Ecclesiastes 1-6

Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ecclesiastes%201-6&version=NASB

We have a Big and Amazing God don’t we. And some things about Him are so big and amazing that we will never fully understand. We see the author of Ecclesiastes contemplate some pretty heavy themes in this book of wisdom - much more complex than the previous books of wisdom.

My favorite part of this book is probably chapter 3:1-15 – a time for all seasons. This passage allows us to rest in the knowledge that God is in control, no matter what season we are sitting in at a particular time in our lives. Sometimes we may doubt that, as we look around our fallen world and see crime, abortion, infidelity, and homosexuality running rampant. Married men are matched on the internet with married women who want to have an affair, the largest abortion clinic in the world is going to built here in Houston in our own back yard, families in our border towns live in fear as drug crimes increase and our beautiful Gulf Coast is being utterly destroyed due to the greed and irresponsibility of a few men in control of an oil well. Doesn’t seem like God is in control here does it? Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 assures us He is. Verse 1 in the New American Standard Bible says “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” God, the architect of the universe, is the one who appoints a time for everything and we can rest in the knowledge that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)." Every season we enter has a purpose that will sooner or later work for our good.

The thing is, change is inevitable. In our personal lives, we will move in and out of different seasons, but one thing will always remain the same. Our God. He is unchangeable and unshakeable and he will never leave you or forsake you. He will never disappoint us. We will always be able to go to him in prayer and for forgiveness. He will always love us. His word will always be the same and his promises will always be fulfilled and He will always have room at the foot of the cross for us.

I feel like we are just racing through the Bible, don’t you? There is so much depth in the book of Ecclesiastes (as with all the books we’ve read). Since we are reading the entire book so quickly, I though I would share a summary of the key themes discussed from my ESV study bible. We will continue with the final 6 chapters tomorrow. Please feel free to comment on one of these key themes or anything else that’s on your mind. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

1. The tragic reality of the fall. The Preacher is painfully aware that the creation has been “subjected to futility” and is “groaning . . . in the pains of childbirth” and his more troubled musings are to be viewed as the cry of the heart of one who likewise is “groaning inwardly” as he eagerly awaits the resurrection age.

2. The “vanity” of life. The book begins and ends with the exclamation, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity. Literally the word means “vapor” and conjures up a picture of something fleeting, ephemeral, and elusive, with different nuances to be ascertained from each context.

3. Sin and death. Human beings forfeited the righteousness they originally possessed before God, and thus all people are sinners. Death was a result of the fall and the Preacher is only too aware of this dreadful reality that affects everyone.

4. The joy and the frustration of work. God gave Adam work to accomplish prior to the fall, but part of the punishment of his sin was that it would become painful toil. Both realities are borne out in the Preacher's experience, as he finds his work to be both satisfying as well as aggravating.

5. The grateful enjoyment of God's good gifts. The twisted realities of a fallen world do not blind The Preacher to the beauty of the world God created or cause him to despise God's good gifts of human relationships, food, drink, and satisfying labor. These are to be received humbly and enjoyed fully as blessings from God.

6. The fear of God. The fact that “all is vanity” should drive people to take refuge in God, whose work endures forever and who is a “rock” for those who take shelter in him. In other words, it summons people to “fear” or “revere” God.

today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe