"We read Ecclesiastes to get scrubbed clean from illusion and sentiment, from ideas that are idolatrous and feelings that cloy. It is an expose and rejection of every arrogant and ignorant expectation that we can live our lives by ourselves on our own terms...
The author's cool skepticism, a refreshing negation to the lush and seductive suggestions swirling around us, promising everything but delivering nothing, clears the air. And once the air is cleared, we are ready for reality - for God." Eugene Peterson, Intro to EcclesiastesEven though I don't like the presentation, I recognize that he's speaking truth. This is from the Lord, and there's plenty in here that I need to take to heart.
Watch your step when you enter God's house. Enter to learn. That's far better than mindlessly offering a sacrifice, doing more harm than good...the less you speak, the better. (5:1, 2)
Don't let your mouth make a total sinner of you. (5:6)
Even if someone lives a thousand years - make it two thousand! - but didn't enjoy anything, what's the point? (6:6)
A good reputation is better than a fat bank account. (7:1)
On a good day, enjoy yourself; on a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so that we won't take anything for granted. (7:14)
It's best to stay in touch with both sides of an issue. A person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it. (7:18)
Because the sentence against evil deeds is so long in coming, people in general think they can get by with murder. (8:11)
I realized that if you keep your eyes open day and night without even blinking, you'll still never figure out the meaning of what God is doing on this earth. Search as hard as you like, you're not going to make sense of it. No matter how smart you are, you won't get to the bottom of it. (8:16-17)I'm pondering these verses today as I process a number of different situations - the frightening reality of a six-month deadline to complete our adoption, an upcoming meeting with a friend of a friend who wants to learn about the Spirit-filled life, a friend's angry neighbor, an unsettling email from a family member, and a close neighbor who is very vocal about his hatred of God.
I don't know what to make of all of these circumstances or my swirling thoughts and emotions. Frankly, most of it feels a little paralyzing, especially the situation with the adoption (which is totally out of our control.) In light of it all, the Quester's pronouncements feel stark and a little harsh to me today.
But I know this book is in the Bible for a reason, and God wants me to engage with Him where I am, even though I have more questions than answers.
"The mystery of God's ways is a deep well. No matter how smart we are, we won't get to the bottom of it. That doesn't mean we're left in the dark. There are answers in biblical religion...The Christian faith deals with matters of revelation that shine light on the character of God and the nature of his will. The closer we get to the the revelation of Jesus Christ, the brighter the light is to help us fathom the depths of that well. Some of that knowledge about God can be formulated into answers to the questions people ask.
So answers, as such, aren't what is being rejected in Ecclesiastes. A wholesale rejection of answers would leave us with a religion of darkened rooms, burning incense, and magical incantations. The Quester's attack was directed against the secularization of answers, taking knowledge that is sourced in God, detaching it from that Source, and using it any way we want." Eugene Peterson, Conversations, pg. 1003Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You that You don't leave me here alone to figure out life. I praise You for the Spirit who dwells within me. I pray that He'll guide and direct me as I navigate my confusing and challenging circumstances today. Give me the courage to trust You with each situation and to not go my own way, thinking I can control the outcomes.
1 comment:
Eccl 5:2 God is in charge, not me. This so speaks to my circumstances. My husband & I both are hoping for employment soon. My husband is out-of-town so I don't have a car and had to walk to work and don't have a way to get food today. I don't like it. There's some food in the pantry but nothing substantial to enjoy. So I come to read these chapters sitting before My Companion, My Friend and I'm so blessed for how He is growing me. Spiritual growth requires a strict regard for what is true. I can be deceived so easily. Will I move toward rigorous honesty in what I face as I read these verses or stay away from that which I think is so hard? Struggle and shame becomes allies in Ecclesiastes and His Face shows up in Glimpses I never thought possible. I thought searching for God and understanding God in the midst of my circumstances and realizing what's happening in my story would move me forward but that's academic---it's His Sobering Kindness and His Welcoming Friendship that unnerves me this night in my silly but real hunger pains in Ecclesiastes. I love Eccl 7:2 "You learn more at a funeral than at a feast." What is true in my life this night? Crying scours the heart. The Glimpse of our Good God is just unbelievable. Eccl 7:18~ "The person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it."
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