Strong drink brings no pleasure at all. Let us be filled only and always with the Spirit of God! Part Four In Ecclesiastes we find Solomon’s review of the experiences and obser vations he had during those days when he was not walking with the Lord. These meditations are not thoughts of God. These are just man s views. God permitted this book in the Bible that we might see how an unbelieving man thinks and reacts. An easy way to remember this book is to consider a brief outline. First, there are the things done under the sun by unbelieving man. Second, we find what he feels is good for him to do under the sun. The final result is what man comes to believe apart from God’s revelation. Solomon is wondering what will happen after this life. He realizes that everything is only vanity. One of the most tragic things in life is boredom. There are those with great wealth and exciting opportunities, who are miserable within themselves. Solomon found that same condition apart from the Lord. He studied na ture, trying to understand the world. This came to naught. Man can study the laws of nature but he cannot change them. The conclusion is that “the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing” (1:8). Men still continue to live as Solo mon did: self-centered, covetous, proud, blasphemers, lovers of pleas ures more than lovers of the Lord. The very best Solomon can say is that it is all vanity.
How few there are today who are ready to accept God’s Word against that of all men, or even against that of a few men, especially if these few men are supposed to represent the latest scholarship. When the day comes when God judges not merely man's outward acts but his secret throughts and imaginations and desires, who will stand? human heart can there be lasting satisfaction, peace, and joy. The world has none of these commodities to offer. Next( Solomon gives himself to strong drink (2 :3 ). It is sad to see so many people following this same trail. Even the strongest of men have been cast down through alcohol. Dr. Harry Ironside pointed out, “The merry heart, that comes from the flowing bowl of hard drink, will soon prove the bitterness of the serpent’s sting, and an adder’s bite.” Strong drink is something to be shunned. Solomon, in his quest for human pleasure, learned this much at least. I am in agreement with the fact that we should speak against the evils of tobacco and narcotics. It is time, however, that we declare force fully the evils of liquor. From a mon etary point of view think what it costs the tax-payer every year to re habilitate alcoholics, and all the rest. Why are attacks not being made against liquor manufacturers? What would you think of a people who knew that a location was the center from which a certain disease was originating? Would they allow it to continue? If they had any sense, they would wipe out the source of trouble. I am for closing out liquor establishments which cause so much grief. This is one of the greatest bights on the American scene today.
The Bible meets and satisfies the deep est needs of man in every generation.
Direct inquiries for Torrey Conference to: Public Relations, Biola College, 13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, California 90638.
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