…in the hand of God

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This chapter is building upon the conclusions of chapters 7 & 8 which is clear by the opening words, “But all this I laid to heart, examining it all…”

As we have come to expect in Ecclesiastes, the greatest amount of Solomon’s conclusions are from the very narrow perspective of physical life on this earth. This includes recognition, honor and status before mankind as well as opinions on justice.

This chapter bares down upon man’s inability to understand God’s justice since our point of view is largely limited to what we see and experience “under the sun”. Notwithstanding this, all things are “in God’s hand”.

Nevertheless, there are hints that there is more to consider than this and that wisdom is of great value to man, regardless of how it effects there standing before other men.

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Breaking the Bread of Fellowship Part 2

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This week we simply continued our examining of John 6 in relation to the “Breaking of Bread” the early church devoted themselves to daily. They understood “the Fellowship” as a shared live, shared experience and shared resources. Their times of communal meals were a living expression of this, and in a way, they were partaking of Christ even when the meal was not officially “the Lord’s Supper”.

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Breaking the Bread of Fellowship Part 1

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We are still in our 3rd of the four primary expressions of devotion throughout the initial church. We are using these “devotions” as a means of better understanding the Ephesian church at the end of the 1st century who had “neglected the love they had at the first.”

This 3rd devotion was to the breaking of bread, which includes both the Lord’s Supper as well as “love feasts”. These communal meals were very important and while they did not symbolize Christ as the Lord’s Supper does, they did represent “the fellowship” or koinonia of the brethren.

Today we spent time working through John 6, where Jesus presenting Himself as the Bread of Life.

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Wisdom Shield

Wisdom is a Shield

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There were s few statements in these chapters which were a little tricky. Especially one where it seemed Solomon was giving advice to not be TOO righteous OR to wicked. As we examined these statements we were able to reach some clarity in what he was really saying.

There are a number of “better than” statements at the beginning of chapter 7 in which Solomon is focusing upon what has true and lasting value as opposed to temporary benefit.

In the end however, he circles back around to his old mantra of unsettled irritation at the fact that, at least now while we live out our lives “under the sun”, there are times where results do not seem to meet up with actions.

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Few Words Ecclesiastes Solomon

Let my words be Few

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In these chapters much is made of intentions and words.

In chapter 4 Solomon uses sets of three to illustrate aspects of human life which he sees as futile, evil, oppressive or fleeting.

Then in chapter 5 he picks up a familiar refrain in his writings regarding words, wisdom and foolishness, focusing upon vows especially.

He closes the chapter with three things which he views as misfortunes. The third is at the beginning of chapter 6 and largely carries the theme of that entire chapter.

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