I love how in today’s chapters, Ecclesiastes sounds less dreary. It’s almost like we were in Proverbs. Ecc 8:12b especially stood out to me cuz Solomon starts to fully establish that the best way to avoid the meaninglessness is to turn back to God. I love that progression.

In Eccl 7:1, A good name is better than expensive perfume. We all know perfumes leaves a pleasant scent for few hours but character leaves an impression that can last for generations. This verse is a reminder to invest more in my character than my image because one day people wnt remember how I looked or what I wore but rather would remember how I treated them and whether my life is a reflection of God

In Eccl 7 I got confused a bit cos earlier Solomon had said everything was meaningless but in Chapter 7:11-12, he says wisdom is good and it preserves those who have it so I thought he was contradicting himself. But I think the more I think about it, I notice he isn’t saying wisdom has no value. Wisdom has limits and it makes us make better decisions, avoid unnecessary mistakes,and navigate life well. It’s God’s Gift to us. However Wisdom cannot stop us from experiencing pain or even death. The things we sometimes expect to save us doesn’t do that. We tell ourselves if perhaps I make all the right decisions then life would work out but sadly life doesn’t work like that. The lesson here for me is that wisdom is something we should pursue but not something we shud depend on. Wisdom can guide me but only God can sustain me. Wisdom can help me understand many things but only God can give my life its true meaning and purpose.

Interestingly after Solomon admonishing us to work with all our might, he goes ahead to burst our bubbles, he gives a clear impression in vs 11 that effort matters but you don't control everything. The reality is that the best person wins but thats not always the case and things dont always turns out that way under the sun. The sinful world has its own dynamics. He distinquishes 5 instances where the obvious is not always the case. How fast people dont always win the race. We ve had best atheletes gets disqualified for false stars, get injured or even trip during a race. The battle not for the strong, strong armies still lose. In this World Cup we have had strong teams get eliminated but weaker opponents. Bread to the wise clearlt depicts that wise people can still go broke or hungry inspite of their wisdom(Proverbs 11:4) Riches to the intelligent, making wealth goes beyond intelligence. One can be smart and still miss out on great opportunities Lastly he speaks about favout to men of ability which is very evident in our days now where appointments into certain key areas are not even done based on merit..alot of talented people get overlooked on the daily. But to all these 5 groups, Solomon says but time and chance happens to them all. The hebrew uses the word paga which means to happen, to meet, to encounter Time is the seasons we have no control especially in our today's world we have global warming, climate change which is affecting how things used to be Chance also depicts unforseen circumstances or unexpected events like we recently experienced flood. Someone as wise or skilled could lose everything to the floods and his wisdom or intelligence will mean nothing. Solomon is making us to understand that in a broken world like ours outcomes arent 100% in our hands. So he gives us two contexts to deal with in vs 10 and v11 In vs 10 he tells us to work with all our might, we take responsibility But goes on in v11 to tell us thag we can work so hard but results arent guaranteed, thats God's soverignty. Thats balance likened to Phil 2:12;13 It is very important we dont fall into the trap of fatalism by asking ourselves why even try when its all chances anyway..instead we can approach the vs with an act of faith that we work with all our might because God is working through time for our good. We are not in full control but interestingly, we know the one who is and thats God. He has already been to our tomorrow so we need to do our part by working with all our might, run the race, fight and be rest assured He will grant us victory.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 AMP [10] Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) where you are going. It is interesting to note how Solomon suddenly switched after talking about vanity in the last 8 chapters. He is admonishing us that whatever work, opportunity,job that we have we should give it our all. He demands excellency, dilligence from us. For there is no influence, impact once we are dead. If it must be done, it must be done well. Solomon is being practical, letting us know that vanity doesnt mean ome shouldnt work or one should be idle, it means we should be working for what lasts and work now than later. He teaches us proper work ethics as believers not to loathe around but work with excellence, do you see a skillful man in his work? He will stand before Kings, thats the level Solomon wants us to attain. Again the need to work now, not procastinate because there is always a time that we cant do all that. He also strikes a balance with the preceeding verse 7he tells us to eat our bread with joy. Enjoy the fruits of our labour, take a rest when you have to and work when there is work to be done. He believed in balance. Our time here on earth is limited, so we need to make good use by doing whats expected of us. Make proper use of our NOW!