(George Wald in “Innovation and Biology,” Scientific American, Vol. 199, Sept. 1958, p. 100) “There are only two possibilities as to how life arose. One is spontaneous generation arising to evolution; the other is a supernatural creative act of God. There is no third possibility. Spontaneous generation, that life arose from non-living matter was scientifically […]
How much spiritual insight do you have? Solomon wrote in (Proverbs 22:3) “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” The prudent man will hide himself from harm because he has insight. Insight is a clear perception of a situation. Because we still have our sinful […]
The book of Ecclesiastes talks a lot about man’s wisdom, but in our text this morning, I believe Solomon is talking about God’s wisdom. It is the God-given ability to make right choices. The only way to get God’s wisdom is by fearing Him and living by the Bible. Being wise can keep you useable […]
Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon makes many contrasts using the words “better … than”. We have noted several already. However, here in chapter 7, he gives us a cluster of these contrasting statements. On the first read of them, they may seem backward to your thinking, but as we examine them more closely, I […]
Children often lack the wisdom to discern what is good for them. Given the choice, they will choose to eat sweets rather than veggies, to stay ignorant rather than go to school, to play rather than to work, and to be selfish rather than to share. Unfortunately, many adults are just big kids. They too […]
In times of distress, pandemic, sadness, sickness or fear one of the best things we can receive is calming advice. Transition In Ecclesiastes 5, God gives us four words of advice that will calm our souls if we heed them. The first calming advice is to… Think Before You Speak to God (v.1-7) Be swift […]
Nothing brings a person to the understanding of his need for God’s friendship quicker than a tragic event that seems humanly hopeless. The coronavirus certainly fits that description. Transition In Ecclesiastes 4, Solomon describes four other circumstances in life when we need God’s friendship. We need God’s friendship when … We have no Friends (v.1-3) […]
When we read a sign, “Wet paint! Do not touch!” we often desire to touch it anyway. Our human nature hates being limited. Transition In Ecclesiastes 3, we are going to see that God limits man in at least three areas to get us to see our need for Him. God Limits our Control of […]
Have you ever thought, “If I just had more ___ that would really satisfy me.” It may be more money, more friends, more popularity, more clothes, more pleasures or anything else you desire. The reality is that having more only leads to wanting more. It does not satisfy the soul. Solomon learned this lesson by […]
Last week, we learned that Solomon probably wrote the book of Ecclesiastes to a young philosopher. In it, he gives frustrating examples of how life under the sun (earthly life) does not make sense. It is vanity or empty. These frustrating examples or disturbing reflections act as goads that poke us to get us to […]