Ecclesiastes, The Preacher's Advice To The Young, Mark Copeland

                       "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES"

             The Preacher's Advice To The Young (11:9-12:7)

INTRODUCTION

1. As a result of his search for meaning in life "under the sun"...
   a. The Preacher's concluded that "all is vanity" - e.g., 1:2,14;
      2:1,11
   b. Even one who lives many joyful years can still anticipate days of
      darkness - 11:8

2. While life "under the sun" (viewed purely from an earthly 
   perspective) is vanity...
   a. That does not mean one should simply give up in despair
   b. Throughout, the Preacher has counseled his readers to enjoy what
      good God has given one - e.g., 2:24; 3:12,13,22; 5:18-20; 7:14;
      9:7-10

3. The lessons gleaned through the Preacher's own experience need to be
   learned by everyone, especially the young, otherwise they may...
   a. Waste years running after things that really don't satisfy
   b. Miss out on the true enjoyment of life available to them in their
      youth

[To make sure that young people do not miss the lessons he has learned,
the Preacher directs his attention towards them as he prepares to draw
his book to a close.  In 11:9-12:7, we find "The Preacher's Advice To
The Young", the first of which is...]

I. REJOICE IN YOUR YOUTH (11:9)

   A. GOD WANTS YOU TO HAVE A GOOD TIME...
      1. He wants you to be joyful, to do things that are pleasing
      2. Just as the Preacher had counseled earlier - 9:7-10
      -- Therefore take advantage of the youthful capacity to enjoy
         life!

   B. DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF THE JUDGMENT...
      1. You will have to give an account for what you do
      2. God will judge both the righteous and the wicked - cf. 3:17;
         12:14
      -- Therefore be selective in what you do to have fun!

[God has created man with the energy to enjoy life, especially when we
are young.  As long as that energy is directed in the right channels,
youth is to be a time of great joy!  Along the same vein, the Preacher
advises the young to...]

II. REMOVE SORROW AND EVIL FROM YOUR YOUTH (11:10)

   A. REMOVE SORROW FROM YOUR HEART...
      1. Sorrow deprives one of the joy they should have in their youth
      2. Enough sorrow comes without our help...make sure that we do
         does not add to it through youthful indiscretions (which leads
         to the next point)

   B. REMOVE EVIL FROM YOUR FLESH...
      1. Youthful indiscretions contribute to much sorrow
         a. Such as the wrong kind of companions - e.g., Pr 1:10-19
         b. Such as succumbing to the enticements of the wicked - e.g.,
            Pr 5:1-14
      2. Childhood and youth are fleeting...don't waste them on things
         that only bring much grief and sorrow in life

[Youth, while short, can be a wonderful time of life.  The key is to
heed the next admonition, which has already been alluded in references
concerning the judgment, and that is to...]

III. REMEMBER GOD IN YOUR YOUTH (12:1)

   A. SERVING GOD IS NOT JUST FOR THE ELDERLY...
      1. Great men of God served Him from their youth (e.g., Joseph,
         Samuel, David, Solomon, Josiah, Daniel)
      2. Jesus provided the proper example as well - Lk 2:41-52
      3. Timothy, who had known the Scriptures from childhood, was to
         be an example to others - cf. 2Ti 3:15; 1Ti 4:12

   B. SERVING GOD WILL HELP YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES...
      1. Even as it helped Joseph - e.g., Gen 39:7-12
      2. And as it helped Daniel - e.g., Dan 1:8

[Serving God in your youth will help avoid many of the things that
bring sorrow, and prepare you for the "days of darkness" (11:8) that
will come.  This leads us to the final point in "The Preacher's Advice
To The Young"...]

