Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12 + 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7 + Psalm 47:1-9 + Proverbs 22:16
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Old Testament – I heard a good chunk of today’s readings in the book of Ecclesiastes at a wedding a few years ago. And really, these verses work out quite nicely for a wedding if you think about it. Chapter 4 verses 9 through 12: “Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Pretty good stuff for a wedding, eh? The kicker is that last little bit about the triple-braided cord. The pastor at the wedding I was at said that God is the third strand in the triple-braided cord in marriage. I like that! Two people come together in marriage, and it’s good. But, throw God into the mix of the marriage, as I’m sure we would all want to do, and you’ve got a very strong triple braided cord! Great stuff. If you are married, is there a triple braided cord in your marriage? Is God always part of your marriage? Part of your every day life?
New Testament – Second Corinthians chapter 7 verse 1 today is powerful – “Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God.” How does this verse speak to you? What promises do we have as followers of Jesus Christ? In light of these promises, should we cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body? And cleanse ourselves of everything that can defile our spirit? Are you living your life in such a way that you are moving toward complete purity? Do you believe that the Cross of Jesus Christ purifies you? What does the Cross of Jesus ultimately purify you for?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Second Corinthians titled “Choosing Sides” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 47 is an awesome Psalm! I can almost hear and feel music and a drum beat as I read this Psalm today! This Psalm was used in later Jewish synagogue liturgies for Rosh Hashanah, the New Year Festival. This Psalm has also been used by the Christian church in the Celebration of Jesus’ ascension, in particular with emphases on verse 5 – “God has ascended with a mighty shout. The LORD has ascended with trumpets blaring.” Do you hear and feel the music as you read this Psalm? Verse 1 sets the stage so very well for verse 2 in the image below – “Come, everyone, and clap your hands for joy! Shout to God with joyful praise!”
Proverbs – There is an interesting “or” statement in Proverbs chapter 22 verse 16 today – “A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.” I hadn’t really ever thought that showering gifts on the rich might put one in the same boat as oppressing the poor. Oppressing the poor seems like the obvious no-no. But showering gifts on the rich… why do you suppose this is a no-no as well? What’s wrong with showering the gifts on the rich? I’m wondering if it is because our gifts would be better given elsewhere? e.g. to the poor?
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Ecclesiastes and Second Corinthians reminded me of Santcus Real’s awesome song “Lead Me:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBdFn4YgxPY
Is God leading you? Click here to be led!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If they fall down, they can help each other up. But pity those who fall and have no one to help them up! “ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 TNIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you have at least one great friend, and that you in turn are a great friend to someone else. Pray that you will help out your friend if they fall, and that they in turn will help you out if you fall.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Ecclesiastes 4:1-6-12
Clearly, Solomon wrote this book because he was an observer of life and people so there is much meat in these words.
8 If you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and justice being miscarried throughout the land, don’t be surprised! For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice only get lost in red tape and bureaucracy. 9 Even the king milks the land for his own profit!
10 Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what is the advantage of wealth–except perhaps to watch it run through your fingers! (5:8-11)
Verse eight is one I need to get way down in my spirit. I see so many people in leadership oppressing those they are either called to lead or who have been given supervisory positions yet despise, mistreat and totally abuse those they have been given charge over. I see leadership who fail to take responsibility for their departments; homes and businesses playing the Blame Game trying to pass their responsibilities unto those they are suppose to be leading. Justice fails when the attitude or understanding of the word justice is defined by a “just us” attitude, right behavior, actions and outcome are only just for us and not for them.
We were not placed on this earth to self-consume, we will not get a prize for gathering the most “toys.” God gives each and every person gifts, saved and unsaved, so that they will realize that what they have they did not get because they are so great are so talented, no one makes themselves. God’s gifts are given without repentance. (Romans 11:28-30; Acts 17:26-27
In reading this book, I must constantly remind myself that Solomon wrote this book under the sun and not under the Son or hopelessness will take over.
II Corinthians 6:14-7:7
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
This admonishment by Paul can be applied to every area of life, not just marriage. Amos 3:3 states, Will two walk together, except they have agreed? (JPS)
I see this violated so many times by Christians single women who are so desirous of getting married at all cost that they marry an unbeliever, and an unbeliever can be someone who goes to church. They scope out a man they want then manipulate them onto their hook. Once they catch them, scale them and fry ‘um up they then complain about the taste.
What you see is what you get, you can’t change people unless they want to be changed and if they want to change they have to change we can’t make them or create them to be into the image we want. God does not even do that. If you can’t live with the man you see standing in front of you with all his flaws, leave it alone, don’t begin a construction project, you will fail. In fact what you really are doing is Practicing Witchcraft!! In reality witchcraft is the practice of trying to control someone else’s will, it aint ‘bout black cats and cauldrons folks it’s about manipulation.
