Jan Young
www.jansbiblenotes.comECCLESIASTESThis book, like Proverbs, was written by Solomon. Like Proverbs, it deals with the subject of wisdom and understanding. Solomon was not "a man after God's own heart" like his father David was; when asked what he wished for, he could have asked for such a heart but didn't.
We don't know how old he was when he wrote this. In comparing the account of his life in Kings and Chronicles, it appears he followed God in his younger years, strayed from God, then came to understand and return to God in his later years. God came to him twice, first early in his reign, I Kings 3, asking him what he wished. And second, I Kings 9, about 20 years later, after he finished building the temple, the wall, and his house, reaffirming the Davidic covenant with him. It would seem that his straying was after this point.
He explores the humanistic approach to life, using the phrase "under the sun" to speak of man apart from God. The humanist approach resulted in "vanity"--the emptiness spoken of in this book. Many liberal "Christians" and cults, even atheists, quote frequently from this book to support their false beliefs. Solomon writes of beliefs that contradict Scripture, as he reveals his own lack of understanding during part of his life, but also reveals that those thoughts and conclusions are flawed. This is a refutation of secular humanism. We will note the repeated use of key words: I, my, me, self, man.
This can be a depressing book to read unless you keep the context in mind. Many people struggle with the same questions Solomon struggled with. We can use this book in our interactions with those who look at life this way. Solomon's journey can help others find the truth.
Key verses: 3:11, 8:17, 12:13.
CHAPTER 1
Reading through the entire book first, and reviewing Solomon's life--I Kings chapters 1-11 and I Chron. 28-II Chron. 9--will provide context that will help us interpret this book. Reviewing his writings in Proverbs also gives context. In Psalms, we have revealed the inner life of an emotional man, David, but one whose heart belonged to God. Here we have revealed the inner life of an intellectual man. Both started well but then went off the rails a bit, as do many believers at some point. God came to Solomon early in his reign, asked him what he wished, and gave him that wisdom and much more, yet Solomon does not speak of that in this account. Perhaps, after looking back and realizing what he did with his life in spite of hearing directly from God and receiving such a gracious gift, he feels unworthy or ashamed to even speak of those things.
What does Solomon call himself in 1? He uses this term several times throughout the book. Does he refer to his writings in Proverbs as preaching, Prov. 1:8? What is the difference between teaching and preaching? Teaching is about imparting what? Factual information, knowledge. Preaching focuses on what? Sin, moral choices, repentance. Wisdom is the correct use of knowledge.
What key word do we see in 2 which will come up often, along with other related words? Vanity; today vanity speaks of being vain, about one's looks or accomplishments, but here it means: meaninglessness, chasing/striving after the wind, no advantage, nothing gained, that which is without value. What key word and key phrase do we see in 3? Who or what is above the sun? So "under the sun" excludes that which is above the sun, speaking of the view from this earth, of man apart from God, man rejecting God or not even believing in Him--secular humanism. These key words will appear frequently and are related. What can we conclude from 1-12? He is very observant; is he excited or humbled by his observations? Sounds like a teenager: "BOR----ING!!!"
How does he sound in 12-18? What repeated words reveal his mindset? Under heaven = under the sun. He speaks of his wisdom. We know God gave him great wisdom; does that mean his wisdom was perfect, or was it corrupted by his own sinful nature and the evil influence of the world around him? Might he have often failed to recognize it was a gift and instead attributed it to Self? Do we corrupt, misunderstand and misuse God's gifts? Some see this book as a cynical commentary on life by someone that many doubt was actually saved. But in the context of the whole book, I believe Solomon's purpose is to warn others about the folly of a life apart from God, which he learned from personal experience. Don't many believers take a wandering path at some point in their lives, even for many years? Aren't many able to later use those experiences to relate to and help others with a similar struggle? Wandering doesn't mean they are not believers, and based on the other accounts of Solomon's life, I am sure he was a believer.
What does he say about God, 13? Is he blaming his frustration on God? Or is he saying that, when he was going through this period in his life, that's what he did? Don't many people do that? If you get your theology from what you see, do you get a correct understanding of what God is doing? Getting our theology from the Bible instead, we learn that who is actually to blame for the evil and frustration of life? What is the task he speaks of? To try to find meaning in life? That search is common to all men, and probably more so to those like him with great intellect. Sharing this book with unbelievers or skeptics can be a useful way to point them to someone they can relate to, and to God, and how Jesus is the way, the truth, the life.
