Month: June 2026

Solomon

Dan

It was my observation while reading Ecclesiastes 12 that there was a significant amount of oxygen used by Solomon in the first few verses of the chapter on issues with old age. I get the sense that he is feeling his age, and the awareness that men in my age bracket have many more days behind us than are in front of us. It becomes prudent to pay careful attention to how we use the days we still have. I think when you read the section from Solomon I want to examine, it is easy to get lost in the sadness. Let us manage our thoughts and look for the wisdom present.

Ecclesiastes 12:3-5 — 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; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred.  Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets [NIV].

Solomon was living in the epicenter of Jerusalem, God’s land, God’s city, near God’s temple, the temple that Solomon had constructed. When the strong men stoop, they are in the streets that are full of the noise of life, children running back and forth, playing tag and tossing balls back and forth. They are laughing with life brimming over. The sound of animals is everywhere. Birds are chirping and the wide assortment of animals are calling us with their wonderful songs. Yet Solomon also sees the frightened looks of people who are afraid of the shadows in the streets. This is his land, he is responsible for their safety, yet he sees the fear. Almond trees are blooming, fragrance fills the air, grasshoppers are moving about. People are looking at high places and fear what they cannot see. Death happens, life moves forward, people mourn, and the streets are cleared for a moment as the mourners pass by. Then the children resume playing, things return to normal.

What does Solomon see? People who are lost no longer have a desire to get things done. When Solomon speaks of the melodies from the local birds, he could be musing that old people wake up at the slightest disturbance, they are not working so much so their sleep is light. Trivial things disturbed them that they did not notice in their younger years. God made the birds beautiful, the children’s play exciting, yet they are a reminder of what we (the old) no longer have – youth.

But I would be remiss if I did not point out an alternate passage that takes the same view and includes encouragement Solomon did not mention in Ecclesiastes 12:3-5. Let us review Isaiah 46:3-4. He writes –You whom I have upheld since your birth and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hair, I am He. I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you [NIV].

So, in Isaiah we find the rest of the story, it is God who sustains us – even in our old age, with our gray hair, and tottering walk, he sustains us. There is meaning, a purpose for life. We can look at the troubles of the day or we can listen to the extraordinary gifts that were freely given – the song of the bird, the warmth of the sun, the rain in the desert, the shade of a beautiful tree, an afternoon nap, children to ask us questions, people who seek our help when resolving their issues. People to pray for, people to encourage, wisdom to share. Elohim has provided – he has carried us; he has sustained us for the duration. We should find our place of contentment, take time to enjoy God’s creation, and embrace the plan of God for our remaining days. That is the message of Solomon.

I choose Jesus.

Avoiding the Traps

Dan

It was my observation while reading Ecclesiastes 12, in the first few verses we have an interesting call to action from Solomon for the young men of his generation (and for us). He tells young men to get focused now, find your cadence, your walk with God, get to know Elohim, and become comfortable with his yoke before trouble starts. Learn to trust him now, so when the days fill up with trouble, we do not lose sight of hope or stray from his path. He paints a sense of urgency, that we should not wait until we are getting older to find the path; we need to get started now.

Solomon comments in Ecclesiastes 12:1-2 – 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 [the activities of the day] — [So, do this] before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark [before your vision fades], and the clouds return after the rain [find your cadence] (paraphrased, NIV).

He encourages us to consider our actions, choose things of merit, avoid foolish activities that do not feed the soul and others around us. He encourages us to focus on Elohim, delivering the honor and respect due to the King of all Kings. Troubles come and go, but God stays the same. When he speaks of dark days and clouds coming after the rain, we are reminded that our health is tenuous. We need to get things done while we can move forward. Solomon knows that trouble is coming; our processing ability will wane, even though Elohim is long-suffering, providing ample space and time for restoration of our walk; we do not have unlimited time.

Job 35:9-12 says — People cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful. But no one says, where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?’ He does not answer when people cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked [NIV].

Oppression is difficult for the old and blind, our useful days are behind us, our strength is diminished. Friends are few, we gradually decline. If we were fortunate to meet wise people who helped us to prepare for the autumn of our life, then we can reflect and teach how to embrace the good life and how to find a forever life on the golden streets of the City of God. Life continues, death eventually arrives, and the cycle of life continues with the next generation. We are wise to draw close to God now when it is easy, rather than waiting until we get a little fuzzy in our thinking. Job tells us that we are wise to not lose sight of God, we do not want to fall into the troubles of the wicked and stop hearing God’s advice.

