Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | A Brain-teaser from Ray: 09/9/01 | Eccl 2:25 | Ray | 15719 | ||
Hi Nolan, So you see verse 25 as repeating the thought of verse 24, "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God." You don't see any way that some of his enjoyment is from life in general? Some of the things maybe he has learned or gained insight about in his studies, or some accomplishments he has made at work or play? |
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2 | A Brain-teaser from Ray: 09/9/01 | Eccl 2:25 | Makarios | 15761 | ||
Greetings Ray! Yes, this is meant in "general": that one cannot have enjoyment without God. So it includes studies or accomplishments like you said. The NIV Study Bible states, "2:24-25 The heart of Ecclesiastes, a theme repeated in 3:12-13,22; 5:18-20; 8:15; 9:7 and climaxed in 12:13. Only in God does life have meaning and true pleasure. Without Him nothing satisfies, but with Him we find satisfaction and enjoyment. True pleasure comes only when we acknowledge and revere God (12:13)." Blessings, Nolan |
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3 | A Brain-teaser from Ray: 09/9/01 | Eccl 2:25 | Ray | 15782 | ||
Hi Nolan, I am thinking of the life of balance here. Do we have to think that all that we do has to revolve around God? Is it possible to enjoy an ice cream cone or a diet coke and think "These manufacturers really knew what they were doing; this tastes great." Can we realize that things on earth come from other things than God? Can we receive wisdom and knowledge and joy from other people as well as from God? Is there a time for that also? Can one be "So heavenly minded that he is of no earthly good?" I'm speaking of a life of balance here. I believe that we can be too busy with religious activities to the detriment of our daily lives with our loved ones. We need to have a time with them also. Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 says, "I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you grasp one thing, and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them." This is the balance of which I am speaking; being in the world a little bit although not of it. Realizing that we are people that need relationships here on earth as well a good relationship with our heavenly Father. So, what do you think? Can you say with Ecclesiastes 2:25, "For who can eat and who can have enjoyment more than me?" But again, I don't deny that everything is from the hand of God. The person who is good in His sight will realize that everything is the gift of God. |
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4 | A Brain-teaser from Ray: 09/9/01 | Eccl 2:25 | Makarios | 15807 | ||
Thank you Ray! Yes, not EVERYTHING we do has to correlate with the Bible, that is: we don't have to ONLY watch pastors giving sermons on television, only drink water instead of soda, only use horse-drawn carriages instead of cars, or use natural candlelight instead of electricity! :) You are right, we can have "balance" and be 'not of the world.' So you drink all the Diet Coke that you want to drink, my friend! I believe that everything (all the actions that we do whether eating, drinking, etc) has to pass the Philippians 4:8 "test", which says... "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things." (NIV) Nolan |
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5 | A Brain-teaser from Ray: 09/9/01 | Eccl 2:25 | Ray | 15863 | ||
Hi Nolan, Praise the Lord for the* choice of Scripture; for I agree with your test. The stars and parentheses will be mine for comparison. Again I ask if we can give credit to Coca Cola for making a good product? Are some things learned from others or are all things only from God? I believe that we can eat and have enjoyment without Him. I believe that we can get wisdom and knowledge and joy from other sources also. And it is for this reason that I suggest the following interpretation for Ecclesiastes 26:25,26. We use the NASB. I would take the two "He" pronouns out of verse 26 and the Him out of verse 25. The Him of verse 25 is translated "more than I" in many translations and shouldn't get too much opposition. The two "He has given" phrases can still be inferred from the "hand of God" and the "gift of God of verses surrounding it. But by taking the two pronouns out it would allow for the introduction of other sources as well. If you are still with me I will give you "my personal copy" as always, for what its worth. I believe verse 26 is even more grammatically correct. Ecclesiastes 2:25,"For who can eat and who can have enjoyment more than me? "(Or myself and I) Eccles 2:26, "For to a person who is good in (His) sight is given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner is given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God's sight..." I praise the Lord for your* choice of Scripture and wonder if you would agree with me for the verses surrounding it. Philippians 4:7-9, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ (Jesus). Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." The gift of God* in Ecclesiastes will be given to us to meet all our needs "according to His* riches in glory..." Philippians 4:19, "Now to our (God) and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Ray |
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6 | A Brain-teaser from Ray: 09/9/01 | Eccl 2:25 | Makarios | 15948 | ||
Greetings Ray! Thank you, I'm glad that you liked my Philippians 4:8 "test".. I also find your interpretations of Ecclesiastes 2:25-26 interesting, especially in light of Philippians 4:7-9, 19.. If I understand your line of thinking correctly, I believe that the NIV follows your "personal copy" the closest, even though it says "without him" and "pleases him".. Interesting study! Blessings, Nolan |
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