I was drawn to this Book which resulted in this weeks blog because of the obvious human sorrow of the writer. We today are in a time of great vexation and now more than ever we need God in our lives. jk

The last few weeks we have dealt with some books of contentious thought and this week is no different. Ecclesiastes is a book that is many things too many different people but seems to hold a majority of thought, or consensus that most believers find to be baffling and to some even wrongheaded. From the get-go there were strong efforts to exclude it from the list of sacred books and even now it has a very small place in liturgical practice. In Jewish liturgical practice it is of greater use only because it is one of the five scrolls that are read at the festivals. It is said that this book encourages conversation because of its grasp of the truth. That, however is quickly walked back by those who say its value is it serves as a dark background against the shining light of the gospel. There is a wealth of information available about the book of Ecclesiastes, extensive and easily available. The one question that is asked in most commentaries….Who wrote Ecclesiastes or better yet who is Qohelet in Ecclesiastes? This question after all this time has not gained a solid acknowledgement that it was Solomon. Is he Qoheleth, the teacher and in turn the Preacher. The following is from gotquestions.org  :  All in all, there seems to be no solid evidence against Solomon’s identity as the Qoheleth, and a fair amount of circumstantial evidence supporting it. The most common conclusion, therefore, is that the Preacher of Ecclesiastes is Solomon, the son of David. There is no end to the uniqueness of these writings. Qohelet speaks of toil and life as practically one and the same. People find themselves in a world devoid of the presence and friendship of God, leaving them to fend for themselves on hard ground, living a life in constant toil that only ends in death. The name of this book signifies “The Preacher.” (Matthew Henry) …So let’s begin here. The wisdom of God comes to us through the words of Solomon. Some write that here close to the end of his life he recognizes his sins and follies, perhaps we might think of these writings as the book of his repentance. Whatever the view we choose it is painfully clear that the vanity of the world cannot make us happy and the vileness of sin is sure to make us miserable. All that we consider or have created cannot satisfy our souls. Our happiness will be found only in God. Those teachings and doctrine that come from God and lead to the heart of Christ, they alone matter. Follow now as we break down this 1st Chapter.

In Ecclesiastes 1: 1-3,  Solomon shows that all human things are vain. Solomon returns from a broken and empty world and begins to address his bitterness and disappointment, along with the lessons he has learned. ‘If there is any value in my words let those who accept this warning turn and live and go on to warn others’. I think here I might inject the fact that most of us value our stuff too much.We are vain in our attempts to accumulate. We labour hard for this stuff and fail to realize that all the wealth this world has to offer will never be enough to make us happy, our vanity will never allow that.We never seem to know when enough is enough. The lesson the Teacher imparts to us is that it cannot satisfy our soul, nor can it atone for the sins of our soul. The wealth of the world will be of no use in death and the judgement of the soul that is to come. As we move to vv. 4-8 we are told that all things never cease to change. Just as there is never any rest for the sun, the wind or the flow of a river, the soul of man will find no rest if is not from God. We are a sorry lot. Even as we grow weary we still seek that which we have not yet attained. In vv. 9-11 The Teacher laments that men’s hearts are as corrupted as they were in days past. Their desires, pursuits and complaints remain the same as in years gone by. We might have expected them and even ourselves today, given the state we find ourselves in, to seek happiness in the eternal blessings. It is even noted here that the things and the people who were thought to be great are remembered no more. We close out this chapter vv. 12-18 noting this quote from Matthew Henry’s commentary, “Solomon tried all things, and found them vanity.” He, Solomon, is weary in mind and body. He could get no satisfaction from his sins and past follies and found them no good to others. As he pursued knowledge and wisdom he began to see the wickedness and misery men inflicted on each other. These revelations only served to increase the lament and mourning that tortured his soul.

We would do well to hate and fear sin, which has been the source  of our vanity and misery. We must learn to seek and value a relationship with Christ. It is here we will find rest, knowledge and love in the service of our Savior.

 Please read Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 and thank you for coming by the Pew this week.

Life is Good

jk

Source Material: NIB Volume 5.    Matthew Henry Commentary 

In biblical studies wisdom literature designates certain books of the OT and NT as well as selected books from the Apocrypha as being under this umbrella. With this in mind and with the situation we face as to the virus and racial unrest in our world, one would hope and I recommend a good dose of wisdom, lots of it. The wisdom I speak of is the wisdom of God. Wisdom is a good thing, it is found throughout all the ages and comes from all races and ethnicities and because it is of God it is available to all. I repeat myself but it is worth the time and space….Knowledge is an acquired value that comes with study, experience and time. The Wisdom of God has no boundaries and is a gift of God.

Biblical wisdom is a tradition that raises questions of values, moral behavior, the meaning of human life, and the right conduct. From a theological perspective for some it could represent the fear of God but again the reasoning could be in a willingness to  submit to the will of God, such action being the beginning of wisdom. Through wisdom God gave order to chaos; and since humans have life and prosperity by conforming to the order of creation, seeking wisdom is a wise path to take for a successful Christian life.

