February 14, 2024

Where is "dust to dust" in the Bible?

Ecclesiastes 3-4

Sarah Hamilton
Wednesday's Devo

February 14, 2024

Wednesday's Devo

February 14, 2024

Wednesday's Devo

February 14, 2024

Wednesday's Devo

February 14, 2024

Big Book Idea

God defines where true meaning is found.

Key Verse | Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is a season, and
a time for every matter under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3-4

A Time for Everything

1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

2  a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3  a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4  a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5  a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6  a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7  a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8  a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

The God-Given Task

9 What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.

14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. 1 3:15 Hebrew what has been pursued

From Dust to Dust

16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. 18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. 19 For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. 2 3:19 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a vapor or mere breath (see note on 1:2) 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? 22 So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?

Evil Under the Sun

1 Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. 2 And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3 But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity 3 4:4 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a vapor or mere breath; also verses 7, 8, 16 (see note on 1:2) and a striving after wind.

5 The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.

6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.

7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. 14 For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. 15 I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that 4 4:15 Hebrew the second youth who was to stand in the king's 5 4:15 Hebrew his place. 16 There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Footnotes

[1] 3:15 Hebrew what has been pursued
[2] 3:19 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)
[3] 4:4 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 7, 8, 16 (see note on 1:2)
[4] 4:15 Hebrew the second
[5] 4:15 Hebrew his
Table of Contents
Introduction to Ecclesiastes

Introduction to Ecclesiastes

Timeline

Author

The author of Ecclesiastes calls himself “the Preacher” (1:1). Some interpreters have concluded that this was Solomon, while others think he was a role-playing writer later than Solomon. Either way, the book claims that its wisdom comes from the “one Shepherd” (12:11), the Lord himself.

Theme and Interpretation of Ecclesiastes

The theme of Ecclesiastes is the necessity of fearing God in this fallen, confusing world. Each human being wants to understand all the ways God is acting in the world, but he cannot, because he is not God. And yet the faithful do not despair but cling to God, even when they cannot see what God is doing. The Lord deserves his people’s trust. They can leave everything to him while they seek to understand what it means to “fear God and keep his commandments” (12:13). This is true wisdom.

Key Themes

  1. The tragic reality of the fall. The Preacher is painfully aware that the creation has been damaged by sin (7:29; Rom. 8:20, 22). He speaks as one who eagerly awaits the resurrection age (Rom. 8:23).
  2. The “vanity” of life. The book begins and ends with the exclamation, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Eccles. 1:2; 12:8). The phrase pictures something fleeting and elusive. All the endeavors and pleasures of earthly life are only temporary. When one sees the consequences of sin in this fallen world, one is left in utter frustration, anger, and sorrow. The more one tries to understand life, the more mysterious it becomes (1:12–18).
  3. Sin and death. By sinning, human beings forfeited the righteousness they originally had before God (7:29), and thus all people are sinners (7:20). Death was a result of the fall. The Preacher is only too aware of this dreadful reality that affects everyone (e.g., 2:14–17; 3:18–21; 6:6).
  4. The joy and the frustration of work. God gave Adam work to accomplish prior to the fall, but part of the punishment of his sin was that his work would become difficult (Gen. 2:15; 3:17–19). Both realities are seen in the Preacher’s experience, as he finds his work to be both satisfying (Eccles. 2:10, 24; 3:22; 5:18–20; 9:9–10) and aggravating (2:18–23; 4:4–8).
  5. The grateful enjoyment of God’s good gifts. The Preacher spends a great deal of time commenting on the twisted realities of a fallen world, but this does not blind him to the beauty of God’s world (3:11). Nor does it cause him to despise God’s good gifts of human relationships, food, drink, and satisfying labor (5:18–20; 8:15; 9:7, 9). These are to be received humbly and enjoyed fully as blessings from God.
  6. The fear of God. The fact that “all is vanity” should drive people to take refuge in God, fearing and revering him (7:18; 8:12–13; 12:13–14).

