Jude, A Call To Arms

Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

The introduction to verse 3 is prefaced by beloved, as mentioned earlier. Those that are beloved share with Jude a common salvation, and with that common salvation they share with him all things. “Now all who believed were together, and had in all things in common,” Acts 2:44. This togetherness is more than spatial. It was a shared realization of purpose and peace, administered through the Holy Spirit, by virtue of the blood of Jesus Christ, who washed away our sins by the sacrifice of Himself.

Jude, Multiplying

 Jude 2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Jude continues in verse 2 with an opening benediction, desiring that mercy, peace and love be multiplied to his readership, whom he addresses intimately at the beginning of verse 3 with, “Beloved.” We are told that believers are, “accepted in the Beloved,” Ephesians 1:6. The first and greatest beloved in the Father’s eyes is His Son, with whom He is well pleased. When we are in Christ through faith in His gospel, we are in the Beloved, and therefore by virtue of adoption into God’s household we, too, are beloved. We are beloved for the Son’s sake.

Jude, A Fellow Bondservant

Jude 1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

Jude is the brother of the Apostle James and the half brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know from Matthew’s account of the gospel that Jesus had four brothers: James, Joses (or Joseph), Simon and Judas (Jude), Matthew 13:55. Verse 56 details the fact that our Lord also had no less than two sisters, since the plural of the word is employed.

The Giving Of Thanks

With Thanksgiving upon us, I thought it would be a good time to turn to the Psalms, the thanksgiving Psalms, and appreciate the Lord for who He is and what He has done for His people. The Psalms I’m focusing on today are Psalms 105 through 107, each of which carry a tone of praise and gratitude. They are celebratory Psalms, marveling at the person and work of Yahweh, the God of Israel and Creator of Heaven and earth.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Twelve, Concluding The Matter

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. [14] For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Finally, the preacher leads us to his summary. The preacher, in his search for relevance and meaning, sought out many paths and always found disappointment at every turn. Worse, disappointment fomented bitter frustration, and despair. He earlier intimated that God once made man upright, but since that time mankind has sought out many schemes, Ecclesiastes 7:29. In an effort to discern their various merits, the preacher indulged them all.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Twelve, The Proper Use Of Words

Ecclesiastes 12:11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. [12] And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.

Verse 11 gives us another clue as to the point the preacher was endeavoring to make. In verse 9 he reminded us of his wisdom, choosing to teach the people knowledge. In verse 11, he informs his readership that the words of the wise are like goads.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Twelve, Delightful Words

Ecclesiastes 12:9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order (alt. arranged) many proverbs. [10] The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright–words of truth.

The narrative makes a sudden and last minute shift beginning with verse 9. The preacher begins speaking in third person, rather than first person. This has led several commenters to conclude that the final portion of Ecclesiastes is an addendum. This is famously noted in Deuteronomy chapter 34.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Twelve, Remembrance Before Death

Ecclesiastes 12:6 Remember your Creator before 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. [7] Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. [8] “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity.”

The preacher’s parting words before an intimate and third person conclusion beginning in verse 9 build to sort of a crescendo. In verse 1 the readership is advised to remember God during youth, before the difficult days come. But many people will not live to experience old age for good or for bad. My family has known several people who passed away before seeing 20 years old within the last decade or so. Life does not come with a guarantee.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Twelve, Difficult Days

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”: [2] While the sun and the light, the moon and the stars, are not darkened, and the clouds do not return after the rain; [3] In the days when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men bow down; when the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look through the windows grow dim; [4] when the doors are shut in the streets, and the sound of grinding is low; when one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of music are brought low. [5] Also they are afraid of height, and of terrors in the way; when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper is a burden, and desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets.

Chapter 12 begins with a volley against aging. Or old age, to be more precise. The passage in question begins with the sagely counsel to remember your Creator while you are still young. The notion here goes beyond mere mental assent that God exists, like we forgot about Him. The preacher’s remembrance is a willing acknowledgement of God’s person and purpose in a believer’s life; He is the cornerstone upon which we build our faith, and from our faith our life’s works spring. 

Molehills: Perfect Health?

I own a King James Bible, a Healing and Salvation Edition from the late Ernest Angley Ministries, and it made me start thinking. Angley’s ministry delved into physical healing as a major aspect of our salvation. Being a televangelist, one might be tempted to write off Mr. Angley’s ministry due to the over-the-top sensationalism that tends to be paraded around. Furthermore, he was also a Pentecostal evangelist, which means the doctrine of signs of wonders being performed in the here and now tends to have primacy.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eleven, Youthful Indiscretions

Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. [10] Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity.

