Solomon wrote about a time to be born and a time to die. I think everyone knew that, but still, it was a profound thing to say.

The Equity of Life

We have all had our first day, and we will all have our last. We had no inclusion as to the day we were born and most will have no input as to the day we will die. 

Some Differences

There are differences between the young and the old:

1. At birth, everyone says, “What a beautiful baby.”
2. At death, everyone says, “What a beautiful life.”
3. At birth, we are gorgeous but have no personality.
4. At death, the rose has faded, but we are packed with personality.
5. Moms put enormously huge bows on baby’s heads.
6. We sport wigs, toupees, and come overs when we are older.
7. The young believe themselves immortal.
8. The old often long to pass from this life.
9. Girls dream of a wedding and a husband.
10. Widows dream about the man they married.
11. The young believe they will soon be rich.
12. The elderly have wealth but struggle with who gets it.
13. Young people can’t get out of bed in the morning.
14. Old people wake up at 4:30.
15. The young wake up and their bodies are fine.
16. The old wake up and if something doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t work.

What Time Is It?

Solomon was right. There is a time for everything.

What time is it for you? What’s next? What’s to come? Are there things to do, people to see, life to be lived, or tears to be shed?

Everyone experiences grief, sadness, tragedy, and disappointment. Some have more and some have less, but it comes to us all, sooner or later.

Everyone has some victory, success, some happiness and joy. Some have more and some have less, but it comes to us all, sooner or later.

Someone said, “The difference between the young and the old is that it takes courage to be old.”

I didn’t understand that twenty years ago, but I’m catching up to it.

Solomon’s Final Words

Solomon finished his book of life epiphanies with this conclusion, from the New Living Translation:

“That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everybody’s duty.”

And Finally

Young or old, Solomon has a good point.

Shalom