Outline

  1. Introduction and Theme (1:1–3)
  2. First Catalog of “Vanities” (1:4–2:26)
  3. Poem: A Time for Everything (3:1–8)
  4. Fear God, the Sovereign One (3:9–15)
  5. Second Catalog of “Vanities” (3:16–4:16)
  6. Fear God, the Holy and Righteous One (5:1–7)
  7. Life “Under the Sun” (5:8–7:24)
  8. The Heart of the Problem: Sin (7:25–29)
  9. More on Life “Under the Sun” (8:1–12:7)
  10. Final Conclusion and Epilogue (12:8–14)
The Global Message of Ecclesiastes

The Global Message of Ecclesiastes

Life in a Broken World

The book of Ecclesiastes explains the world in all its complexity, confusion, and frustration with striking honesty. “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity,” declares the Preacher, echoing the cries of many who have seen, experienced, and recognized the dreadful fallenness of our world (Eccles. 1:2). The global reality both then and now is that our broken world is filled with oppression of the powerless (4:1), oppression of the poor (5:8), and violation of justice and righteousness (5:8). There is nothing new under the sun (1:9), no lasting earthly glory (1:11), no ultimately fulfilling pleasure (2:1–11), and no certainty in life except that it will end in death and judgment (2:14–16; 3:18–20; 6:6; 12:14).

In a fallen world there are many painful and complicated questions, but the message of Ecclesiastes is that there is an answer. That answer is not an easy one, but it is simple: fear the Lord (Eccles. 3:14; 5:7; 12:13–14). Though this world is filled with oppression and injustice, ultimately it will be well for those who fear God (8:12) and it will not be well for the wicked (8:13).

This world is filled with both blessings and challenges, neither of which provides ultimate answers or clarity about the meaning of life. If this world is all there is, then all is vanity. But when we trust the Lord in the face of circumstances that discourage us from doing so, we have a sure hope that we will one day be restored to him. Indeed, from a whole-Bible perspective, there is one who is the way (John 14:6), who is the comforter (2 Cor. 1:3), who is wisdom itself (1 Cor. 1:24). We will not easily figure God out, nor can we fathom all that he does (Eccles. 3:11). He is not a subject to be scrutinized or solved, nor are his ways easily comprehended (8:17). But God has spoken to us in his Son, who gives us the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

Purpose in Life and the Purpose of Life

The message of Ecclesiastes is that however difficult things may be because of the curse upon mankind in this fallen world, there is purpose and grace for all. There is enduring hope and satisfying life as we walk with God. The very gifts of God that, apart from God, prove hollow and disappointing, can be enjoyed truly and satisfyingly—not as the main purpose of life but as a means to know God in a deeper way. Our message to the world is that there is purpose in life regarding the blessings we receive from God such as food, drink, and work, but that these blessings are not the purpose of life.

Purpose in life. There is a proper place, time, and perspective for each season in life and for each blessing from God (Eccles. 3:1–8). The blessings of common grace are to be recognized as coming from the very hand of God. Work and its enjoyment are blessings from God (2:24; 3:22; 5:18–20). There is purpose in life for work, but neither work itself nor the hoarding of possessions are the purpose of life. When work becomes the governing purpose of life, when envy is our driving force, or when we seek satisfaction in wealth, we are left disappointed (2:18–23; 4:4). There is purpose in life for other gifts of common grace such as food, drink, and relationships (2:24–26; 3:12–13; 5:18–20; 8:15; 9:7, 9). The proper enjoyment of such gifts comes from God, who alone satisfies (3:13; 5:19).

The purpose of life. This then is the purpose of life: to fear God, who is sovereign (Eccles. 3:11, 14), holy in heaven (5:2, 7), and judge of all (12:13–14). He is the Giver of gifts and the one who grants even the ability to enjoy these gifts (5:19). In receiving such gifts of life we are to find our greatest joy in him (5:20).

The Global Church’s Mission to a Broken World

The book of Ecclesiastes provides a brutally honest and refreshing message for the global church to proclaim to the world. In one sense the Christian message is other-worldly, yet it also addresses the sober realities that face each society and every individual in every generation. The message of the gospel not only affirms the disappointments of life, it also offers the only true hope for meaningful living.

The Giver and the gifts. There is a Creator to be worshiped (Eccles. 12:1). He has made all things. Life is to be enjoyed as being from him and to him. The world must recognize the blessed common grace they have received in creation, life, work, and possessions. They should enjoy such blessings, but not as the purpose of life. The global church has a message of hope for a world that is “striving after wind” (1:14). Clinging to the gift rather than worshiping the Giver is meaningless. The wealthy are not to be envied, for they find neither ultimate satisfaction nor eternal security in their wealth (5:10–17). It is far better to enjoy fellowship with the Giver rather than simply enjoying his gifts, however good they may be.