Again the preacher is patronizing in his tone, as he tells the young man to enjoy his youth. He encourages such a man to walk in the ways of his heart and the sight of his eyes. The modern saying my culture has embraced would be, “listen to your heart.” We have already seen what the Bible says about the deceitful, wicked nature of man’s heart, so this counsel is either treacherous or the preacher is being facetious.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eleven, The Days Of Darkness

Ecclesiastes 11:7 Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; [8] But if a man lives many years and rejoices in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that is coming is vanity.

What begins now is a litany of morbidity as the preacher goes on to lambast childhood, adulthood, and old age. The passage begins here, however, with a very somber warning. The light that is sweet and pleasant to the eyes happens to be the light of life, the light we enjoy while we are among the living.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eleven, Sowing & Prospering

Ecclesiastes 11:6 In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

Similarly to verses 1 and 2 at the beginning of the chapter, the preacher commends putting our all into the various works that come our way. We make the opportunity to put effort in and accomplish whatever it is our business entails. For me, for instance, it is expounding God’s word for one of the works I put my hand to. Do not wait for the opportunity, begin the work and invite opportunity.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eleven, God: The Maker Of Everything

Ecclesiastes 11:3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree falls to the south or the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. [4] He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

This passage begins with a seeming common sense observation on the preacher’s part. It actually reminds me of that odd question one might get asked: If a tree falls in the middle of the woods, and no one is around to hear it, does it still make a sound?

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eleven, Generosity

Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. [2] Give your serving to seven, and also to eight. For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

The preacher begins by suggesting that the reader share willingly with many. He also assures the reader that once he has shared, he will find his “bread,” after many days, meaning his act of kindness will reap fruit. This principle may be found elsewhere in Scripture. We read, “And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart,” Galatians 6:9.

Peripherals: Every day Alike, Halloween

 

With another Halloween on the horizon, the debate always arises as to the validity of participating in the holiday from a Christian viewpoint. Is celebrating Halloween acceptable for a Christian? If so, why? And if not, why? As it happens, the Bible is very clear about observed days, and whether or not the saints can partake.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Ten, Cursing The King

Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, and a bird in flight may tell the matter.

The final admonition to his readership before chapter ten concludes is a warning not to curse the king or the rich, whether you are in private or even in your own thoughts. The idea of cursing here simply refers to speaking ill of them. If you are a disgruntled employee hating on your manager, in a sense this warning is befitting you.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Ten, Feasts, Wine, And Money

Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answers everything.

We read just two verses prior that a feast is inappropriate for drunkenness amongst the land’s rulers. Two verses later, the preacher explains with some brevity the point of three different things, beginning with feasting. This of course refers to more than simply eating; when one eats a robust meal it can be referred to as feasting. But this type of feast is of course a party with eating, drinking, and music.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Ten, Impropriety & Sloth

Ecclesiastes 10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! [17] Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time–for strength and not for drunkenness!

This pair of verses once more contends with the idea of reversal. What is bad is good, and vice versa. As has already been noted, Ecclesiastes has several themes, this being but one of them that the preacher returns to periodically. Why? Because of its universality. Being king in Jerusalem and knowing so many potentates and ambassadors, he sees the incongruity of life play out from the greatest to the least, and it constantly baffles him. Again, why?

Ecclesiastes Chapter Ten, Prognosticating Fools

Ecclesiastes 10:14b No man knows what is to be; who can tell him what will be after him? [15] The labor of fools wearies them, for they do not even know how to go to the city!

The latter portion of verse 14 has been repeated numerous times in Ecclesiastes. This refrain may be found in Ecclesiastes 6:12 and 7:7. Here, then we have lucky number three. It is an earnest plea from a hopeless worldview that only sees as far as the horizon permits. Life under the sun is concerned with daily life and everything within the earth’s grasp.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Ten, Choosing One's Words

Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up. [13] The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, and the end of his talk is raving madness. [14a] A fool also multiples words.

Again it seems like a verse from Proverbs as we approach this passage. There is a simple contrast between the wise man whose mouth, or words, is gracious. Meanwhile, the fool’s lips (or words) swallow him up. A wise man knows what to say, when to say it, and when to keep silent. Yes, there is such a time to keep silent rather than speak. We read, “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit,” Proverbs 17:27. Elsewhere we are instructed, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,” James 1:19.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Ten, On Jobs & Babbling

Ecclesiastes 10:8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. [9] He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits wood may be endangered by it. [10] If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success.

