Verse of the Day 9/22
Ecclesiastes 12:11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. English Standard Version (ESV)
In considering Psalm 23 yesterday and "the Lord is my Shepherd" brought me back to a study in Ecclesiastes that our men's group recently completed. In Ecclesiastes 12, Solomon, known to be the wisest person on the earth at the time, towards the end of his life and at the conclusion of the book gives us sage advice and to heed the words of the "one" Shepherd.
When we read of the goads, prods to motivate reluctant animals or nails used to secure the gates and the pens holding the sheep, protecting them from wandering into dangerous territory, we have a picture of how God's wisdom, through His word motivates us and protects us and that true wisdom only comes from one source, God.
Solomon was wise, he was rich and obviously at times in his life he had allowed his own advice for himself to lead him down the wrong path. But in his wisdom he came back to God, herd the Shepherd's voice and we would be wise today to pay attention to his "conclusion of the matter", what it all boils down to.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Read the short passage from the Amplified Bible today. Whether a goad to prod you along or nails to protect you from wandering may you draw wisdom from His Word. May God's Word, the collected sayings of the Bible be firmly fixed in our minds, like well driven nails to protect us, to guide us and to challenge us this day and every day,
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Ecclesiastes 12:11-14Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 The words of the wise are like [prodding] goads, and these collected sayings are [firmly fixed in the mind] like well-driven nails; [a]they are given by one Shepherd. 12 But beyond this my son, [about going further than the words given by one Shepherd], be warned: the writing of many books is endless [so do not believe everything you read], and excessive study and devotion to books is wearying to the body.
13 When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, every hidden and secret thing, whether it is good or evil.
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