The ultimate gift. Enjoyment of God is available ultimately because he sent his Son to die on behalf of sinners. There is none who is righteous before God (Eccles. 7:20). No one can escape death (2:16; 9:3, 12). God’s ways cannot be easily or fully fathomed (3:11), but he has indeed revealed himself clearly and gloriously in the person of his Son Jesus Christ (John 14:9). In the Son we have seen the one who both demonstrates and also empowers what it means to truly fear and enjoy God. There is grace abundant for all who recognize the vanity of their selfish living and remember and fear their Creator (Eccles. 12:1) and Redeemer (Isa. 54:5).

A sure hope. While Ecclesiastes sobers us with the reminder that this fallen world is filled with injustice, it also offers hope. Christians are to be active in seeking justice and encouraging the oppressed within society (Isa. 1:17). But we need not despair at the imperfect justice of this world because God will bring final and perfect justice one day (Eccles. 3:17). For the oppressed and the victims of injustice this is indeed good news. It is not vanity to fear and follow God (8:10–13). To those in the global church who suffer under persecution for the sake of the gospel there is the comfort that God does indeed see them, take care of them, and remember them.

A sovereign Lord. There is one who is in control. God is in control when times are good and when times are bad (Eccles. 7:14). We are not in control—which is a great blessing, despite the ways in which we often seek to control our lives. Our message to the world is to abandon striving after control and to embrace the one who is in control. Every building and work of art will one day turn to dust, but there is one who is eternal and whose works last forever (3:14). Our message to the world is to abandon the quest for self-glory and the accumulation of possessions and to embrace the blessed and wise God-centered life of sober hope.

This is the glorious Christian vision for life that the church must embrace and display for the world to see.

Ecclesiastes Fact #1: Ecclesiastes

Fact: Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes encourages God’s people to trust him in a fallen and often confusing world, in which sin and heartache touch every corner of the globe. We are to “fear God and keep his commandments” (12:13), even when we cannot understand everything that is going on around us.

Ecclesiastes Fact #2: Vanity, vanities, and vain

Fact: Vanity, vanities, and vain

The words vanity, vanities, and vain occur nearly 40 times in Ecclesiastes. Their literal meaning is “vapor” or “breath,” so they are used to describe things that can be fleeting or elusive, like the search for meaning and purpose in life.

Ecclesiastes Fact #5: “Eat, drink, and be merry”?

Fact: “Eat, drink, and be merry”?

“Eat, drink, and be merry”? Ecclesiastes advises those who serve God to enjoy his gifts of food, drink, comfort, married life, and honest work (9:7–9; compare 2:24–26; 3:13; 5:19–20).

Ecclesiastes Fact #3: Working too hard?

Fact: Working too hard?

Working too hard? It is equally wrong to be lazy or to be a “workaholic.” People sometimes work too hard because they want all the nice things their neighbors have (4:4). People should work diligently but should also enjoy the quiet contentment that comes from serving the Lord (v. 6).

Study Notes

Eccles. 3:6 a time to lose. To give up looking for a lost item.

Study Notes

Eccles. 3:1–8 Poem: A Time for Everything. There is an appropriate occasion for every human event or activity.

Eccles. 3:8 a time to hate. Righteous anger is legitimate under the appropriate circumstances.

Study Notes

Eccles. 3:11 The Preacher can see that God has made everything beautiful in its time. The problem is that God has also placed eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. God has given the Preacher a desire to understand all of life, but God has also limited his ability to do so.

Study Notes

Eccles. 3:12–13 Rather than becoming resentful about what God has not granted human beings, one should enjoy the gifts that God has given.

Study Notes

Eccles. 3:14 The short-lived “vanities” of this world reveal all the more clearly the enduring work of God, to which nothing can be added.

Study Notes

Eccles. 3:9–15 Fear God, the Sovereign One. The vanity of life causes the Preacher to reflect on what is permanent and lasting: the sovereign God of the universe.

Study Notes

Eccles. 3:16–17 The fall of mankind affects all human relationships. One may suffer wickedness at the hand of other human beings. But this can be endured if one understands that God will judge the righteous and the wicked.

Study Notes

Eccles. 3:18–19 The children of man . . . are but beasts in the sense that both human beings and animals die.

Study Notes

Eccles. 3:21 For the Preacher, the human spirit is a mysterious thing. While he affirms that the spirit returns to God when a person dies, he does not know how it comes to reside in the human body in the first place.

Study Notes

Eccles. 3:16–4:3 The fact that people die is a further aspect of “vanity.”