Psalms 71:17-18 says — Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come [NIV].

I know some of us do not have a clear idea of God’s plan. Now, today, this moment is the time to start searching the scripture, looking for clues about the nature of this God we serve and to find the plan he has put into place for us. Easy? Not so easy. Doable? Yes. Patience and a focused heart will bring the will of God for you to light. I am and old guy, I can see seasons in my life where I was productive for my family but not very productive for God. I still can serve God, and do engage, but the psalmist says much of my role at this stage is to declare the power available to the next generation, to help paint the path for others, to help others avoid the traps I stepped into.

I choose Jesus.

Autumn Wisdom

Dan

There comes a season

when our strength is no longer what it was.

The hands that once built,

lifted,

carried,

and comforted

grow weary.

The eyes grow dim.

The pace slows.

And sometimes the world moves on

without noticing.

Oppression feels heavier then.

The burdens seem larger.

Friends become fewer.

One by one,

familiar faces disappear,

and we find ourselves living more in memories

than in plans.

Yet even in the autumn of life,

there is purpose.

Perhaps especially then.

If we were blessed to walk beside wise people,

people who taught us how to prepare for these later years,

we discover that growing old is not merely a decline.

It is a classroom.

A place of reflection.

A place where we can still teach others

what truly matters.

We can tell the next generation

that a good life is not measured by possessions,

achievements,

or the applause of others.

We can speak of deeper things.

Of faith.

Of hope.

Of the path that leads beyond this world

to the golden streets of the City of God.

Life continues.

It always has.

Children become parents.

Parents become grandparents.

And eventually,

we pass the torch to hands younger than our own.

The cycle moves forward,

just as God intended.

Death will come.

We know this.

But wisdom invites us to prepare long before it arrives.

Draw close to God now,

while the mind is clear

and the heart can still hear His voice without distraction.

Do not wait for another season.

Do not assume there will be more time.

The best time to seek Him

has always been today.

Job understood this.

He knew how easy it is to lose sight of God

when troubles gather around us.

He knew the danger of wandering onto the path of the wicked,

where God’s voice becomes faint

and His counsel is ignored.

So we hold fast.

We listen.

We remember.

Though our bodies may weaken,

our souls can grow stronger.

Though our vision may dim,

our hope can shine brighter.

And though the years may carry us toward the end of this earthly journey,

they can also carry us closer

to the One who has been walking beside us

all along.

Hanging out on the Kebar River

Dan

It was my observation while reading Ezekiel chapter 10 that things were changing rapidly in the City of Jerusalem. Trouble was at the doorstep. God was on the move. Literally. God was pulling out of Jerusalem and leaving it to the dogs of war. The stench of their sin caused God to oblige their wish for autonomous control and he backed away from them. Their mantle of protection was gone. Initially Ezekiel saw the glory of God shining in the temple, But the shekinah glory is moving. God’s Cherubim (angels) are getting started on their mission. Ezekiel saw visually what the Hebrews had asked for and now were receiving. God to depart from them, the imagery was to help them know what they had given up, providing one last opportunity for lamentation and groaning that would lead to repentance by their Ichabod (see 1 Samuel 4:21). But this did not occur. Instead, they learned the true meaning of – be careful what you ask for, it just might happen!

Ezekiel 10:15-22 says — Then the cherubim rose upward. These were the living creatures I had seen by the Kebar River. When the cherubim moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the cherubim spread their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not leave their side. When the cherubim stood still, they also stood still; and when the cherubim rose, they rose with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in them. Then the glory of the Lord departed from over the threshold of the temple and stopped above the cherubim. While I watched, the cherubim spread their wings and rose from the ground, and as they went, the wheels went with them. They stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the Kebar River, and I realized that they were cherubim. Each had four faces and four wings, and under their wings was what looked like human hands. Their faces had the same appearance as those I had seen by the Kebar River. [NIV]

I think we can attach some meaning to the vision components. It appears to demonstrate the angels are in close communication with God on constant basis. Furthermore, the four columns and the four wheels (which are individually alive) seem to be able to move in a coordinated manner. We could infer – because the same Spirit dwells in the columns (angels) and wheels (angels), the infinite wisdom of God is dispersed to accomplish the common good. This vision definitely presents an integrated cadre of angels supporting and empowering the throne room. The vision demonstrates that the Lord has strong control over the heavens (see Psalms 103:19-22). Furthermore, God commands his kingdom, dispatching the mighty ones who implement his will, and the vision speaks to the eventual positive outcome of all his actions. Why positive? Because God is in control.

