For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Ecc. 5-6
“No matter how long [a man] lives, if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.” (Ecc. 6:3b). If nothing under the sun satisfies, how can one be satisfied by good things? I think the key in that is choosing to be satisfied with what God gives rather than seeking satisfaction in anything more. In other words, being content. Understand that all good things are a gift from God and let them satisfy you. Then, instead of expending your time and effort striving for something that you can’t find or keep, you can invest it in relationships. Love God and love others. I believe the reference to a proper burial was an indication of being loved. We all leave this life with nothing. So better to live it content and loved.
Ecc. 7-8
This whole book speaks to me of the insignificance of man and the futility of his efforts. Do we think we can be righteous? We can’t. Yet there is no benefit in abandoning righteousness. Both lead to the same end. Do we think we can know the ways of God? We can’t. “Even though a person labors hard to explore it, he cannot find it.” (Ecc. 8:17b). There is nothing we can gain for ourselves here that will benefit us at our end. And there is nothing we can do to change that.
What we can do, however, is fear God. Even the wise Teacher, who preached the futility of everything else, says, “I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people” (Ecc. 8:12b). While we can keep nothing we hold for ourselves, nothing given to God is lost. Thus, we should, “Cease striving and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10 – NASB1995). Then we are free to enjoy the gifts God gives us here and now. And if He takes those things away, nothing really changes. We still fear God and put our trust fully in Him.