If you have been reading this blog for awhile this will sound redundant but for those who are new to it the rationale behind this blog is to attempt to find application in the ancient biblical book of Ecclesiastes to addiction and compulsivity. More directly to those who suffer from addiction and compulsivity. While I come at life from an evangelical point of view, the at application of this book attempts to make it applicable to all faiths. The wisdom of this book is applicable to those who will accept its message. I hope you find this blog helpful.
This week we are dealing with Ecclesiastes 9:9-16. This is a continuation of Solomon's resolute gladness in experiencing life. "Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun--all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun." (Ecc 9:9 NIV) This verse concludes the section from verse 7-9 that is very characteristic of Ancient Near Eastern Literature suggesting that there were shared pools of thought concerning wisdom and its applications during that time. The Hebrew word here "wife" is literally "woman." Some have taken this as a non marital relationship however his statement concerning women as snares (7:26)and the amassing of a harem (2:8)stand in stark contrast to the singular person here. The broader context of the Old Testament would seem to point to a singular woman who is the wife.
The injunction here is to enjoy your "wife" or for female readers your "husband." This is in the context of finding or doing things that are satisfying basic needs and nurturing psychologically. For sexually addictive and compulsive individuals this may appear to be some kind of a cruel joke. Their disorder or "disease" Causes them to find anything but enjoyment from a marital relationship. They are too involved in chasing the fantasy of the unreal relationship. It is significant that Solomon doesn't say that this relationship is a cure all but it is a source of enjoyment in the midst of meaninglessness. Solomon is not advocating that this relationship is toilsome labor although marriages do take work. He rather is referring to the meaninglessness and toilsomeness of life in its totality.
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." (Ecc 9:10 NIV) Can we comprehend what this verse is telling us? What does the author want to move us to do? The closer context of the book points us to living life skillfully and enjoying the fruits of that life,including our marital relationships. The broader context of the book would tell us that kindness to mankind, manging money well, and recognizing our place "under the sun" would all be included. But what of the phrase "Whatever your hand finds to do" Sometimes it's not about work or career although it may be. It may be the most subtle things that are before our very eyes that we can find to do. My desk at home seems to stay in a constant state of confusion. My desk in my office stays relatively organized. Why? I think because I have to use it all the time it has to stay organized. Our lives may be a little (or a lot) like that. There may be messes or clutter in our lives that needs to be cleaned up. We may not have to notice it all the time and we may not think it affects us--but it does. What clutter needs to be cleaned up in your life today? Perhaps it is an addictive behavior that has been denied for a long time, secreted away under the clutter. Maybe you have achieved sobriety and you are moving into recovery and there are amends that need to be attended to. What is our spiritual condition like? Are there resentments against others or our higher power-God? Do we look for opportunities to share our recovery strength and hope? It is time to clean out the clutter.
We come now to one of my favorite passages in the book: "I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." (Ecc 9:11 NIV) The phrase "I have seen something else under the sun," tells us that we are looking at a new turn of events. The subject has now turned from death the great leveler of all and the enjoyment of life for whit it is to how does that life play out? What does it take to make the "cards" fall your way? Solomon says that time and chance happen to them all. We cannot know the future. The way things are "supposed" to happen doesn't always happen. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race. The strongest don't always win the battle, for example the Greco-Persian wars. The wise don't always have food, brilliance doesn't always translate in to wealth, for example some of the most intelligent people I know labor in careers that will never make them hugely wealthy but they chose those careers for self satisfaction and an impetus that God wants them to be in a certain profession. Favor doesn't always come to the learned. We will see in the upcoming verses Solomon's example of this.
This passage was comforting to me and I made my way through life to understand that Solomon knew even before I experienced these things in my life that they were true. I was smart, intelligent, wise, insightful but it hadn't translated into anything for me. I did not feel fulfilled. Step 1-3 in any twelve step program talk about turning our lives over to the care of God. First for the restoration of sanity and then committing out lives to His care. These enigmas drop away. Rather than a pointed spike in the side they become comforting revelations of life as it is.
