Bible Commentary – Page 17

Ecclesiastes 7

I’ve never had a problem with Ecclesiastes 7. Many people do. They would rather ignore death, pretend as if it doesn’t exist. They don’t ever think about how they are moving closer toward it with each passing day. But you simply can’t ignore it. Death is like a magnet, an engulfing hole, something you simplyContinue reading “Ecclesiastes 7”

Ecclesiastes 5-6

In verse 13 of chapter 5, and following, the writer talks about evils he has seen under the sun. He is speaking in relation to wealth. He observes two evils (among others): When wealth is hoarded When wealth is lost through some misfortune Both are terrible to see. One is greed. The other is misfortune.Continue reading “Ecclesiastes 5-6”

Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God; for GodContinue reading “Ecclesiastes 5:1-2”

Ecclesiastes 1-4

Chapter 1 sucks me into the book every time. I have read this book numerous times and something about chapter 1 connects with my spirit. I think Solomon and I share the same soul. At the end of chapter 1, he makes a profound statement: “For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he whoContinue reading “Ecclesiastes 1-4”

Ecclesiastes 1

Time for my favorite book. I’ve been wanting to get back into this for awhile. I’m curious about the meaning of a single word, and how it could change the interpretation of the whole book. The word is “hebel” in Hebrew. In English, we see it translated in Ecclesiastes as “vanity” or “meaningless.” Yet, whenContinue reading “Ecclesiastes 1”

Closing Thoughts (Isaiah)

Three things that struck me while reading this book: 1) The first 39 chapters, for the most part, are grueling to read. Judgment after judgment, with just the faintest glimmers of hope. 2) From chapter 40-66, the tone of the book is the opposite. Hope, restoration, and comfort come in waves. There are only aContinue reading “Closing Thoughts (Isaiah)”

Isaiah 63-66

The first six verses of chapter 63 are brutal. It reminds me again that the Bible is not full of child-friendly material; it is full of real life messiness. Think about it: even the most popular children stories are…well, disconcerting at best. –Joseph and the coat of many colors. As a boy, he’s thrown inContinue reading “Isaiah 63-66”