Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 5 ERV, Ch. 6 CEV

Podcast Introduction

LeeAnn and I got back from Alaska at about 10 o’clock last night after about 36 hours of travel. And in case you can’t tell from my voice, I have a raging cold. Last week we were on a bus with a bunch of people going to a site in Alaska, and sitting about two or three rows in front of us was a guy that had a terrible cough, and he generously wanted to share with everyone around him. I didn’t see him cover his mouth once. So I came down with the first symptoms about 4 days ago, and LeeAnn the day after that. Sore throat, body aches, cough, headache. You get the idea. All that to say that it’s good to be back with you, but I’m going to put off telling you about our vacation until I’m somewhat recovered. As a matter of fact, today I’m going to replay last year’s Eccl 5-6 episode today. I hope that’s ok with you.

S13E313ArtJLP1400-sisters reading book — Design: Jason Paschall | Photo: Ben White on Unsplash

Comments on Ecclesiastes 5-6

Solomon begins chapter 5 with good advice. When coming to the house of God, it’s better to listen than to run your head (as my dad would say). Actually, that’s good advice in most situations, don’t you think? You can’t learn much when you’re talking. But when coming before the Lord, listening will always be more beneficial than speaking.

And then Solomon went on to say that money will never buy happiness. In fact, the more money you have, the more worries you have, according to Solomon. He said, the best thing is to eat, drink and enjoy the work you have.

At this point, Solomon, in all his wisdom, is forgetting something very important. He’s looking at life from a very limited viewpoint. He’s looking at life almost as one who has no relationship with God. When you leave God out of the equation, it’s very easy to have a fatalistic view of the world. We’ll get into this in more detail when we get to chapter 8. But for now, I’ll just say that the deeper your relationship with God, the more meaning you find in life. There is a reason you’re here, if you are His. He has a purpose for your life. You matter.

One of the saddest things in scripture, in my opinion, is in chapter 6, verses 3-6. “3You may live a long time and have a hundred children. But a child born dead is better off than you, unless you enjoy life and have a decent burial. 4-5That child will never live to see the sun or to have a name, and it will go straight to the world of darkness. But it will still find more rest than you, 6even if you live two thousand years and don’t enjoy life. As you know, we all end up in the same place.”

Isn’t that pathetic? “A child born dead is better off than you, unless you enjoy life and have a decent burial.” Reminds me of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. ((((Insert clip))))

I told you as we began this book that it’s important to hang in there until the end. We’ll have three more visits to Ecclesiastes. We’re halfway through. It does get better.

But before I sign off today, let me again encourage you with the thought that in Christ, life is full of meaning. If you’re looking for meaning outside of Him, you’re looking in all the wrong places, as the song says. If you want to have eternal meaning, it is only in Jesus.

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The Team

Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Denise: Transcript Correction
Michael Haner: Podcasting 2.0 Chapters
Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Scott Snider: Show Art
Jason Paschall: Show Art
Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney: Newsletter Publisher

Transcript

Download .txt file.

Transcript corrected by Sister Denise

Steve Webb 0:00
This is the Lifespring! One Year Bible, coming to you from Riverside, California, and podcasting since 2004, I am your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. It’s Poetry Thursday, and today’s reading is Ecclesiastes 5 and 6. LeeAnn and I got home at about 10 o’clock last night after about 36 hours of travel, long story there. And in case you can’t tell from my voice, I have a raging cold. Last week we were on a bus with a bunch of people going to a sight in Alaska and sitting about two or three rows in front of us was a guy that had a terrible cough, and he generously wanted to share with everyone around him. I didn’t see him cover his mouth even one time when he was coughing. So I came down with the first symptoms about four days ago and LeeAnn the day after that. Sore throat, body aches, cough, headache, you get the idea. All that to say that it’s good to be back with you. But I’m gonna put off telling you about our vacation and doing a complete show until I’m somewhat recovered. As a matter of fact, today, I’m just going to replay last year’s Ecclesiastes 5 and 6 episode. I hope that’s okay with you. But I did want to say that the August 1st 2 Chronicles 29 through 32 episode has been fixed. Many of you let me know that you couldn’t get the file, and I thank you for that. I wasn’t able to fix it until I got home because of the security software I’m using on the website. The good thing is that the software works. The bad news is that you had to wait for the episode till I could get… come home and get it fixed. So thank you for your patience. Now without further ado, here is last year’s Ecclesiastes 5 and 6 show.

Steve Webb 1:38
Why are you always running your head?

Steve Webb 1:47
Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring! Family Audio Bible, and podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today’s Poetry Thursday and we’re going to read Ecclesiastes 5 and 6. I’m calling today’s episode, “Your Life Has Meaning”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e309. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

Steve Webb 2:20
Ecclesiastes, chapter 5. Be very careful when you go to worship God. It is better to listen to God than to give sacrifices like fools. Fools often do bad things, and they don’t even know it. Be careful when you make promises to God. Be careful about what you say to him. Don’t let your feelings cause you to speak too soon. God is in heaven, and you are on the earth. So you need to say only a few things to him. This saying is true: Bad dreams come from too many worries, and too many words come from the mouth of a fool. If you make a promise to God, keep your promise. Don’t be slow to do what you promised. God is not happy with fools. Give God what you promised to give him. It is better to promise nothing than to promise something and not be able to do it. So don’t let your words cause you to sin. Don’t say to the priest, “I didn’t mean what I said.” If you do this, God might become angry with your words and destroy everything you have worked for. You should not let your useless dreams and bragging bring you trouble. You should respect God. ...

S2E313-Ecclesiastes 5-6: 2022 Redux