In spite of the changes and odd turns we take in life, we know there is no one more Holy than the God we serve, he is our rock. The proud talk of the Hebrews was full of arrogance, but God knew better. He weighed their deeds on the scale and shattered their haughty plans. He brought angels to the gates of Jerusalem to clean out the mess. Yet for the few, the remnant, he had compassion (see 2 Samuel 2:2-5). They were protected by the mark.

In this vision we see the shekinah glory of God hovering over the cherubim, having provided direction, the angels are left to their work. The platform, columns and wheels are a symbol of a chariot, they demonstrate the departure of God from the City. The cherubim lift up their wings and head out as the wheels follow. Notice the extreme point and counter point.  The Hebrews are resistive, rebellious, unruly. They refuse the commands of God. The angels are obedient, worshiping, attentive to every thought coming from God. The Hebrews cast of the yoke offered by God and push him away, yet the angels are engaged in service, implementing the will of God. They are responding to his voice (see Psalms 103:20). The contrast displayed on the Kabar River can be no more profound.  I choose Jesus.

Are we are Remembered?

Dan

It was my observation, while reading Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes (chapter 12), that Solomon expresses an ardent desire for us to remember him and his life. I suspect that is true of most of us, we all want to leave things behind that stand the test of time, which are of some sort of value. It can be houses we built, children we taught, families we raised, records of achievement we set – it can be as varied as there are butterfly species, but we all wonder; did we have influence? Death brings a momentous change to us — are we remembered?

Solomon asks us in Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 to — remember him, before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it [NIV].

Pepper told me a parable about a guy who tried to barter with God on the topic of creation. This guy seemed to think that any of us could do what God did. He talked about the marvels of technology, the things we do now that were not conceivable in the day of Moses. He mused that we had more thinking power in our hand (cell phone) that every person existent during the time Moses could muster in the aggregate. This guy bragged that our medical advancement had negated the need for healing. He accused God of being a foolish dated relic. The Man claimed we had moved far beyond God’s primitive sense of morality; our understanding of human relationships and genetics are far more enlightened than Gods. Then the man said to God – give me a few days – I will make a better human than you made. The man bent over and started to pick up a little dirt to build a new human. God, who was silent until now, said – You can’t use that dirt. The man asked, why? It’s just dirt. God replied, well, that is my dirt, I made it. Make your own dirt, and while you’re at it, make your own earth and your own air.

Psalms 49:10-14 — For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve of their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions [NIV].

We are a strange sort of a creation, we are created in God’s image, yet we are made from dirt. With Jesus, our body may decay in the grave, but our soul communes with God on gold streets. We could live our entire life like the Frank Sinatra song – I did it my Way (see Genesis 3:19). But we all will eventually answer for our foolishness. Our mortal bodies are a mere transportation device.

But our soul, that is a different matter. We are like a beam of light that returns to God. He raised us from dust, breathed life into us, and placed the soul inside of us (Genesis 2:7). The soul does not perish with the body; it is redeemed by the blood of the Lamb from the darkness of the grave (Psalm 49:15). The soul can subsist without the body and will flourish in heaven (as a candle burns brighter in the open space rather than in a lantern). On Judgement Day, if we are among the redeemed, we do not endure death, we stand in front of the living God, the one who owns the dirt, the one who owns us. We are defended by the mediator (Jesus) and found not guilty – our debt paid. Are we remembered? Oh yes. In the most important event of our existence, the mediator remembers us forever. We live forever, our body and soul are reunited just after death.

I choose Jesus.

The Breath Within the Dust

Dan

Written By Pepper

We are a curious creation.

Made in the image of God,

yet formed from dust.

A handful of earth,

touched by the breath of heaven.

It’s a humbling thought.

