Echoes From the Campfire

A man has to deal with the things that are happening.”
                    –Dan Arnold (Bear Creek)

 
       “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us–they help us learn to endure.”
                    –Romans 5:3 (NLT)
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Several years ago, Charles Swindoll penned an outstanding book on Ecclesiastes–Living on the Ragged Edge.  In working on my notes for “How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World” I’ve found that I could have easily called it “Living on the Ragged Edge.”  Perhaps Rev. Swindoll should do an update.  Look at the world around you:  antifa, BLM, terror, COVID, hatred, racism, the stupidity of sanctuary cities, influx of illegal aliens, backlog of cargo, and on and on….
       Ecclesiastes has always been one of my favorite books of the Bible.  Be careful in reading it however, for it is easy to look at a verse and take it out of context.  Read the whole first, then go back to dig out the little gems within the book.  As Christians we must realize that we live in this crazy, insane, mad world.  We are not to escape it, but we are to move through it and survive.  Remember, we are to worship in truth which means “reality.”  In this mad world, we continue to worship and live.

                    “Survival is directly linked to living in the ever present, fast-moving realm of reality.”
                                       –Charles Swindoll

       Ecclesiastes is the book of the “Preacher,” or the “Teacher,” depending upon the version you are reading.  One person has said the person writing is “The Searcher,” depicting the searching mind that has looked over all of life and observed what is behind the actions of people.  Look for a moment at the second verse from several versions:

                    “‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher; ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.'” (NKJV)
                    “Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities, says the Preacher, vapor of vapors and futilities of futilities, all is vanity–emptiness, falsity, and vainglory.”  (Amplified)
                    “‘Meaningless!  Meaningless!’ says the Teacher.  ‘Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless.'”  (NIV)
                    “‘Absolute futility,’ says the Teacher.  ‘Absolute futility.  Everything is futile.'”  (HCSB)

In a nutshell this is saying that nothing in and of itself will satisfy.  Man may search, man may experiment, man may try to escape–but nothing satisfies.
       The Book of Ecclesiastes examines the major endeavors of life and warns about false purposes in life.  In the long run who cares about your intellectualism, or your wealth and luxury, or your politics, or your pseudo-religion.  Someone has suggested that a subtitle to Ecclesiastes might be:  “The Things That Won’t Work.”  However, in reading the book one does come up with two major conclusions.  First, enjoy life–not the hedonistic lifestyle, but also know that life without enjoyment is no life at all.  Second, fear God–there must be honest humility before God.  Samuel Cox writes, “Those who raise the question, ‘Is life worth living?’ answer it by–living on; for no man lives simply to proclaim what a worthless and wretched creature he is.”
       This book was intended to be a book in celebration of joy.  It was commonly read on the third day of the Feast of Tabernacles.  Realize that we are to be living this life.  My pastor, G.R. Kelly said that, “Life is living.”  Every day as we take a breath we need to realize that life is a gift of God and we need to be living it for His glory.

                    “The mood of Ecclesiastes is one of delight, with the prospect of living and enjoying all the goods of life once man has come to fear God and keep His commandments.”
                                        –Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.