If you don't
have a One Year Bible or prefer something online, this link will take you to
the day's reading, http://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/. This
site allows you to select from several languages and several English
translations.
SEPTEMBER 4
Ecclesiastes 7-9
Get ready for another shock treatment, compliments of the wisest man on
earth. When you read what Solomon says today it shocks you, realizing that at
one time this man loved God and it says that God loved him (2 Sam. 12:24). Much
of what we'll read will sound like the book of Job, but darker. Job was
grieving the loss of his children, his life and his friends. Even more
disturbing to Job was not understanding why God had allowed this to happen to
him. Solomon is in greater danger. He thinks
he knows what's going on. He has sunk deeply into the darkness of his own soul.
That is a pretty bad place to be. Scripture shows us that he never found a
friend to pull him out of this and God allowed him to stay like this. That is
an interesting thought when you consider what God did to King Manasseh and how
Manasseh turned to God.
Ecclesiastes 7
Vs. 1-13 Some of these observations are wisdom like in Proverbs, and a
couple of them are just dark.
Vs. 4-5 These are wise advice.
V. 10 This is something to think about as each of us gets older. It is
also good for congregations to think about. The best days for us as disciples
always lie before us.
V. 14 This is a very interesting thought that is dark, but it has some
truth to it. From this point on, notice that it really bothered Solomon that he
didn't know what God was doing or that he didn't know the future.
Vs. 15-18 Again, this is very much like Job. It seems like there is a
little truth here and a little darkness. We can all agree with v. 18.
Vs. 19-24 It seems that Solomon is beginning to say that in his wisdom
he discovered that all men were depraved.
Vs. 25-26 Solomon is probably referring to some of his wives.
Vs. 27-28 I think that Solomon was gathering wives in disobedience to
the Word and got what he wanted. I don't think godliness was the first thing
Solomon was looking for as he considered who to add to his harem.
You notice that Solomon was not the guy who wrote about the Virtuous
Woman at the end of Proverbs.
V. 29 If Solomon would have read Genesis 3, he would have known about
depravity without having to ruin himself to discover it. Solomon could have
written, "The Heart of Darkness;" in fact, that's what he's doing.
Ecclesiastes 8
As you read this chapter, the paragraphs are laid out for you, so try
to title the paragraphs. What issues or observations is Solomon stating?
Vs. 1-9 It seems that Solomon is attesting to the wisdom of the wise
and the power of the king; but then in vs. 6-8 he is saying that in spite of
wisdom and power, man is limited. Man bears the weight of his trouble. He
doesn't know the future and he cannot keep from dying.
Vs. 10-13 This seems to be saying that the prosperity of the wicked
causes men to prefer evil. Still Solomon held that those who feared God came
out better.
Vs. 14-15 Like Job, Solomon couldn't figure out the disparity of how
the wicked and the righteous end up. Unlike Job, Solomon's answer was just to
be happy with what the Lord gives you, to
eat and drink and be joyful. Again, if this is saying to be content and
enjoy the Lord's provision without having to have all the answers, I agree. I
think Solomon is more on the side of "eat and drink, for tomorrow we
die."
Vs. 16-17 This statement contains truth. We shouldn't try to understand
everything. We should trust God because He is wise beyond our understanding.
But I sense that to Solomon's darkened heart, this was a deep frustration to
him and it made him want to give up seeking God.
Ecclesiastes 9
Vs. 1-6 This is an important summary statement on chapter 8. Notice the
mentions of love and hate in v. 1 and v. 6. Since we just read Job, it seems
that Solomon was really depressed that life ended in death, and that the same
fate came to both the wicked and the righteous. He couldn't see any farther; and
so it seems, he questioned why it was better to be wise.
Vs. 7-10 This was Solomon's grand conclusion. It sort of reads again
like, "let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die." It doesn't mean
that there isn't some wisdom here, but because Solomon couldn't see there was
life after death, he valued only that which could be done on earth. And since
nothing on earth lasted, this contentment was more like resolving to give in to
the futility of life on earth and just enjoy.
Vs. 11-12 This is "What's the sense?" based on the fickleness
of life and events. Notice that Solomon mentions again that man cannot know.
This really upset him. For Job, the issue was that man could know God. That
saved Job. Job kept appealing to God for an answer. Solomon, wise as he was,
didn't think he needed anything but his wisdom.
Vs. 13-16 This is "What's the sense?" based on the fickleness
of men.
Vs. 17-18 These verses are a contrast to v. 1 and end on a dark, but
true, note.
For us as disciples, isn't it great to know the Lord? Knowing Jesus is
enough, especially living in a fallen world and lugging around this body of
death. We are motivated by His love and we follow with a purpose that defies
all the damage this world may have inflicted on us. We know what we need to do
every day in the harvest, and staying in the Word reminds us of His love, our
mission and our sure hope of being made new in Him forever.
A
fruitful, but battered, disciple shared his wisdom with a younger disciple. It
is a little more positive than what Solomon has to say and it reflects reality
in the harvest.
But godliness with contentment is great
gain, 7for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out
of the world. 8But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9But those
who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless
and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10For
the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving
that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many
pangs. 11But as for you, O
man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
steadfastness, gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold
of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good
confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13I charge you in the presence of God, who
gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before
Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14to keep the commandment unstained and free
from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which
he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign,
the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone has immortality, who dwells in
unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and
eternal dominion. Amen. 17As for the rich in this present age, charge
them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches,
but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:6-17).