IV. REFLECT UPON WHAT IS COMING (12:1-7)

   A. DIFFICULT DAYS ARE AHEAD...
      1. Presuming you live long enough
      2. As already stated, these days will be many - 11:8
         a. They will be days in which little pleasure will be found 
            - 12:1
         b. The darkening of the lights of heaven denoting a time of
            affliction and sadness (Barnes) - 12:2

   B. A TIME WHERE AGE AND DEATH CATCHES UP TO US...
      1. The Preacher uses various figures to depict the body in old
         age and death - 12:3-7
      2. What the figures of verses 3-6 possibly represent:
         a. The keepers of the house tremble (the arms weaken)
         b. The strong men bow down (the legs become frail) 
         c. The grinders cease because they are few (the teeth fall
            out)
         d. Those that look through the windows grow dim (the eyes lose
            their sight)
         e. The doors are shut in the streets (the ears become hard of
            hearing)
         f. The sound of the grinding is low (the mouth and speech
            become unintelligible)
         g. When one rises up at the sound of a bird (the elderly
            easily awakened)
         h. And all the daughters of music are brought low (the voice
            no longer able to produce music)
         i. They are afraid of height (their fear of falling)
         j. And of terrors in the way (no longer feeling invincible)
         k. When the almond tree blossoms (the wakefulness of old age
            setting in)
         l. The grasshopper is a burden (an old man, bowed like the
            insect, able to move only with some difficulty)
         m. And desire fails (fleshly desires wane)
         n. For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about
            the streets (an obvious reference to death)
         o. The remaining figures, alluding to decay of the body
            1) Before the silver cord (the spinal cord) is loosed 
            2) The golden bowl (the skull) is broken 
            3) The pitcher (the heart) shattered at the fountain 
            4) The wheel (the pelvis) broken at the well 
      3. Finally, the body returns to the dust, and the spirit returns
         to God - 12:7
      -- The purpose of such a description is not to depress the young,
         but to instill the proper degree of sobriety (seriousness), a
         trait becoming the young - cf. Tit 2:6

CONCLUSION

1. The challenges our youth face are great...
   a. The temptations before them are many
   b. The allurements of the world promise much, but deliver little
   c. The young are very susceptible to depression and despair
   -- In a world in which life "under the sun" is vanity, they need all
      the help they can get

2. There is much in life that can be enjoyed, provided one heeds the
   Preacher's admonition:
   a. Rejoice in our youth
   b. Remove sorrow and evil
   c. Remember God in your youth
   d. Reflect upon the days ahead

As the apostle Paul wrote to Christians in Galatia, which certainly
applies to the young:

   "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows,
   that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the
   flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the
   Spirit reap everlasting life.  And let us not grow weary while
   doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose
   heart."  (Ga 6:7-9)

Do we wish to reap everlasting life?  Then let us sow to the Spirit by
walking after the Spirit (cf. Ga 5:16-23) and allowing the fruit of the
Spirit in our lives to produce the good things that we shall reap!

More than just seeing Roses!!!

The holiday's have come and gone and many a New Year's Resolution has already gone by the wayside.  Personally, I really don't begin the New Year by making resolutions, except perhaps in a general way of being aware of God in the little things around me and trying to live to please the almighty.  One day this week, I was looking on the net (I believe it was facebook, but am unsure) and saw this picture.  Since it has Roses in it, naturally it caught my eye.  When I had read the words, I realized that this applied to me and then I thought of this famous passage from the Old Testament...

2 Samuel, Chapter 12

1 Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, “There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.  2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him, and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him like a daughter.  4 A traveler came to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man who had come to him, but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man who had come to him.” 

  5  David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this is worthy to die!  6 He shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity!” 

  7  Nathan said to David, “You are the man. This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul.  8 I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that would have been too little, I would have added to you many more such things.  9 Why have you despised Yahweh’s word, to do that which is evil in his sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.  10 Now therefore the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 

  11  “This is what Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.  12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.’” 

  13  David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against Yahweh.” 

Nathan said to David, “Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die.  14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh’s enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”  15 Nathan departed to his house. 

Yahweh struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it was very sick.  16 David therefore begged God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth.  17 The elders of his house arose beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.  18 On the seventh day, the child died. The servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he didn’t listen to our voice. How will he then harm himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?” 

  19  But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” 

They said, “He is dead.” 

  20  Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his clothing; and he came into Yahweh’s house, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he ate.  21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child was dead, you rose up and ate bread.” 

