The Devotional - A Look at the Book #598

The Devotional - A Look at the Book #598

by Jesse Abel

What Papa “J” has to say! #19

Very few hear or heed the Living Word of God these days. A landfill is a place for waste and today we are okay; but the day is coming when this Sodom and Gomorrah like nation; will not be tolerated by our LORD. Matthew 11:20-24

The Devotional

Once while on Shore Patrol duty we were dispatched to a Navy housing unit directly across the way from my families unit. Living in the unit was a young family whose father was in the Marine Corp. His son of eight years of age was being disciplined for some reason. The father placed his son in a tub of very hot water to apply his discipline. The screaming of the child could be heard as we approach the housing unit and I saw my wife at the time standing outside holding two of his other children. On entering the house we were threatened; my neighbor and friend was now very much like an enemy. He sought to avoid eye contact and also tried to stand in our way; but with our night sticks we were able to control him (training does work). His wife handed me some towels and I lifted the boy from the water, more screams since the cool air and his pinkish skin were not compatible. After wrapping the boy in dampened towels he did calm down somewhat and we manage to get the boy to the waiting ambulance; first degree full body burns can be deadly, the boy survived. The marine did go to the brig but stayed in the service with ongoing psychotherapy. Parents are not perfect; and this is an oppressive evil under the sun. Ecclesiastes 4:1-4

ECCLESIASTES 4

Ecclesiastes 4:1 – Here is what I think about this man Solomon! He makes a statement that almost goes unnoticed; he says: “When I returned” returned from where Solomon? We know that the king spent years in vanity, searching for the meaning and purpose for life. His return is to God.

The first two chapters deal with his involvement in the world and flesh and his wisdom stayed with him. Ecclesiastes 2:9 and I believe he summarizes the effects of his investigation in chapter three. Now after his return to God, he spends the remainder of his life to explain in detail; a life without the comfort of knowing God.

Notice as he continues by considering all of the oppression that mankind faces under the sun. Oppression makes people mourn and there is no one to comfort. Oppression is a crushing power, yet oppression itself cannot be comforted so the cycle is never broken. Solomon has some very important things to say to each of us and we need to heed his warnings.