The 4th division to the book of Ecclesiastes suggested by Scofield deals with the best thing possible to the natural man apart from God (11:1 - 12:12).
Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 deals with doing good even though there is no return. From 11:7-12:12, the Qoheleth talks about remembering your creator when you are young.
Doing good even when there is no return in sight (11:1-6)
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days,” says the Qoheleth in 11:1. In other words, we are told to sow without hope of a harvest. Do good even to them who may even throw your blessings away. This is a hard thing to do in this world – it is just illogical. Why do good and why give if it is going to be thrown away anyway? Because you will find it after many days. The good will come, even if it takes a long time, it will come and it will be worthwhile doing good. And most probably, the kind of return may not be even be the kind we expected.
Remember Your Creator While Young (11:7-12:12)
These are wise words – just not too long ago, one of my aunts upon our encouragement to believe in the Lord said she might as well wait until her deathbed. The Qoheleth here advised otherwise – think of God in your days of youth, before we get jaded, before we become immuned to life, before we become cynical, before we become worse than before. Remember God, think about Him, talk to Him, read of Him, study Him, praise Him, worship Him and most of all, love Him.
Maeghan
Picture by Brad Harrison
The conclusion here reminds me of Jesus' words:
ReplyDeleteMatthew 22:37-39
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Hi Missy,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about that verse and you are right, it is the most important that we can ever live out as a Christian.