Read: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 22:16
Solomon continues his sermon on wisdom. He has married hundreds of wives from different cultures and seen the worship of gods who required human sacrifices and all sorts of cruelty. He has seen the cry of the oppressed who had no one to comfort them. He has seen those who worked to keep up with the Jones’s. He has discovered that it is better to have peace in your life than striving to prove something to others and trying to get rich.
He states that it is better to have at least one faithful friend and two is even better. It is better to be poor and teachable than rich and stubborn.
Solomon warns that when you go to worship the Lord, it is better to watch and listen than to offer sacrifices to some god. Consider how you worship the Lord and what you say and fear the Lord. But, if you promise the Lord something, you need to commit to carry out the promise.
Solomon ponders if God is so concerned about the words that come out of our mouth, why does he allow people to be in control who pervert justice and oppress the poor?
He knows by experience that if you love money, it will not bring you any happiness. He has witnessed rich people making bad investments and losing everything. The man who sleeps well at night is the man who has worked hard that day. The truth is that we can not take any of our money with us when we die.
Solomon sees that the truly joyful man is the person who is thankful for what he has and enjoys his lot in life. It is a tragedy to see a wealthy person not be able to enjoy his life. It would be better if this man was not born. A man who is never satisfied is worse off than a poor man who knows how to conduct himself with others.
Solomon concludes that we cannot argue with God over our destiny.
In Corinthians, Paul tells us not to be yoked with unbelievers because righteousness can not agree with lawlessness and light cannot fellowship with darkness. Since we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we have nothing in common with wickedness.
God has chosen us to be his temple and to walk with us. He tells us to get out of the world and set ourselves apart. When we fear God, we become holy.
Paul tells them to make room in their hearts for him and his workers because they are enduring much hardship to come to Corinth.
All of the scripture we read today in Ecclesiastes, Corinthians and Psalms talk about the fear of the Lord and the advantages to fearing God.
Lord, may we fear you in all we do. May we reverence your name and your creation. May all we do honor you and bring glory to your kingdom.
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