To be rich or poor, that is the question!

The wise author dissects what life is for the two. Is it good to be rich? To be poor? There are consequences and rewards for both.

Where can we find the love of Christ in wealth, or is it all hevel?

The author seems to be sharing random thoughts in the same format as the proverbs. This way of sharing nuggets of wisdom or nuggets of despair continues for several chapters. We spend time breaking down and digesting the full nature and intent of the author's contemplations.

Temporal things and events are hevel. Being alone in the temporal is hevel. And, without God, all of it is utterly hevel.

The author has shared God in previous chapters but does not here. Where is the love of Christ?

There is a time for everything. The opening poem of this chapter is beautiful, yet the author spirals again into despair.

The poem labels seasons of life that humans experience both physically and spiritually. Although the author knows the nature of God, he is distraught at the finiteness of man.

Where do you see the love of Christ?

The author is a "been there - done that" man. We discuss what he possibly meant by being guided by wisdom in these experiences even though it seems that some of these things are not wise.

As he looks back at what he's done, the author spirals from pride to depression. Then the truth of it all ends his dark train of thought.

Vanity of vanities - all is vanities!

Is it truly all vanity? The author says that wisdom and knowledge is madness and folly. Yes, yes it is...when the earth and all that's in it, from the sun and wind, to the streams and seas, revolve around ME!  

We are just starting to dig into this book that seems dark and heavy. Can we find the love of Christ in this chapter? Where do you find His love?

Welcome to season 4! 

Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom genre of the Bible. Let's discuss when, what, who and why of this Old Testament book.

"Do not be alarmed, You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here." These were the first words spoken to a chosen few - the first words of good news! 

A charge was laid before them - "Go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you."

Is that all? What happens next? Does this command apply over 2000 years later? How can we know? 

Excruciating physical pain. Unbearable emotional pain.  

Everything about this tremendous event was planned, deliberated, and calculated. 

Every single thing from the words spoken to the garment worn. He intentional did it all because of love.

Jesus has been judged worthy of death. Because the Sanhedrin was limited in its power to pronounce the death penalty, they got the Roman Empire involved. The Roman governor would much rather release the King of the Jews. Not only did the Jewish mob choose a notorious criminal instead, but they cried out for the most gruesome punishment available.  

The brutality inflicted on a human through crucifixion was incredibly painful. But Jesus also endured disgusting beatings, slapping, and mockery. He endured it all without protesting. He endured it all with patience. He endured it all.