Solomon now gives an example of "time and chance" "Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them." (Ecc 9:12 NIV) Random acts seemingly meaningless happen to us all. Archibald Hart, professor emeritus at Fuller Seminary tells the story of how he discovered quite by a random scan that he has high level of plaque in his arteries. Conversely his good friend Louis Smedes a teaching colleague at Fuller Seminary. Falls just a short way from a ladder onto his driveway and dies. Dr. Hart relates that he ends up in the same hospital as his friend and actually in the same bed. He lives and his friend dies. a seemingly cruel twist of fate. These kinds of stories can be recounted many times over. What is the author's point here? Unlike earlier i.e. 7:26 the author is not talking about being caught and held and perhaps deserving it. i.e. divine retribution. Nor is he talking about the conversion of divine retribution the righteous getting what the evil person deserves and the wicked getting what the righteous deserve. But this speaks of those who have done nothing to deserve entanglement and simply are caught up in the ramifications of a sinful world. poverty, bribery, hunger, emotional pain, abusive control. Those who suffer from addiction will many times find themselves in these kinds of situations. They are not exempt. The recovery key here is to sort out whether you bear any responsibility and make amends quickly. If not extract yourself as quickly as possible as wisely as possible from the net or snare you find yourself entangle in. These are the times when people who suffer from addictions may want to get angry at the world because it's not fair and act out. Realize that we live in a fallen sinful imperfect world in which we must live life skillfully.
Solomon goes on to give another example of this proverb: "I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded." (Ecc 9:13-16 NIV) This story is extensive and we will cover 4 verses of the chapter but I think it is helpful to see the illustration as a whole. The story is of a poor but wise man, which already flies in the face of contemporary thinking and I think ancient mentality as well--if he is wise why is he not rich? This sets up the illustration from the proverb laid out i.e. wealth doesn't not necessarily come to the brilliant. The small city is besieged by a powerful king. Through his wisdom the wise man saves the city. This again proves the point that the battle is not always to the strong. The powerful king was thwarted. However the wise poor man was forgotten. Archimedes the ancient Greek mathematician comes to mind here. The story is told of how he used the rays of the sun to torch enemy ships but died at the hands of a Roman soldier. The story appears to be fallacious but the example of a wise man not being honored for his learning certainly fits. The point Solomon is trying to make is that the effects of wisdom are short lived. When the crisis is over everyone forgets about the man with the wisdom.
Has this ever happened to you? You may have solved a problem, fixed what was broken, helped a friend only your wisdom was forgotten soon after? Wisdom has its limits. Success makes a short memory of pain. We want to be remembered for the "wise" things that we do but are usually long remembered for the pain we inflict. When we are not remembered for our wisdom, it sets up a potential situation for resentment to develop. Resentment will usually trigger acting out behaviors unless we can find another way to deal with the emotions. Today we must all ask our higher power to help us with wise actions in the face of others short term memories.
This section brings us back to the realization that human abilities and pursuits only have a finite and limited effect. Once again we must look to the one who created us, Our higher power for meaning in a meaningless world. Our time is up for today. Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Solomon Project Ecclesiastes 9:3-8
This section is Solomon's climactic point in this discussion of the great leveler--death. Surely death is evil but the irony is that mankind is also evil. As the little cartoon character Pogo said "We have met the enemy and he is us." Verse 9:3 states: "This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead." (Ecc 9:3 NIV) It is not just that this evil happens to all. But that this evil is in man (Genesis 6:5). Man according to the Bible was separated from God when he sinned against God (Genesis 3:5-24, 4:1-8). Mankind as it turns out are not only headed toward a common destiny but also share a common malady: the proclivity of hurrying ourselves and others toward that destination. Since death awaits all, the view of life "under the sun" is to do whatever; knowing that ultimately we die anyway. It should not escape our notice that Solomon has just laid out three different types of evil persons beginning in chapter 8:9 ff. The controlling person, the hypocritical person and the indulgent person. All will be traits of addictive and compulsive personalities. Those who know the scourge of addiction and compulsivity understand full well Solomon's wise words here. There are times when we all feel like we are hurtling towards oblivion. Let us take time today to Stop: Accept the moment where we are as perfect for this time. Live in a recovery state of mind right now and make wise choices for the next moment.
Chapter 9:4 presents a proverb, a gem of wisdom, to help cut the edge of the reality of death "Anyone who is among the living has hope--even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!" (Ecc 9:4 NIV) Dogs held an ignoble station in Israelite life. They were seen as scroungers and scavengers. The lion was honored for it's power and regal stature. But the author is saying no matter how you are perceived it does you no good dead. In fact if you have a lowly station in life and may not be well received by those of society you are better off than being dead. The author also talks here about hope. What kind of hope? It is my opinion that it is the hope that you will take his words to heart and live out your days wisely in meaningful activity enjoying your work and family. You may not know what life has for you today. The adage applies "At least I have my health." Some reading this will understand the proverb of being a live dog. You may have never held high stations in life but you are alive. Alive to read this and hopefully able to be in grateful recovery. You may be alone, isolated at this time, through your choosing or someone else's. Be grateful to be alive to either begin or continue on the journey of recovery.
