My Daily Bible Study - Solomon's Books (2)

[Frances]

Proverbs 30

What does the text say? – Every Word of God proves to be true, He is the shield of all who come to Him for protection. Don’t add to His Word or He may expose you as a liar. Two things I request God (1) to remove all falsehood and lies from me, (2) not to give me either poverty or riches but just enough to satisfy my needs, for if I grow rich I may deny Him and if I am poor I may steal and insult His Name. Never slander a worker to their employer, or you may be cursed and found guilty. Never slander either of your parents. A leech keeps wanting more. There are 4 things never satisfied – The grave, a barren woman, the thirsty desert, the fire. Eyes that mock parents will be eaten by vultures. 4 things amaze me – an eagle flying, a snake slithering on rock, a ship navigating the ocean, and how a man loves a woman. Those who commit adultery don’t think they have done anything wrong. 4 things can’t be endured – a slave who becomes a king, an overbearing fool who prospers, a hated woman who gets married, a servant girl who supplants her mistress. There are 4 things that are small but very wise – ants, who store up food all summer, hyraxes(rock badgers) who make their homes in the rocks, locusts who have no king but march in formation, spiders(or lizards) who are found in king’s palaces. There are 4 things that strut about – the lion, a rooster, a male goat, a king leading his army. Stirring up anger causes quarrels.

Application? – God will protect me when I trust Him. I must be careful not to change God’s Word (are all ‘translations’ totally accurate? Do I get led astray by paraphrases?). Am I determined to always be 100% truthful and trustworthy?

[Frances]

Proverbs 31

What does the text say? – King Lemuel said :– Do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. Do not drink alcohol or you may forget the Law and not give justice to the oppressed, alcohol is for the dying and those in bitter distress and poverty, so they can forget their troubles. Speak for those who cannot speak up for themselves and ensure justice for those being crushed, and the poor and helpless. An excellent wife is more precious than rubies and will enrich her husband’s life. She is totally trustworthy and active in buying and selling, including land, and ensures her household runs smoothly. She is a strong and energetic worker from early morning till late at night and is also helping the poor and needy, she is wise and kind, she makes things to sell and is never idle. Charm is deceptive and beauty passing but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised and become rich, enabling her husband to take greater responsibilities.

Application? – If I drink alcohol I will not be able to think clearly, so unless I am in poverty or bitter distress I’d better leave it alone.
Do I speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves?
Do I ensure justice is done?
Do I help the poor and needy?
Am I totally trustworthy?
Do I work hard for those who depend on me?
Do I realise that a good character is more important than physical beauty and charm?

[Frances]

Ecclesiastes

Quote:- (David Pawson)”Ecclesiastes is probably the strangest book in the Bible . . . . but despite it’s strangeness it has a very contemporary ring to it and features many of the philosophical ideas of our own day.
Fatalism – whatever will be will be.
Existentialism – live for the present moment, who knows what the future may bring.
Chauvinism – men are better than women.
Hedonism – living for pleasure.
Cynisism - even good things are not what they seem.



Ecclesiastes 1

What does the text say? –the words of the preacher, the son of David, the king in Jerusalem. Everything is meaningless. Generations come and go but the earth never changes. The sun rises and sets, the wind blows continually, the rivers run into the sea but the sea is not full and the water returns to the rivers and flows to the sea again. Everything is wearisome. We are never satisfied or content. History repeats itself. Nothing is new under the sun, it’s all happened before. Solomon said he had devoted himself to search for understanding and to explore wisdom, and discovered everything is meaningless, and like chasing the wind. What is wrong cannot be made right, and what is missing cannot be recovered. He had learned that the greater his wisdom the greater was his grief and sorrow.

Application? – Have I learned that to know something is right, yet not act on that knowledge, is foolishness?
Have I learned how perfectly God Created the world for our benefit?
Have I discovered that only God can make crooked lies straight - through Jesus Christ?

