Posted on 03/27/2016 3:39:57 PM PDT by Old Yeller
Solomon came to a point in his life where he had all the wealth he could possibly want and anything he imagined he could have, yet he was empty. As he reflected on life he saw the cycles and the contrasts. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
When we are young we assume we have many years of life ahead of us. Most people work toward goals...a bigger house, fancier cars, more gadgets. We earn money and then spend it foolishly on things of this world. We have hopes and dreams for what we want to accomplish in life and, like Solomon, we learn that all the money in the world cannot satisfy us. Sometimes our dreams change or have to be put on hold, and that can be discouraging. There are seasons in life and if we don't change with those seasons we become frustrated and angry. God's purpose for our life may be different than what we have in mind and if we live opposed to God we will never be satisfied. “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). The Hebrew word hebel is translated “vanity” and means vapor or breath. Our time on earth is short and all of the pursuits of our life will one day be as vapor. “A time to be born, and a time to die...” (Ecclesiastes 3:2a). A newborn child is a wonderful and miraculous thing to behold. There is so much hope and joy wrapped up in that little bundle of flesh. Babies are a clean slate with none of the mistakes that plague us as we grow and make choices. They may not have had time to tell lies or blame someone else for their actions, but these precious little humans are born with a sin nature. Before long they learn the word, “No” and the terrible twos have begun. Rebellion against parents becomes a part of everyday life, but rebellion against God is much more serious. This first birth is natural and the child has no choice. It’s the second birth that happens by choice. More on that subject later. Adam was a direct creation of God. He wasn’t born in the same way his children, and every generation since, have been born. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27).
God created Adam but did not make a robot. Adam had free will and was able to choose to obey God or not. God specifically told Adam not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but because Eve believed Satan's lies and ate the fruit, Adam chose to also eat it. And so death became a reality. Because of Adam's sin we all are under the curse of sin and death.
One of the more interesting tales about Solomon. About 1280 BC, during the Exodus, the Hebrews were instructed to kill the witches, most of whom lived in a cave-town in a large crevasse. By the time of Saul, 250 years later, most of them had been wiped out.
However, these witches controlled spirits or demons that the Muslims call the djinn, and once their masters were killed, the djinn roamed free, making mischief. Annoying during the time of David, they were so pestiferous that Solomon wanted to suppress them as well.
Being granted the gift of supreme wisdom, as well as a ring that could control all demons or djinn, Solomon decided to imprison them in lead flasks, each of which would be sealed with that ring to prevent their escape.
Having done so, he then tossed the flasks into the sea, and the djinn were gone for good.
Ashes to ashes ,dust to dust,
the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
Death is grace given to us by God. It is a time for us to rest in His peace if we are believers. We just find it difficult to understand.
PS-As far as "free will" goes I have yet to find anyone who freely keeps God's commands.
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