TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Psalm 46:1-11
Proverbs 22:15
Ecclesiastes 1:1 — Welcome to a new book in the wisdom genre! Today we’ll be getting a double dose of Solomon (Ecclesiastes as well as Proverbs)! What does the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 4:30) want to tell us about life? From Bob Utley:
Its main purpose was to show the futility of human existence apart from God. It is a tract to convert self-sufficient materialists or intellectuals.
Let’s look at the futility of human existence apart from God.
Ecclesiastes 1:4 — Generations come and generations go, but the sun goes up and the sun goes down (Ecclesiastes 1:5).
Ecclesiastes 1:6-7 — From the Institute for Creation Research (ICR):
… whirleth about continually … This is a remarkable anticipation of the modern discovery of the world’s great wind circuits, in the global circulation of the atmosphere.
And Creation.com talks about the hydrological cycle of vs. 7.
Ecclesiastes 2:1 — What did Solomon try for contentment? Pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:1), wine (Ecclesiastes 2:3), building projects (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6), servants and possessions (Ecclesiastes 2:7), and silver and gold (Ecclesiastes 2:8).
Ecclesiastes 3:1 — The 1965 secular song from the Byrds “Turn, Turn, Turn” was based on this passage.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 — ”In His Time“, a gospel chorus, is based on this verse. Interesting that this verse talks about the capacity God has built within us.
Ecclesiastes 3:13-14 — Some call this book secular wisdom. But we know that God intends for us to enjoy His creation, and that His doings are far greater than our doings.
Ecclesiastes 3:17 — God will judge – there is a time we must give account.
Ecclesiastes 3:21 — Mark Lowry has humorously used Psalm 36:6 to say that dogs go to heaven. Unfortunately, his exegesis has skipped Ecclesiastes 3:21.
2 Corinthians 6:2 — There is no reason to delay salvation – now is the accepted time!
Psalm 46:3 — Did Shakespeare leave his mark on the King James Version? Kyle Butt says, “Yes!”
Proverbs 22:15 — Proverbs has much wisdom on child training. The point is not abuse but removing foolishness.
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