Ecc. 6: Riches Sans Enjoyment

Ecclesiastes 6:11 "The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?"

What a terrible, meaningless, grievous thing to be given great riches by God, and to not be able to enjoy them. To not attempt to enjoy them. Why did God endow a rich man with his wealth to begin with if not to enjoy it? To have all these riches and wealth at your disposal and to refuse it, ignore it, or to ... maybe be unaware of it completely?

So severe is this malfeasance that Solomon suggests that it is better that a man be stillborn than to go through life not appreciating his riches. At that point, the stillborn person still rests more. In spite of experiencing nothing, and being shrouded in darkness for his whole existence, he rests more. Hm...enjoy what you have. Everyone goes to the same place...the grave, even the fools and wise. From that perspective, a wise man has no advantage over a fool.

Pr. 30: Agur the Oracle Says

Proverbs 30:8 "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread."

Agur sounds like that part in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure where they're reading Socrates (So-crates) and they read "The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing." This is the humble place where Agur starts Proverbs 30. He admits to not having wisdom, not having a great education. But there are still things he knows, based on what he doesn't know.

God binds up and controls the winds, the waters, the land. He holds absolute power, which is mind-blowing. There is no one capable of understanding this, let alone being capable of doing this.

This power leads him to say that every word of God is flawless.

It would be bad to add to the words God said. In other words, don't attribute to God words he didn't say. God's words are flawless, and anything, any "wisdom" man purports to attach to God is filth, tainting.

The oracle asks two things from God.
1. Keep falsehood and lies far from him. He wants to live in truth and honesty.
2. Give me neither poverty nor riches. He just wants to live his normal life. And it makes sense. Too much wealth, and a man grows arrogant, not needing God. Not enough, and a man steals, besmirching the God he claims to honor and love.

I don't know who will curse you, the servant or the master, when you slander the servant, but I could see grounds for both parties wanting to do that.

A leech is like the four things which are never satisfied...never sated: The grave (death), a barren womb (See: Rachel), a dry and thirsty land, and a raging fire. They all want more, and are never satisfied with more.

Four amazements:
1. how an eagle navigates the sky
2. how a snake navigates the land
3. how a ship navigates the ocean
4. how a man navigates a maiden.

I think he's going somewhere with that. The point is, why give up a faithful wife for adultery, or for a prostitute who offers her services, feigns love, then cleans up and says "Next?" It makes no sense.

Four things the earth shouldn't bear
1. A servant becoming king
2. A fool full of food
3. An unloved woman who is married (See: Leah)
4. A girlfriend displacing a wife.

Wisdom in small things.
1. Ants store up food for winter.
2. The hapless coney, who find protection in rocky hills
3. The leaderless locust, who advances in ranks, as one
4. The lizard, who is found in the king's court. Apparently not making a pest of himself

Stately in their stride.
1. Mighty lion
2. Strutting rooster
3. He-goat
4. A king with his army

Have evil planned? Shut your lips.

3 proven facts:
Churn milk = butter.
Twist the nose = blood.
Stir up anger = strife.

Pr. 23: Do What I Say, Not What I Do

Proverbs 23:22 "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old."

This chapter appears to be David (or Solomon, whoever) telling his son not to do some of the things his father has done or experience. Both saw extreme wealth, were tempted sexually, hung out with unsavory characters, dealt with neighboring nations, etc. They want to pass on life experience.

There seems to be an emphasis on wealth. Not the acquisition of it, but not depending on it. Glance at it, and it's gone, the Proverbs say. Show restraint, not wearing yourself out to acquire it. Because there's always more. And more. And you won't have everything.

A few verses are devoted to correcting, disciplining children. As a child, the original intended reader probably experienced "the rod" from his dad. Dad didn't need to explain his actions. Dad wanted his grandson to have the same opportunity his son did.

Avoid prostitutes...yep.

Don't hang out with those who overdrink. It describes drunkenness in verse 33. You won't be yourself, and you could get beat up. What, read it!

Pr. 15: Words

Proverbs 15:32 "He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. "

A lot is said in this chapter about the power of words. Wise men's words spread knowledge. Gentle answers turn away wrath. The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life. You can kill and you can heal with your words. Likewise, you can teach and you can deceive with your words. It is abundantly clear in this chapter which type of person God commends, and which type of person He despises.

