THE PREACHER'S ALTAR CALL TO DECISION
THE PREACHER’S ALTAR CALL TO DECISION
Ecclesiastes 10, 11 & 12
Taught by: Carolyn Sissom
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
August 11, 2009\
“TODAY, WHEN YOU HEAR HIS VOICE…” This section is a call to decision, presented in such a way as to call attention to the nature of that decision. No preacher ever made a better altar call. His emphasis and conclusion is we must respond to God without delay, in whole-hearted faith, whether life is adverse or comfortable, for we are marching towards the day of our death. He has established the theme of faith in the Creator-God who is in control of men and their affairs. Thus far the Preacher has expounded on the entire problem of empty pursuits apart from God: These include,
(1) Philosophy of men or all wisdom apart from God.
(2) Work
(3) Possessions
(4) Status
(5) Companionship
(6) Fame
(7) Wealth
(8) Long Life
(9) Feasting
(10) Desires
(11) Moralists
(12) Folly.
FOLLY:
(3b) meaning by his behavior he proclaims his own folly;
(vs.4B) “If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offences.” This is wisdom in most relationships. However, never yield to abuse, but yielding here is pride that will pacify offence.
FOLLY IN ACTION:
THE FOOL’S TALK AND THE FOOL’S INCOMPETENCE:
(Vs.17) Blessed are you, O land when your king is the son of nobles. This is a man properly bred for the position in contrast to the immature upstart of Verse 16.
Chapter eleven continues with exhortation. Throughout the Sermon, the life of faith has been not merely described but commended. The life of indifference and unbelief has been placed on the scales against Faith and been found wanting. Now the Preacher calls for a verdict. The thrust of these verses is the Preacher’s concern not merely with details, but with life as a whole. The whole section highlights the nature of commitment to Israelite theism. He uses homely images in emphasizing the urgency of his message, and we must not miss his point. The whole section calls with great urgency for faith in the Preacher’s God, the God of Israel Now he is reaching a conclusion. Earlier he thought that life was made up of mere chance; now he is speaking of purpose. What a man sows he reaps (Gal. 6: 6-7). He is confessing that there must be a Divine ordering somewhere, for so much is beyond man’s thinking of control, and yet it is controlled. When he began to recognize a Supreme Controller of the affairs of life, then the gloom began to disappear, and the tragedies began to lessen, so that in Verse 7 he is testifying, “Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.”
The chapter concludes by noting that in the light of all that has been considered, enjoy life here, but remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many; death comes at the end. It is evident that Koheleth has also accepted a life beyond the grave, for he says again to enjoy life, but know that for all these things God will bring us into a place of judgment.
(1) 11:1: “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you shall find it after many days. (Prov. 11:24-25; 21:13; 22:9; 38:27; Psa. 4:1-2; Lk. 6:38; 11 Cor. 9:6-11)
11:2: “Give a portion to seven and also to eight; for you know not what evil shall be upon the earth.” You will sow much seed to many. (Isa. 32:20)
11:3: “If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth”. You will empty yourself in a time of rain; you will sow while you are alive. Clouds are full of water, which is life.
11:4: “He that observes the wind shall not sow, and he that regards the clouds shall not reap.” The plowing must be done when the early rains have come, even in the face of a storm or tempest; otherwise there will be no reaping after the latter rains.
11:5: “As you know not what the way of the Spirit is, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so you know not the works of God who makes all.” You will understand that our ways are not His ways. (Is. 55: 8-13)
11:6 – “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand; for you know not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or which they both shall be alike good.” In the evening of the age, there will be plenty of water, and God will give the increase. (! Cor. 3:6) in the morning sow your seed and in the evening withhold not your; for you do not know what shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be good.
(7) 11:7: “truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: You will behold the Pattern for giving. His name is Jesus; He is the Sun, the Light (Jn. 8:12). You will cast your bread as long as you see the Sun (as you live and move in Him).
(Vs.9) “rejoice, O young man, in your youth; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; Make the most of the days of your youth…God will call you to account.” NEB In Chapter 12, “an old and foolish king” (4:13) looks into the mirror and describes himself. “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth…”
Seeing that every thing under the sun is vanity---the decision is to get one’s eyes off those things which are under the sun and focus them on to the Creator who is above the sun! Mankind needs to look not merely to his well-being, but to his Maker. Expediency and obligation combine. Increasing frailty is portrayed in a series of pictures. Old age is pictured here. Death and decay bring the Preacher back to his opening words in verse 8. Having proved his case he ends his work.
The final section, 12: 9-14 gives a brief biographical note on the Preacher: “And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end: and much study is a weariness of the flesh.”
(Vs. 13) – We have reached the end of the matter. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Fear God – hold Him in awe—and obey him. Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. In closing, he pinpoints the one thing on which man’s life turns: his attitude toward God. There is a Judgment, when good and evil will be sorted out. Man must live in the light of it. The fear of the Lord is where true Wisdom---real life---begins.
Taught by: Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Scripture from K.J.V. and bibliography from Principles of Present Truth on Ecclesiastes by: Kelly Varner