  22  He said, “While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows whether Yahweh will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?’  23 But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

The picture refers to some positive aspects of trying to follow God; but what about the negative? That is where the story of David comes in.  He did something horrible and it took a prophet with a story to help him realize it.  However, there still was a price to pay.  Death and strife came to David's reign, but David still hoped God would be merciful to a young and innocent child.  When the child died, David accepted the consequences and moved on.  David was not a perfect human being, but he did try to follow God with his whole heart.  If there is a true resolution in my own future, it would be to recognize my own sin when God helps me see it, do something about it and move on.  Life, for me, is more than just seeing Roses, it is self-examination and change.  This may be hard at times, but I pray that all who read this will embrace not only the thought, but put it into action as well. 

Bible Reading Jan.4

Jan. 4

Genesis 4

Gen 4:1 The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, "I have gotten a man with Yahweh's help."

Gen 4:2 Again she gave birth, to Cain's brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Gen 4:3 As time passed, it happened that Cain brought an offering to Yahweh from the fruit of the ground.

Gen 4:4 Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering,

Gen 4:5 but he didn't respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.

Gen 4:6 Yahweh said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen?

Gen 4:7 If you do well, will it not be lifted up? If you don't do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it."

Gen 4:8 Cain said to Abel, his brother, "Let's go into the field." It happened when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.

Gen 4:9 Yahweh said to Cain, "Where is Abel, your brother?" He said, "I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?"

Gen 4:10 Yahweh said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground.

Gen 4:11 Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

Gen 4:12 From now on, when you till the ground, it won't yield its strength to you. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth."

Gen 4:13 Cain said to Yahweh, "My punishment is greater than I can bear.

Gen 4:14 Behold, you have driven me out this day from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth. It will happen that whoever finds me will kill me."

Gen 4:15 Yahweh said to him, "Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." Yahweh appointed a sign for Cain, lest any finding him should strike him.

Gen 4:16 Cain went out from Yahweh's presence, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Gen 4:17 Cain knew his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.

Gen 4:18 To Enoch was born Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.

Gen 4:19 Lamech took two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

Gen 4:20 Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

Gen 4:21 His brother's name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe.

Gen 4:22 Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron. Tubal Cain's sister was Naamah.

Gen 4:23 Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me.

Gen 4:24 If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times."

Gen 4:25 Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, "for God has appointed me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him."

Gen 4:26 There was also born a son to Seth, and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on Yahweh's name.

Ecclesiastes, Wisdom To Endure Life's Vanities, Mark Copeland

                       "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES"

           Wisdom To Endure Life's Vanities - II (10:1-11:8)

INTRODUCTION

1. As mentioned in the previous lesson, there are things in life that
   we cannot avoid...
   a. Such as the inevitability of death
   b. The governments of men
   -- Both of which can contribute much to the "vanity" of "life under
      the sun"

2. But with the right kind of wisdom...
   a. We can endure the imperfect and often wicked governments of men
   b. We can live joyful lives despite the certainty of death

[...and so the Preacher (Solomon) continues with "Wisdom To Endure
Life's Vanities" in chapters ten and eleven.  As we look now at chapter
ten, we find him expounding upon...]

I. THE HARM OF FOLLY

   A. FOLLY DEPLORED...
      1. Folly mars the finest of reputations - 10:1
      2. Folly constitutes an unsafe guide (the heart of a fool is not
         in the right place) - 10:2
      3. Folly will invariably betray it own stupidity - 10:3
      -- In contrast, the wise person will be patient, steadfast, and
         conciliatory, even when opposed by those in authority - 10:4

   B. FOLLY OFTEN MANIFESTS ITSELF IN GOVERNMENT...
      1. An evil observed by the Preacher - 10:5-7
         a. Error proceeding from the ruler
         b. Folly exalted while the rich are debased
         c. Servants in power while true princes are humbled
      2. Those who labor with foolishness hurt and hinder themselves 
         - 10:8-10
         a. As illustrated through several examples given by the
            Preacher
         b. The wisdom of the wise will know how to expedite his labors
      3. The foolish seldom know how to restrain themselves - 10:11-15
         a. They do not know how to hold their tongues
         b. They do not know how to direct their labor
      4. How folly and wisdom affect the condition of the country - 10:
         16-19
         a. Woe to the land whose leaders are childish and feast in the
            morning, their laziness resulting in broken down buildings
         b. Blessed is the land whose leaders feast at the proper time,
            whose successful rule provides for true happiness and 
            meeting every need

   C. MEANWHILE, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY...
      1. Do not curse the king - 10:20a
      2. Do not curse the rich - 10:20b
      -- For what you say will likely reach their ears - 10:20c

[As in chapter nine, much of what the Preacher says in chapter ten
pertains to how to endure the vanity of living under governments often
ruled by wicked men.  As he continues in chapter eleven, we find him
describing...]