Ecclesiastes 9:5 states: "For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten." (Ecc 9:5 NIV) This is prima facie statement that does not need further elucidation. But perhaps as with all wisdom literature the worth of the statement is in the reflection. The living know that they will experience what the dead already have--death. In the context verse 4 talks of hope. Hope may be intertwined with the reward in this verse. Solomon is trying to find some advantage for the living as he views this predicament "under the sun." Reward here does not speak of future rewards but the present life. Interestingly the memory of them is forgotten hearkening back to 8:9-10: "All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt. Then too, I saw the wicked buried--those who used to come and go from the holy place and receive praise in the city where they did this. This too is meaningless." (Ecc 8:9-10 NIV). Even if the experiencing of life is death at least you still have awareness that you are alive. This is better than being dead. Yes it is and each of us must take that universal truth to heart today. We can experience much more than death if we will simply live in the light of this book. Enjoy the life and the family and the work that God has given you. I would ask those reading this: what is one thing that you can do intentionally today that will move you towards experiencing life if not to its fullest then to its reality for you?
The next verse continues this previous thought: "Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun." (Ecc 9:6 NIV) This verse is not a contradiction to previous statements by the author i.e. 4:2-3. This verse is talking about the finality of death. After death a person no longer has the opportunity to love or hate, They no longer have anything to do with life. For some who read this you may be applauding the death of perpetrators, violators, or persecutors. You may have endured tremendous suffering. I'm truly sorry that those things happened to you. If the wicked have died there is a finality to it. They are no longer here. The memories are though. The wicked that you know may have not died yet. They will. Their just reward will follow them. Death is the great leveler.
This verse seems a stark contradiction: "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do."(Ecc 9:7NIV) In light of the unpredictabilities that Solomon has laid out before us He encourages the reader to enjoy life in the midst of uncertainties. These are life events that cannot be controlled--even with your best efforts--they cannot be controlled. Anxiety usually has to do with thinking about feelings and attempting to control your environment in order to avoid those feelings. Solomon is saying life is more than you can control, but not more than you can handle. Do not be overwhelmed by the positive and negative things that happen in life. Enjoy life as it comes to you. Enjoy each and every minute of life. Solomon elaborates here what to enjoy: food, wine, life's necessities and life's luxuries. Dean Koontz says: "Although the constant shadow of certain death looms over everyday, the pleasures and joys of life can be so fine and affecting that the heart is nearly stilled in astonishment. (Dean Koontz, "Watchers"). He says it better than I can. Solomon slips in here one of those statements that is easy to slide over. Those who face the unpredictabilities of life may have a tendency to think that all their efforts are for naught. Solomon says no: God has seen all your efforts to live the way of wisdom and he favors what you do. There is in the midst of meaningless under the sun a satisfaction that God favors our lives.
Verse 8 is a continuation of thought from verse 7: "Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. (Ecc 9:8 NIV) White can have a multiplicity of meanings, here is signifies joy. Oil helps to protect the skin from the hot dry climate of Palestine. Also the white clothes would protect by reflecting rather than absorbing heat from the sun's rays.
In conclusion, If God is in favor of what you do (read this within the Parameters of the Covenant made between God and his people). Then lay aside the unpredictability of the future and the pain of the past and live life as fully in reality today as possible, embracing reality as fully and powerfully as you embraced addictive and compulsive behaviors powerlessly in the past. Our time is up for today so until next week "Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it."
Chapter 9:4 presents a proverb, a gem of wisdom, to help cut the edge of the reality of death "Anyone who is among the living has hope--even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!" (Ecc 9:4 NIV) Dogs held an ignoble station in Israelite life. They were seen as scroungers and scavengers. The lion was honored for it's power and regal stature. But the author is saying no matter how you are perceived it does you no good dead. In fact if you have a lowly station in life and may not be well received by those of society you are better off than being dead. The author also talks here about hope. What kind of hope? It is my opinion that it is the hope that you will take his words to heart and live out your days wisely in meaningful activity enjoying your work and family. You may not know what life has for you today. The adage applies "At least I have my health." Some reading this will understand the proverb of being a live dog. You may have never held high stations in life but you are alive. Alive to read this and hopefully able to be in grateful recovery. You may be alone, isolated at this time, through your choosing or someone else's. Be grateful to be alive to either begin or continue on the journey of recovery.
