy life. Everyone wants to enjoy the work we do: jobs, assignments, and relationships. That joy is a gift of God. God gives to those who know Him. Therefore, the one who knows (has a deep relationship with) God can enjoy life and everything that comes because he lives under God, not under the sun!

 

𝔼𝕔𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝟜:𝟙𝟛

"A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction."

Let's keep learning!

As someone said, "If you are too old to learn, you are too old to live."

 

𝔼𝕔𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝟝:𝟙𝟚

"The sleep of the working man is pleasant, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich man does not allow him to sleep."

There was a time when I could sleep anytime I want. Nowadays, I can't sleep with a full stomach (medical issues btw, not financial riches😂)! Anyway, it makes me understand and appreciate this verse better!

Be godly, be wise, be working, be joyful, and be gracious are some of the must-be principles that come to my mind as I go through the book of Ecclesiastes again.

 

𝔼𝕔𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝟞:𝟙𝟚

"For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?"

When a doctor examines and tells a 'healthy looking' guy that he has cancer and needs to go for urgent treatment, he may not like to hear it, believe it, but a doctor would tell him anyway. That's his job.

Christians have a job to tell the world that life is useless and vanity under the sun, we've got to live under the Son. The world teaches us to be optimistic, to have self-confidence, have high self-esteem. Even the best life the world can imagine is 60-70 years. That's nothing in comparison to the gift of eternal life under His Son

Even if we get all the wealth of Elon Musk, get the brain of Einstein, get the looks of Brad Pitt, have the compassion of Teressa, and have the greatness of Alexander, it's just for 60-70 years or so. Well, those who live under the Son can live wisely even under this sun!