Morning: The message, "Why Not Me," examined Ecclesiastes 6:1-12. We find Solomon in a dark place in this passage. He seems to be struggling with the reality that there are some who are blessed by God and they get to enjoy those blessings, and then there are those who are blessed by God, but don't get to enjoy those blessings. Solomon uses exaggerated examples of "blessing" from his culture: wealth, long life, and children. If the greatest good Solomon can imagine is knowing God and enjoying his blessing, then it is easy to see why knowing about God without the experience of enjoying his blessing is such a grievous evil to Solomon.
Solomon points out a great burden that (some) of mankind must bear. He calls it an evil. The great burden is to be blessed by God without ability to enjoy those blessings. Stress, anxiety, fear, pride, foolishness, and more rob us of the ability to enjoy the many blessing is life. Solomon seems to be asking the question, "Why don't I get to enjoy all that I have been blessed with?" In other words, he is asking, "Why not me?" But Solomon knows the answer. He has striven under the sun, without giving God the proper place in his life.
The realization that he bore the burden of regret left Solomon with unending questions. Don't we all go down to the grave? Is there any point to choosing wisdom over folly? Does anything ever change? What's the point?
The darkness of this passage reminds us of the dangers of self-pity. With his focus on himself, Solomon can only sink lower and lower. I this passage represents Solomon's rock bottom. He can't get any lower. All that is left is to look up. Solomon has to take a dose of the medicine he has prescribed to others: he has to turn to God.
Evening: We had a very enjoyable singing this evening with the Telestials.
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