Pause and Consider
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01.05.21
Wisdom, Work, and Joy
In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand: for you know not which shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall alike be good. (Ecclesiastes. 11: 6)
In Ecclesiastes chapters 6-10, Solomon examined prosperity and found that people vastly overrate its benefits. On the other hand, they fail to recognize that problems are not always as bad as they fear. He challenged his readers to pursue the rare wisdom that would enable them to enjoy life, even in the face of all that seemed unfair.
How we respond to the potential for prosperity and the reality of problems determines whether or not we are wisely submitting to God. In other words, you cannot claim to be wisely submitting to God while you are seeking satisfaction in prosperity or trying to avoid problems at all costs. We need to learn to submit to God in both the areas of prosperity and problems. We need to learn to be content in whatever state we find ourselves. The truly meaningful life is one of reverencing God and of keeping His commandments wholeheartedly.
We come to chapters 11, 12 which conclude the Book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon became quite direct in his counsel. After considering life by careful observation, he gave some clear instructions for finding and living the wise life.
The first section (11:1-6) concerns the relationship between wisdom and work. Since most adults spend a large portion of their lives at a job, this is a crucial subject for wisdom. He used two work-related illustrations: shipping and farming. Both can be rewarding, but they are difficult and come with risk.
Solomon spoke of the importance of spreading risk by diversifying one’s efforts. In all human activity there is an element of risk since the effort must be made first and later comes the compensation.
Because it is impossible to predict how well one’s efforts will succeed or when misfortune might strike, Solomon counseled that it is best to divide one’s resources among several activities. If a person puts all of his energy, time, money and abilities into one venture and things fall through, he is left with nothing. Therefore the wise course is to prepare for a number of opportunities. This counsel is particularly applicable today, when many jobs are being phased out because of the advance of technology.
Next he related wisdom to joy (11:7-10). He spoke to his primary reader, his son, a young man. He urged him to focus on the enjoyable aspects of life. He reminds him that while eventually there will be a judgment, he should enjoy the innocent pleasures of life while he could. Rejoice, O young man, in your youth; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes: but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. (9)
Life is uncertain and perplexing, but it is also too short to focus on the negatives. Those who know the Lord can anticipate a wonderful future in heaven. However that prospect should not negate the joys of life now. Life should not be faced with a dour outlook. Both the present and the future are gifts from God. Yes, eternity is coming, and we must prepare for it, but this life is also God’s gift. Enjoy it while you can.