Solomon continues in Ecclesiastes 11, with recording his observations regarding the laws of nature and the laws of human behavior. "If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth" (v. 3). "Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; but if a man lives many years and rejoices in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that is coming is vanity" (v. 8).
There is definitely wisdom in Solomon's comments in verse 4, about finding excuses for not doing something. "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap". He goes on to say that not only do we not know what the weather is going to do, but there are many things we don't know about. We are certainly not in a position to "know the works of God who makes everything" (v.5). In light of this understanding Solomon says, "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper" (v. 6). If we procrastinate and find excuses to wait, we may miss out on opportunities. On a personal note, I have found that it is best not to allow the weather to interfere with your plans. Go as far with your plans as possible in spite of seemingly potential interference from outside sources.
I remember going over Ecclesiastes 12, in school and hearing my teacher explain the analogies in this chapter regarding old age. A time when those who were once strong "bow down". A time when "the grinders cease because they are few" (referring to our teeth). "And those who look through the windows grow dim" (our eyesight dims). "When the almond tree blossoms (our hair turns white). "And desire fails" (we no longer have the robust appetites we once had). "Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain"--our lives are fragile and Solomon says "Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it" (v. 7).
There is a difference in "fearing God and keeping His commandments" (v.13), and in having a close relationship with Him. A child can fear and be in awe of a parent and obey him or her and yet never experience their love. It is tremendously important that we recognize the difference in fear and obedience versus a relationship. We can teach our children "proverbs" as Solomon was doing (v. 9-12), however, unless we win the hearts of our children we can very well lose them forever. God is aware of this and admonishes us throughout the Bible to love Him with our whole heart--not just our minds, but love expressed through our emotions as well as through our deeds. God wants all our affections set on Him. Otherwise our deeds and "works" are for nothing. When a lawyer who was also one of the Pharisees (the religious leaders in Jesus' day and known for their hypocrisy) asked Jesus "which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:35-38).
(Psalm 103:15-22) David was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22) and the Psalms he wrote reveal this. He poured out his heart and emotions to God whether in love and praise or in distress and dismay. In contrast, Solomon seems to have had a legalistic relationship with God and viewing God from a distance. We might follow David's example in speaking to his soul and ask ourselves, "O my soul, do I really know and love God?" David ends this Psalm with another conversation with his soul, "Bless the Lord, O my soul!"
In Proverbs 24:13-14, Solomon declares to his son that the knowledge of wisdom will be as sweet as honey to his soul. He says, "If you have found it, there is a prospect, and your hope will not be cut off". Did Solomon set up his God-given wisdom in the place of God? Our hope and our worship must go past the blessings God gives us whether it is wisdom, creation, relationships, etc. Nothing should come between us and our relationship with God. He alone is worthy of worship and our hope lies in Him alone, not in what He gives us! (The understanding we have gained in the Book of Ecclesiastes, shines a great deal of light on these verses also written by Solomon in the Book of Proverbs.)
(I Corinthians 11:1-16) Paul admonishes the Corinthian congregation to "judge among yourselves" (v. 13). He began this passage by telling them to imitate or follow him as he follows Christ. He asked them to consider certain issues in light of God's creation of man and woman and even the laws of nature. Yet he set the record straight on these issues by saying in honesty that, "But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God" (v. 16). Our focus must bypass contentious issues. As followers of Christ, the bottom line is the extent of our love for God and for others. Everything else "hangs" on these two "commandments" (Matthew 22:40) and brings all other issues into a proper perspective!
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