Eccles. 4:2–3 Some people’s circumstances are so tragic that they welcome death. The Preacher considers those who have not yet lived to be the most fortunate. This is because they have not yet seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

Study Notes
Ecclesiastes Fact #3: Working too hard?

Fact: Working too hard?

Working too hard? It is equally wrong to be lazy or to be a “workaholic.” People sometimes work too hard because they want all the nice things their neighbors have (4:4). People should work diligently but should also enjoy the quiet contentment that comes from serving the Lord (v. 6).

Study Notes

Eccles. 4:4–6 Much of what is achieved by human ability stems from a man’s envy of his neighbor. Here the Preacher focuses on the vanity that comes to those who make such striving their main goal in life. On the other hand, if a man folds his hands and refuses to work, he ruins himself.

Ecclesiastes Fact #3: Working too hard?

Fact: Working too hard?

Working too hard? It is equally wrong to be lazy or to be a “workaholic.” People sometimes work too hard because they want all the nice things their neighbors have (4:4). People should work diligently but should also enjoy the quiet contentment that comes from serving the Lord (v. 6).

Study Notes

Eccles. 4:7–11 Some people engage in endless toil yet are never satisfied even though they acquire great riches. On the other hand there are those who give up their jealous desires to always be the best; they discover that two are better than one as they share their work load, enjoying a good reward and finding help in hard times.

Study Notes

Eccles. 4:12 A threefold cord stands for the great value of being part of a larger group rather than being alone.

Study Notes

Eccles. 3:16–4:16 Second Catalog of “Vanities.” The Preacher returns to examining more of life’s vanities.

Eccles. 4:13–16 The Preacher recalls an example of the temporary results of wisdom. In contrast to an old and foolish king, there once was a poor and wise youth who managed to rise above his humble beginnings and ascend to the throne. Yet later generations would not rejoice in him; his success and popularity, though gained by true wisdom, did not last.

S3:033 Ecclesiastes 3-4

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Ecclesiastes 3-4

Think back to February 2020, just four short (or incredibly long?) years ago. We were hearing news about the COVID outbreak in China, but the full implications of the growing pandemic were still a few weeks in the future. In February, we were blissfully unaware of the seismic changes that would come in March: declaration of a national emergency, stay-at-home orders, the "new normal."

If living through a pandemic taught us anything, it was that the laments of the Teacher in Ecclesiastes are true. Mankind cannot predict the future; and unexpected challenges, pain, and sorrow are familiar faces to us in our broken world.

The Teacher's quests to find meaning in things apart from God all end the same way: hebel, the Hebrew word for "vapor" or "smoke." These short-lived "vanities" that the Teacher explores reveal the enduring, everlasting work of the Lord. There is "a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1), and we are not the authors or orchestrators of this timeline. There is nothing that humans can do to add or take away from what God has planned.

While these musings could lead one to bitterness, frustration, or disappointment, the Teacher points us to a different response: "rejoice in [your] work" (Ecclesiastes 3:22). We can rest and take comfort that our gracious Heavenly Father is in control of all things. What a blessing! All the past, present, and future are under the authority of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:15-18), and God is working together all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Though our physical bodies will return to dust, our spiritual beings belong to God, and we will one day be united with Him in heaven (2 Peter 3:13). This security in our eternal future allows us to be joyful in our earthly present. 

Whether "a time for weeping" or "a time for laughing" is on the horizon, we can rest in the sovereignty of God and the words of our Redeemer to His disciples: "In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

This month's memory verse

Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

– Exodus 34:6b

Discussion Questions

1. Do you trust God's authority and control of this world and of your life? If not, share what is holding you back.

2. Has there been a season of life that you found difficult to accept as part of God's plan? Pause and reflect on the Lord's faithfulness to you during that time. What did you learn about God through that experience?

3. In the midst of what "vanities" of life are you currently seeking contentment? In what ways can you remind yourself that this area of life is ultimately a "striving after wind" and instead turn to the Lord for true fulfillment?

4. What "good gifts" can you praise God for in your life right now? Take time to thank the Lord for these gifts and enjoy them today.

