Reflections: Ancient times VS Modern Times {Here & Now}

I shall begin this blog with some quotes from the book of Ecclesiastes that was penned by Solomon, who was the son of a shepherd boy that took care of the sheep-but rose to become King of his era in ancient times, his name was David. Also as the saying goes, apples don't fall too far from the tree. Solomon, like his father David also rose to become a King-as well.

Solomon was a peculiar lad, he prayed to God, not for power, fame, fortune, riches or to become wealthy. Instead, thru his prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication; he petitioned God to be blessed with wisdom and knowledge. His request was granted and he was given great wisdom. And with such blessings came the attributes of power, fame, fortune and wealth. However, in his quest to comprehend and  get a full understanding for the meaning of life, he struggled a great deal-in spite of his fore-knowledge and wisdom. 

Quotes:

"who is like the wise man?

who knows the explanation of things;

Wisdom brightens a man's face;

and changes its hard appearance"

"Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious,

but a fool is consumed by their own lips;

At the beginning their words are folly,

at the end they're wicked madness {reminder of anyone?} 

and the fool multiplies words of no substance" { know anybody w/such traits & proclivities?}

"There is evil and some good in everything that happens under the sun;

The same destiny awaits and/or overtakes all;

The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness;

In their hearts while they live; afterward they join the dead..."

"For the living know that they will die;

but the dead know nothing;

Even the memory of them is forgotten;

Their love, hate, and their jealously have long vanished'

In anything that happens under the sun"

"Now all has been heard;

Here is the conclusion of the matter;

Fear God, never take your eyes off Him;

Strive to keep his commandments;

For this is the whole duty of men;

Surely GOD shall bring every deed into judgment;

including every hidden thing-whether it is good or evil"

It is apparent that Solomon practice a bit of pessimism, he questioned beliefs, and the central Judaism and Christianity beliefs and practices, which led many to reject or ignore him.

Solomon revealed these words:"Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and all the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was 'vanity' [meaningless}and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. And I turned my thoughts to behold wisdom, and madness; and folly: what more can the King's successor do than what has already done"? {Eccles 2:11-12}

Solomon's feelings and emotions at this point exhibits. 'vanity, and vexation of spirit', because in all of his quest of supposedly life's pleasures he found no satisfaction. Here he is revealing that the fulfillment of fleshy desires has been; and shall be; unprofitable.

In conclusion, he finally surmised that his focus would have been better served-if he had kept the pleasures and life enjoyment in perspective with his responsibility to God. Solomon acknowledged that God's hand should have been on his life. He should have exhibited a pure heart in all his actions, and that the 'key' was for him to do it, All To The Glory of God.

Steve Braxton, Bishop of Marketplace Outreach Ministries,

Also Mentor, Life Coach, Blogger, Critical Writer. Author: The Road That Is Difficult To Travel. sbrax57@gmail.com