II. THE VALUE OF BENEVOLENCE
   
   A. AN EXHORTATION TO BENEVOLENCE...
      1. Verses 1 and 2 are parallel, encouraging kindness and 
         hospitality - 11:1-2
      2. The benefits of such benevolence:
         a. It provides blessings for the future
         b. It provides blessings for when days are evil
      -- Similar benefits of a benevolent spirit are described through
         the Bible - Ps 41:1-2; Pr 19:17; Lk 6:38; 16:9; Ga 6:9; 1 Ti 6:18-19

   B. FURTHER REASONS TO EXERCISE BENEVOLENCE...
      1. Calamities (like rain and wind storms) will come...
         a. We cannot stop the clouds full of rain from falling
         b. Trees will lie wherever they fall
         ...if we spend our time just watching and not doing, we will
            not sow and reap - 11:3-4
      2. There are things we cannot comprehend...
         a. Like the way of the wind (or spirit)
         b. Like the development of the child in the womb
         ...so we cannot comprehend God's working; therefore do not
            restrict your charity - 11:5-6
      3. There will be days of darkness...
         a. It is great to be alive when one is well
         b. But even if one lives many joyful days, they should know
            that evil days will come - 11:7-8

CONCLUSION

1. We may not be able to escape the days of darkness in this life...
   a. Evil days often brought on by the governments of men
   b. Evil days that occur for which we have no explanation

2. But thanks to the Preacher, we know how best to endure life's
   vanities...
   a. Avoid making things worse through our own folly
   b. Sow the seeds of benevolence that can help us later when the days
      are evil

3. Of course, besides the Preacher (Solomon), we also have the Good
   Shepherd (Jesus)...
   a. Who has given His life that we might have an abundant life - Jn 10:10-11
   b. Who provides true peace though we may live in a world of 
      tribulation - Jn 16:33

Are we following the Shepherd who leads His sheep to life eternal? 
- Jn 10:27-28

Pray if you want to!

Pray if  you want to!       CBS and  Katie Couric et al must be in a panic and  rushing to reassure the White House that this is  not network policy.   Folks,  this is the year that we RE-TAKE AMERICA &  CANADA  *********  Get  Ready *********  Keep  this going around the  globe. Read it  and forward every time you receive  it... We can't  give up on this issue.  Andy Rooney  and  Prayer Andy  Rooney says:  I don't believe in Santa  Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for  singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in  December. I don't  agree with Darwin , but I didn't go out and hire  a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his  theory  of evolution.   Life, liberty or your pursuit of  happiness will not be endangered in any  way because  someone says a 30-second prayer before a  football game. So what's  the big deal? It's not  like somebody is up there reading the entire  Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they  believe in and asking him to grant safety to the  players on the field and the fans going home  from the game.  But it's a Christian  prayer, some will argue. Yes, and this is  the United States of America , and Canada ,  countries founded on Christian  principles. According  to our very own phone book, Christian churches  outnumber all others better than  200-to-1. So what  would you expect -- Somebody  chanting Hare  Krishna?  If I went to a football game in  Jerusalem , I would  expect to hear a Jewish  prayer.  If  I went to a soccer game  in Baghdad, I would  expect to hear a Muslim prayer.  If I  went to a ping pong match in China  , I would  expect to hear someone pray to  Buddha. And I  wouldn't be offended.It  wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome  ..... But what about the atheists? Is  another argument. What about  them? Nobody is  asking them to be baptized.  We're not  going to pass the collection plate. Just humor  us for 30 seconds.  If that's asking too  much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear  plugs.  Go to the bathroom.  Visit the  concession stand.  Call your lawyer! Or,  just exercise their right to leave this  country! Unfortunately, one or two will  call their lawyer. One or two  will tell thousands what they can and cannot  do.  I don't  think a short prayer at a football game is going  to shake the world's  foundations. Christians are just sick and  tired of turning the other cheek while our  courts strip us of all our  rights. Our  parents and grandparents taught us to pray  before eating, to pray before we go to  sleep. Our Bible  tells us to pray without  ceasing. Now a  handful of people and their lawyers are telling  us to cease praying.  God,  help us.  And if that last sentence offends  you, well, just sue me. The silent  majority has been silent too long.  It's  time we tell that one or two who scream loud  enough to be heard that the vast majority  doesn't care what they want!   It is  time that the majority  rules!     It's time we tell them, "You don't have to pray;  you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance;  you don't have to believe in God or attend  services that honor  Him. That  is your right, and we will honor your  right; But  by golly, You  are no longer going to take our rights  away.    We are fighting back, and  we  WILL WIN!" God  bless us one and all...Especially those who  denounce Him,  God bless America and Canada , despite all our  faults, we are still the greatest nations of  all. God  bless our service men who Are  fighting to protect our right to pray and  worship God. Let's  make 2013 the  year the silent majority is heard and we put God  back as the foundation of our families and  institutions. And our military forces come home  from all the wars.  Keep looking  up.    If you agree with  this, please pass it on. If not delete  it.      BUT  REMEMBER SHOULD YOU DELETE  IT, that's  one reason why this world is in the mess we're  in now. WE  JUST SIT  BACK & LET IT  HAPPEN!!   I know, this isn't my usual post, but I liked it so much that I wanted to share it with you.  Many thanks to Jean Cameron for sharing!!!  Gary

