Ecclesiastes 11_12
Don’t Worry Be Happy - Ecc. 11:7-12:8
Secular:
Biblical:
Ecclesiastes 11:7 Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
8 However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.
9 Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.
10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.
NIV Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"--
2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;
3 when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim;
4 when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;
5 when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
6 Remember him-- before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well,
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!"
Personal:
Bridge:
Body:
Be JOYFUL…
1. Everybody Experience Life to the Fullest – It’s God’s gift.
1) Enjoy the sunrise…
a. Judges 14:14
** Don’t wolf it down… it passes to quickly… savour it!
2) Enjoy life when you can, now!
a. Health is not a promise
b. Time is fleeting
c. Problems come
n Everybody needs to Experience Life to the Fullest – It’s God’s gift.
2. The youth are called to a life of adventure – It’s God’s gift.
1) There is freedom for children of the kingdom
2) But be careful (9b) – it is not unlicensed liberty
3) Do not bother with the ascetic life… be young live it up (live it up for God)
4) …because it too passes…
Be WISE!
It doesn’t end at – v.10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigour are meaningless.
· Remember to keep God central (12:1a)
a. Remember your Creator
b. “in the days of your youth”
i. Act according to your Master – REMEMBER = Commitment
· Wise old Solomon… points the youth to the inevitabilities of old age
· 12:1b – Remember God in the joy of our youth… callous old age w/o God
· 12:2-5 – Remember God before we become frail
a. Keeper of the house tremble – hand and arms
b. Strong men bow down – back and legs
c. Grinders cease for they are few – teeth
d. Those look through windows grow dim – eyes
e. Doors are shut in the street and the sounds of grinding are low – ears
f. One rises at the sound of the bird – wakefulness of the senior set
g. All the daughters of music are brought low – voice
h. Afraid of height and terror in any way – unsteadiness
i. Almond tree blossoms – white hair
j. Grasshopper drags himself along – frailty
k. Desire fails – sexual drive dwindles
l. Man goes to his eternal home, and mourners go about the streets – death
The Old Gray Mare…
· We are to remember our Creator before we die! v. 6-7
· Summary---implications
a. We are to live in the JOY of the Lord
b. We are to Live Wisely… life is fleeting
c. Neh 8:10…
d. We MUST REMEMBER our Creator…
i. His Will
ii. His Mission
iii. His Standard of Conduct