[Frances]

Ecclesiastes 2

What does the text say?- Pleasure is meaningless, it accomplishes nothing. I tried to cheer myself up with wine, and clutched at foolishness. I tried to find meaning by building huge homes and by planting gardens, orchards and vineyards. I built reservoirs so all I had planted could be irrigated. I bought slaves. I owned large herds and flocks. I collected silver, gold and jewels. I had many concubines, in fact I had everything a man could desire, and my wisdom never failed. I denied myself no pleasure, but as I thought of everything I have accomplished it was all meaningless. I compared wisdom and foolishness and realised wisdom is better than foolishness just as light is better than darkness, for the wise can see where they are going but fools walk in darkness, yet they both die and are forgotten. My successor could be wise or foolish, so my life and work are meaningless. Then I decided that food, drink and satisfaction from work are gifts from God, who gives joy too those who please Him, but if a sinner becomes wealthy He takes it away and gives it to those who please Him. This is also meaningless and grasping for the wind.

Application? – Do I get my pleasure in life from pleasing God? Do I get my pleasure from amassing wealth or from hedonism?

[Frances]

Ecclesiastes 3

What does the text say?- There is a time for everything on earth – being born and dying, planting and harvesting, killing and healing, breaking down and building up, weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing, gathering or throwing away, gaining or losing, to tear or to mend, to speak or be silent, to love or hate, for war or peace. What does anyone get for all their work? God has made everything beautiful at some time, and has put eternity into the human heart, so nothing is better than to do good and be joyful, to eat and drink and enjoy the fruit of their labour, for these are gifts from God, given so people will respect/fear Him. What has happened before will happen again. Evil and good are mixed together but at the right time God will Judge everyone’s deeds. People have no real advantage over the animals , all life is meaningless, all comes from dust and will return to dust. There is no proof of what happens after death, so everyone may as well enjoy life for it is all we have.


Application? – Am I aware of the right time for me to act in every situation? Do I recognise the each area of beauty in the world? If Jesus Christ had not paid the penalty for my Sin, and if I do not submit to Him as my Lord and Saviour, there is no purpose to my life at all.

[Frances]

Ecclesiastes 4+5

What does the text say? - I considered all the oppressed in the world and thought the dead were better off than the living, and those who had never existed the most fortunate. Then I saw that people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbours, but this, too, is chasing the wind and it’s better to have one handful of quietness than to have two handfuls of hard work. Then I saw meaninglessness in the life of one alone working hard with no one to leave their wealth to. Two people are better off than one for they can help each other, three are even better for a three-fold cord is hard to break. It is better to be young and poor than old and foolishly refusing all advise. It’s all meaningless. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God, do not make Him rash promises. Too many words make you a fool. When you make a promise to God keep it quickly for He does not like fools, so it’s better not to promise than to break a promise to Him, for excuses make Him angry. Talk is cheap, like day-dreams and other useless activities so fear God instead. Don’t be surprised to see a poor person being oppressed or by miscarriages of justice, for matters of justice get lost in red-tape and bureaucracy. Even the King benefits from other people’s labours. Wealth does not bring true happiness, the more you have the more people help you spend it, and it will slip through your fingers. Physical labour ensures a good night’s sleep which the rich rarely enjoy. All hoarded riches can vanish, and no one can take their wealth to the grave. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life is a Gift from God.

Application? – It is more sensible to be satisfied with what you have than to chase wealth. Do I keep my promise to God? Do I talk too much? Do I ever oppress others? Am I satisfied with what I have? If I don’t sleep well how can I change my thoughts to ensure restful sleep? Am I content with my life or always wanting more?

[buklodcs]

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[Frances]

Ecclesiastes 6

What does the text say?- Life is meaningless because God gave some people everything they could want but did not give them the chance to enjoy these things before they die leaving others to enjoy them. If a man has 100 children but has no satisfaction in life, he would have been better off never to have been born, as he will die like everyone else his life having been meaningless. Wise people are no better off than fools. Enjoy what you have, it’s better than desiring something else. It is no use arguing with God about your destiny. Our lives are like a shadow and no one can know the future on earth.

Application? – Am I content with what I have? Have I accepted God’s Gift of Salvation?