As he takes us through his own search for meaning, he will show us that meaning is only to be found in God, not in a life apart from God: man under the sun, verse 3. This books appears to be for all men, not specifically for or about Israel, as is most of the Old Testament. Israel disobeyed while claiming that Jehovah was their God; this book is written to those who do not recognize God. So can a believer go through a time where they reject God? Do some never come back to Him? Yes, but because we in the church age have the gift of eternal security, through the indwelling Holy Spirit who never leaves us, we still have eternal life.
CHAPTER 2
Most of the verses start with what word? Along with what related words? My, myself, me. What does he try in his search for meaning in life? Everything. Pleasure, wine, a luxurious home, women/sex, labor, skill, nature, agriculture, business, busy-ness, productivity, doing good, intellectual pursuits, self-effort, self-indulgence. Solomon was wealthy and could do anything money could buy. Note 11, 18, 20. What did he come to hate, 17-18? Is this something that many people could relate to? What sad word does he use in 20? Is this something many people could relate to? Are any of his observations true?
He counters these observations with several truths about God. 24-25 are not negative and actually reflect truth we can chew on. There is nothing better than what? (He will use that phrase again in the next chapter, speaking of the same truth.) What do we need to remind ourselves of? That the simple pleasures of life are good and are to be recognized and acknowledged as gifts from God. Don't many struggle at times to even see that? Twice in 26 he speaks of the one who is "good in His sight"; he contrasts the godly man with the sinner, the wicked, the unbeliever. The believer finds meaning in God's gift of life, but the unbeliever, the wicked, doesn't find that meaning. Instead, his life is what and what?
CHAPTER 3
Translations vary on 1. There is a season, appointed time, appropriate time; to, for; every purpose, matter, activity, event; under heaven, on earth. What can we learn from 1-8, especially 1? Do all these things just happen? What does "appointed time" tell us? God is sovereign, His plan will happen, He is in charge of the timing of all events. How can that fact, and this list, help us? If we accept these truths, does that make it easier to accept both the good and the bad in life? Does this passage speak to the "why"? Can we know "why" about anything? God has hidden that from us (see Job), and that is hard for us to accept. Do people waste a lot of time and energy being consumed by "why"?
Is 9 a cynical question, or does he then go on to answer it in the next few verses? IS there profit? Even if it doesn't look like it?
Now he begins to counter secular humanism by speaking of God. 10 is unclear in the KJV, but it speaks of being busy with one's occupation, see Luke 19:13. 11, most versions say "beautiful." The NET says "fit beautifully," the NASB says "appropriate." What is meant by "set eternity in our hearts"? God has given all a desire to know if there is "anything more," in this life or beyond the grave. Mankind has been given an inner sense that there IS something more than just what we see. We have a sense that we are different from animals and the rest of creation; we are eternal souls, and we somehow sense that. Some people search for meaning in unbiblical ways or come up with unbiblical theories, but the Bible tells us the truth.
12-14, he speaks of three things that he KNOWS. The phrase "nothing better" takes us back to 2:24. These verses support the idea that all the cynical observations are not his true opinion; they were what he believed for awhile. In 2:24-26 and 3:12-14 he tells what the actual truth is. Maybe life can't be understood, but we ARE to recognize God's hand, His design, His plan, His goodness. Only this truly satisfies. God's plan for us is that we rejoice, do good, have a positive attitude about the essentials that God provides (food and drink, labor), recognize God as sovereign, ever-present, at work in all situations, and fear Him.
What does it mean to fear God? The Bible repeats this often, and Solomon will repeat it a number of times in this book. Man is to revere the true and living Go, the Creator of heaven and earth. The entire Bible tells us this over and over. Are we to be afraid of God? Why might the answer be yes? What does He have the power to do? He is loving and patient, but He also is wrathful. In Prov. 24:21 he said to fear God and fear the king; what do both have the power to do? Likewise, children should respect their parents, but because parents have the authority to punish, fear of that possibility should be a factor. The Bible in places likens God to a lion when He acts in wrath--a lion being something to fear. In The Narnia Chronicles by C.S. Lewis, Aslan the lion is symbolic of God; at one point, someone is warned not to trifle with him, because although he is their friend and rescuer, "he is not a TAME lion."