Psalm 47:1-9
When I read the Psalms of Praise that encouragement that instruct people to clap, shout, praise God with tambourines and cymbals and the like, I think Heaven is not going to be a quite place and that sometimes at church we are to make a lot of heavenly noise so we won’t be shocked when we get there. Of course this “noise” should be in a manner that is deceit and in order.
Proverbs 22:16
This Proverb may be dealing with giving actual gifts but there is another Proverb, in the next chapter that warns of receiving gifts from the “rich,” the gift of a meal, or those who have power over you. Mike maybe this is because the writer understands the human nature of our “gift” giving. Are we giving a gift because we want to bless the person or are we giving a “gift” as a disguised bribe hoping we will find favor with the wealthy person who will give bigger gifts in return or at least get the crumbs from the ruler’s table.
WHEN YOU sit down to eat with a ruler, consider who and what are before you; For you will put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to desire. Be not desirous of his dainties, for it is deceitful food [offered with questionable motives]. Weary not yourself to be rich; cease from your own [human] wisdom. [Prov. 28:20; I Tim. 6:9, 10.] Will you set your eyes upon wealth, when [suddenly] it is gone? For riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. Eat not the bread of him who has a hard, grudging, and envious eye, neither desire his dainty foods; For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. As one who reckons, he says to you, eat and drink, yet his heart is not with you [but is grudging the cost]. The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up, and your complimentary words will be wasted.
(Proverbs 23:1-8 AMP).
In fact this verse, 16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty, would not be out of place with today’s reading in Ecclesiastes dealing with the seeking of wealth (Ecc 5:8-20)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Pat:
A comment on Psalms 47:7 = In my Bible study I am using and comparing the Scripture in two versions, the NIV and the NKJV. I realize that the NIV is today’s most commonly used version of the Bible but I feel in the case of this verse that it omits a very important part of 47:7 that is clearly stated in the KJV and NKJV versions.
NIV gives this verse as: “For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.”
NKJV gives this verse as: “For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with UNDERSTANDING.”
What the KJV and the NKJV says to me is when you sing praise to the Lord it should be done with meaning and not just lip service. It seems that “Praise the Lord” has become a common phrase today that is kicked about lightly. It’s raining today – PTL! Its sunny today – PTL! The store had my favorite kind of ice cream – PTL!
Before “Praise the Lord” comes from one’s lips, the praise should first be sung in the heart by truly recognizing the greatness of the Lord and His hand in the everyday events of our lives.
God does not take us lightly. He walked on earth and died on the cross for each separate one of us! Therefore, we should never take God lightly or be perceived by others as taking God lightly.
God Bless!
Pat
======= Ramona:
Mike, maybe “…showering gifts on the rich …’ flows from the same motivation as, “oppressing the poor,” the desire for wealth. If someone is rich then what gift can you really give them that they can’t get for themselves, and I’m using “gift” with a tone of sarcasm. If a gift is something you give with no strings attached to someone who supposedly has a need, then what can you really give someone who has more than you do?
The reason why people give a gift to the wealthy is that they want something. They are in reality not giving a “gift” but a bribe, something to smooth the way for a reverse exchange, they are priming the pump. They are looking to get ahead, jump the line a head of everyone else.
Why is the poor oppressed? To keep someone down in an attempt to devalue their self-worth and obscure their true value. If a person sees themselves as valueless, then whatever they have in their hands to do be it raw material, human labor, you can give them less than what their labor value is worth and reap a greater profit on the sale of the finished product.
To God, the one who made everything we value as being priceless and precious, we, the peeps (people) are his treasured possessions. So we worship the one’s who we think have the stuff and we oppress the ones who label is worthless so we can acquire more of the stuff from the profits
What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn’t treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand. (Romans 1:21-23 MSG)
Ramona
======= Jan:
In regard to this scripture: “Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
It sounds nothing like what Paul preaches about staying single & focused. I do understand the “theory” of this Proverb verse – but it also makes me feel left out at this time in my life cause I don’t have that second person (male or female). I wish I did!!! : )
But I sure think I may start to remind God of His Word & perhaps He will remedy my situation.
Regarding purity: I just read “The Purity Principal” by Randy Alcorn, a very short little profound book (93 pages) for sure & also bought “Every Single Man’s Battle” guide for personal & group study for my 23 yo son (like to read a book before giving it away). I plan on buying “Every Young Man’s Battle” for my nephew – he is 15 & asking me questions today about sinning & asking forgivness – will he still go to heaven. He attends church regulary, but still has quesitons. I told him a little about the book & said I would get it tomorrow & mail it to him. He said he keeps doing the sin & I think I know what he is talking about – perfect book for him at his age.
