Day #30: Epilogue

So how do we apply Solomon's conclusion for those living in New Testament times?  Certainly, we must fear God as Solomon suggests. We must live circumspectly. These truths are universal and have been important for people throughout the ages.

But what about those living after the appearing of Jesus, the Messiah?  We must consider new things He has revealed.  And keeping His commands takes on greater meaning for a follower of Christ.  If we truly fear God what would this mean about our response to Christ?  And what commandments did Jesus tell us to obey?

So, then they said to him, “What must we do to accomplish the deeds God requires?” Jesus replied, “This is the deed God requires—to believe in the one whom he sent.”  (Jn 6:28-29)

Now this is his commandment: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he gave us the commandment. And the person who keeps his commandments resides in God, and God in him. Now by this we know that God resides in us: by the Spirit he has given us. (1 Jn 3:23-24)

The one who truly fears God will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who keeps His commandments will love God with all their soul and love their fellow man. I believe this will be our obligation from Solomon's conclusion. And his command to fear God and obey Him should be taken seriously.  Jesus gave good instructions on this.

“If you love me, you will obey my commandments. Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you. (Jn 14:15-17)

And how can we keep His commands? By the power of the Holy Spirit.  After Pentecost all those who believe in Christ become indwelt by the Spirit ( 1 Cor 12:13).  Christ comes to live in our hearts by faith.  And as we abide in Him, we bear spiritual fruit. When we receive Christ as Savior and Lord, we have a permanent power residing in our hearts, the Holy Spirit.  In Old Testament times the Spirit would come and go on people for particular purposes.  But there was no continuous indwelling of the Spirit for Old Testament saints. That's why David declared, "Take not thy Holy Spirit from me." (PS 51:11) For those of us wondering how some of our favorite characters in the Old Testament can be so inconsistent, this might explain why.

Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect. (Ro 12:1-2)

The Bible is another resource we have. The person immersed in the Word of God will be gaining the mind of Christ.  They will be growing closer and closer to God as they maintain a study diet of the Word, and as their thoughts and actions are progressively conformed to His will.  After a person comes to Christ, there is so much that needs changing, not merely his actions, but also attitudes.  And the child of God needs a radical transformation from the inside out.  His perspective on himself needs an overhaul.  His worldview needs to be brought in line with the worldview presented in the Bible. His motivations need to be adjusted, and all his relationships need to be improved.

That's why Ecclesiastes is so helpful.  Solomon explores all aspects of life and gives a godly perspective.  If some of his views seem strange, maybe we need to rethink things.  Try to remember those points which seem most foreign to you.  Continue to meditate on them.  Come back to Ecclesiastes occasionally, for a refresher course in biblical wisdom.

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. (Josh 1:8)

On a personal note, I must say that the longer you study Ecclesiastes the more you appreciate Solomon.  His profound insights are matched by his sharp wit and playful spirit.  He loves to say things that will catch your attention and stick with you.  Frequently we may ask, "Did he really say that?"  He speaks as a godly man but not as a religious man.  He talks to the common man and helps make sense of this world we live in.  I appreciate all the work he did to write over 3,000 proverbs, the book of Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.  If there is a workshop in heaven to discuss his work, I would like to attend, and hopefully talk with him further about the book of Ecclesiastes. - Zeke Zeiler.

Questions to consider:

  1. If you could ask Solomon one thing, what would it be?
  2. If you could tell Solomon one thing, what would you say?

 

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