[Frances]

Ecclesiastes 7

What does the text say? – A good reputation is valuable. It’s better to go to funerals than parties. Sorrow is better than laughter. All a fool thinks about is having a good time. It’s better to be criticized by a wise person then praised by a fool. Bribery is destructive. Patience is better than pride. Control your temper or you will be seen to be a fool. Wisdom and wealth are beneficial. Accept the way God does things, prosperity and hard times both come from Him. I’ve discovered life is meaningless, as it includes the death of good young people and the long life of the wicked. Don’t be too wicked or foolish, fear God and avoid both extremes. One wise person is better than 10 rulers. No one is always good. Don’t eavesdrop or you may hear yourself cursed. Wisdom is always just out of reach. I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death, her passion is a snare and her hands are chains that will catch sinners. Though I have searched everywhere I have not found what I seek, but discovered that although God created people to be virtuous no one is truly good.

Application? – Do I have a good reputation?
Do I take notice of criticism or only of praise?
Am I patient? Do I control my temper?
Am I grateful to God for what I have?
Do I fear God?
Am I virtuous?

[Frances]

Ecclesiastes 8+9

What does the text say? – Wisdom makes the face shine and show gentleness. Obey the king as you promised God. The king has power so obey him. The wise people will do what is right. No one can avoid what they are unaware of. No one can prevent their own death. Wicked people are sometimes buried with honour which is meaningless. Because sentence for a crime is not carried out immediately evil is encouraged. It will be well with those who fear God, but not with the wicked. How anyone is treated on earth is meaningless, so I recommend enjoying yourself. Not even the wise people can know everything. I want to declare that the wise and righteous are in God’s Hands, however anything may happen to the righteous and wicked alike, as man’s hearts are evil. That is why more people do not try to be good. Go ahead, eat, drink and be merry, wear nice clothes and use perfume, live happily all the meaningless days of your life. I’ve also realised the fastest runner does not always win the race, nor is the battle always won by the strongest side, the wise sometimes go hungry, and the skilful are not always wealthy, the educated don’t always have successful lives, and like fish in a net or birds in a trap may experience misfortune. Wisdom is better than strength but wisdom from a poor man is despised. It is better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a fool, better to have wisdom than weapons of war but the sinner can destroy much good.

Application? – Do I keep my promises to God? Do I obey the laws of my nation? Do I seek more wisdom and share it quietly? Or do I loudly proclaim what I think is right?

[Frances]

Ecclesiastes 10,11+12

What does the text say? – A little foolishness from someone honoured for wisdom is like a dead fly in perfume. If your boss is angry with you don’t quit, a quiet spirit can overcome great mistakes. Rulers can error by letting foolish people have high positions and worthy people lowly ones, or by letting slaves act like princes or princes work like slaves. Danger lurks in many tasks. Sharpen your axe or you’ll have to work harder. Fools are destroyed by what they say, their thoughts are assumptions so their conclusions are madness and they talk too much. No one can predict the future. A nation is blessed if their rulers do not get drunk (eg. with power). Buildings decay through laziness. Parties give laughter, wine gives happiness, and money gives everything. Don’t curse your leaders or they may hear of it. Cast your bread on the waters and you will benefit later. Divide investments among many places. Some things are inevitable eg. rain comes from heavy clouds. Those who wait for a perfect time will not sow or harvest. You cannot understand God any more than how a baby in the womb grows. Keep busy with many activities for you don’t know which will prosper. Life is meaningless. Remember that God will Judge what you do in your youth. Enjoy being young but remember your Creator will hold you to account for all your life, not just when you get old and die. Everything is meaningless. The words of the wise are like goads, painful but helpful. Writing books is endless and much study wears you out. It’s important to fear God and obey Him for He will Judge everything we do , good or bad.

Application? – Do I take offence too easily? Am I mindful of possible danger? Do I talk too much? Am I lazy? Do I invest wisely? Do I procrastinate? Do I realise that God is in control? Do I keep busy? Could anything I have ever done have displeased God? If so, would I be wise to trust Jesus Christ to be my Saviour?