2 Corinthians 7:8-16
Paul is still debriefing himself and the Corinthians on the events that
took place. He is showing God's purpose in all that happened. Look for words
that repeat. This is a good section describing the heart of working through
conflicts, and the purpose of God in chastening us and others.
Vs. 8-10 This was hard on Paul. It was hard on the Corinthians.
V. 10 The difference between depression and feeling grieved because of
our sin is that the love of God is never forgotten when we are grieved in Him.
Because of His love, we repent and are restored. Depression mis-understands
God's power and sovereignty, and it focuses us on us, that we're stupid and
disobedient and worthless. Paul was a violent persecutor of the church and
responsible for the murders and imprisonments of men and women who loved
Christ. He destroyed families. Paul never forgot this, but the love of Christ
and the sovereignty of God moved him to repentance and service, not depression.
Vs. 11-12 Why does God allow conflict? Why does He let us, or others,
melt down? To show us something and to reveal something about ourselves and
about others. Difficulties, even conflicts, show us how He can use all things
for His purposes.
Vs. 13-16 Paul, again, is affirming his love to them, and he is
grateful and happy with the happy ending. God also used this situation as a
good lesson for Titus in following Christ in the harvest.
Psalm 48
I think this psalm, too, was written in the afterglow of God destroying
the Assyrian army that came against Jerusalem when Hezekiah was king. As I read
a psalm like this, in the back of my mind I know that Jerusalem has been destroyed
several times and today there is no temple. If this psalm is about the pride of
having a great city or a great worship structure, then that was all, as Solomon
would say, vanity.
So, let's assume that this symbolizes something that is still true and
important to anyone who loves the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
V. 1 What shows God's greatness and shows He is worthy of praise?
V. 2 What do we point to that is beautiful and majestic, where God is
found?
V. 3 What is it about God that shows what a secure refuge He is?
Vs. 4-7 What is it about God that confounds and humiliates all of the
pride of man?
V. 8 What have we heard and seen and shows a hope that God has
established forever?
V. 9 What makes you think of God's steadfast
love?
V. 10 What praise of God will reach the
ends of the earth? When you think of God's right hand, do you think of something/someone who is righteous?
Vs. 11-14 What one thing gives us joy, is our dwelling place, and will guide us forever? We could all
answer this a little differently. Is it a place where you first found Jesus and
learned of His love? Or maybe it is Jesus Himself.
Proverbs 22:17-19
Up to this point, all of the proverbs have been written by Solomon. The
rest of Proverbs will be written by others, some of whom are named and others
who are not.
These verses are reminiscent of those that begin the book of Proverbs.
They are a call to the reader (or hearer) to incline their hearts and apply
what they hear. Unlike the opening words of Proverbs in chapter 1, here there
is a very strong assertion that the result of this inclining and applying will
be to move the listener to put complete trust in the Lord.
We should notice and be warned that the Solomon who is writing this in
Proverbs is very different from the Solomon we read today in Ecclesiastes.
Wisdom tells us that we need to be in the Word at Jesus' feet every day.
Please Read
the Following Disclaimer
I'm writing the Reading Notes to and
for those who are following a One Year Bible and are interested in growing
deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the
growth of a discipleship culture in the church, that is, groups of 3-4
disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to
reach out and make disciples, who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most
universal and important discipleship manual we have and it is the key to our
growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here,
or what we are to be doing, or whom we are to be following. My comments are
only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of
God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are
designed to keep us, as disciples, focused on Christ and our role in His
harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be
willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their
growth as disciples, making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive
commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC).
I read the BKC in doing background for the Reading Notes and refer to it quite
often. I also make reference to maps or charts in the BKC, though I will only
note where those resources can be found. Often you can do a search for these
and find them in Google books. Buying both volumes of the Bible Knowledge
Commentary would be a good idea.
I am not endorsing any particular
One Year Bible translation; in fact, I read something you probably don't, Die
Revidierte Lutherbibel, 1984. Unless noted, all Scripture quotes are from the
ESV Bible.
Anyone reading along with us is
welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own
observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition
or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any
point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as
I understand it. Often there is a breadth of opinion on certain events, both
historical and prophetic. Many of my views come from my church background,
theological training and my personal study.
I'm
doing this with discipleship in mind, meaning, I'm writing out thoughts that
will keep discipleship and our growth as disciples applied to what we are
reading. Remember, the real focus of the Reading Notes is to be a
supplement, a disciple’s commentary, giving motivation and insight so that we
will keep following our Lord in the harvest, reaching the lost and making
disciples, who make disciples. Being in
the Word every day, sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning directly from Him, is the
essential essence of being and making disciples.
May the Lord bless you as you follow Him in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples. Dan
If you would like documents
containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
If you would like a full
presentation of discipleship read Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples.
Or if you are struggling with
insomnia and would like a long boring dissertation on disciple making, these
can both be found on https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes.
Reading Notes ©, Dan Kachikis
2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The One Year Bible © by
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189
The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of
Good News Publishers.
All charts/graphics/outlines
from the Bible Knowledge Commentary are used with the permission of David C.
Cook.
© 1983, 2001 John F Walvoord and Roy B Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary is published by David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Publisher permission
required to reproduce.
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