Ecclesiastes Bible Study: Week 8

In Chapter 8, the Preacher again returns to the medium of prose/narrative to continue providing us with his investigation into wisdom. He asks, “Who is like the wise?” And tells us in so many words that when you have true wisdom you will literally have a different appearance — in other words, God’s wisdom will [...]

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Ecclesiastes Bible Study: Week 7

Beginning in Chapter 7, the Preacher begins using the medium of proverb to provide us with his observations and continued attempts to determine the good (“tob”) in life. He addresses prosperity and adversity, wickedness and righteousness, wisdom and folly, only to conclude that the nature of existence is so remote or distant from our understanding [...]

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The Gospel according to Jane Eyre

I am re-reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and loving every minute of it. The language and style of writing of this novel, first published in 1847, make me smile and occasionally frown at the same time because I have grown so accustomed to reading very plain, simple, and (at times) not-so-well-written English (eg, Internet [...]

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Ecclesiastes Bible Study: Week 6

In Week 6 we studied what Ecclesiastes says about responding to God’ perfect and intentional design of His creation and the blessings that God provides when we walk in His world on His terms. Our approach, our words, and our intentions matter!
Please see the left side bar for the Week 6: Ecclesiastes 5:1 – 6:12 [...]

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Father, forgive us for inventing overtime

The deeper one gets into the message of Ecclesiastes, the more you can look around and see this fallen world “living” Ecclesiastes. Toil without contentment. Loneliness and isolation. A creation lost without the salvation of Christ.
The Japanese Labor Bureau ruled today that one of Toyota’s top engineers, age 45, recently died from overwork. He was [...]

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Ecclesiastes Bible Study: Week 5

Last week we were introduced to the Hebrew meanings of the experiences that happen under heaven and some of them were hard to grasp. Alongside the pleasant experiences of birth, healing, building up, laughing, dancing, loving, and peace, we are told that there are times in life for death (even killing), slaying (murder or destruction), [...]

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Ecclesiastes Bible Study: Week 4

In Week 4 of our study, we looked at the portion of Ecclesiastes that inspired the famous song lyrics: “To everything (turn, turn, turn) there is a season (turn, turn, turn), and a time for every purpose under heaven…” In Chapter 3, the Preacher’s attention turns from investigating what is “hebel” (good) in life to [...]

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