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Daily Devotions

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 
Day 
Day 173

"Be admonished"

Text: Ecclesiastes 12:12

ADMONISHMENT TO BE RECEIVED

Some of the teachings of Solomon were quite hard to understand. Some others were strong and compelling. The challenge was to learn how to receive the words of wisdom well.

“And further, my son, be admonished by these.
Of making many books there is no end,
and much study is wearisome to the flesh.”
Ecclesiastes 12:12

1. “And further, my son”
a) “My son”

i) Taken literally, this could be a father-son relationship.

ii) But in the careful reading of Ecclesiastes this does not appear to be the case.

b) A typical idiomatic expression

i) A teacher’s address of his pupils.

ii) A teacher-writer to his readers.

iii) This is more likely the intended meaning of this phrase.

2. “Be admonished by these”

a) Solomon was aware that some of his teachings were difficult to accept.

b) The word “admonish” has the following nuances:

i) To warn

ii) To reprimand

iii) To rebuke

c) It is wise to receive the teachings of wisdom correctly:

i) In humility

ii) With appreciation

iii) With a desire to respond appropriately

3. “Of making many books there is no end”

a) Solomon did not think that he had the last word.

b) Many more books could be written on the same subjects he had written.

c) In fact, there is no end to the writing of books.

4. “And much study is wearisome to the flesh”

a) This might well reflect what Solomon felt.

b) He had to study much before he could commence writing.

c) And “much study” is indeed “wearisome to the flesh”.

i) One gets physically worn out.

ii) Sometimes one feels jaded.

d) The challenge is to cultivate:

i) A strong desire to pursue knowledge.

ii) A commitment to seek after wisdom.

May the Lord grant much grace to comprehend His word and to apply it consistently in life!