Ecclesiastes 9:5 states: "For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten." (Ecc 9:5 NIV) This is prima facie statement that does not need further elucidation. But perhaps as with all wisdom literature the worth of the statement is in the reflection. The living know that they will experience what the dead already have--death. In the context verse 4 talks of hope. Hope may be intertwined with the reward in this verse. Solomon is trying to find some advantage for the living as he views this predicament "under the sun." Reward here does not speak of future rewards but the present life. Interestingly the memory of them is forgotten hearkening back to 8:9-10: "All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt. Then too, I saw the wicked buried--those who used to come and go from the holy place and receive praise in the city where they did this. This too is meaningless." (Ecc 8:9-10 NIV). Even if the experiencing of life is death at least you still have awareness that you are alive. This is better than being dead. Yes it is and each of us must take that universal truth to heart today. We can experience much more than death if we will simply live in the light of this book. Enjoy the life and the family and the work that God has given you. I would ask those reading this: what is one thing that you can do intentionally today that will move you towards experiencing life if not to its fullest then to its reality for you?
The next verse continues this previous thought: "Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun." (Ecc 9:6 NIV) This verse is not a contradiction to previous statements by the author i.e. 4:2-3. This verse is talking about the finality of death. After death a person no longer has the opportunity to love or hate, They no longer have anything to do with life. For some who read this you may be applauding the death of perpetrators, violators, or persecutors. You may have endured tremendous suffering. I'm truly sorry that those things happened to you. If the wicked have died there is a finality to it. They are no longer here. The memories are though. The wicked that you know may have not died yet. They will. Their just reward will follow them. Death is the great leveler.
This verse seems a stark contradiction: "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do."(Ecc 9:7NIV) In light of the unpredictabilities that Solomon has laid out before us He encourages the reader to enjoy life in the midst of uncertainties. These are life events that cannot be controlled--even with your best efforts--they cannot be controlled. Anxiety usually has to do with thinking about feelings and attempting to control your environment in order to avoid those feelings. Solomon is saying life is more than you can control, but not more than you can handle. Do not be overwhelmed by the positive and negative things that happen in life. Enjoy life as it comes to you. Enjoy each and every minute of life. Solomon elaborates here what to enjoy: food, wine, life's necessities and life's luxuries. Dean Koontz says: "Although the constant shadow of certain death looms over everyday, the pleasures and joys of life can be so fine and affecting that the heart is nearly stilled in astonishment. (Dean Koontz, "Watchers"). He says it better than I can. Solomon slips in here one of those statements that is easy to slide over. Those who face the unpredictabilities of life may have a tendency to think that all their efforts are for naught. Solomon says no: God has seen all your efforts to live the way of wisdom and he favors what you do. There is in the midst of meaningless under the sun a satisfaction that God favors our lives.
Verse 8 is a continuation of thought from verse 7: "Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. (Ecc 9:8 NIV) White can have a multiplicity of meanings, here is signifies joy. Oil helps to protect the skin from the hot dry climate of Palestine. Also the white clothes would protect by reflecting rather than absorbing heat from the sun's rays.
In conclusion, If God is in favor of what you do (read this within the Parameters of the Covenant made between God and his people). Then lay aside the unpredictability of the future and the pain of the past and live life as fully in reality today as possible, embracing reality as fully and powerfully as you embraced addictive and compulsive behaviors powerlessly in the past. Our time is up for today so until next week "Keep coming back it works if you work it and you're worth it."
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Solomon Project: Ecclesiastes 8:14-9:2
This blog is for people who suffer from addictive and compulsive behaviors. Sexual addiction in particular but hopefully anyone who struggles with any addictive and compulsive behavior can benefit from it. It is based on the Old Testament book of the Bible entitled Ecclesiastes. I come at the book from an evangelical point of view but the blog is hopefully written so that it can be applied to all faith. It is understood that you may come to this blog not even believing in God. I pray that somehow you are able to acknowledge a higher power that can restore all of us to sanity.
Last week we talked about the uncertainty of divine retribution upon the wicked. and the fact that "experience" (i.e "I have seen or observed") tells us that the wicked may appear to be praiseworthy in their public life. Their religious adherence does not permeate their inner lives.