15-17 echoes what he said in 1:9-10. This is the pattern that will keep happening. Those who study history agree with this. Comparing what is happening today and in recent history, to what went on in Bible days, we agree; mankind has not changed, nor has Satan, nor has God or His big plan. This is the message of the Bible. The end of 17 echoes what section? 3:1-8.
18-21 At first glance he appears to be claiming that man is no different than animals; rather, he is saying we are alike in what way? We all will die; we all came from dust and return to dust. What in 16 tells us that this is the thinking of the humanist, not the man who knows God? The one who believes God knows that the Bible teaches that animals and man are different, Gen. 1:25-27.
22 What phrase do we see for the third time? So we see a pattern; he tells of the vanity of man under the sun, of his experiences and observations when he wandered into that mindset, but then he counters that with his true beliefs--that which he came to understand when his mind returned to God's way of thinking. Each time he uses this phrase he says what? What does the final question tell us? That there is no point worrying about things like this, because we can't know, and that is OK.
CHAPTER 4
1, "then I looked again," where? So back to his observations. What does he observe in 3? Is this wish common among those who have found no meaning in life? Many see life on this earth as "under the sun," with no belief in God. If God did not create us and this world, humanism results, which is the religion of the evolutionist; man is no different than animals and has no value, so they would cynically conclude that life has no value. What does he conclude again in 4 and 6? He continues to speak of vanity, striving after wind, and "under the sun" through the rest of the chapter, which sounds like Proverbs. How does 12b apply to marriage?
CHAPTER 5
He continues to write proverbs.
1, is Solomon writing about the state of affairs in the temple in those days, or about his own past attitudes? Going to the temple was not the equivalent of going to church; why did they go to the temple? To offer sacrifices. What does he call those who were offering sacrifices? We wonder if he was speaking of the people who came to sacrifice, or of the priests who offered the sacrifices for the people? Both? Who was it that didn't recognize the evilness of what they were doing--the people or the priests? Both? Does the Old Testament speak of this state of affairs in Israel? Yes! So those who went were to be cautious, to keep their ears open. He doesn't tell them not to go, because the Law required that they offer sacrifices. Might it be true that in some churches, evil is done? Do they purpose to do evil, or are they inadvertently doing evil while claiming they are doing good? In some churches, there may not be evil, but do things go on that don't honor God? They did not have the option of going somewhere else, but can we? We, and they, need to use discernment.
In 1-7 he does not talk about life "under the sun"; what clues tell us he is speaking to those who do believe in God? What is his warning to them? Be careful when you approach God, be reverent, don't sin. We wonder if he is speaking from experience; we know his many wives turned him to idolatry for a period. Might he be referencing that period in 1? Is he admitting in this section that he has played the fool? As he has done in the previous chapters, he counters misguided thinking with what advice, 7? The answer is to revere the true and living God. Idols do not satisfy the longing in your heart; you cannot have a relationship with them.
He warns against failing to do what and what, 8? In the Old Testament, these are what God requires: fear God and do justice and righteousness. DOING justice and righteousness--keeping the Law--do not save, because good works do not provide salvation, but in that period of time, in that dispensation, that is what God required of those who believed in Him. We wonder if he is confessing his failure in this area. He warns against what in 10-17? Love of riches. 17, was this his experience?
18-20 He continues to balance his cynical comments about his life apart from God with sound advice based on the godly conclusions he eventually came to. In 18 he does mention life "under the sun" but puts it in its proper context: yes, we labor on this earth in this life that doesn't seem to make sense or have meaning, but God is indeed in control. He puts wealth in its proper place--a what that is to be acknowledged as from whom? 20, stay busy with and enjoy your God-given occupation and you won't waste your time focusing on the depressing parts of life. Is introspection wrong? Can it be? Doesn't it often amount to focusing on Self? Don't get so wrapped up in trying to figure out God and life and your troubles that you fail to enjoy the simple gifts that God has given for your present enjoyment. Don't forget to thank God for them.
Solomon keeps letting us know that he came to his senses late in life and did not continue on in unbelief and the worship of the many false gods his many pagan wives brought into his life. He hopes to spare others the wastefulness and futility of life apart from God.
CHAPTER 6
1-2 He talks about a man having been given all things--recognizing they were given him by God--yet not being able to enjoy those things but seeing others enjoy their benefit. Again it seems as if he is speaking of his own experience "under the sun"--life without reference to God.