The idea in the first two verses is simply one of exposure to risk when one labors. Manual labor can harm the body, either through wear and tear or accident, or carelessness. The adages, “nothing ventured, nothing gained,” or “no risk, no reward,” seem apropos here. The preacher merely reminds his readership that there is risk involved in one’s effort; but also that there will never be results unless effort is applied.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Ten, Role Reversal

Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post; for conciliation pacifies great offenses. [5] There is an evil I have seen under the sun, as an error proceeding from the ruler: [6] Folly is set in great dignity, while the rich sit in a lowly place. [7] I have seen servants on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants.

Verse 4 is addressing the offense given to someone who lords over you, likely for negligence in duty. The solution, according to the preacher, is to continue at what you have been assigned to do. The key word to this passage is the term, “conciliation.” In the Oxford Dictionary it simply means, “make calm and content.” The KJV uses the word, “yielding” in its place. The Hebrew word is, “marpe,” and means, “lit. a medicine or deliverance, abstract, a cure or placidity.”

Ecclesiastes Chapter Ten, The Seat Of The Heart

Ecclesiastes 10:2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left. [3] Even when a fool walks along the way, he lacks wisdom, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

Verse 2 is a reference to strength. The right hand is always a reference to strength in Scripture. Take the name Benjamin, for instance. Jacob named his final son Benjamin, which means in the Hebrew, “Son of the right hand,” or “son of my strength,” Genesis 35:18. Furthermore, when Jesus answered the Sanhedrin as to whether He was the Christ, He told them, “Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven,” Matthew 26:64.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Ten, Putrefied Ointment

Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.

The preacher elicits a contrast in this verse. He invokes the idea of dead flies somehow being mingled with expensive perfume, likening that to a man renowned for wisdom, giving way to folly, even if for a moment or just a little. For someone lacking an outstanding reputation for internal integrity and honesty, erring through folly seems like a slight thing. It might be hardly noticed by most, and forgiven more easily. But when someone who is held to a high level of esteem, especially in religious circles, falls through folly, it is cataclysmic.

Exploring Grace & Worship, Part Two

The second subject for our consideration is worship. Unlike grace, worship is a somewhat harder term to pin down as far as what worship constitutes within the church of God. To begin with, if grace is God’s condescending, unmerited love toward mankind, then worship is man’s humble, ascending love toward God. If we find this an acceptable definition, then it stands to reason that we may not approach the subject of worship in terms of defining what act is considered worship and what is not. Instead, it is the spirit in which an act is performed that would make something worship.

Exploring Grace & Worship, Part One

After having an edifying discussion with my wife this last weekend while we were at a local coffee shop, she wanted me to discuss the topic of grace and worship. More specifically, how to define the terms and what they generally mean. Much can be said about both words and what they are meant to convey when used. But some Christians do seem a little confused when it comes to clearly understanding what grace and worship are. To that end, I would like to touch upon the subject and God willing, shed a little light on what both mean, and perhaps what they do not mean.

Molehills: The Doctrine Of Soul Sleep, Part Two

Moving to the final chapter in the book of Ecclesiastes we read, “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it,” Ecclesiastes 12:7. This is preceded by the preacher’s warning to remember your Creator before the day of death, Ecclesiastes 12:6. God created the spirit in man, and when we die, the body molders in the earth, but the spirit returns to God. In this dispensation believers enter into immediate conscious fellowship with Christ. “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit for my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better,” Philippians 1:21-23.

Molehills: The Doctrine Of Soul Sleep, Part One

What is the doctrine of soul sleep? Soul sleep is a euphemism for the annihilation of the soul upon the death of the body. To wit, this doctrine teaches that the body and soul are indivisible, and if one dies the other dies without it because one cannot survive the death of the other. Cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Seventh Day Adventists have propagated this false doctrine for decades, and I firmly believe that its reception and practice in teaching is injurious to the spiritual welfare of those that espouse it. Why is it relegated to being a molehill, then? Because belief in soul sleep does not harm the gospel, which is the foundation of the Christian faith. Therefore, harmful or otherwise, it is not an impediment to one being saved by faith in Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Nine, Spurning Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 9:13 This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me: [14] There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it. [15] Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man. [16] Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. [17] Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard rather than the shout of a ruler of fools. [18] Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.”

