The Fragility of Life 

Bible Study Lesson from Ecclesiastes 12:2-8

and the moon and the stars grow dark,

and the clouds return after the rain;

3 when the keepers of the house tremble,

and the strong men stoop,

when the grinders cease because they are few,

and those looking through the windows grow dim;

4 when the doors to the street are closed

and the sound of grinding fades;

when men rise up at the sound of birds,

but all their songs grow faint;

5 when men are afraid of heights

and of dangers in the streets;

when the almond tree blossoms

and the grasshopper drags himself along

and desire no longer is stirred.

Then man goes to his eternal home

and mourners go about the streets.

6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,

or the golden bowl is broken;

before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,

or the wheel broken at the well,

7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,

and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

8 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher.

"Everything is meaningless!"

Fragility of Life

This life of ours is a very fragile thing. It could leave us after we become old and gray or it could leave us in the next few minutes. I believe that we all remain in a state of denial when it comes to death and the fragility of life. Time is fleeting and so we have to make the very best use of it.

What is the best use of our time?

One place to start is to learn more, work more for God and a little less for ourselves. The riches we accumulate in this world are, as Solomon says, "meaningless". The work we do to further God's kingdom is fruitful and will give us joy not only in this life, but for eternity. Not a bad trade, huh?

Love in Christ

- Bob

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Ecclesiastes 10:19 - Money is Not the Answer