Jan
======= Allan:
Mike I just want to tell you that I appreciate all you put into producing this oneyearbibleblog…..THANK YOU!
Allan
======= Dee:
True Ramona about listening the readings of Solomon of Ecclesiastes..I like how the commentary speaks about wanting what we don’t have or being aggravated when others get..we have to or need to be thankful for all we have ..not be considered in something we don’t have.
Eccleciastes 4-6..sounds a little like congress and government..everybody doing what is commanded of them and oppressing the poor and being rule followers instead of walking in peace and giving favor or relieving hardship..history repeats itself..rich get richer and poor get oppressed. God calls us to take care of widows and orphans..
2nd Cor 6:14..don’t be unequally yoked with an unbeliever.. I tell my sweet daughter who has yet to be thrusted into the man God created for her yet..I tell her be careful when she begins dating because being a believer or not believing in any is a big thing and not worth the obstacle to date a non believer.
Psalm 47..I could so be there! Singing loudly and band going..worshipping to the Lord..
Proverbs: taking from poor and giving to boost rich is wrong..our government does it ..politicians do it and corrupt tax offenders who don’t pay like should do it..but also when we see someone poor and we turn a blind eye..we too are being against the poor by our actions. Ouch!
Dee
======= John:
Ecclesiastes 4-6:12
God has purpose for everyone & everything?(3:1-15) – “It doesn’t seem like it,” thinks Solomon!
This is what Solomon sees from a man’s perspective (not God’s perspective):
1)THE OPPRESSED AREN’T COMFORTED!
2)COMPETITION BREEDS ENVY!
3)MAKE IT TO THE TOP AND LIKELY YOU WILL DEAL WITH LONELINESS!
4)POPULARITY IS PASSING!
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Get away from man’s perspective – go to the House of God.
But if you go there – do not go with the wrong heart. do not go there trying to “play” or con God.
Watch yourn step, your mouth, your promises, and keep your heart right and reverant:
Prov 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,”
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So what of Riches?
Does Wealth bring happiness, rest, security, solutions to every problem – or just more complex and bigger problems.
From Man’s viewpoint there is no gain from wealth – in the end you muct leave it behind.
“Enjoyment does not come from possessions, or from riches. Nor does it come from companionship, from popularity and fame, from the approval and the admiration of others. Enjoyment comes by knowing the Living God and taking everything from his hand with thanksgiving, whether it be pain or pleasure. That is the gift of God, and that is the lesson of this great book.” – Ray Stedman
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More Problems with life – from man’s perspective:
WEALTH WITHOUT ENJOYMENT!
“Enjoyment w/o God is merely entertainment, & it doesn’t satisfy!” – “Enjoyment w/God is Enrichment, & it brings true Joy & satisfaction!” -“Wiersbe”
WORK WITHOUT SATISFACTION!
It is neither wrong to work or eat, but when our life consists only in working or eating then we are controlled by our appetites, which puts us on par w/the animal’s on Discovery channel.
QUESTIONS WITHOUT EXPLANATION!
Ecc 6:12 For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?
No man, but God can, and that is why one needs to seek God out – for God can make sense of it all.
John
======= John:
2Cor6:14a “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…”
I wondered why Paul went to such great lengths up to this point in 2Cor to point out travails of his ministry and the reassurance of what God is doing (or should be doing) in all their lives, and what God will do in their lives. It seems to lead up to 2Cor6:14a.
OK. The yoking reference goes back to Deut22:10 and Deut14:1-8. The ox and the ass should not be yoked together because one is clean (oxen) and the other is unclean (ass). Also, as someone in here (Ramona?) pointed out back in Deut. – they are incongruent with each other – they do not walk in the same step (gait), unequal strength, etc.
The path cleared by the two animals will more than likely be a screwed up path – not the one intended. I think that is the underlying concern for Paul. If you are yoked together, you will walk the same path. Like the unmatched animal pair – it is likely to be a screwed up path. And it will necessitate the believer adopting some (or most/all) of the values and goals of the unbeliever. If for no other reason than to get along, as the unbeliever will see the Christian way as “foolishness”.
Upon initial reading I thought: Got it. Do not marry an unbeliever, do not become inextricably tied up with an unbeliever in fellowship and/or business and politics. Not isolationism from unbelievers, just NO close “bonding” or yoking with them.
[In John 17 Jesus prays: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (Jn. 17:15). Paul also mentions relations with the world in 1Cor5:9-13. Neither is promoting isolationism.]
Then I read Bob Deffingbaugh’s commentary,and while the above is true,in this specific case Paul may very well be referring to unbelievers (false apostles) in the Corinthian “body of Christ”.