3-6 Few men have 100 children; if he had 700 wives, might he? Again this sounds autobiographical. Would these marriages have been meaningful relationships? Many were pagans; would those children be raised to fear God? Did all those children satisfy his soul? A proper burial was very important in Israel. He was so buried in negativity at that time that never to have lived seemed better than the life he was living. Is failure to enjoy the good things of life, the simple pleasures, and to focus on the negative instead, a common problem, even for believers? Might he have suffered from depression?
We know from the Psalms that David was a man of strong emotions, and we saw from his life that he was often controlled by his emotions; might Solomon have inherited that tendency--to live too much in his emotions, in introspection, with focus on Self? If that is your tendency, what is the answer? Focus instead on God, on the truths of His Word--facts, not feelings. Can we fall into these traps even if we have little instead of much? Solomon's wisdom and wealth were his strong points, but also his weak points. Can our strong point also be our weak point?
7 He has spoken a number of times about not being satisfied, not being filled. Is it possible to find satisfaction in life even if you don't have much? Or even when things aren't going great? What brings satisfaction? He speaks in Proverbs a number of times of being satisfied; what does he say in 19:23? What does he mean in Ecc. 6:9a?
10-12 He continues to wallow in fatalism and futility. He asks two questions in 12 but doesn't answer them; what is the answer? Where does the New Testament speak of God knowing and doing what is good for us? Rom. 8:28.
CHAPTER 7
1-6 What is better--something good that is tangible but unimportant in the scheme of things, or something good that is intangible that lasts? This makes us wonder if Solomon is admitting he got hung up on stupid bodily enhancements. We see how little he valued life because of meaninglessness. What does he say about sorrow and mourning, 1-5? In his meaningless life he pursued the foolishness of surface pleasures; now he concludes that a wise man should face and accept life and the facts of mourning, sorrow, rebuke and one's inevitable death. Apparently his foolish pursuits had been escapism.
7-12 Why might he have mentioned bribes? Had he been involved in such things when he strayed from God? Had he been haughty early on, rather than patiently waiting for life to play out God's way? Had he had an anger problem? Is it wise to focus on "the good ol' days"? Why not? What does he say is good but what is better, and why?
13 Again Solomon interrupts his negative commentary on life "under the sun" to remind the reader of the important truths he had learned on his roundabout journey. What is Solomon's conclusion now? Had he been doing that? He had been observing and pursuing the vanity of the life of the godless man "under the sun." Can anyone change God's ways and plans? We need to recognize who He is and humble ourselves under Him, not focus on man, on Self, on this earthly life.
14 What and what are part of God's plan? How did Job state this in Job 2:10? Can we always make sense of these ups and downs? But can we accept them anyway? So are we correct in judging by whether circumstances seem pleasant or unpleasant? People get hung up on why a good God would let bad things happen to good people, and good things to bad people. What are the two key words in that question? Do unbelievers, and even believers, fall into unbiblical ideas about what are good and bad things, what are good and bad people, and their definition of a good God? How does Rom. 8:28 speak to these questions?
15-22 Do good people always get rewarded with long life and bad people with early death? What might he mean by "excessively righteous" and "overly wise"? Aren't those both good things? How can they ruin you? We might wonder if both 16 and 17 are referencing his own life. But in reading both his biography (elsewhere) and his autobiography here, it does seem that whatever he did, he threw himself into and overplayed it. 18, the one who fears God has balance in his life. What is he saying in 19 about human government? He has talked about the importance of being righteous, but what does he say in 20? Does righteous mean sinless? The Bible speaks often of the righteous man, meaning, one who is upright, following after God. This theological truth is repeated many times in the Bible, including Psa. 14:1-3, 53:1-3, Rom. 3:23, I John 1:7-9. It's interesting that he adds "on earth" because there is a Righteous Man in heaven who will one day walk on earth as the only sinless man. 21-22, learn to take everything with a grain of salt.
23-29 Throughout this book Solomon has moved back and forth between different phases in his life, between two viewpoints--the vanity of man's life apart from God, contrasted with the meaningful life of the man who recognizes the true God. Now he speaks again of his humanist phase and self-effort. What repeated key words do we see in this section? What bitterness does he speak of in 28-30? Is the answer to try more women? Why might he not have found the woman he wanted? Why might God not let him find the close relationship he desired among men or women? Why might God do this in our lives? To drive us to a relationship with Himself, to see that only He can satisfy. 29, what theological truth does he state, from Genesis? God created man in a sinless state; man is responsible for the rest.
