Hi Ray and fellow Students,

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Last Thursday you, Ray, asked the Group whether or not it believed King Solomon (The Preacher) will make it to Heaven or not.? I was one of those who believe he did not repent, nor did he find peace, nor find God (or The Lord) and died a bitter, albeit very knowledgeable and rich man.? My reasons:

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I didn’t hear anything said that the Preacher gave thanks to God, or thanks to anyone for that matter.? Nor did I hear that he received joy in giving – his only happiness was through “living the high life”.? In fact, in giving Advice to Young People starting in Chapter 11 at verse 9:? Enjoy your youth.? Be happy while you are still young.? Do what you want to do, and follow your heart’s desire. But remember that God is going to judge you for whatever you do.? ...... you aren’t going to be young very long.? So “remember” your Creator while you are still young, before those dismal days and years come when you will say “I don’t enjoy life”.

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He then proceeds to go on and on about the dismal reality of Old Age quoting that “..... and all desire will have gone”.? Not a word here about being glad in the Lord, or finding joy in loving God.? ALL the way through Ecclesiastes His God is portrayed as a God of judgement, righteous, keen to give us our “just deserts” so as to speak.? Nothing about He is preparing a Place for us, etc. etc. after mortal death – no hope promised here.

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He repeatedly advises to continue to eat, drink and enjoy yourselves, i.e. MATERIAL, bodily happiness.? Even to the extent in Chapter 11 to Invest your money wisely.? Although God made everything, it is not given to us to know Him nor how He works or even whether or not He helps us, especially when the Preacher says – you never know whether or it it will grow well etc. – intimating it is all a matter of chance.? No matter how long you live, remember that you will be dead much longer – there is nothing AT ALL to look forward to ever.

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In Chapter 9 verse 7:? Go ahead – eat your food and be happy;? drink your wine and be cheerful.? It’s alright with God. Enjoy life with the woman you love, as long as you live the useless life that God has given you in this world.? Enjoy every useless day of it!!?? Nothing here about God also giving us another richer SPIRITUAL LIFE.

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What!! Have I misread it.? No, I don’t think so.? The Preacher is intimating that there is NO life after death, except that God is going to judge us – see his final words in verse 13: there is only one thing to say: have reverence for God and obey His commands, because this is ALL THAT MAN WAS CREATED for.

Finally, verse 14:? God is going to judge everything we do, whether good or bad, even things done in secret.

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I believe that Solomon didn’t search for God in a personal way, even at the end.? What he felt was regret and sorrow that all his good times of dining, wining, excesses, doing as he pleased, indulging himself, etc. and so on, were going to end, and he didn’t want that AT ALL.? He wanted it to continue forever, but without his aging body which I believe he resented.? The whole tone of Ecclesiastes is one of despair, not regret, but despair that the life he lived on earth was going to end and that was THE END – nothing more for mankind.?

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Not a mention that God is a God of love and a rewarder of those who do give Him reverence and obey His commands – but didn’t say? “love and honour Him, Praise Him” – didn’t see those words anywhere!

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All of Solomon’s wealth, wisdom and physical attraction didn’t help him at the End – he believed he returned to dust!??

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Over to the rest of you for your comments -

I hope I can be convinced that I am wrong – but I don’t think so – and I’ll need some convincing on this one!

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Sincerely to you All,

Merlene

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