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Daily Devotions

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 
Day 
Day 127

"Let your garments always be white"

Text: Ecclesiastes 9:8

A GOOD CLEAN LIFE

There were so many things that Solomon had observed and studied. He noted the activities of the wicked and also the righteous. He studied the difference between the wise and the foolish. He came up with a number of admonitions to his readers.

“Let your garments always be white,
And let your head lack no oil.”
Ecclesiastes 9:8

1. “Let your garments always be white”

a) “Garments”

i) It can be understood literally.

ii) It can also be understood symbolically.

b) Obviously, Solomon was not discussing the preferred colour of garments.

c) Garments represented a number of things:

i) It would provide protection.

ii) It would also enhance the dignity of the individual.

d) The reference to “white”.

i) It represents what is “good and right”.

ii) It is not soiled by wickedness and sin.

e) The challenge is to live a life that is marked by righteousness
(Psalm 12, 15, 112 etc.).

i) This person may ascend the hill of God and dwell there

ii) He will be such a blessing to many

iii) He will be wonderfully blessed by the Lord

2. “And let your head lack no oil”

a) Oil was used extensively:

i) To fuel lamps.

ii) For cooking purposes.

b) It was also used for personal grooming.

i) There is nothing wrong with giving time and attention to personal things.

ii) There is no need to have matted hair.

iii) A well-groomed person would feel lots better about himself.

iv) Life need not get the person to feel down in the dumps.

c) Solomon’s admonition include advice concerning personal grooming!

d) Oil was also associated with joy.

i) It is called “oil of joy” (Isaiah 61:3c).

ii) In times of mourning, the mourner was not supposed to use oil for grooming.

iii) “Oil” was used to represent and reflect joy.