Darash Chai Experiment

As Solomon attempts to discern the purpose of life, he attempts to engage life in every way that he can think of. He seeks out every experience that men pursue to give meaning to their lives, and the first of these is the pursuit of things. Not just anything though, the finer things. Here at the end of his life, though, Solomon looks back on these things and he is able to draw a single preliminary conclusion from the interaction of engaging in labor for the purpose of acquiring goods.

The book of Ecclesiastes opens in a way that highlights the pointlessness of human endeavor. All things end and no experience truly satisfies because the experience fades and we find ourselves desiring or in need once again. In fact, Ecclesiastes might seem like an excuse to become nihilistic or a reason for depression. When we read this book with the conclusion in mind we find that what at first seems hopeless is in reality the very foundation for Biblical obedience.

Ecclesiastes is the book of the Bible that gets the closest to a human philosophy of life. This book is so unlike any other book of the Bible that it needs an introduction. Simply jumping in without a firm grounding in the content of the book or its conclusion can lead to some incorrect or even devastating interpretations and applications. Before we dive into the pages of this book, we need to discuss the underlying context.

Making the kingdom of God a priority is the calling of all who believe. This way of living comes with many benefits as well as responsibilities. But what does it look like when it comes to the day to day living out of this kingdom? In this final episode of this series, we examine, what does it look like when you live for the kingdom on a practical level?

In the last episode it may have seemed as if all that we have to look forward to when we enter the kingdom of God is a never ending series of responsibilities to God and to others. This week we will change our focus and look at the benefits that are part of the kingdom centered life. God is not a slave master who simply takes without giving. He gives gifts to His people, and the gifts He gives are the most valuable things in existence.

When enter into the Kingdom of God we enter in to a life of allegiance to the king of this kingdom. But allegiance is an idea that has lost any real meaning for a modern audience. What does allegiance mean? We have all pledged allegiance at one time to a flag or a cause. What does it mean to pledge our allegiance to the Kingdom of God?

The Three Year Cycle is done. Where to from here? Time for a little house cleaning and a few updates on the state of Darash Chai.

As the Torah comes to a close, Moses speaks his final words to the nation of Israel. In the manner of Jacob upon his death bed in Genesis 49, Jacob blessed his sons and here at the end of the life of Moses, blessings are once again spoken over each of the sons. Or is it? If we examine the text we find that one is missing. Added to this, so many of these blessings are confusing in their nature. What can we learn from these, and how is it that these blessings provide a fitting end to the Torah?

Deuteronomy 32 contains a song. A song that is unique in all of Scripture. It is a song that is to act as a witness against the people when they will eventually break the covenant, but it is a song that also speaks of the future of the world to an end that has not yet occurred in human experience. It is a song of judgment and justice, but also a song of hope. And within its words is an entire theology that describes the entire spectrum of the nature and character of our God.

One thing that every Suzerain Vassal Treaty contained was a list of those who acted as witnesses to the ratification and terms of the covenant. Those who existed outside of the covenant, but who would look in and act as arbiters in matters of dispute. The witnesses to this covenant are not what we might think though. They are not human, nor are they divine in any way. In fact these witnesses are found in the very first sentence of the Bible and they will last until New Creation.