Someday it will be to late. There are some interesting phrases in this passage.
grinders cease because they are few - verse 3 (teeth)
those that look through the windows grow dim; - verse 3 (eyes)
When one rises up at the sound of a bird, And all the daughters of music are brought low; verse 4. Little things bother us. Nice things aren't noticed. We are startled by a singing bird but music is hard to hear.
When the almond tree blossoms, The grasshopper is a burden, And desire fails.-- verse 5. Spring time comes but we notice the grasshopper. We should be alive full of desire, but we aren't.
We eventually die, maybe not having remembered our creator
Expressions of death - verse 6
the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well.
Psalms 61:1 Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.
5 For You, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
and again, (Paul says), "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."
God is creator there is no excuse verse 20
They were futile in their thoughts and foolish hearts were darkened - verse 21
In their wisdom, they became fools. Actually it says: "Professing to be wise, they became fools" verse 22
Those people served idols, Today they declare no God at all or somehow seem to think that he isn't watching or isn't active. Not that it matters, but: Who is the biggest fool?
This led to various sins including homosexuality. The expression "unloving" is translated in the King James as "without natural affection". This would include affection for children, babies, parents, brothers, sisters. Even in the animal world the young are protected.
They tell them they have a choice. Life is rationalized away, with pseudo arguments of when does life begin. Do they tell them this is why their young children are killing each other? No they blame this on lack of gun control, lack of opportunity. Yes they are poor, most in the ghettos are lacking education. So they, the vote seekers, stalk their victims, promise things they cannot deliver and preach disregard for life -- They are "without natural affection." They campaign against the death penalty for convicted murderers. More votes because too many have friends and family who have killed. It is hypocrisy at its worst. Note this quote from Tertullian.
Tertullian (AD 145-220) in his defense of Christians to Rome wrote:
But in regard to child murder, as it does not matter whether it is committed
for a sacred object, or merely at one's own self-impulse < although there is
a great difference, as we have said, between parricide and homicide < I
shall turn to the people generally. How many, think you, of those crowding
around and gaping for Christian blood, < how many even of your rulers,
notable for their justice to you and for their severe measures against us,
may I charge in their own consciences with the sin of putting their
offspring to death? As to any difference in the kind of murder, it is
certainly the more cruel way to kill by drowning, or by exposure to cold and
hunger and dogs.
A maturer age has always preferred death by the sword. In our case,
murder being once for all forbidden, we may not destroy even the fetus in
the womb, while as yet the human being derives blood from other parts of
the body for its sustenance. To hinder a birth is merely a speedier
man-killing; nor does it matter whether you take away a life that is born,
or destroy one that is coming to the birth. That is a man which is going to
be one; you have the fruit already in its seed. . . .
It should be obvious, but it isn't to those who live in dumbness wrapped up in their own wisdom.
Verse 25 concludes the passage with:
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
The Gentiles were brought it because of blindness on Israel's part. These Israelites also became their enemies. In fact the Gentiles obtained mercy because of their disobedience. You will remember that the Jews were sought out first and then the Gentiles. Paul's statement in Acts is "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles."
Not only this but the Jews would receive mercy through the mercy shown to the Gentiles.
Verse 33 of Romans 11: says
"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!"
No doubt this passage has been misused to be general passage on repentance. But in truth it does include a lot of ramifications. In this passage, we have the searching for God, judgment and resurrection from the dead. A society cannot leave out God. He is where we come from. In the passage Paul says:
"so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, `For we are also His offspring.'"
But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light."
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
Remember this passage for just a couple of minutes.
Note what we are to put away in this passage.
Sinning because we are angry.
Stealing to have money.
By same token we should put away not working
Bad language - language should impart grace to hearers.
Then bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking
Is that enough? No of course it isn't
Verses 8&9 adds these - malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. and Lying
Put off lying -- with members is especially mentioned.-
Phillipians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Verse 10 says we are renewed in knowledge.
The light makes manifest - did you remember to remember?
If the light makes manifest, our lives in the light should be open for the world to see. If we have sins we need to see them and get rid of them. If we don't live as we should, we need to straighten up. To many Christians go into recluse because they do not want the scrutiny of having to live right. By the same token we need to be cautious about the judgment we put on our fellow Christians.
Let us work each day to gain knowledge, open our hearts wider and continue making changes in our lives.
Amen!