The preacher would have obviously heard the story of the siege at Abel during the twilight years of David as king. In truth, he would have already been alive and likely a young man at this point, serving as a prince under his father. The history of the siege of Abel, and the events that led to it, are chronicled in 2 Samuel chapter 20. Sheba, a man of Benjamin and a rebel, tried to get Israel to defect from David after a dispute between Judah and the other tribes, 2 Samuel 20:1, 2.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Nine, Time & Chance

Ecclesiastes 9:11 I returned and saw under the sun that–the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all. [12] For man also does not know his time: like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.

The preacher returns from his visit to the grave–the ultimate abode of all the living, and sees under the sun that the outcome of life’s experiences does not necessarily occur to those supposedly most deserving. He begins with the idea of the foot race. The race is not always won by the swiftest athlete.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Nine, Vain Effort

Ecclesiastes 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and the labor which you perform under the sun. [10] Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

The proffered optimism of verses 7 and 8 give way to a brutal reality check in verses 9 and 10. That is why I believe the preacher was exercising satire regarding the prior passage. Combined, the reader is told to enjoy food and drink, make merry, practice pious external religion, and enjoy your marriage, for that is one’s portion from their labor.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Nine, What Has Perished

Ecclesiastes 9:6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun. [7] Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works. [8] Let your garments always be white, and let your head lack no oil.

Verse 6 concludes the preacher’s thoughts, beginning in verse 5. Verse 5 explained how the living possess an awareness of death, but the dead, by the standard of what is under the sun, know nothing. Though unspoken, it is not just an awareness of death, but a fear of it, represented by the living dog and the dead lion. In Hebrews 2:15, the writer goes into a little detail as to how Satan, through fear of impending death, kept humanity enslaved. This amplifies the notion that being a live dog is better than something noble and dead; for at least the fear of death is held off a little longer, no matter what we have to do to prolong its visit.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Nine, What The Dead Know

Ecclesiastes 9:4 But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. [5] For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. 

Verse 4 continues the preacher’s descent into morbidity regarding the estate of man under the sun. The concept of being joined to the living is simply a euphemism meaning that one is still alive. We are part of the global community of countries and ethnicities that comprise planet earth. As long as we live we may have hope. But if we pause without brushing past this initial statement, we must ask the question: hope in what? What does the man under the sun hope for, when the sky is leaden and the spirit is dismissed as fantasy?

Ecclesiastes Chapter Nine, One Event For All

Ecclesiastes 9:2 All things come alike to all: One event happens to the righteous and the wicked; to the good, the clean, and the unclean; to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; he who takes an oath as he who fears an oath. [3] This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

As was explained in rather painful detail in the previous chapter, so now does the preacher launch into another lament about the frailty of human life and its inevitable end. Verse 2 begins with a sweeping universal incrimination: one event happens to all. Focusing on the single word, “all,” one can deduce that the preacher is inferring a universal theme, from which no member of Adam’s race is exempt.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Nine, What Awaits

Ecclesiastes 9:1 For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them.

Chapter nine continues the thoughts the preacher is forming regarding the work of God and the labor of man from the previous chapter. In the concluding verses, he asserts that he applied his heart to understand, only to ascertain that God’s work is beyond man’s comprehension. Though even the greatest men search to understand, it will always remain beyond him. This culminates with the declaration of verse 1, stating that the preacher considered all of this in his heart.

Peripherals, A Brief Look At Exorcism

Today I would like to begin a new series I am calling Peripherals. To explain, as opposed to my Molehills series, Peripherals will deal with issues within Christendom that are not necessarily doctrinal items, but an observational commentary on something that has become entrenched in the church or even popular culture. For the first entry I would like to have a brief examination regarding the history of exorcism. Mind you, this is hardly exhaustive, but rather a glimpse into the concept of exorcism.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eight, Seeking The Impossible

 Ecclesiastes 8:16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, [17] then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.

Paradoxically, when the preacher attests that he applied his heart to know wisdom, he learned that man cannot learn what is done under the sun. In short, he realized that, through wisdom, he cannot know certain things. The sum of what is done under the sun is God’s providence: he says as much when he refers to it as “the work of God.”

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eight, Nothing Is Better

Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.

The familiar phrase “under the sun” is used twice in this verse, just as “vanity” is employed twice in the last for added emphasis on the preacher’s current point of view. The preacher wants to emphasize the fact that he is viewing the reward or purpose of life from an entirely earthly perspective. His conclusion? To indulge in enjoyment.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eight, Reversing What Is Just

Ecclesiastes 8:14 There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.