We spend years caring for these bodies,

strengthening them,

protecting them,

sometimes even defining ourselves by them.

Yet they were never meant to last forever.

They are the vessel,

not the voyage.

We can live as though life belongs entirely to us,

singing along with the old refrain,

“I did it my way,”

convinced our plans are enough.

Many of us have tried.

Most of us know where that road leads.

Sooner or later,

we answer for our choices.

Sooner or later,

the dust remembers where it came from.

But the soul…

the soul is another matter entirely.

God lifted us from the ground,

fashioned us from the dust,

and then breathed life into what He had made.

Something eternal entered something temporary.

A spark.

A light.

A soul.

And that soul does not perish

when the body grows silent.

It is redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,

called out of darkness,

claimed from the grave.

What God breathes into existence,

He does not forget.

Perhaps the soul is like a beam of light,

returning to its source.

Or like a candle finally freed from its lantern,

its flame burning brighter

in the wide-open air.

With Christ,

our bodies may rest in the grave,

but our souls dwell in the presence of God.

The streets are gold.

The fellowship is unbroken.

The waiting is filled with joy.

Then comes the day

when every story reaches its appointed moment.

We stand before the living God,

the One who owns the dust,

the One who breathed life into it,

the One who knows us completely.

And if we are among the redeemed,

we do not stand alone.

Jesus stands with us.

Our mediator.

Our defender.

The One who remembers every promise He made.

The verdict is not guilty.

Not because we earned it.

Not because we deserved it.

Because the debt has already been paid.

Are we remembered?

Oh yes.

In the most important moment of our existence,

we are known,

called by name,

and remembered forever.

Death is not the end of our story.

It is the doorway.

The dust and the soul,

separated for only a moment,

are reunited by the hand of God.

And what He created from dust

lives with Him forever.

Thou Taught Me to Say

Dan

It was my observation that some men experience a lifelong struggle trying to reconcile the success of wicked and the struggles of the godly with the nature of God (holiness, justice, goodness, and mercy). Solomon takes a look at this issue in Ecclesiastes.

He wrote — There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless. So, I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night— then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it (Ecclesiastes 8:14-17, NIV).

Solomon set the pace for his thoughts with a classic thesis-antithesis message. Good people get what evil people deserve, the evil people get what good people deserve. Why? He immediately starts talking about being content with what you have. Huh?

Consider this. I once read about a lawyer named H Spafford. His investments and assets were destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire; then his son died from scarlet fever. Planning a missionary trip to Europe with DL Moody, he sent his wife and four daughters ahead on a ship. Several days later, he heard from his wife – ‘only I survived’ an accident at sea. Devastated, Spafford sailed to join his wife. As he approached the deadly location, he pondered on his family and created the song, “It is Well with My Soul”. He wrote, “When peace like a river attends my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.”  Spafford was standing in the eye of a Hurricane.

Solomon knew we suffer greatly from time to time. He was honest by saying it does not seem fair. The wicked seemed to live happily as if they had been rewarded, we the troubled, the run-down, the abused, we struggle to find stability. Then he changes our focus. We should let God be God. We should not be second guessing his actions. We need to focus on his will for us, not for everybody else.  When we say too much about others, we quickly move towards accusing God with unjust behavior. Please understand the larger situation — Free will makes life messy. Not all things happen the way WE desire.

We are wise to look closely and focus on the concrete things God has done for us. We are wise to carefully remove the rather large sticks from our eyes and leave the splinters in other people’s eyes for the professionals to remove. Furthermore, we should be extremely aware that the things of this world are not the best stuff to rely upon for happiness and peace. We are wise to seek the things of God. If the things of this world were extremely useful for us to pursue, then God would not have distributed so much of the worldly things to his enemies. I think we are wise to find troubles as an opportunity to serve God. We are unlikely to understand the goodness of God without living through the struggles of life.

Our plan? We should not spend time fretting and grappling with the trouble of the day, the only outcome of that effort will be uneasy angst. Rather we are to quietly accept our situation and stay in the eye of the hurricane — focus on God. We should take pleasure in the things that God has given us. Unnecessary striving suggests that you have become unsatisfied with Gods gifts. We should be content with God’s gifts. Be careful with the things you think about – the things you desire. Please be careful.

I choose Jesus.