OceanSide church of Christ
Previous | Return to Ecclesiastes | Next |
Ecclesiastes 11:10 – Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
Thought: The warning about judgment in the previous verse should influence a young person’s behavior. He should cease from activities that bring sorrow to the heart. He should put away practices that please the lusts of the flesh. So many things that interest young people are vanity. So many of the behaviors in which they engage are empty and useless. The earlier this lesson is learned; the more valuable one’s life will be both in youth and in old age.
I Peter 2:11
Commentary:
A. The word “therefore” bases the exhortation of this verse on the words that were just spoken.
B. Since, God will bring the young person and all that he has done in his youth into judgment, he should:
1. Remove sorrow from his heart. Some of the actions in which youth involve
themselves bring sorrow to their lives.
a. Drunkenness and drug addiction
b. Time that is wasted that can never be recovered.
c. Missed opportunities that will never be available again.
d. Injuries to the body that will always bring limitations.
2. Youth should put away evil from their flesh.
a. The flesh longs to be pleased.
b. These pleasures do not aid the individual. They often harm him/her. (Ex., sexual
pleasure brings disease, out of wedlock pregnancies, abortions, etc.)
C. Because of the manner in which so many youth waste their lives, Solomon declares that “childhood and youth are vanity.”
CHAPTER 12
Ecclesiastes 12:1 – Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.
Thought: Doing things early in life can be a tremendous blessing. Learning, memorizing Scripture, building a business, and saving money are some examples that could be expounded upon. Solomon gives the most important thing to do when young. “Remember now thy Creator.” As we grow older, it is more difficult to do things. Our bodies and our physical health will not allow us to do many things. In youth a person is strong, flexible, pliable, and has great stamina. All of these things are needed in God’s service. A young person can be a major contributor to the kingdom of God.
Acts 16:1-3
Commentary:
A. At the conclusion of chapter 11, Solomon counseled youth to remove sorrow and evil from their lives.
B. He now exhorts them to “remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.”
1. LESSON: When God removes something from our lives, He always replaces it with something positive.
2. Two examples:
a. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul warns against the works of the flesh. He then reminds us of
the fruit of the Spirit that should be developed within us (Gal. 5:22-23).
b. Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
C. There are many benefits to serving God while a person is young.
1. If a person begins to serve God in his youth, he has more days of service in God’s
cause.
2. If a person begins to serve God in his youth, he has less days of service to the
devil.
3. If a person begins to serve God in his youth, he has energy and vitality to get much done.
4. If a person begins to serve God in his youth, he can bring forth much more fruit to God.
5. If a person begins to serve God in his youth, he can influence more individuals for good.
D. If a person waits to serve God, the evil days come, and the years draw nigh in which he says: “I have no pleasure in them.”
1. These are the “days of darkness” Solomon described in Ecclesiastes 11:8.
2. Older individuals are limited in what they can do.
3. Older individuals are not able to accomplish the amount of things youth can.
4. Older individuals will engage in activities, but there is less pleasure because of the difficulties that come with being elderly.