Once more the preacher tackles the noticeable and pointless disparity in human culture and society. Twice in a single verse the preacher calls this practice vanity, futility, pointlessness. There is no reason or rationality behind it; it simply is, and to make an effort to define or understand why is a labor in pointlessness. It is, because people are. I am unfair in some of my behavior. I have biases, preferences, and emotional turns that do nothing to commend logic, intelligence, or objective fairness. This is a part of being human and possessing a sin nature.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eight, Fearing Before God

Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. [12] Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. [13] But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

The idea is laxity of justice in government when law breakers are caught and tried. The sentence, or verdict, is not speedily carried out and therefore it emboldens future wrongdoers to follow in the footsteps of their progenitors. There is, in the United States, a strange amount of criminals condemned to death row that, rather than die because of their sentence, die from old age or sickness. Some inmates last 30+ years behind bars after being sentenced to death. Think of it, if a murderer is convicted at 30, lives 30 years behind bars and is finally then executed, he has doubled his lifespan since the time of the crime that put him in prison. Meanwhile, his victim remains dead, and their family awaits justice to be done.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eight, When The Wicked Lead

Ecclesiastes 8:9 All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: There is a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt. [10] Then I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of holiness, and they were forgotten (alt. praised) in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity.

To get a little better grasp of verse 9, we will quote from several other translations. The ESV renders the latter portion of the verse, “when man had power over man to his hurt.” The NIV translates the passage, “There is a time when man lords it over others to his own hurt.” The RSV is similar in tone to the NIV, though not word for word. The HCSB renders the passage, “at a time when one man has authority over another to his harm.” Finally, the Tanakh treats that portion of the verse thus, “while men still had authority over men to treat them unjustly.”

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eight, The War With Death

Ecclesiastes 8:8 No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, and no one has power in the day of death. There is no release from that war, and wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it.

The Hebrew in this verse is certainly worth pausing to consider. Twice the word, “power,” is used in this verse, with slightly different Hebrew words employed each time. The first is, “shalliyt,” and means, “potent,” also meaning, “a prince or warrior.” Its root is the Hebrew word, “shalat,” which means, “to dominate, govern or permit.” The second usage of the word power is the Hebrew, “shiltown,” meaning, “potentate.” It also has an Aramaic counterpart, essentially defined the same way.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eight, Kingly Power & Future Judgment

Ecclesiastes 8:4 Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” [5] He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; and a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment, [6] because for every matter there is a time and judgment, though the misery of man increases greatly. [7] For he does not know what will happen; so who can tell him when it will occur?

Verse 4, and the beginning of verse 5 both speak about the king’s power (authority) and the hearer’s wisdom to obey his command. Doing so (that is, being lawful in the country one is a citizen of) will keep said citizen from experiencing harm. This harm, of course, would come from law infraction and the penal consequence it incurs.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eight, Hasty To Do Evil

Ecclesiastes 8:2 I say, “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. [3] “Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.”

The word, “say,” in verse 2 is actually interpolated, and not a part of the original text. For instance, the HCSB removes “I say,” entirely. The LXX does likewise. All manuscripts do seem to agree that the word, “say” is not in the original text, however. Even without this addition, the text reads the same. 

Ecclesiastes Chapter Eight, Like The Wise

Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed.

Verse 1 has a few diverse renderings, depending upon what you’re reading from. The LXX translates the verse, “Who knows the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a saying?” The Tanakh renders the verse, “Who is like the wise man, and who knows the meaning of the adage:” The NIV has, “Who knows the explanation of things?” Oxford defines, “like,” as, “having the same characteristics as something else.” Who is similar in form and function to a genuine wise man?

The Absurdity Of Theistic Evolution

Darwinian Evolution, or Neo Darwinian Evolution, can be simply defined as molecules to monkeys to men. Darwin’s theory, established in 1859 and permeating the educational systems shortly thereafter, teaches that man has evolved. To be more specific, man has evolved from lesser forms of life. Life on earth can be traced, says the theory, from molecules that somehow became a living thing, which over the course of time developed in complexity from amoebas to fish to amphibians to reptiles and so on. Now this is horridly simplified for the purpose of expediting laying out the premise. In short, evolution’s theory rests on the endless progressive cycle of improvement for given species, with death and new life being the catalyst for said improvement.