Paul goes to great lengths to re-establish the apostles authority and intent for spreading the Gospel. Re-establishing what God has done for the Corinthians and will do in the future. Perhaps it is not the influence of “Greek” love of man’s wisdom that caused Corinthians to screw up so much in 1COR, but man’s wisdom as taught by “false apostles” (using that strategy as a pinpointed weakness in the Greek culture) within the “assembly”.
Being yoked to or following the teachings of a “false teacher” within the church can have devastating effects – as it has in Corinth. Paul is saying to separate yourself from these people (teachers) – do not follow their (screwed up)path.
John
======= John:
2Cor6:14-18;7:1
This is another time – I think one is better off reading Bob Deffingbaugh’s commentary than my post
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1228
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2Cor6:14a “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…”
I wondered why Paul went to such great lengths up to this point in 2Cor to point out travails of his ministry and the reassurance of what God is doing (or should be doing) in all their lives, and what God will do in their lives. It seems to lead up to 2Cor6:14a.
OK. The yoking reference goes back to Deut22:10 and Deut14:1-8. The ox and the ass should not be yoked together because one is clean (oxen) and the other is unclean (ass). Also, as someone in here (Ramona?) pointed out back in Deut. – they are incongruent with each other – they do not walk in the same step (gait), unequal strength, etc.
The path cleared by the two animals will more than likely be a screwed up path – not the one intended. I think that is the underlying concern for Paul. If you are yoked together, you will walk the same path. Like the unmatched animal pair – it is likely to be a screwed up path. And it will necessitate the believer adopting some (or most/all) of the values and goals of the unbeliever. If for no other reason than to get along, as the unbeliever will see the Christian way as “foolishness”.
Upon initial reading I thought: Got it. Do not marry an unbeliever, do not become inextricably tied up with an unbeliever in fellowship and/or business and politics. Not isolationism from unbelievers, just NO close “bonding” or yoking with them.
[In John 17 Jesus prays: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (Jn. 17:15). Paul also mentions relations with the world in 1Cor5:9-13. Neither is promoting isolationism.]
Then I read Bob Deffingbaugh’s commentary,and while the above is true,in this specific case Paul may very well be referring to unbelievers (false apostles) in the Corinthian “body of Christ”.
Paul goes to great lengths to re-establish the apostles authority and intent for spreading the Gospel. Re-establishing what God has done for the Corinthians and will do in the future. Perhaps it is not the influence of “Greek” love of man’s wisdom that caused Corinthians to screw up so much in 1COR, but man’s wisdom as taught by “false apostles” (using that strategy as a pinpointed weakness in the Greek culture) within the “assembly”.
Being yoked to or following the teachings of a “false teacher” within the church can have devastating effects – as it has in Corinth. Paul is saying to separate yourself from these people (teachers) – do not follow their (screwed up)path.
[NOTE: Implications of this for today are in Bob’s commentary – and it may be a tough read for some.]
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WHY?
Paul lists five rhetorical questions to which the answer is “No” or “none”
Can the wicked and righteous be:
-Partners
-In Fellowship (deep bonding type)
-In Harmony
-Personal compatibility – “New creation” with the “flesh”
-In Worship*
[* NOTE: this last is what leads me to believe that Paul may very well be referring to False Apostles in Corinth.]
“For we are the temple of the living God.”
The “assembly” is the temple of God. Again the Gk. word “nous” is used for temple. Meaning the “Holy of Holies” – the innermost part of the temple where God once resided and now resides in you.
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Lastly I find it interesting how Paul used the OT to validate his point.
-Promise mixed with prophecy.
-Prophecy for end times
-Promise.
The promises Paul refers to in 1Cor7:1
“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
We will be a communal family with the Father and the Son as adopted children of God!
Therefore purify yourselves (*to do a completed act) then pursue (*in an on-going manner) holiness out of reverence for God.
* by the Gk. verb tenses
To those with an interest,
I would be interested to hear via email or a post here, what you think of the linked article.
Does it make sense, do you see a flaw, or do you disagree?
It is a one-pager, relatively short, and an “easy read”
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What is “Agape” and How Did It Work?
http://www.tektonics.org/whatis/whatlove.html
John
======= Jan:
John, I read the article “BY ANY OTHER NAME?” & totally agree – matter of fact, I just purchased a book this week, “Jesus Mean & Wild/The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God” by Mark Galli & can hardly wait to sink my teeth in to it.
Here is a comment by Lauren F. Winner, author of “Girl Meets God” & “Real Sex:” “In this wonderfully provocative book, Galli recovers a more multifaceted portrait of Jesus, insisting that Jesus’ plan for our lives is demanding & difficult – & in that difficulty we find real love. This is not an easy book to read, because it promises to change you & your relationship with God. And I, for one, am very, very grateful that I read it. I know I will be reading it again.”
It is just what the article on “agape” is about.
Jan
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