Author: cackywalker@yahoo.com

What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken away from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear Him. What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God make the same things happen over and over again. (vv. 9-15, NLT)

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time for plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a tie to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
(vv. 1-8 NLT)

I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless! So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world.

Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts, to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy. So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from Him? God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please Him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please Him. This, too, is meaningless-like chasing the wind. (vv. 18-26, NLT)

I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life. But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure.” After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness during their brief time in this world.

I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them all with all kinds of fruit trees. I build reservoirs to collect water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. (vv. 1-6, NLT)

So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. Bur as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, It was all so meaningless-like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. (vv. 9-11, NLT0

These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem.

“Everything is meaningless,” sys the Teacher, “completely meaningless.”

What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises, and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, then turns north. Around nd around it goes, blowing in circles. Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. The water returns again to the rivers ad flows out again to the sea. Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.

History merely repeats itself. It has been all done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one wil remember what we are doing now. (vv. 1-11, NLT)

The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message.

I am weary, O god, I am weary and worn out, O God. I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. I have noted mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.

Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back and down? Who holds the wind in His fists? Who wraps up the oceans in His cloak Who has created the whole world? What is His name-and His sons name? Tell me if you know!

Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection. Do not add to His words, or He may rebuke you and expose you as a liar. (vv. 1-6, NLT)

Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. (vv. -12, NLT)

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. (vv. 17, NLT)

An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself. You are sworn to tell the truth, but dare not testify. Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting in the Lord means safety. Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the Lord. The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly. (vv. 22-27, NLT)

The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. (vv. 1-2, NLT)

To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely. Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends brings shame to their parents. (vv. 4-7, NLT)

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. (vv. 12-14, NLT)

Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity. Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. (vv. 25-26, NLT_

Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the will bring. Let someone else praise, no your own mouth-a stranger, not your own lips. (vv. 1-2, NLT)

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. (v. 9, NLT)

A prudent person person foresees danger and takes precautions. A simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. ((v. 12, NLT)

As a face is reflected in the water, so the heart reflects the real person. Just as Death and Destruction is never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied. (v. 1 9, NLT)

When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. Timely advise is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. To one who listens to criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewlery.

Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in the summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. As person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. (vv. 9-14, NLT)