Bible Reading, Jan. 3

 

Jan. 3

Genesis 3

Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, "Has God really said, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?' "

Gen 3:2 The woman said to the serpent, "Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat,

Gen 3:3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.' "

Gen 3:4 The serpent said to the woman, "You won't surely die,

Gen 3:5 for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit, and ate; and she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate.

Gen 3:7 The eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Gen 3:8 They heard the voice of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God among the trees of the garden.

Gen 3:9 Yahweh God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?"

Gen 3:10 The man said, "I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."

Gen 3:11 God said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"

Gen 3:12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."

Gen 3:13 Yahweh God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

Gen 3:14 Yahweh God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock, and above every animal of the field. On your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.

Gen 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel."

Gen 3:16 To the woman he said, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth. In pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."

Gen 3:17 To Adam he said, "Because you have listened to your wife's voice, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground for your sake. In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.

Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles will it bring forth to you; and you will eat the herb of the field.

Gen 3:19 By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Gen 3:20 The man called his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

Gen 3:21 Yahweh God made coats of skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them.

Gen 3:22 Yahweh God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he put forth his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever..."

Gen 3:23 Therefore Yahweh God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken.

Gen 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed Cherubs at the east of the garden of Eden, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Jan. 3,4

Matthew 2

Mat 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,

Mat 2:2 "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him."

Mat 2:3 When Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Mat 2:4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.

Mat 2:5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written through the prophet,

Mat 2:6 'You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come forth a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.' "

Mat 2:7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.

Mat 2:8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him."

Mat 2:9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.

Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

Mat 2:11 They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Mat 2:12 Being warned in a dream that they shouldn't return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

Mat 2:13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."

Mat 2:14 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt,

Mat 2:15 and was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Mat 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.

Mat 2:17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,

Mat 2:18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn't be comforted, because they are no more."

Mat 2:19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,

Mat 2:20 "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child's life are dead."

Mat 2:21 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Mat 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee,

Mat 2:23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

Ecclesiastes, Wisdom to Endure Life's Vanities, Mark Copeland

                       "THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES"

            Wisdom To Endure Life's Vanities - I (8:1-9:18)

INTRODUCTION

1. The Preacher (Solomon, 1:1) has been sharing with us counsel for
   dealing with life...
   a. Counsel gleaned from his own search for meaning - 7:27
   b. Counsel guided by wisdom given him by God - cf. 1:16; 1Ki 3:12;
      4:30

2. In previous lessons we have noted that the Preacher offfered...
   a. Counsel For Better Living - 7:1-14
   b. Counsel For Balanced Living - 7:15-29
   -- Helpful to taking a proactive approach to improving one's sojourn
      "under the sun"

3. Yet no matter what we do, there are things...
   a. We cannot change
   b. We cannot escape
   -- Things which certainly add to the vanity of life "under the sun"

4. Two such things are "death and taxes"; in other words...
   a. We cannot escape the inevitability of death
   b. We must endure the governments of men

[Wisdom can help, however (8:1), and so as the Preacher continues, he
shares "Wisdom To Endure Life's Vanities".  Beginning with...]

