Wise Words --- Ecclesiastes 12:6-14.

The book of Ecclesiastes is a collection of wise words. Strange then that it opens with ‘Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.’ Stranger still is the fact that as it nears its conclusion the words are repeated. It seems to me that this is actually the end result of ignoring, rejecting or ridiculing God’s wise words. All ages should read this collection of sacred and secular wisdom and know its profit to heart and mind, relationship and motivation.

 The preacher, as he is called, concluded his insights to life and his testimony with incisive words for all, and especially for writers.  ‘The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. He likened that which was included within the collection to ‘goads and nails’ Ecclesiastes 12:10-11. Apparently in the days of the Preacher you needed to insert any nails where you wanted them as you built the wall. This was due to the fact that such structures were either too hard or fragile to have nails hammered in.

Be that as it may, when applied to our writing the principle is correct. The penetrating force of our words is woven into the story, not something simply attached later. Whether we write fiction or non-fiction our writings needs to have in them some goads and nails. These are for the Lord to use as He uses our stories to construct His dwelling within a reader’s life. As the reader journeys with us through the story, let us hope and pray something written goads them. A goad is a stick with a sharp point and is used to stick into the rump of the oxen. Such a reaction may well produce a kick-back or quicken the conscience. It can cause an about turn in behaviour (C/- Acts 9:5) an awakening to a greater understanding of our Lord and His call upon their lives. How many of us have read a book and felt the conscience react to something? Great! Your Lord has purpose in mind to goad you out of something or into something. If you feel somewhat reluctant, that’s okay. Think about all God’s reluctant servants whose names and deeds are honoured in Scripture and Church history.

The ‘nails’ are word pictures or illustrations upon which the reader can hang his heart or mind and know it will not give way. It could be something the Holy Spirit puts on it which is a constant irritation until resolved. You know, verses calling on you to worship when you’d rather be surfing, or learn to pray instead of playing with phone games.  Then, when acted upon it becomes a blessing! In the gallery of the mind there will be many ‘nails’ on which pictures, ornaments and other items will be placed. In our writing we should offer the best to be placed in another’s gallery. Some things we may have previously delighted in and had framed have become an embarrassment. The trouble is, they cannot be taken down. What the life changing Lord does with them is graffiti them. The Holy Spirit writes across them with the poured out life of Jesus ‘forgiven. Cleansed. Cancelled.’

 Being bookish type people we know the quote, ‘Of making many books there is no end and much study wearies the body.’ Ecclesiastes 12: 12. Your shelves probably echo “Amen!” However if my understanding is correct this statement is actually a warning. For in the preceding verses he is highlighting the words, proverbs and sayings of the one Shepherd. By my understanding that is a significant term for our Lord. The writer of Ecclesiastes concluded his own insights with a call for the recognition of priorities. There will always be new books and reprints on the market to capture our time, hearts and minds. Just make sure you do not neglect the most important, the most stimulating and the most spiritually enriching book for all time. That is, the book written by the Shepherd through the life experiences of His ‘pens’, the prophets, priests, apostles and faithful servants.

As the preacher is giving instruction to his son there is always ‘and further’ attached. ‘Be admonished’ arouses in the mind a sense of being prodded or disciplined into action. However, the Hebrew word holds within it such concepts as, teach, warn and shine. What the boy’s father is wanting to see is the words of the wise, the masters of the assembly and the one shepherd ‘shine’ into his heart and mind. That holds true for you and me today. What we allow to shine into our heart will teach us, warn us, guide us – or it will corrupt us, lead us astray and produce ignorance. The same applies to what you write. Will the light it shines open the heart and mind reveal the wonder of God’s grace, creation, providence, character?

 His concluding words remain true.

'Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.'

 This isn’t a grovelling attitude of terror but a recognition of God's holiness and power. For Christians, this fear is also a reverence flavoured by gratitude and amazement. By His mercy Jesus is able to deal with those secret things of the heart. What the Lord requires is when His light reveals these dark areas to confess them and hand them over to be dealt with and a new freedom to be experienced.

 

Ray Hawkins.

 

  

Picture hidden in Words.

Many words have a story woven within them. Discovering that story, picture gives a deeper meaning or nuance to what it says. Whether the word is poetic, symbolic, or even jargon each ultimately points us to something tangible and literal. When Jesus spoke about Himself as ‘the door’ we understand it as a metaphor, a picture expressing something. The same applies to Jesus being ‘the Rock.’ There is only one way into the presence of the Father and therefore Heaven. That is through Jesus as Lord and Saviour. There is only one sure and certain foundation on which to build your life. That is the Word of God.

Some are trying to make people who take the Bible seriously, therefore with a literal understanding of the text as intellectual ‘cavemen!’ Others want to make the plain statements of Scripture as either relevant only to the ancient past, or fantasise into something quite different to what it plainly says. That is where supporters of same-sex marriage linger. Marriage has no meaning outside of the Biblical explanation and, dare I write it, the literal symbolism behind the literal union of Adam and Eve. That points to the literal relationship between Christ and the Church.

The Bible was meant to be read and understood. Then it was expected to be adopted and lived out in relationship, service and worship. Habakkuk was commissioned to write his vision so as to ‘make it plain on tablets, and so a runner may read it’ (2:2). As the apostle Paul wrote about speaking that it is only beneficial if it is understood. Sure, there will be many layers to what is written or said because there are various levels of intellect. But, they are meant to be grasped or searched out. The parables of Jesus are a case in point. There is the very obvious message that would lodge within the ear and have an impact. Then, there is the deeper side to the story waiting to be delved into. Both lead to a literal understanding of the Lord’s intention and teaching.

When it comes to certain facets of Scriptural terms and stories in the Old Testament critics are quick to use them as literally ridiculous. The serpent enticing Eve to take the fruit is one of their chief criticisms. Is there a literal answer. Yes. Revelation 12:9! There the answer is presented. The serpent is none other than ‘the great dragon…the Devil, Satan.’ A literal spirit being. A story in the life of Israel in the wilderness concerns the healing of those bitten by serpents. They had to look to the pole Moses had made on which a moulded serpent was placed. Those who looked towards it when bitten were healed. Centuries passed before the meaning was given. Jesus said it pointed to the Son of Man being lifted up, John 3:14. That still wasn’t clear and later Jesus added Himself into the mix. In John 8:28 and 12:32 He said He would be the one lifted up. The cross explains the event in Numbers 21:4-9. The symbol pointed to the literal.

People want to explain away Biblical teaching which conflicts with their views, especially in morals and science. The non-Christian has no reason to accept the Biblical teachings on these matters. It is a different matter for Christians who believe Jesus is the Son of God, Lord, Saviour and the one before whom all will bow. Christ’s views are for us to check-out, understand, adopt, apply and defend. That is a costly exercise as Christians in the sciences have found. Expose the fundamental fallacies of evolution and you are ‘blacklisted’, ostracised. Defend the literal six days of creation and you are ridiculed. Uphold the veracity of the worldwide flood of Noah’s day is to be considered out of step with the facts. Yet the facts speak of a worldwide flood which in turn the evolutionists refuse to debate or consider.

To take the Bible seriously is to enjoy the richness of its words. The awesome symbolisms of the Tabernacle and its sacrifices, the beautiful poetry of the psalms, the metaphors of the Gospels, especially John’s, all take the reader to some unchanging truth, especially about Jesus. As Jesus said in John 5:39 “they speak of me!”