Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Today we see the Preacher trying all sorts of things looking for meaning and satisfaction. He explores pleasure and samples whatever his heart desires. He tries sex. (And if this truly is Solomon speaking, with 700 wives and 300 concubines [I Kings 11:3], we can surmise that there was no shortage of sex!) …
Category Archives: RTB 2022 – Psalms and Wisdom Literature
November 2 / Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 It is worth noting that Ecclesiastes is not simply a compilation of casual observations; it is the result of very deliberate study and inquiry: I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. (v. 13a) Perhaps we should pay attention and dig into what …
November 1 / Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. (v. 1) So who is this Preacher? Ancient tradition holds that the Preacher is none other than King Solomon, which is clearly consistent with this first verse and later verses (see Ecc. 1:12,13,16,2:1-10), coupled with everything else we know about Solomon, …
Introduction to Ecclesiastes
Forty-two. Yes, 42. If that just made you chuckle or brought a smile to your face, then you know what I’m talking about. If you are bewildered, then I’d like to refer you to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which started as a BBC comedic sci-fi radio series, followed by a TV show and …
November 2022 Readings
Date Reading(s) Verses 01-Nov Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 11 02-Nov Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 7 03-Nov Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 11 04-Nov Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 15 05-Nov Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 8 06-Nov Ecclesiastes 3:9-22 14 07-Nov Ecclesiastes 4 16 08-Nov Ecclesiastes 5:1-9 9 09-Nov Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 11 10-Nov Ecclesiastes 6 12 11-Nov Ecclesiastes 7:1-13 13 12-Nov Ecclesiastes 7:14-29 16 13-Nov Ecclesiastes 8:1-9 9 …
October 31 / Psalm 124
Psalm 124 Our fifth “Song of Ascents” and the last until December 1. The title also lists “of David”, but my Study Bible suggests that it only resembles a Davidic psalm and was probably written sometime after Israel returned from exile – escaped the snare, as it were (v. 7). There are three deliverances mentioned …
October 30 / Psalm 123
Psalm 123 The fourth of the “Songs of Ascents”. Psalm 123 reads more like a lament than a song of ascents! It’s got the psalmist’s situation (contempt of the proud, v. 4), his cry for help (v. 3), and an expression of confidence in Who the Lord is (v. 1). However, the Psalm is missing …
October 29 / Psalm 122
Psalm 122 A clear topic today, folks – Jerusalem. I can picture Galileans singing this song as they began their three-day journey to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the annual feasts. We could even imagine Jesus as a boy or as a young man joining in praying and singing this Psalm. Carol and I have …
October 28 / Psalm 121
Psalm 121 A second “Song of Ascents”. There are a number of very familiar verses in this short Psalm – for me, verses 1-4, 6, 8. I am particularly fond of verse 4: Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. It’s comforting to know that our God is a 100% God. Part …
October 27 / Psalm 120
Psalm 120 Only seven verses, following on Psalm 119’s 176 verses! Today’s psalm begins with the heading, “A Song of Ascents”. We see this today and we’ll see it for the next fourteen psalms (Psalms 120-134). Scholars have suggested one of two meanings for these headings. The first is a suggestion that these psalms are …