Right, Or Wrong?

I also thought about the human condition—how God proves to people that they are like animals. For people and animals share the same fate—both breathe and both must die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless! Both go to the same place—they came from dust and they return to dust. For who can prove that the human spirit goes up and the spirit of animals goes down into the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life. And no one can bring us back to see what happens after we die. [Ecclesiastes 3.18-22]

This passage from Ecclesiastes is precisely why we MUST be discerning when we read the Bible. Solomon's observations in the passage above (although he was arguably the wisest man to ever live) are just wrong.

People are NOT like animals. People do NOT share the same fate as animals. People and animals do NOT go to the same place. What Solomon says next though reveals the crux of his confusion and frustration as he is forced to simply take God at His Word regarding eternity. His entirely Godless faithless conclusion follows: 

For who can prove that the human spirit goes up and the spirit of animals goes down into the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life. And no one can bring us back to see what happens after we die. [Ecclesiastes 3.21-22]

While there are nuggets of wisdom laced into today's OYCB reading, there are also Godless, faithless, and therefore, foolish assumptions. The burden rests upon the reader to discern, by the standard of God's Word and character, what is correct and what is blatant Godless error in Solomon's observations and conclusions.

I also noted today Solomon's repeated use of the pronoun "I." There are too many to even begin to list here, but the careful reader might soon conclude perhaps that Solomon's repeated use of this pronoun might reveal more than initially meets the eye. But ironically, in his repeated use of "I," as the most wise, knowledgeable and wealthy king, he makes this statement: 

The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow. [Ecclesiastes 1.18]

Interestingly enough, in the plethora of Solomon's observations, he ironically includes the following statements:

As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. [Ecclesiastes 5.1-2] 

The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they? [Ecclesiastes 6.11]

It seems Solomon could have benefited from his own advice! But not all of it.

There is indeed much to be learned from Solomon's life, wisdom and writings. We should remain mindful however that Solomon's example must be divided into that which we should follow and that which we should avoid.

Father, may we have discernment based on all we know of Your Word as we read Solomon's observations. May we find wisdom for ourselves as we simply "live Jesus."