What Is Your Life If Not Lived For The Lord? (Part 31)
INTRODUCTION:
Solomon addresses himself as “the Preacher”. He is the one that will proclaim the spritiual truths of God to those in his nation and to Christians throughout time.
Keep in mind, Solomon learned these truths by trying to find the meaning to life through experiencing all this world has to offer. Solomon was uniquely suited to learn these lessons and share these truths with the people of God…
First of all, very few men possess sufficient wealth and power to be able to sample all this world has to offer (1 Kings 10:23).
Secondly, only Solomon and a few others throughout time, have been universally respected causing his teachings to be taken very seriously and thoughtfully by all (1 Kings 4:30-34). (Keep in mind, even Christ Himself and His teachings were rejected by many of those around Him.)
Solomon was God’s man, in God’s place, at God’s time, by God’s grace, to learn this most important truth and proclaim it with authority to those he loved. May we all listen carefully as Solomon reveals to us the true meaning to life and answer the question… “What Is Our Life If Not Lived for The Lord ?”.
TODAY’S TEXT:
Eccl 10:16-17
(16) Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! (17) Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and for drunkenness!
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
Solomon declares coming doom upon the nation who is ruled by those who lack wisdom and experience. He goes further and warns those nations of allowing to selfish individuals who put themselves first to hold high positions of authority.
Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
In comparison Solomon believed that nations whose rulers, as children, were brought up by parents who were pure and shining people (who displayed wisdom and Godliness in their lives) would have blessings awaiting them. He adds that a nation will be blessed when their authority holders put their nation first, are unselfish, and exercise self-control.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Solomon understood that the leaders of a nation will directly affect level of prosperity and success in its endeavors. A nation that is ruled by foolish and ungodly men cannot expect to be blessed of God. Likewise, a nation who chooses and follows wise and godly leaders can look to the Lord in confidence, knowing they will be blessed of Him.
May the Lord help each of us to come to understand these truths and apply them to our lives as we seek out those who will lead us.
Solomon’s pursuit of the meaning of life included:
| 1. | 2:1-3 | The pursuit of carnal desires (the base pleasures found in a fallen world) |
| 2. | 2:4-11 | The pursuit of material possessions through human labors |
| 3. | 2:12-17 | The pursuit of worldly wisdom, madness and folly |
| 4. | 2:18-23 | The pursuit of responsible (frugal & wise) living to retain worldly goods Prt #1 |
| 5. | 2:24-26 | The pursuit of responsible (frugal & wise) living to retain worldly goods Prt #2 |
| 6. | 3:1-8 | A recognition of the Lord’s sovereign control over all life events Prt #1 |
| 7. | 3:9-15 | A recognition of the Lord’s sovereign control over all life events Prt #2 |
| 8. | 3:16-22 | A recognition of our need of Christ to see the nature and purpose of our life. |
| 9. | 4:1-3 | A recognition that never being born is better than the sufferings of this life. |
| 10. | 4:4-16 | The pursuit of earthly wisdom, diligence and living responsibly |
| 11. | 5:1-7 | The pursuit of worldly vows, contracts, and promises |
| 12. | 5:8-17 | The pursuit of worldly riches |
| 13. | 5:18-20 | A recognition that enjoyment of this earthly life is God’s gracious gift to man |
| 14. | 6:1-2 | A recognition of man’s inability to enjoy that which God has given to him. |
| 15. | 6:3-10 | A recognition of man’s sinfulness, mortality and need of humility before God |
| 16. | 6:11-12 | A recognition of the vanity of all that lies under the sun. |
| 17. | 7:1-10 | The pursuit of prideful living |
| 18. | 7:11-23 | A recognition of the value of Godly wisdom |
| 19. | 7:24-29 | The pursuit of Godly enabling |
| 20. | 8:1-5 | The pursuit of proper submission to authority based upon Godly wisdom |
| 21. | 8:6-15 | A recognition man needs Godly wisdom because he cannot control his own life nor see the eternal benefits of service to the Lord. |
| 22. | 8:16-17 | A recognition that men cannot fully understand the work of God on earth |
| 23. | 9:1-3 | A recognition that righteous and wicked share common life events |
| 24. | 9:4-12 | A recognition that life is better then death |
| 25. | 9:13-18 | A recognition of the excellence and rejection of Godly wisdom |
| 26. | 10:1-15 | A recognition of the dangers of foolishness |
| 27. | 10:16-17 | A recognition of principles for good rulership |
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