Are you going to be a jerk? A loudmouth? That is no way to make progress in a relationship or a discussion (argument). You turn the volume down, you sound wiser, and the weight is in the content of the words.

I suppose another aspect of Proverbs is to pay attention to what the fools do. They spurn discipline and wise teaching. They spread ignorance, resent correction, feed on folly. And by folly, I don't believe that's goofy humor. I believe that's mindlessness. Stupid actions.

God wasn't about the sacrifice in itself as an action. God was after the heart. This is emphasized here again in verse 8.

Resenting correction. True correction stops you from going down the wrong path. Stops you from making a fatal foolish mistake. Who could resent that? It's pride that makes one not want to change course. How could I be wrong? (v. 12)

Unity and harmony are valued higher than wealth. (v. 16-17)

Don't be afraid to ask advice on a difficult situation. (v. 22)

Pr. 10: Proverbs for Living

Proverbs 10:13 "Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment."

This is a new way of presenting proverbs. Solomon has combined a list of couplets here, seeming non-sequiturs. Each couplet demonstrates what happens to a wise person, or what that wise person does, while including a second line about what happens to a fool, or what the fool does. Very simple stuff. None of these couplets require a lot of expository commentary by the author. Rather, as mentioned in an earlier chapter, these proverbs will make you think. These are the father's instructions.

I simply read through the list, and its a rather quick read, if you don't sit and dwell on them. It's a lot of stuff that seemingly would be common sense, but are also truths from God. Laziness makes you poor? True. A man has to work to get paid and to get fed.

Verse 15 gave me pause.

"The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. "

Does this mean that the fortified city comes from wisdom? Or is it simpler than that. Maybe the rich "only" have their fortified city, unconcerned with true riches from God. And perhaps God is the salvation of the poor.

Verse 19. You have nothing to say? That's ok. When you run your mouth, the greater the chance to sin against somebody.

The wicked really have a pretty disheartening existence here in chapter 10. Their hopes come to nothing, they are swept away in the storm, they will be overtaken by what they dread, they will not remain in the land. But these are the people who reject God and reject wisdom. Conversely, consider what is a part of following God. A prospect of joy, standing firm in the storm, not being uprooted. Its all good.

Ps. 73: Don't Envy the Rich

Psalm 73:25 "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you."

So, the author of the 73rd Psalm, who apparently is Asaph, appointed by David, warns against envying the arrogant and wicked rich. Not those who are rich. But those who are arrogant and wicked and rich. They appear to not suffer the hardships visited upon the poor and normal people. They seem to have it really good. But I like the language used here. It is a dream. A dream lasts only until the dreamer awakes. It is temporary. Any reward they have is what they have right now. 

God is the deliverer, and will provide eternal wealth. So what would you rather have? Temporal, measurable riches, or eternal, unlimited wealth? It's not that easy to answer if you don't know or care about God. Or maybe it is. As Asaph says, its impossible to understand having to make that choice until you enter the sanctuary of God. Until you know him.

Ps. 49: Emptiness in Riches

Psalm 49:20 "A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish."

I thought of one thing when I read through this 49th Psalm. You know the type. Generally wealthy. Possibly purveying false teachings. Counting more on their riches than the faith they profess. Sounds a bit like televangelists, right? Those whose messages are just bland enough and just broad enough to hook in as many people as possible. Consider their homes. Their palatial sets and wigs. But they will die. And so will their followers, those who trust in the words they say. Those who get taken in by slick. By non-specific feel-good language. Sure, they have riches, but do they have understanding? 

Everyone dies, the Psalmist wants no mistake. Just like animals, we die. We perish. And all the stuff we cram our homes with. That endures, albeit briefly. The rich reside in tombs for more "time" than they do their palaces. What is remembered? The man, or the money? What kind of man is remembered only for being rich? Consider today who is only known because of their wealth. The scripture tells us not to be overawed at this. I looked up Lebron James' house and couldn't help but be amazed. MTV Cribs is built entirely on rejecting Psalm 49:16. 

Death is irreversible. And no man is able to redeem the life of another man. No one can bring someone back from the grave. That's not how it was meant to be. God Himself is the only one capable of that (v. 15). The psalmist writes that after the grave, God will call him to himself. In contrast to the rich man without God, he will see the light of life.