Daily Update #264

Ecclesiastes 7:1-6
Fill your glasses pleaseToday the ‘teacher’ turns his attention to wisdom, but it is a stark contrast to the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs.

Wisdom7 A good name is better than fine perfume,
    and the day of death better than the day of birth.
² It is better to go to a house of mourning
    than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of everyone;
    the living should take this to heart.
³ Frustration is better than laughter,
    because a sad face is good for the heart.
⁴ The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
    but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
⁵ It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person
    than to listen to the song of fools.
⁶ Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,
    so is the laughter of fools.
    This too is meaningless.
 
Both Ecclesiastes and large portions of the book of Proverbs are attributed to Wise King Solomon. Is this the same author?
A careful examination of our passage today would suggest that the verses are truthful, and I found similar verses in Proverbs. So, what is the difference between these two books of wisdom?
We talk of a glass being half empty or half full. The truth is the same, but the perspective is very different.
Maybe you have expended half the glass, or just asked for half measures! However, Jesus promises life, in all its fulness. My mind was blown once when it was visually explained to me Jesus’ words in Luke 6:37b-38.

“Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

In the times of Jesus, grain was sold by volume not by weight. So, the grain was poured into a measuring basket and they would shake it then press it down, making a hollow ensuring it was packed tight. Then they would pour more grain into the indentation just made, until a cone of grain was on top, with the wheat falling around the sides. Jesus wants us to know how great is God’s generosity! I don’t interpret this as any prosperity agenda, but a spiritual lesson; Jesus promises us blessings following our generous giving and acts of forgiveness.
So the truth you are facing today provides you with two ways of viewing it. Maybe there are ways to use your circumstances to be generous or forgiving- physically, emotionally or spiritually. So, the message today is to ask Jesus to top you up to the full measure so you might overflow and bless others. I pray that you may be a ‘glass full person’ today! Amen.

Prayer
Dear Lord,
We often view our circumstances from the wrong side. Open our eyes to see what is before us, illuminated by the light of your truth. We call on your many promises to never forsake us. Allow and equip us to be lavish in our love for you and those we meet each day.
Amen