This week we turn to Ecclesiastes 8:14: "There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless." (Ecc 8:14 NIV) The unpredictability of life is seen also in the observation that the righteous get the calamities that should befall the wicked and the wicked have the blessings that should befall the righteous bestowed upon them. Solomon says this is "meaningless" It escapes comprehension. As in the contrasting parallelism seen in the earlier verses which lay the contrasting thoughts side by side the writer does not attempt to explain away or rectify this theological conundrum but leaves the tension there for the reader to experience.
In Ecclesiastes 8:15 Solomon begins his concluding thought, a variation of earlier summaries (see 3:13,5:19): "So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun." (Ecc 8:15 NIV) The author is not bitterly resigning himself to this rather he is following God's command in Deuteronomy 8 to humbled himself recognize God's goodness and enjoy the bounties of the land God has given him. In the face of uncertainty men and women should enjoy each day God gives them, knowing that they may encounter tragedy. It is hard to live in the present moment. We are always planning the future, perhaps avoiding the past. The use of this moment to experience our life in the environment we are in right now is the wisest thing we can do for ourselves.
In verses 16 and 17 Solomon continues his concluding remarks concerning this section. He says in verse 16: " When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man's labor on earth--his eyes not seeing sleep day or night--" (Ecc 8:16 NIV) The writer has already talked about this in 1:13 and 2:12. He is devoted to pursuing wisdom. He observes the labor of men on earth. He as king had an opportunity to "see" and manage the labor of many peoples across his vast kingdom. He uses a unique metaphor here, and it is only used here in the Old Testament. How does one see sleep? You will never sleep with your eyes open, everseeing. Some interpret this as the idea that men (mankind) labors so intensively that they never sleep or sleep well. That probably gathers the sense of the phrase. The author may include himself here. He is set about "seeing" observing man's ways in an attempt to see what God has done. But just as in all wisdom literature the writer has made us "feel" the labor, the elusiveness of life just by having to entertain such a figure of speech.
Verse 17 continues the thought: "then I discerned all that God has done: No one really comprehends what happens on earth. Despite all human efforts to discover it, no one can ever grasp it. Even if a wise person claimed that he understood, he would not really comprehend it." (Ecc 8:17 NET) Solomon probably speaks in hyperbole here. He is finite. He has not seen every event from the beginning of creation. Through history and the gathering of facts he has learned and attempted to sift from those facts what God has done. He concludes that the act is futile. None can grasp what God does. This verse equates the action of God with the activity "that is carried on under the sun." This is crucial in the book because of Solomon's quest. It is as if we can observe God's ways from afar but do not have intimate knowledge of what will transpire next. It is important to note here that even if someone tells you they know what God is doing---they do not.
We move now to chapter 9. Verse 1 states: "So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands, but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him." (Ecc 9:1 NIV) In verse 8:16 he applied his mind now in 9:1 he reflects "on all of this." This perhaps going as far back as 6:9-10. He has been dealing with the limitations of human wisdom and the inscrutability of wisdom knowledge and righteousness to insure a long and meaningful life here "under the sun." A strong statement follows: what the righteous and the wise do are in God's hands. No man knows whether love or hate awaits. Ultimately they don't know what will happen. His seeking has brought him to the understanding that their is uncertainty for those who live skillfully. The existential (living for the moment) impact of this statement is lost on many people today. These types of verses make me attempt to live in the moment every day. Savoring each experience with all the fervor I can muster at any given time. This helps me to live life fully. Not forgetting to plan for tomorrow. Not regretting yesterday but giving myself freedom to live powerfully in each moment because I don't know whether God, my higher power, will have planned love or hate for me. I want to live in the moment whatever that may be.
9:2 broadens the concept of the inscrutability of God's ways: "All share a common destiny--the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good man, so with the sinner; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them."(Ecc 9:2 NIV) Compare 2:15, 5:4-5, 8:8 for some of these concepts. The great leveler is death, from those who do the most good for the world i.e. Mother Theresa to those who produce extreme pain and sorrow i.e Adolf Hitler. We may think that we are immortal that we will escape death--we've done it so far. But we don't escape. Death ultimately comes. It does not matter if you have been righteous, good, clean, religious both inwardly and outwardly or if you have been wicked, bad, unclean, denied religious observances, a sinner, or refused to take promises to God seriously--ultimately we will all eventually die. This is the sobering fact that keeps us living in the here and now.
