Shalom,
We are continuing in Ecclesiastes in our Bible Reading Plan for today. I used to NOT enjoy reading through this book. The more that I understand the Word of God, though, the more understanding I have of the TRUTH that is found here! Solomon, who had asked God for Wisdom and was rewarded with BOTH Wisdom AND riches and honor by the God of the Bible, had let go of the Wisdom of God when his many, many wives turned his head! He returned to God in his old age and speaks here of the great folly of taking the world's view of life! There is TRUTH in Ecclesiastes 4:13-14:
13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive counsel (friendly reproof and warning)-- 14 Even though [the youth] comes out of prison to reign, while the other, born a king, becomes needy.
How do you think that Solomon, who had more in the way of wealth and riches than most people could even count, here calls himself "needy"? This is the Hebrew word "ruwsh", which means: to be destitute; to be in want; to lack. It also means: one impoverishing himself! What Solomon was lacking was the love for God that His father, David, had! David went hard after God, even when he made mistakes. Solomon went away from God until late in his life and came to realize that all the Wisdom in the world will do you no good unless you ACT on it! He had cheated himself of a fellowship with the God of the Bible that would have brought him more joy than all the riches and women in the world! Don't rob yourself by putting people, places, things or events BEFORE your love and fellowship with the God of the Bible! He LOVES you and wants YOUR love in return! You cannot out-give God in any area, but you CAN rob yourself of the benefits of close fellowship with Him! If YOU have found yourself out of close fellowship, re-connect with Him today! AMEN! Here, to help you, is Hillsong with "I Surrender":
Shalom in Him!
