Authors

Observations About Life

September 1, 2023

A Time for Every Purpose “For every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose [or matter] under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1. Scriptures from RVIC unless otherwise noted). — Keith Belheumer King Solomon was one of the most celebrated kings in Jewish history. Being one of David’s sons (2 Samuel 5:14), he was called Jedidiah by Jehovah through the prophet Nathan. The name means “beloved of Jehovah.” However, his mother Bath-sheba named him Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24-25). Solomon reigned for […]

Reflections of the Preacher

September 1, 2023

A Recurring Theme “A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). — Noah Amoo The Book of Ecclesiastes is a book of reflections. While it is agreed that the writer was Solomon, the author calls himself “The Preacher.” His reflections on life consider his personal circumstances given the wisdom with which God blessed him. He asks many questions about various situations in life and concludes that life, whether poor or […]

Wise Counsel

September 1, 2023

Relationships Above Things “Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 4:7, texts from ASV). — Ken Allison The phrase “under the sun,” occurs only in the book of Ecclesiastes, some 29 times. Solomon uses it to describe an earthly life, notably without direction from or respect for, Jehovah. He saw and experienced self‑indulgence, which left him frustrated and unsatisfied. He eventually saw that appreciating the beauty of God’s creation and feeling His presence gave the only true satisfaction. The […]

The Need for Wisdom

September 1, 2023

A Precious Commodity “I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me” (Ecclesiastes 7:23). — David Rice The value of wisdom is expressed also in Proverbs, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). Although Solomon was gifted by God with wisdom, he recognized that this quality could otherwise be challenging to obtain. Wisdom requires experience. As the years pass by, and we reflect on experience in the past, we […]

Life, in Retrospect

September 1, 2023

Lessons of Life “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). — Joe Megacz In Ecclesiastes chapters ten, eleven, and twelve, Solomon looks back on his life and what lessons the years have taught him. Beginning in chapter ten, Solomon presents his observations, from personal experience, on growing old. Having already declared numerous times that all material gain is vanity, Solomon recognizes that, on the other hand, a person’s reputation for wisdom and honor is a lasting and […]