The Doctrine Of Eternal Security

What is eternal security? How does one define it, and where in the Bible can it be clearly and plainly explained? First, eternal security is the Christian belief that could be summarized as “once saved, always saved.” Detractors would also attribute the doctrine to a facet of “easy believism.” To be even more specific, eternal security is a doctrine that teaches that when we have believed the gospel of Jesus Christ we are saved. Now when I employ the word saved, I use it in its Biblical and fullest sense. The Biblical teaching of salvation is that Christ saves the sinner from sin’s penalty (justification), power (sanctification), and ultimately its presence (glorification). In short, when someone is saved through the gospel of Jesus Christ, they are saved eternally. That is why the Bible claims that when someone believes, they have eternal life, a phrase that is used in excess of 40 times in Scripture.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven, The Schemes Of Men

Ecclesiastes 7:27 “Here is what I have found,” says the Preacher, “Adding one thing to the other to find out the reason, [28] which my soul still seeks but I cannot find: one man among a thousand I have found, but a woman among all these I have not found. [29] Truly this only I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”

The preacher reveals what he has, thus far, discovered. He has found it by adding one thing to another. In short, he’s viewing all that he sees individually, and then drawing back for a panorama of sorts, seeing how each thing examined fits into the larger tapestry of life and its functions. His ultimate goal, of course, is to discover the purpose of what is done under heaven, or under the sun.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven, Seeking The Truth

Ecclesiastes 7:23 All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise”; but it was far from me. [24] As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find it out? [25] I applied my heart to know, to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things, to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness. [26] And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be trapped by her.

The preacher states that he proved or tested all of what he is conveying by wisdom. Of wisdom, he says that he would allow it to direct his life, but wisdom eluded him. Wisdom, like that which is exceedingly deep and far off, is beyond his apprehension. It may stand to reason that wisdom rests with the unknown truth that the preacher cannot, as of yet, attain. Paul, in Romans, says of humanity after rejecting the presence of God and therefore purpose, “Professing to be wise, they became fools,” Romans 1:22, NASB.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven, Being Cursed

Ecclesiastes 7:21 Also do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. [22] For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others.

This passage certainly hits close to home. People talk. People gossip. We all say cruel things about one another, embellishing what is true or outright lying for a multitude of perceived reasons. But the ultimate reason we do it is because we want to. Jesus our Lord once said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” Matthew 12:34. A person prone to belittle, degrade or insult others has a heart filled with petty malice.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven, Wisdom's Strength

Ecclesiastes 7:19 Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers of the city. [20] For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.

The DSS renders verse 19, “Wisdom helps the wise more than ten rulers who are in a city.” Solomon’s books are fixated on the concept of wisdom, and to no surprise. Solomon, when made king, prayed to Yahweh for the sagaciousness to govern the massive nation of Israel as David left it. God answered the king’s prayers and gave him godly wisdom, the likes of which no common man had ever or would ever receive again.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven, A Balanced Life

Ecclesiastes 7:15 I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness. [16] Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise, why should you destroy yourself? [17] Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: why should you die before your time? [18] It is good that you grasp this, and also not to remove your hand from the other; for he who fears God will escape them all.

The preacher confesses that his own life is vain. He makes an umbrella statement, that in the duration of his vain life, that he has seen, “everything.” It reminds me of the cliche New York cabbie saying that he has seen everything in regards to city life. Of course this is a gross embellishment, referring to the wild diversity of metropolitan life and the many people one comes into contact with. The preacher is saying something of the like. He has, in his reign, observed and dealt with many differing types of people from various walks of life. As the king of the greatest national power of its time, this is to be expected.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven, Considering God's Work

Ecclesiastes 7:13 Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked? [14] In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider; surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find out nothing that will come after him.

This passage addresses the Creator God as sovereign. All God does is beyond man’s comprehension. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor or your ways My ways,” says the Lord,” Isaiah 55:8. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,” Ephesians 3:20. What God has done, who can undo? God is, in a very real sense, an incomprehensible being.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven, Life Giving Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 7:11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and profitable to those who see the sun. [12] For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.

The focus on this passage is the acquisition of wisdom. The inheritor is blessed for his inheritance, but more so if he possesses the wisdom to use it discreetly and prudently. Such wisdom is profitable, the preacher relates, to those that see the sun. Referencing the sun, the preacher is referring to daily, common life wisdom. It is the prudence of someone self-controlled, who is patient and thoughtful, considering outcomes and weighing choice and consequence.

Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven, Longing For Yesterday

Ecclesiastes 7:10 Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.

I know that I have fallen victim to this sort of ignorance. We pine for former days that were better than the ones we currently suffer through. Whether this is a case of reflecting through rose colored glasses on days of yore, prior to our own, or looking back at earlier times in our own lives when things were simpler or better (from our current line of thought), neither is according to wisdom.