To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.
Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 NLT
posted by Keith at 9:54 AM
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 NLT
About Me
- Name: Keith
- Location: Gilbert, Arizona, United States
I am married with two daughters. Follower of Christ. I like to serve and encourage others. This blog is just a journal for me where I post things of interest that may or may not be of interest to others.
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6 Comments:
Hey Keith,
I'm not sure about the "lot in life" part. That's kind of like "your reward will be in heaven."
Seems to me that getting ahead, if done ethically isn't a bad thing.
Dave,
Ain't nothing wrong at all with getting ahead. I really don't think that is what this verse is saying. I guess it's all in how you interpret it.
I look at it this way. I struggled with drug and alcohol abuse for many years. I could beat myself over the head and whine and complain about how I wasted more than half my life...OR...I can just accept the fact that I can't drink like a normal person and move on. I also think that I can help people (counsel is a better word) because I can relate to struggles with addiction.
I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't like to have an ice cold Sam Adams right now. But I choose not too, because of my "lot". :)
Be well my friend.
As an after the fact acceptance of the results of what you did, "don't beat your self up, you're different now," I can accept it.
Maybe it's the way it's phrased. I have a feeling though that that isn't the context in which it was written. I'll go read it and let you know if I have anything to add.
This comment has been removed by the author.
First, the deletion of the second post (I didn't know a commenter could do that) was by me - somehow, my ineptitude, it was a duplicate.
Second and to the point. We have a problem in translation. Here's the King James:
17: All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
18: Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
19: Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
20: For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
Here's the Revised Standard Version:
15: As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil, which he may carry away in his hand.
16: This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go; and what gain has he that he toiled for the wind,
17: and spent all his days in darkness and grief, in much vexation and sickness and resentment?
18: Behold, what I have seen to be good and to be fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life which God has given him, for this is his lot.
19: Every man also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and find enjoyment in his toil -- this is the gift of God.
20: For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
I couldn't find your translation; but, both of these, in context, make more sense. Life might be great in wealth - enjoy it. Life might be barren - take what you can from it. When it's over, you won't think much about it in heaven.
Very good interpretation Dave. The NLT is the New Living Translation. I also like The Message which is a translation that is written in todays language. Check it out sometime. A lot of very conservative denominations don't like The Message. But then again, they don't like anything that is different from what they believe or use.
Thanks for your comments and I appreciate your thoughts.
That Steven Jones blog is pretty freaking hilarious man! I loved the photo you had up on your blog.
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