Qohelet (the teacher in Ecclesiastes) uses the phrase "under the sun" 30 times in his message to draw attention to the futility of a life which seeks satisfaction in the things of this world.

As we read through Ecclesiastes ("Qohelet") this week, consider the metaphor repeated no less than 35 times in the book: "mere breath" (captured in many translations as "vanity" or "meaningless").

"Merest breath, said Qohelet, merest breath. All is mere breath" (1:2).

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the places by the blood of Jesus ... let us consider one another to encourage to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:19, 24-25).

Having labored to expose the deepest recesses of his heart (“I want to know Christ,” v. 10), the Apostle emboldens the Philippians to press on in their heavenward march. The Christian life is an “already-not yet” reality. Christ has taken hold of us already; we have not yet obtained all that He has promised (v. 12). As long as we draw breath, we press on toward the goal (v. 14). This is the mindset of the mature in Christ (v.15). A fixed forward gaze characterizes a life lived for that which Christ has already secured (v. 16).

In chapter 3, Paul transitions (“Finally”; “Furthermore”) with the command to “Rejoice in the Lord” (v. 1) Although the many rejoice in their own accomplishments (v. 2), Christians worship by the Spirit of God (v. 3). Far from putting confidence in the flesh, Christians, like the Apostle Paul, are to voluntarily renounce any worldly gain for the sake of Christ. Paul’s Jewish pedigree exceeded that of his contemporaries (vv. 4–6), yet all of it he counts as loss in order that he might gain Christ through the righteousness from God on the basis of faith (vv. 7–11).

With the chief example of Christ Jesus—God become slave unto death and glorious exaltation—the Apostle Paul reminds the Philippians that God is actively working in them. He describes this work of God in the lives of three believers. As it was beautiful when Christ put our interests above his own earthly comforts and died for us, it is also beautiful that Paul suffered every day to plant the churches that brought us the gospel. And it was beautiful when Timothy served side by side with Paul, putting the interests of others first. Finally, it was beautiful when Epaphroditus risked his life to complete the Philippian service to Paul.

Exodus is the advancement of God’s purposes and promises laid out in Genesis. His dominion over creation is reasserted: the Israelites multiply as Adam and Eve were commissioned and Abraham was promised, He displays His power over nature through the plagues, and triumphs over Pharaoh and false gods. God discloses Himself (“that Egypt and Israel may know that I am the LORD”) by judging His enemies and by creating a “new Eden”, a new people under God’s rule, among whom He comes to dwell. He re-commissions His people to spread His glory throughout the earth as a “kingdom of priests” (as Adam failed to do). In doing this, He keeps His word to Abraham to make him a people and bless all the nations of the earth through him.

In the previous paragraph (1:27–30), the Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians to live worthy of the gospel of Christ in the face of external opposition. In 2:1–11, he writes of their need for unity in the face of internal opposition (vv. 1–4). Christian unity is born out of humility. The Apostle Paul doesn’t have to look far or long to point to the preeminent example of humility: Jesus (vv. 5–11). The mind of the Christian is held captive by Christ and His profound gospel work. In poetic form, the Apostle Paul recounts the true story of the Divine Lord of Glory.

In the previous paragraph (1:27–30), the Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians to live worthy of the gospel of Christ in the face of external opposition. In 2:1–11, he writes of their need for unity in the face of internal opposition (vv. 1–4). Christian unity is born out of humility. The Apostle Paul doesn’t have to look far or long to point to the preeminent example of humility: Jesus (vv. 5–11). The mind of the Christian is held captive by Christ and His profound gospel work. In poetic form, the Apostle Paul recounts the true story of the Divine Lord of Glory.

The Apostle Paul is concerned to see the transforming power of the gospel made obvious in the lives of the Philippians. At the heart of the letter is the command to “conduct your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (v. 27). With the sufferings of Christ in view, the Lord’s people are to stand firm in one spirit as one soul. Not only has God graciously given the gift of salvation, but he has also granted on behalf of Christ that his people suffer for Him. Whether anxieties within or threats without, they can know for certain that everything is brought about by God for the good of His people: their sufferings are a sign of their salvation.