Archive for October 2022

Jeremiah 39-43, Ecclesiastes 12, John 5:1-15, 1 Peter 1:17-25   Ecclesiastes 12:   Finally, we come to the “conclusion” of the matter. Remember the “teacher” of Ecclesiastes has been conducting an experiment. His hypothesis has been that life “under the sun”—that is, without reference to confidence about eternity or an intimacy of relationship with God—is meaningless. Whatever you do, whether…

Jeremiah 35-38, Ecclesiastes 11, John 4:43-54, 1 Peter 1:10-16   Ecclesiastes 11:   We come now to another chapter of worldly advice under the premise of being “under the sun.” Such advice does not remove the reality that it is all still “meaningless” (verse 10). There is no real meaning or satisfaction to even the most practically sensible, exuberant, or…

Jeremiah 32-34, Ecclesiastes 10, John 4:27-42, 1 Peter 1:1-9  Ecclesiastes 10:   Having explained how wisdom, while admirable, is not “under the sun” sufficient to provide a meaningful life, he now gives examples of wisdom’s usefulness nonetheless. There are various sayings in this chapter which—though not “under the sun” providing a way to a fully meaningful life—are still examples…

Jeremiah 30-31, Ecclesiastes 9, John 4:15-26, James 5:13-20   Ecclesiastes 9:   Most of this chapter is about how a common destiny awaits us all—wise or foolish. And in the “teacher’s” “under the sun” perspective, it is not really possible to know much of what life after death will be. In fact, he has a pretty depressing view of what…

Jeremiah 26-29, Ecclesiastes 8, John 4:1-14, James 5:7-12   Ecclesiastes 8:   The discussion about wisdom continues. It starts with a modified positive. “Who is like the wise?” indicating that to be wise is a good thing. But then “who knows the explanation of things?” indicating that no one is really, truly wise. Still, “a person’s wisdom brightens their face.”…

Jeremiah 23-25, Ecclesiastes 7:15-29, John 3:22-36, James 5:1-6   Ecclesiastes 7:15-29:   This section continues the discussion that we looked at yesterday. The basic idea is that—as the “teacher” explores his various experiments related to answering his question about the meaning of life “under the sun”—he now comes to explore wisdom. Certainly wisdom has much to offer. It is better…

Jeremiah 19-22, Ecclesiastes 7:1-14, John 3:16-21, James 4:11-17   Ecclesiastes 7:1-14:   This section about wisdom really needs to be read in context of some of the verses that immediately follow it. Consider verse 15, “In this meaningless life of mine…” and then verse 16, “Do not be over-righteous neither be over-wise…” Or verse 22, “’I am determined to be…

Jeremiah 16-18, Ecclesiastes 6, John 3:1-15, James 4:1-10   Ecclesiastes 6:   But, a person may well ask, what about money? What about prosperity and financial success? Surely that is something that has meaning, even “under the sun”? Well, let us consider that, says the “teacher” of Ecclesiastes. There are several reasons why money (and its pursuit) is not a satisfying object…

Jeremiah 14-15, Ecclesiastes 5, John 2:12-25, James 3:13-18   Ecclesiastes 5:   In this search for the meaning of life, the “teacher” has been attempting to prove his hypothesis. The theory that he is testing is that life “under the sun” (that is a life that is orientated around confidence only for this world and this life, and with minimal…

Jeremiah 12-13, Ecclesiastes 4, John 2:1-11, James 3:1-12   Ecclesiastes 4:   Another slight “tweak” in his overall structure that there are a series of “experiments” to test his original hypothesis in chapter 1 that everything is meaningless “under the sin.” Now we come to one of the most vexing issues in all of human experience: oppression. “I saw the…