The Strand Study Bible

ECCLESIASTES ECCLESIASTES wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” He said again in Proverbs 25:15: “ By long forbearing (self- restraint) is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” Truly there is wisdom in saying less, not more (Prov 17:27-28), unless of course it deals with prayer. Then talk all you want. 10:19 Solomon is not saying here that money is the solution to all our problems, for there are some problems that money can’t solve ( Acts 3:6a ). What Solomon is saying is that money “answers” economical problems (Rev 13:16-17). Matthew Henry in Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes: 11:2 Man does not know when the evil day will arrive, but like a cloud filled with rain (vs 3a) it is sure to come, and like a fallen tree (vs 3b) it will dump its load upon those who are beneath it. Those who fear that day and stand around waiting for it to come (vs 4) will miss opportunities to give (vs 1-2) and to work (vs 6), for only God knows when that evil day will occur (vs 5). CHRIST reiterated the same truth in John 9:4 when He said, “ I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work .” You never want to miss those opportunities in life to give and to work, but you will… if you’re always worrying about that tree that’s about to fall on you. Though it is beyond our ability to determine the future, that lack of data is never to serve as a cause for worry and/or idleness. 11:7-8 THE ADAGE IS TRUE: Those who don’t learn to laugh at life now ( light is sweet -vs 7) won’t have anything to laugh at later ( All that cometh is vanity - vs 8) 11:9 Although young people “know” ( but know thou ) not to misspend their lives in self-indulgence, they do it anyway. SOLOMON’S KINGDOM 1024 Money of itself answers nothing; it will neither feed nor clothe; but, as it is the instrument of commerce, it answers all the occasions of this present life. What is to be had may be had for money. But it answers nothing to the soul; it will not procure the pardon of sin, the favor of God, the peace of conscience… 2

Euphrates River

MEDITERRIAN SEA

EGYPT

RED

SEA

1 Falwell, Jerry. Liberty Bible Commentary . Nashville, TN; Thomas Nelson Pub. 1983. Print. 2 Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary , Old Tappan, NJ, Fleming H. Revell Co., Vol. III. Print.