The applications? It is better to live life wisely following God's commands. There is no guarentee that bad things that "should" happen to the evil person won't happen to us, but as a general princiople wise living brings happiness and joy in life. I am moved by the existential approach here also. Living one day, each day as if it were to be your last. Has step three taken place in your life? "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him" Then we rest in the fact that our lives are in his hands. Are you struggling to establish sobriety? Do not look at thirty days sixty days, 90 days, or a year. Those come one moment at a time. We all live each moment in sobriety. Are you moving into recovery. Live today wisely asking yourself what is one thing today that I can do to be more positive in recovery. I have an amends letter to write today. That is one thing I will do to move my recovery forward in a positive way to day.
To those who read this and have not yet entered into the process we simply ask that you join our fellowship-the fellowship Recovery. It is possible that out of control and dangerous behaviors do not have to continue their destructive ways in your life. Accept of gift of sobriety.
Our time is up for today so until next time keep coming back it works if you work it and you are worth it.
Last week we talked about the uncertainty of divine retribution upon the wicked. and the fact that "experience" (i.e "I have seen or observed") tells us that the wicked may appear to be praiseworthy in their public life. Their religious adherence does not permeate their inner lives.
This week we turn to Ecclesiastes 8:14: "There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless." (Ecc 8:14 NIV) The unpredictability of life is seen also in the observation that the righteous get the calamities that should befall the wicked and the wicked have the blessings that should befall the righteous bestowed upon them. Solomon says this is "meaningless" It escapes comprehension. As in the contrasting parallelism seen in the earlier verses which lay the contrasting thoughts side by side the writer does not attempt to explain away or rectify this theological conundrum but leaves the tension there for the reader to experience.
In Ecclesiastes 8:15 Solomon begins his concluding thought, a variation of earlier summaries (see 3:13,5:19): "So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun." (Ecc 8:15 NIV) The author is not bitterly resigning himself to this rather he is following God's command in Deuteronomy 8 to humbled himself recognize God's goodness and enjoy the bounties of the land God has given him. In the face of uncertainty men and women should enjoy each day God gives them, knowing that they may encounter tragedy. It is hard to live in the present moment. We are always planning the future, perhaps avoiding the past. The use of this moment to experience our life in the environment we are in right now is the wisest thing we can do for ourselves.
In verses 16 and 17 Solomon continues his concluding remarks concerning this section. He says in verse 16: " When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man's labor on earth--his eyes not seeing sleep day or night--" (Ecc 8:16 NIV) The writer has already talked about this in 1:13 and 2:12. He is devoted to pursuing wisdom. He observes the labor of men on earth. He as king had an opportunity to "see" and manage the labor of many peoples across his vast kingdom. He uses a unique metaphor here, and it is only used here in the Old Testament. How does one see sleep? You will never sleep with your eyes open, everseeing. Some interpret this as the idea that men (mankind) labors so intensively that they never sleep or sleep well. That probably gathers the sense of the phrase. The author may include himself here. He is set about "seeing" observing man's ways in an attempt to see what God has done. But just as in all wisdom literature the writer has made us "feel" the labor, the elusiveness of life just by having to entertain such a figure of speech.
Verse 17 continues the thought: "then I discerned all that God has done: No one really comprehends what happens on earth. Despite all human efforts to discover it, no one can ever grasp it. Even if a wise person claimed that he understood, he would not really comprehend it." (Ecc 8:17 NET) Solomon probably speaks in hyperbole here. He is finite. He has not seen every event from the beginning of creation. Through history and the gathering of facts he has learned and attempted to sift from those facts what God has done. He concludes that the act is futile. None can grasp what God does. This verse equates the action of God with the activity "that is carried on under the sun." This is crucial in the book because of Solomon's quest. It is as if we can observe God's ways from afar but do not have intimate knowledge of what will transpire next. It is important to note here that even if someone tells you they know what God is doing---they do not.
We move now to chapter 9. Verse 1 states: "So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands, but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him." (Ecc 9:1 NIV) In verse 8:16 he applied his mind now in 9:1 he reflects "on all of this." This perhaps going as far back as 6:9-10. He has been dealing with the limitations of human wisdom and the inscrutability of wisdom knowledge and righteousness to insure a long and meaningful life here "under the sun." A strong statement follows: what the righteous and the wise do are in God's hands. No man knows whether love or hate awaits. Ultimately they don't know what will happen. His seeking has brought him to the understanding that their is uncertainty for those who live skillfully. The existential (living for the moment) impact of this statement is lost on many people today. These types of verses make me attempt to live in the moment every day. Savoring each experience with all the fervor I can muster at any given time. This helps me to live life fully. Not forgetting to plan for tomorrow. Not regretting yesterday but giving myself freedom to live powerfully in each moment because I don't know whether God, my higher power, will have planned love or hate for me. I want to live in the moment whatever that may be.