CHAPTER 8
1-9 What kind of wisdom is he speaking of, 1? What subject concerns him in 2-5? 4 makes us wonder if no one crossed him, not even an advisor. 6 reflects chapter 3. 7-8, can anyone know what will happen or when? Can the most powerful man control the wind? Man's power is limited. 9, what key words does he repeat? I, my, under the sun, man. What "a" word has he spoken of three times in this first section? Is that often abused in human relationships? Can that make us cynical about authority?
10-14 Should the wicked person be in the holy place (in the temple)? But were there any consequences to him? How does 11 and 12a apply today? Our justice system is soft on crime and justice is slow so criminals are emboldened. Based on what he has learned about God, how does Solomon counter these depressing observations about life? Is this true even if the godly man doesn't see justice done? He doesn't just say to fear God--what else, 12? Why does he add that? We wonder if he is speaking from the experience of someone who kept his fear of God hidden away for a long time, but now fears God openly. What injustice in 14 disturbs him, and disturbs many people?
15-17 What common saying do we find in 15? This phrase is also found in Luke 12:19. So does the Bible teach this? The Bible records someone saying it; what type of person--what words in 15 identify the humanist? Yet even the humanist's life is given by God, whether he recognizes it or not. Is 16 saying he lost a lot of sleep doing this? What did he conclude after all this? We can't know! And we need to be OK with that. If you get your theology from the world around you and not from the Bible, it is not going to make sense. Even if we fear God, do we get to know the whys? Along with 3:11, these are the key verses in this book. This is the truth he is illustrating.
CHAPTER 9
1 He expands on what he has said in the last few verses. In 8:15 he spoke of the humanist--man under the sun, man apart from God, the man who lives for pleasure. In 8:16-17 he spoke of the wise man. Now what kind of man does he speak of? No matter who you are, you can't know what will happen or why, it's all in God's hands. God is sovereign; we may scrutinize His ways, but His ways are inscrutable. What does II Cor. 5:7 say about the righteous man?
2-6 The cultist or atheist might say here, the Bible says there is one fate for all, by which they mean, either we all end up going to heaven, or there is no afterlife. But what fate does Solomon refer to? Returning to dust--death.
7-10 But instead of focusing on that fate or being depressed about it, what should we do? Take joy in the simple gifts, life's present pleasures, as gifts from God. Cultivate an attitude of what? Gratitude.
11-12 Does everyone get what they "deserve"? Is life fair?
13-18 A poor man's wisdom is better than what? The king's strength, weapons of war. Life is full of paradoxes and enigmas.
CHAPTER 10
1 What is the principle here? A little bit of something bad can negate something good; how might this relate to sin?
2-3 He again contrasts the wise man and the fool. Because most are right-handed, the right implies strength and wisdom. A fool has no common sense and lets it be known to everyone.
4 If your position is right, should you let a powerful person intimidate you?
5-7 Are the right people always in leadership? Do things always happen the way they "should"? This is the last time he uses the term "under the sun."
8-11 It's unclear if these are negative or positive examples. If you do an evil thing, what might be the consequences? Or these may be examples of how even when doing good or innocent things, what may result? Can we control the outcome of any activity we do? Does the right thing, the desired outcome, always happen?
12-15 What does he say about fools? 15, he can't even accomplish the basics of life.
16-20 The danger of a young and inexperienced king (himself?), and of nobility who live the party life, who are all about money, instead of what, 18? Taking care of what needs taken care of, as we hope our leaders would. How does 20 apply to more than just kings? Might careless words, or supposedly private words, get repeated, come back to bite us? "A little birdie told me."
CHAPTER 11
1 Bread represented the basic source of life--grain, harvest, sowing and reaping. Is he saying, be faithful to work to fulfill your basic needs, and who knows how that faithful effort may be repaid in the future?
2 Is he saying, don't put all your eggs in one basket? Or, be generous now while you have abundance, because the future is uncertain?
3-4 Natural events can't be controlled; if you put off what you need to do based on things you can't control, will you ever get anything done? Do we let fear of the unknown keep us from making a decision or starting what we need to do?
5 The many things that we can't know or understand are in the hands of the Creator of all.
6 Get busy doing what you need to be doing and leave the results to God. Are we sometimes paralyzed by uncertainty? Do your best and trust God with the rest.
7-8 Life is full of both light and darkness; we can choose to focus on the positives and rejoice, or we can be choose to focus on the negatives and be depressed. Do our feelings have to control us? Only if we let them--it is our choice.
