Wisdom Squandered, Day 9 What do you call someone who promises God something and then doesn’t do it? A fool. Read Ecclesiastes, 5:1-7. I always wondered what prompted this chapter in Ecclesiastics. The scripture doesn’t really share at a time when Solomon promised God something and didn’t do it. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a time in his life when he did exactly that. Or maybe he simply saw the results of that in the lives of others around him. Either way, Solomon fully and completely understands that there is a level of respect and reverence that we are to have when we are talking with God. While I…

Wisdom Squandered, Day 6 All will be judged. Read Ecclesiastes 3:16-22. As we look at this chapter, we see that Solomon comes to a pretty grim conclusion. Everyone is going to die. He recognizes there’s no escaping this final piece of life. What’s more, Solomon understands that everyone will be judged for their actions. We will all have to answer for the choices that we’ve made and the decisions that have shaped our lives. We see this fact echoed in Revelation chapter 20, when we all face the white throne judgment and God reads from the books of deeds. It’s important to recognize that everyone is going to eventually be…

Wisdom Squandered, Day 5 To everything, turn, turn, turn. Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. Some of you all may remember the famous song that was written about the first several verses from chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes. After all, there is a season for everything. As Solomon is evaluating his life and looking around him, he can see that there are certainly times for all of these practices that are listed here. As a king, he understands there’s time for war and a time for peace. He understands the importance of planting and harvesting. His wisdom recognizes the interconnected nature of everything that everyone does. There’s always impact to the actions that are…

Wisdom Squandered, Day 4 We each have a role to play. Read Ecclesiastes 2:13-26. Yesterday, we saw how the pursuit of happiness does not lead to fulfilling purpose. But, if we are pursuing God’s purpose in our life, then he will provide us with happiness. Today, we see that spelled out even more clearly. Solomon continues to explain all the different ways in which he tried to attain happiness. He had so many different methods, and he thought that if he amassed wealth and projects, that would allow him to leave a profound legacy to his children. Unfortunately, he realized that his children were not going to do the same…

Wisdom Squandered, Day 2 Is ignorance bliss? Read Ecclesiastes 1:12-18. As we read through this second half of the first chapter, Solomon introduces himself to us and explains why he’s writing this book. We see that he feels his failure so keenly. Solomon understands that he has not been able to achieve everything that he thought he would with all of his wisdom. And because of his wisdom, he recognizes his failure even more acutely than someone who wouldn’t have been wise. It recalls to mind the idea that ignorance is bliss. However, Solomon is not ignorant, and he recognizes that the wisdom he has, has not been used to…

Wisdom Squandered, Day 1 Lack of legacy. Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-11. Having just spent time studying an example of what we should do, we’re going to switch and take some time to study an example of what we should not do. The book of Ecclesiastes is written as a book of Solomon’s regrets. King Solomon had so much going for him, and yet he stumbled and fell in so many ways. He wrote the book of Ecclesiastes at the end of his life as he was evaluating what he could have or should have done differently. We can learn so much from his example of what not to do. He has…