(Note: Crossword Puzzles on chapters 1-6 are located at the end of this article.)
Some have seen it to be the greatest piece of literature in the world. Statements made within its contents are sometimes shocking as they come from the very depths of the soul of one of whom God has allowed Satan almost full power to work his destruction. As this work begins in the deepest depths of anguish and pain of God’s faithful servant Job (Job 1:8), it progresses throughout the book to reach the heights of heaven by the end of the …
Filed under: Devotional, Michael Carter on October 6th, 2008 | 2 Comments »
(Crossword Puzzles for chapters 11 and 12 are found at the end of the article.)
The Book of Ecclesiastes is a book about faith. It is a demonstration that the only truly profitable life is one that trusts and depends upon God above all else. To live such a life can change one’s total perception from grief to joy and from deep despair to heights of hope (Ecclesiastes 8:1).
Some have seen Solomon’s view of life as presented in Ecclesiastes as being very pessimistic. This, however, is very far from what the contents of the book …
Filed under: Devotional, Michael Carter on October 4th, 2008 | No Comments »
Solomon’s previous experiment (Chapters 3-5) dealt with one’s acceptance of the “portion” of life God has given to each person. In his observations under the sun, Solomon rationalized that the righteous should always experience the good portion of life, while the wicked should receive the bad (Ecclesiastes 2:25-26).
This, he however recognized, is not the way things work in the real world (Ecclesiastes 3:16). God is the Lord of the seasons (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11). He is the one who is ultimately in control of man’s place (or “portion”) in life and of the seasons he experiences.…
Filed under: Devotional, Michael Carter on September 25th, 2008 | No Comments »
Solomon’s first experiment (chapters 1-2) dealt with his desire to find meaning and profit in life from various worldly exploits. These, however, could not ultimately satisfy. They were all vanity and vexation of spirit (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
Added to this, Solomon came to understand that he had limited control over these things. Though he had spent so much effort in building his kingdom throughout his lifetime, he had one major problem—what would become of it after he was gone? Who would take care of it? He despaired over this and wondered what value there …
Filed under: Devotional, Michael Carter on September 20th, 2008 | No Comments »
Solomon’s first experiment has been compared to building a sandcastle. Why go through all the trouble of building a sandcastle when it will most likely be washed out by the tide? Solomon set out to build his “sandcastles” through “madness and folly” (Ecclesiastes 1:17; Ecclesiastes 2:1-2) although he was still in control of this experiment as his wisdom remained with him (Ecclesiastes 2:3; Ecclesiastes 2:9).
Solomon sought true and lasting satisfaction in life by attempting to “gain the whole world” (Ecc. 2:1-10; Matthew 16:26). A reading of verses 1-10 of Ecclesiastes 2 indicates that Solomon …
Filed under: Devotional, Michael Carter on September 14th, 2008 | No Comments »