I. ENDURING THE GOVERNMENTS OF MEN

   A. SUBMIT TO AUTHORITIES FOR GOD'S SAKE...
      1. Obey the king's command - 8:2-3
      2. Respect his power, and you will be unharmed - 8:4-5a
      3. A wise man will understand that judgment will come in it's own
         time, so don't resort to wickedness (i.e., rebellion) to
         alleviate misery - 8:5b-9
      -- Compare this counsel with that given to Christians - Ro 13:
         1-7; 1Pe 2:11-17

   B. ANTICIPATE WICKED RULERS...
      1. There will be times when men rule to their own detriment - 8:9
      2. But they will soon be forgotten after their demise - 8:10
      3. Why do some persist in their evil rule? Because their judgment
         does not occur immediately - 8:11
      4. Even so, it is still better to fear God - 8:12-13

   C. EXPECT TO BE PERPLEXED...
      1. Sometimes the righteous suffer, and the wicked prosper - 8:14
      2. One cannot always understand why things happen the way they do
         (remember Job?) - 8:16-17

   D. ENJOY LIFE...
      1. Delight in the fruits of your own labor - 8:15
      2. Which is the advice given throughout this book - 2:24-26;
         3:12-13; 5:18-20

[There is little value in getting all worked up about the inequities in
the governments of men.  As long as there are imperfect men, there will
be imperfect governments.  It is better to simply obey the laws, do
good, trust in God, and enjoy the fruits of one's labor.

In chapter nine, we find wisdom for...]

II. ENDURING THE INEVITABILITY OF DEATH

   A. DEATH HAPPENS TO ALL...
      1. It happens to both the righteous and the wicked - 9:1-3
         a. While the righteous are in God's hands
         b. And the sons of men are full of evil
      2. While we live, there is hope (9:4);  when we die...
         a. We know nothing of what goes on here on earth - 9:5a,6
         b. Others' memory of us soon fades - 9:5
      -- We cannot escape death

   B. ENJOY LIFE...
      1. While death is inevitable, we should still enjoy life - 9:7-8
      2. Live joyfully with the wife God has given you - 9:9
      3. Work diligently while you are here - 9:10
      -- While we cannot escape death, there is no reason to give up on
         life!

   C. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED...
      1. Time and chance happens to all - 9:11
         a. Being swift and strong does not mean you will always win
         b. Being wise, understanding, and skillful does not always
            ensure that you will be fed, rich, and the recipients of
            good favor
      2. Sometimes death will come unexpectedly, like animals caught in
         a trap - 9:12
      -- Anticipating the unexpected, we are less likely to be 
         overwhelmed when it occurs

   D. APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF WISDOM...
      1. The Preacher saw how wisdom saved a city - 9:13-15
         a. Even though found in a poor man
         b. Even though the man was soon forgotten
      2. Therefore he praises the value of wisdom - 9:16-18
         a. As better than strength
         b. As better than weapons of war
      -- Though often despised when it comes from a poor man, wisdom
         spoken quietly is better than the shout of a ruler of fools

CONCLUSION

1. We may not be able to escape all of life's vanities...
   a. There may be times we find ourselves under wicked governments
   b. Unless the Lord returns in our lifetime, death is inevitable

2. But we can endure life's vanities with the aid of the Preacher's
   wisdom...
   a. Enduring the governments of men by:
      1) Submitting to authorities for God's sake
      2) Understanding that wicked rulers will occur
      3) Expecting to be perplexed at times
      4) Enjoying our life as God gives us opportunity
   b. Enduring the inevitability of death by:
      1) Remembering that death happens to all
      2) Enjoying family and work
      3) Expecting the unexpected
      4) Utilizing wisdom that is available to us

In our next study, we shall consider more from the Preacher on the
value of wisdom and diligence in enduring life's vanities.

In the meantime, let's not forget that we have another "Preacher" who
has established the perfect kingdom, and delivered us from the fear of
death:  Jesus Christ!