In this chapter, Solomon shifts his perspective. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later. Divide your gifts among many, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead. (Yes, Lord! Give us a generous spirit.)
When the clouds are heavy, the rains come down.
When a tree falls, whether south or north, there it lies.
If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. (So true!)
God’s ways are as hard to discern as the pathways of the wind, and as mysterious as a tiny baby being formed in a mother’s womb. (Wow! It is best to not even try to understand God’s ways and thoughts, for as His Word indicates, His ways and thoughts are not our ways and thoughts.)
Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow – perhaps they all will.
Advice for Old and Young
Light is sweet; it’s wonderful to see the sun! When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember that the dark days will be many. Everything still to come is meaningless. (Even though Solomon seems to have a dark perspective on life, I agree with his philosophy of speaking his truth, recognizing and then sharing that there is a natural balance to life. With every good comes evil, and with every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.)
Young man, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So banish grief and pain, but remember that youth, with a whole life before it, still faces the threat of meaninglessness.” (Ecclesiastes 11) (So true! But we can control the level of meaning of our lives by finding our purpose through God’s guidance. Solomon says, we “face the threat of meaninglessness”. His perspective has changed since the beginning of this book. He was, emphatically, stating that life is meaningless. Now there is, simply, a risk of your life being meaningless. Lord, thank you!)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for helping Solomon and the rest of us see the truth, your truth. Help us seek and embrace you, so we can find our purpose and meaning in life. And Lord, give us the strength and courage to walk in that purpose you have set for our lives. Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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