Year 8, Day 335: Ecclesiastes 5

Theological Commentary: Click Here

I think that there are two very good overarching messages for Ecclesiastes 5.  In the first paragraph, there is much discussion about how to approach God.  The author tells us that how we come is more important than what we do while we’re there.  To be blunt, he says that it is better to come and listen than to offer the sacrifice of a fool.  Better to come and humbly learn that to do something that is wrong.  In teaching, I have found a similar thought.  It is easier to answer a dumb question than to fix a dumb mistake.  There is another saying similar to this.  Better to be a fool and keep silent than to open one’s mouth and prove it correct.  What is the point?  Humbleness always trumps poor action.

This truly gets into the human dream.  When we dream, our expectations and our mind increase.  Our words become lofty.  Soon we are chasing things that may not only be impossible but even worse may not be things that God wants us to chase in the first place!  It is not bad to dream, but we should always keep our dreams in check by God’s will.  Our actions should be where our dreams and interests intersect with God’s will and calling.

Next, turn to the message in this chapter about wealth and toil.  This is a very simple message today.  Work is good.  There is nothing wrong with honest work.  In fact, honest work sits better with us than slothfulness.

I’ve gone to bed after having a hard day – regardless of whether the day was hard mentally or physically.  On days like those, I go to bed and am asleep in minutes – if not seconds.  On the other hand, I’ve had days where I really didn’t do much.  Instead of being productive, I don’t get much accomplished mentally or physically.  On those days, I am often grumpier as the day goes by.  When I go to sleep, I usually am not overly tired, so I don’t sleep well.  That makes it easier to have a bad day the next day.

The message is simple.  Be productive.  The day is meant for getting something done.  Our life is best lived when each day has a purpose and we fill our life with meaning.

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