9:2 broadens the concept of the inscrutability of God's ways: "All share a common destiny--the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good man, so with the sinner; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them."(Ecc 9:2 NIV) Compare 2:15, 5:4-5, 8:8 for some of these concepts. The great leveler is death, from those who do the most good for the world i.e. Mother Theresa to those who produce extreme pain and sorrow i.e Adolf Hitler. We may think that we are immortal that we will escape death--we've done it so far. But we don't escape. Death ultimately comes. It does not matter if you have been righteous, good, clean, religious both inwardly and outwardly or if you have been wicked, bad, unclean, denied religious observances, a sinner, or refused to take promises to God seriously--ultimately we will all eventually die. This is the sobering fact that keeps us living in the here and now.
The applications? It is better to live life wisely following God's commands. There is no guarentee that bad things that "should" happen to the evil person won't happen to us, but as a general princiople wise living brings happiness and joy in life. I am moved by the existential approach here also. Living one day, each day as if it were to be your last. Has step three taken place in your life? "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him" Then we rest in the fact that our lives are in his hands. Are you struggling to establish sobriety? Do not look at thirty days sixty days, 90 days, or a year. Those come one moment at a time. We all live each moment in sobriety. Are you moving into recovery. Live today wisely asking yourself what is one thing today that I can do to be more positive in recovery. I have an amends letter to write today. That is one thing I will do to move my recovery forward in a positive way to day.
To those who read this and have not yet entered into the process we simply ask that you join our fellowship-the fellowship Recovery. It is possible that out of control and dangerous behaviors do not have to continue their destructive ways in your life. Accept of gift of sobriety.
Our time is up for today so until next time keep coming back it works if you work it and you are worth it.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Solomon Project Ecclesiastes 8:6-13
This is a blog based upon the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes for addictive and compulsive people. This blog is intented to reach a wide variety of individuals from all faiths. It has been six weeks since I have blogged. The hiatus began with the move of our daughter to college and into a single dwelling home which took a Herculean effort. Also the teaching schedule as an adjunct professor teaching two new classes took more time than I thought it would. I think that this only serves to point out how significant the impact can be of changes that enter our lives.
We will be picking up at Ecclesiastes 8:6. "For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him." (Ecc 8:6 NIV)This recalls Ecc 3:1 which enumerates the all-encompassing times and places for things. The caveat is that man's misery weighs heavily upon him.
Ecclesiastes 8:7 continues this thought. "Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come?" (Ecc 8:7 NIV)Even though there is a time and place. It weighs heavily on men, not because of what will happen but the fact that one one knows when. We cannot predict the future.
Ecclesiastes 8:8 states: " No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it." (Ecc 8:8 NIV)These consequences are inescapable and inevitable. and just as one is bound to military service so is one bound by wickedness. Thought provoking--right.
Ecclesiastes 8:9 brings home what Solomon is thinking: "All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt." (Ecc 8:9 NIV) A more appropriate translation is "to their hurt." One would expect that lording it over others would result in prosperity and further control. In reality it doesn't work that way. Even rulers that rule well are beneficent. As men do not know the times so men do not always know what is best for others either.
Ecclesiastes 8:10 says: "Then too, I saw the wicked buried--those who used to come and go from the holy place and receive praise in the city where they did this. This too is meaningless." (Ecc 8:10 NIV) This does not refer to the inevitability of death which is in Solomon's thought (see v. 8). It refers to the fact that their life is not cut short in retribution for wickedness. They may be praised for an outward adherence to some form of religion but their wickedness belies their true spirit. Solomon adds a familiar and summarizing phrase "This to is meaningless." It is beyond comprehension.
Ecclesiastes 8:11 continues the thought on the enigma of divine retribution: "When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong." (Ecc 8:11 NIV) All of us should take this verse to heart. From the federal government all the way down to our homes. Solomon is thinking of this in terms of the wicked and retribution. Human government and the power and control of it should not be set upon the wrong objects the wise and those who fear God but this power and control should be focused on carrying out God's will and punishing the wicked. The Old Testament and Proverbs in particular is filled with examples of those do not exercise judgment correctly sometimes as a result of bribery.
