Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 2:18-20
18 Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me.
19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity.
20 Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.
NASU


Thoughts:

I find these verses ironic as Rehoboam -- Solomon's son and heir to the throne -- was indeed a fool!  Because of his folly, Solomon's kingdom was divided (1 Kings 12) and his wealth plundered by the Egyptians (1 Kings 14:25-26).  I cannot help but ascribe Rehoboam's failings in part to Solomon.  Had he only had 1 wife as God commanded, and poured into his children a knowledge of God perhaps his sad question in verse 19 could have been answered for the better.  But instead he had hundreds of wives and rather than imparting a knowledge of God to his children, he himself ended up in idolatry before the end of his life (1 Kings 11).

I do not think the future is as uncertain as Solomon would have us believe.  Though it is true that no one can predict the course a child's life will take with complete accuracy, we are charged to help steer the next generation in the right direction.  Whether it be our own children or those younger in the faith, we who have grown are to help them find the right way.  I'm so grateful to those in my life who took this charge seriously, reaching out to me when I had little interest in them or God.


Prayer:

Help me to make a difference in the next generation of Christians.  May I live as an example and inspiration before them.  I am not perfect, but may they see in me a real relationship with You that they will desire, themselves.  And give me wisdom anytime I might open my mouth to offer them counsel.

Amen