Journal Through the Bible: Week 49 Tuesday

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Ecclesiastes chapters 9 and 10

Solomon considered that some things happen to all men, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

Does God issue any commands?

• God did not speak directly in these chapters.

Does God make any promises?

• God did not speak directly in these chapters.

Do these chapters teach anything about Jesus?

• Solomon declared that all works of men are in the hand of God. (9:1-10) The New Testament teaches that it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27. Also see Revelation 20:12) When the Apostle John said he saw the dead small and great stand before God he is referring to Jesus, the Judge of all men.
• Solomon stated that men do not know how long they have to live.(9:12) It was not so for Jesus. He knew when it was His time and when it was not His time. (The whole gospel of John!)
• Solomon stated that wisdom is better than weapons. Jesus was the master of using wisdom against His enemies.
• Solomon saw servants on horses while princes walked as servants upon the earth. (10:7) Jesus was just such a prince. He took on the form of man and made himself of no reputation. (Philippians 2:5-7)
• Solomon warned not to curse the king even in private. (10:20) This is where the platitude "A little bird told me!" originated. Jesus, the omniscient God, knows all the thoughts of our hearts.

Do these chapters teach anything about yet-future events?

• The warnings about the works of men's hands being examined and the "event" that comes to all is a warning to all of the judgment to come.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 49 Monday

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Ecclesiastes chapters 7 and 8

Does God issue any commands in these chapters?

• God does not speak directly in these chapters.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak directly in these chapters.

Do these chapters teach anything about Jesus?

• More than anyone, Jesus proves the validity of 7:1. His good name healed the sick, raised the dead, and gave sight to the blind. And as nice as it is to celebrate His birth, it is His death (and subsequent resurrection) that is the real cause for rejoicing!
• The book of Proverbs often personifies Wisdom. Jesus is the actual embodiment of wisdom and Solomon lists some of the riches that wisdom provides.
• Solomon, an earthly king, lectured on propriety when standing before a king so as not to offend him. Jesus, the eternal king, offers us His friendship.

Do these chapters teach anything about yet-future events?

• The wise person learns the lessons that death and mourning teach. Death is coming for all of us! Be prepared! (7:2-4)
• Solomon told of the wicked who were buried and forgotten. (8:10) The wicked will be forever separated from the living in eternity.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 48 Saturday

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Ecclesiastes chapters 5 & 6

Solomon realized that a temporal view of life is depressing. On the other hand, an eternal view is liberating!

Does God issue any commands in this passage?

• In Numbers chapter 30, which is part of the law given to Moses, God gave commands concerning making and keeping vows. Solomon emphasizes this command and gives reason why it is urgent to keep it. (5:4-7)
• Solomon also championed the cause of the poor. (5:8) God commanded the Israelites in Leviticus to not take advantage of the poor because He would avenge them if they cried out to Him.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak directly in these chapters however Solomon does refer to the provision of God upon those who labor. He calls the benefit of this labor a person's portion or a gift from God. (This is the basis of God's command not to steal. The things gained from honest labor belong to the person who worked for them. God honors the laborer and his labor by giving him joy in his heart because of his busy days.)

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus behaved himself wisely when He visited His Father's House. His words proved that He was no fool.
• Jesus kept all of His vows to God. He finished the work that the Father gave Him to do and to which He agreed in the predeterminate counsel between all the members of the Godhead.
• Jesus gave up the mansions of Heaven for a season. The owner of the whole world seemed to have few earthly possessions in His sojourn on earth. He obviously had no desire to take it all with Him to Heaven when He left! And yet, God provided for His needs throughout His whole life, most notably during the time of His earthly ministry.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• Solomon sorrows over the fact that the wealth that one obtains on earth does not go into eternity with the person. (5:13-16) Jesus said that we are to labor to set aside treasures in Heaven because those we will have for all eternity. (Matthew 6:19-21) Someday we will all leave what we gathered on earth and will gain our eternal possessions.

TAKE TIME: January 6-11, 2014

This was edited 1/9/14 to correct errors to the schedule on Thursday-Saturday.

Introduction: This week we finish reading Ecclesiastes, the book that Solomon wrote under the pseudonym of The Preacher. Then we will begin reading about the events that took place during the reign of his son, Rehoboam. Part of what Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes was in regard to fears over passing inheritance and heritage to the next generation. Reading Rehoboam's story shows that his fears were not without merit even though part of the reason for Rehoboam's problems was God's punishment upon Solomon himself.

 Assignment:

• Monday - Ecclesiastes 7:1-8:17
• Tuesday - Ecclesiastes 9:1-10:20
• Wednesday - Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14
• Thursday - I Kings chapter 12
• Friday - I Kings chapter 13
• Saturday - I Kings chapter 14

Memory Verse

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.. Ecclesiastes 12:13


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for being unchanging. He never grows old. He never gets weak. He is always the same, unyielding, unmovable, Rock of our salvation.
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Ecclesiastes chapter 12 contains a touching description of growing old. His ultimate conclusion is that everyone growing older and when lose their vitality then will pass away. That is one of the things he means by vanity: this life on earth will come to an end.

In the meantime, there is work to be done. If you are like most people you have neighbors and relatives who are growing older or are just individuals living alone. This is the time of year when injuries are common due to accidents and mishaps. Keep track of those you know who might need periodic assistance.