Pastor Duane’s Reflection on Ecclesiastes 3-4; Proverbs 7-12

Ecclesiastes 1-2 and Proverbs 1-6 offer profound insights into the pursuit of wisdom, the nature of human existence, and the quest for meaning and fulfillment.

My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger— if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said— follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy.

My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.

I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless.

These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem. “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

In todays world, the truth is like the wind, constantly changing - here one moment and gone the next.