Wisdom cannot be described in a single brief definition there are other aspects to be considered. Having knowledge is a practical way of understanding how the world works, made even better by having the wisdom of how and when to apply wisdom.The French have a term for wisdom…savoir-faire. It is important to know how to act or do, rather than to know. This is a hard one for us of ordinary thought but consider it this way. There are a lot of things we know even when divorced from the action itself. Practical knowledge comes from involvement and that involvement creates a wisdom gained of experience. We must consider that human wisdom has limits. The book of wisdom focuses on divine wisdom which, Solomon intensely prayed that it be given to him. Wisdom as a human task and a divine gift is reconciled when acquired through experience and obedience and given by God. God’s wisdom is an object of constant reflection in the Bible.  There is  intimacy between wisdom and God to be found in Proverbs 8: 22-36. 

I could have just given you the scripture reference but I wanted to be sure you were able to read it.

Proverbs 3 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Trust and Honor God

3 

My child, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments;

2 

for length of days and years of life
and abundant welfare they will give you.

3 

Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 

So you will find favor and good repute
in the sight of God and of people.

5 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.

6 

In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

7 

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

8 

It will be a healing for your flesh
and a refreshment for your body.

9 

Honor the Lord with your substance
and with the first fruits of all your produce;

10 

then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 

My child, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,

12 

for the Lord reproves the one he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.

Despite the fact that by all standards we are perhaps the best educated people to inhabit this earth we lack the most important and freely given gift that our creator has for us. Wisdom…The Wisdom that comes from God, the true wisdom that comes with the humble recognition of our limits and of God’s transcendence that makes all life fuller. Even in today’s turmoil, life can have a clear direction and goal that a Godly person can attain. There is a divine energy that occurs between people when they are in tune with God and with God’s purposes. Earnestly and prayerfully seek that great gift of wisdom….God’s Wisdom.

God Bless..Life is Good

jk

Resource Material: The New Interpreter’s Bible Volume 5

I am not sure how long it has been but it would be safe to say it has been a few “Months of Sundays.” The new slogan of note is followed by the word Matters. Society in general is big on slogans and often short on substance. We get into debates over the content or context of the slogan, and heaven help you if you do not get the context correct in which it is used. Example…Black Lives Matter…All Lives Matter, both convey a message of affirmation of worth. But even these have at times become embroiled in the issue of race. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a clarion call to Life, all life. It is important that people of the faith community fellowship among one another and with God as his people in Holy Unity. We should strive to come together through a closer bond with God and one another. The Church must foster love for one another and love for God. One important role of the Church should be to recognize that many people carry burdens from life due to the changes and chances of life itself. As a Christian it is our duty to get them on their feet again.

Those who would find fellowship with God are committed to a life of goodness which reflects God’s goodness. The New Testament scholar C. H. Dodd writes: ‘The Church is a society of people who, believing in a God of pure goodness, accept the obligation to be good like him.’  None of us are perfect and never will be but it is of good and sound practice to aspire to a life that seeks to make us aware of our obligations, work to fulfill them and seek penitence when we fail. We will soon realize that the closer to God we come, the terrible reality of sin is clearer to us. Ephesians  5: 15-21 we learn some things about the early church and its gatherings. It was a happy church, a singing church, whose love of God was put forth in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. The joy and happiness within the church brought people together. Church is a place of thankfulness. Here among believers we are encouraged to give thanks for all things that God has done for his people. It is here that we come to know the wonder of God’s love for all and are aware of the joy of fellowship in his name.

People of the early church honored and respected each other because they saw others through Christ’s eyes and recognized the dignity of everyone. Home life in the early church was heavily influenced by Christianity. These verses from Colossians 3: 16-17 suggests the way to remain in the love of Christ is to allow him to be a part of our emotions, by accepting his leading we cannot go wrong.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Church Matters, more now than ever, the coming together to praise and glorify God as many but of one mind and spirit is a powerful part of who we are. Even in the times before the early church Jews who could not muster the number needed to have a Synagogue where they were living, would seek out a place where they could come together even in a small number. Even the early church, who were at the start largely populated by Jews who had accepted Christ’s call with the added number of Gentiles who had heard the word and accepted Jesus Christ, sought places to come together and worship and fellowship.

Consider this…The many ways we have to do church in these days of digital aids can and never will be as powerful as the in person fellowship that can only happen when two or more, come together face to face in unity to praise Jesus Christ and worship our God, our creator and salvation.

Life is Good

jk

A Christian Perspective

A short blog this week. Too many words are being written and too much being said. We all need time for quiet reflection that we might seek the peace that only comes from God. As we search for ways to come together as a nation I offer these words for your consideration. We will find no peace or justice in this world when every conversation begins with condemnation and is preceded by a long list of injustices to race or ethnicity. We must learn to value people. How do we do that? You may find it hard to believe but the first thing we have to do is accept the premise that if our conversations begin with the usual notation of race or gender, we are confronted by what is and we need to move on to what can be. Where there is true peace we will find love, pardon, faith, hope, light and joy. I have had a hard time this week finding the right words to express my feelings, finding my faith being tested and trying not to become discouraged. There are several of you from different parts of the world who stop by the Pew every now and then. I want you to know how much I appreciate the vastness of our faith community. I fear for my country and for her people, I see the freedom we have slowly slipping away and even more disturbing the evil that destroys the goodness of people through fear and intimidation. I share this with you because you and the faith communities within your countries have seen destruction and persecution and yet have prevailed in the faith. Please pray for the USA, its people and for our faith to prevail and continue to praise God as a nation of believers who serve the better good. 

I shall pray this prayer every day and find strength and comfort in these words.

The Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.