9-10 What advice does Solomon give to the young? Again he tells us we can choose how we respond to life--don't just let feelings take over. If you follow what, what will result? Impulses and desires speak of feelings; don't be controlled by your feelings, which can lead you astray into things that will bring God's judgment. What other two feelings does he tell us to control? Grief and anger (translations vary). Pain may speak of heartache, or of evil. Don't waste your life being controlled by feelings, especially sinful feelings. Apparently Solomon knew about this from experience. Why do we all struggle with being controlled by feelings? What is the solution? Be intentional: rejoice, let, know, remove, put away. These are choices.
CHAPTER 12
1-2 These two verses are tied to the end of the last chapter. 1a is often used as a memory verse for kids. Children should be guided to focus on God, especially that He is the Creator. "Remember" doesn't necessarily imply forgetfulness, but rather, to be intentional, to make mention of, to recount, to call to mind. 1-2 is cynically reminding us that life is just going to get worse as we get older so enjoy your youth beforehand if you can. Even if we don't FEEL grateful, can we choose gratitude for God's gifts?
3-7 How does Solomon speak symbolically of aging here, of the weakening of the body? Where does he say we go when we die? Contrary to the humanism he struggled with earlier, he knows we have a spirit that is eternal and a home that is eternal. The one who fears God will go to Him, not simply become dust as the atheist believes.
8-9 As Solomon sums up his various thoughts on life, what does he again call himself? Why? What important ideas does he bring out?
10-12 What is his hope for these writings? What is the source of wisdom? What does he call God here? This is the only time he uses this term in any of his three books. Why do you suppose he uses it here in his conclusion? But, a warning; are words and books the answer? Why is it important to distinguish between fearing God and books about God?
13-14 What is his conclusion? He has repeatedly said to fear God. In the Old Testament, God tells people over and over: fear God and keep His commandments, do justice and righteousness. This was salvation in the Old Testament. Fear God = believe in the true and living God, the Creator of heaven and earth. Salvation is always by faith; Gen. 15:6, Abraham did what, and God did what? Abraham was saved before the Law was given to Moses, but he knew to sacrifice, because God had introduced blood sacrifice back in the Garden of Eden when an animal had to be killed to provide covering because of their sin. Solomon ends strong with a solid salvation statement. And this is important why? Because God will judge every deed.
During Solomon's wanderings, he got confused about the meaning of life, but he makes it very clear here that there is good and evil and we must choose, even if we don't understand life. But we CAN know that God is the Shepherd, the Righteous Judge, and will make everything right in the end.
This short book teaches that all man's wisdom and work can't bring knowledge of God, peace with God or relationship with God. Don't worry about trying to figure out life--it might never make sense from our perspective. Trust God--He is sovereign. Be diligent, try to please Him, leave the results to Him. Meaning isn't necessarily found on this earth, in the tangible, or within this lifetime. If your life seems unpleasant, meaningless, or full of drudgery, get the big picture: who God is, what He has done, and what He is doing in this world and in your life, His return, eternity.
God's ways are inscrutable. He has told us what we need to know, but there is much we cannot understand about God and about life. Accepting this important fact will give us more peace than the fruitless search for answers that aren't there. Isa. 55:8-9, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."
As we read throughout the Bible, we see salvation is by faith: fear God. Man has been given free will and will be held responsible for his choices. Our choices are not predetermined by God; predestination does not mean that God makes our choices for us. But the Calvinist view of predestination would have Solomon unable to resist the path of sin that God set for him; if that were true, and if God is a righteous judge, God could not hold him accountable for his choices because they were not actually his own choices--they have been God's choices. But Solomon warns us to choose well because God will hold us accountable for our free will choices, an important truth we find throughout the Bible.
During Solomon's years of wandering from God's words and God's ways, did he look like an unbeliever? Do many who know and confessed Jesus as their Savior from sin wander from His ways? Why does that happen? Often, due to a lack of being in the Word, of being taught the Word, a lack of being plugged into a Bible-teaching church and being surrounded by Christian influences. Sometimes it happens because of a negative experience with Christians or with a church, that leads to bitterness. It's possible that such a person never truly believed to begin with, but it's also possible that such a person is a Solomon, a prodigal son. Our salvation is not dependent on our works but on our faith; it does not depend on how strong our faith is, but on WHO our faith is in. II Tim. 2:13, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."
Copyright 2025 Jan Young