Submission is a dirty word in our culture today, but that is largely because it is misunderstood. Biblical submission is not blind or passive. It is wise, intentional, and measured. It values relationships over resistance, persuasion over pressure, and influence over control. It avoids both extremes of blind submission and reckless rebellion without being manipulative. That is what Solomon is describing in this chapter.

This chapter reads a little more like Proverbs than the previous ones. So, even though there is some logic to its structure, Solomon hits many different topics for us to examine – life and death, pain and pleasure, feeling and avoiding, listening and ignoring, patience and impulsivity, humility and pride, past and present, wisdom and wealth, protection and preservation, control and trust, righteousness and wickedness, humanity and holiness.

Solomon continues his search for meaning by examining worship, power, and wealth, showing that both careless worship and unchecked greed ultimately leave the soul dissatisfied.

Solomon continues his reflections about life, but shifts his focus from time and eternity to relationships. As he examined all types of societal and relational situations, he concluded that life is best when it is shared with others. In the good times and the bad, we need each other. But he also recognized that even the strongest and best relationships can be fragile and incomplete. No one can fill all of our needs all of the time.

God is the only One who can provide perfect stability, help, support, strength, peace, and rest. We should look to Him as our ultimate Comforter, Partner, Companion, and Protector, because only in Him will we find true meaning and purpose.

He puts the desire for understanding in our hearts, yet keeps full comprehension just out of reach so that we will continue searching. Since this world ultimately cannot satisfy, we must look up. Because we are limited, we must rely on the One who is infinite. He has placed a longing for the eternal within each one of us, knowing that it will not be fulfilled here on earth.

God created everything with order and purpose. Life has its appointed seasons so that no one thing, whether good or bad, lasts forever. Seasons that we may find troubling or even wrong have their purpose in God, so we just need to trust Him knowing that nothing lasts forever and ask Him to give us discernment to know the proper time for things.

Where do we find purpose and meaning? Do you find meaning in your job, or by gaining knowledge and wisdom. Do you see value in money and possessions or maybe in entertainment and pleasurable experiences?

Solomon was the wisest man on earth and he ultimately concluded that all these things were meaningless. Not because he didn’t find satisfaction in a job well done, enjoy fun experiences, or see the benefit of wisdom, but because they all have their limits. He couldn’t take any of his possessions with him when he died. The more knowledge he gained, the more evil he was aware of, which only brought him heartache. There was no way to be happy all the time so if that the purpose of life, it was a disappointment.

In the end, the only thing that matters is the things that will last forever, which are the things of God. If we live for Him on this earth, then He will give us abundant and eternal life.

At the height of his reign, Solomon enjoyed wisdom, wealth, peace, and God’s favor. But a quiet shift was taking place that eventually led him to worship other gods. In this lesson, we will look at the the choices that pulled Solomon away from God so we don't make the same mistakes. You may think you could never turn away from God, but I'm sure Solomon thought the same thing.

Everything we possess—wisdom, opportunity, influence, and understanding—comes from God. We can bring our hardest questions and deepest confusions to God, because He knows and understands everything.

God gave Solomon wisdom and wealth and used it to reveal His character to the nations. He wants to do the same with us today. When we draw near to Him, adopt His ways, and let His wisdom shape our decisions, we reflect Him to the world. Let Him shine through you today.

God promised Solomon that He would watch over Israel and hear the prayers offered towards His Temple. If they continued to follow Him, He would bless and keep them. If they turned away from Him, He would punish them. But if they repented and sought Him, He would forgive and restore.

It is the same for us today. God still watches over His people and hears their prayers. He knows our hearts and deals with us according to our ways and our intentions. When we call on Him and seek Him wholeheartedly, He hears and answers our prayers in His goodness.