Ecclesiastes 8:12 balances the thought of wickedness: "Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God." (Ecc 8:12 NIV) Solomon's observations ("all this I saw..." v. 9) led him to the conclusion that while the wicked may live long they do not live well. Life just goes better when you live according to God's commands. Those who commit their lives to yielding to a higher power find that life goes better for them.
Ecclesiastes 8:13 states: "Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow." (Ecc 8:13 NIV) This is the contrasting statement to verse 12. The wicked do not fear God. As a general rule things do not go well with the wicked. They may be praised in their cities, town or villages but they will not have long life. Solomon does not resolve this enigma or apparent contradiction of life "Under the sun" but leaves the tension intact.
As we end some applications are necessary. Where do we find ourselves in this passage. are we characterized by wickedness or the god-fearing? Are we characterized by over-controlling behavior that harms others, gambling that we won't experience divine retribution. Are we hypocritical? Outwardly showing others that we are interested in obeying God's commands but inwardly only using the actions to get what we want--manipulation and control.
Are we committed to recovery? Allowing the realities of the miracle of sobriety to permeate our inner lives to such an extent that we live outwardly what has truly happened inside. The promise is that life will go well with us.
We will be picking up at Ecclesiastes 8:6. "For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him." (Ecc 8:6 NIV)This recalls Ecc 3:1 which enumerates the all-encompassing times and places for things. The caveat is that man's misery weighs heavily upon him.
Ecclesiastes 8:7 continues this thought. "Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come?" (Ecc 8:7 NIV)Even though there is a time and place. It weighs heavily on men, not because of what will happen but the fact that one one knows when. We cannot predict the future.
Ecclesiastes 8:8 states: " No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it." (Ecc 8:8 NIV)These consequences are inescapable and inevitable. and just as one is bound to military service so is one bound by wickedness. Thought provoking--right.
Ecclesiastes 8:9 brings home what Solomon is thinking: "All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt." (Ecc 8:9 NIV) A more appropriate translation is "to their hurt." One would expect that lording it over others would result in prosperity and further control. In reality it doesn't work that way. Even rulers that rule well are beneficent. As men do not know the times so men do not always know what is best for others either.
Ecclesiastes 8:10 says: "Then too, I saw the wicked buried--those who used to come and go from the holy place and receive praise in the city where they did this. This too is meaningless." (Ecc 8:10 NIV) This does not refer to the inevitability of death which is in Solomon's thought (see v. 8). It refers to the fact that their life is not cut short in retribution for wickedness. They may be praised for an outward adherence to some form of religion but their wickedness belies their true spirit. Solomon adds a familiar and summarizing phrase "This to is meaningless." It is beyond comprehension.
Ecclesiastes 8:11 continues the thought on the enigma of divine retribution: "When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong." (Ecc 8:11 NIV) All of us should take this verse to heart. From the federal government all the way down to our homes. Solomon is thinking of this in terms of the wicked and retribution. Human government and the power and control of it should not be set upon the wrong objects the wise and those who fear God but this power and control should be focused on carrying out God's will and punishing the wicked. The Old Testament and Proverbs in particular is filled with examples of those do not exercise judgment correctly sometimes as a result of bribery.
Ecclesiastes 8:12 balances the thought of wickedness: "Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God." (Ecc 8:12 NIV) Solomon's observations ("all this I saw..." v. 9) led him to the conclusion that while the wicked may live long they do not live well. Life just goes better when you live according to God's commands. Those who commit their lives to yielding to a higher power find that life goes better for them.
Ecclesiastes 8:13 states: "Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow." (Ecc 8:13 NIV) This is the contrasting statement to verse 12. The wicked do not fear God. As a general rule things do not go well with the wicked. They may be praised in their cities, town or villages but they will not have long life. Solomon does not resolve this enigma or apparent contradiction of life "Under the sun" but leaves the tension intact.
As we end some applications are necessary. Where do we find ourselves in this passage. are we characterized by wickedness or the god-fearing? Are we characterized by over-controlling behavior that harms others, gambling that we won't experience divine retribution. Are we hypocritical? Outwardly showing others that we are interested in obeying God's commands but inwardly only using the actions to get what we want--manipulation and control.
Are we committed to recovery? Allowing the realities of the miracle of sobriety to permeate our inner lives to such an extent that we live outwardly what has truly happened inside. The promise is that life will go well with us.
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