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

HS

Hugh Stephenson

A few years ago when I was still living in Atlanta, I was introduced to a very successful entrepreneur who lived in Kentucky. In our discussion he mentioned that he had lived in Atlanta for many years but had recently relocated to Kentucky. I asked him why he moved. He said, “I was looking for a geographic solution to a personal problem.” As we talked, I could tell by his answers to my questions that his attempt at a solution was likely to fail. In some ways I see Solomon have the same misdirected approach to the questions and problems that vex him. I see a consistent focus on man and his efforts to find meaning from life in the world. Which I find kind of odd. The question that isn’t asked is “What am I missing?” Repeatedly, Solomon asks questions that are deeply spiritual. Then it’s as if he rebuts himself in asserting that there is no solution. But all he talks about is the material world. Like the man I noted above, it seems he is approaching the problem incorrectly. I can’t see a material solution to Solomon’s spiritual problem.
HS

Hugh Stephenson

All of this leads me to the often-asked question- SO WHAT? HERE’S WHAT! How I am very unlike Solomon. -I have one wife and I am joyously happy in her. -I do have two cars. But that’s better than relying on thousands of horses and chariots https://www.esv.org/Proverbs+21:31;Psalm+20:7;Psalm+33:17;Isaiah+31:1/ I don’t have a palace. I never did. As empty nesters, we even downsized in 2021. I don’t have a temple because my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). How I am very like Solomon I sought a material solution to a spiritual problem. I have a deep need to surrender to God’s provision for every element of my life. I find it very hard to do this very simple thing. In surrender, the nightmare of my material rebellion will lead me to the fulfillment of my spiritual dream
HS

Hugh Stephenson

The notes to Proverbs summarize God’s call to me - Live a life of quiet covenantal faithfulness. My only road is the narrow one the leads to the small gate- “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14, NASB From TC’s notes – Verses 3:1-8 have an important connection with the theme of the book and relate closely to what precedes and to what follows. Man is to take his life day by day from the hand of God (2:24-26; 3:12-13), realizing that God has a fitting time for each thing to be done (v. 1). The significance of this section is that man is responsible to discern the right times for the right actions; and when he does the right action according to God's time, the result is 'beautiful' (v. 11)."[110]. https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/ot/ecclesiastes/ecclesiastes.htm A friend notes this from Bonhoeffer "Christian brotherhood is not an ideal which we must realize; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate. The more clearly we learn to recognize that the ground and strength and promise of all our fellowship is in Jesus Christ alone, the more serenely shall we think of our fellowship and pray and hope for it." – Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Life Together" —————————————————————————— I saw this headline recently “Less Than Half of Americans "Very Satisfied" With Own Lives” I add- “…there are few who find it.” https://news.gallup.com/poll/610133/less-half-americans-satisfied-own-lives.aspx?utm_source=ground.news&utm_medium=referral
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Constable edifies- God has also placed within the heart of every person a sense of something eternal and a desire to know the eternal significance of what we do (v. 11, "set eternity in their heart").[113] "This quest is a deep-seated desire, a compulsive drive, because man is made in the image of God to appreciate the beauty of creation (on an aesthetic level); to know the character, composition, and meaning of the world (on an academic and philosophical level); and to discern its purpose and destiny (on a theological level). ... Man has an inborn inquisitiveness and capacity to learn how everything in his experience can be integrated to make a whole."[114] "'Eternity' to Old Testament people was not timelessness or absence of time. They knew no such realm. It was, rather, extension of time—as far back and as far forward as one could imagine—'time in its wholeness' (JB), 'sense of time past and future' (NEB)."[115]
MS

Michael Scaman

The Lit students entered the room on day three to find no teacher and a huge sprawling wall awaiting them, with lots of chalk. The wall adorned with the words "There is a time for everything" from Ecclesiastes 3. The teacher very late due to a traffic situation, so with chalk in hand, the students all set themselves to out do eachother with some graffiti. Lia, the artsy one said let's all draw the first two things we think of from this verse. Lia immediately drew a sunrise and sunset. Her uncle just died and Lia's sunrise and sunset in shades of reds and purples, depicted the cycles of life, echoing Ecclesiastes 3's phrase "a time to be born and a time to die," Nearby she drew two flowers, a blooming flower and a wilted flower" Geeky Sam illustrated two calendeers, one fading. the other bright and new. On the left a calender from 10 years past and on the right one from 10 years future. His graffiti declared, "Time does on. There is meaning behind life. We long for the meaning" Mona depicted two faces melded into one, portraying the delicate balance of sorrow and joy in human emotions. Beneath her artwork, the message was written in perfect script, " God's gentle touch is felt, through both sorrow and joy". Dane captured the essence of human connection with two hands reaching out amidst a chaotic urban backdrop. In bold letters, his message resonated, "Two friends, one concrete jungle getting by. Even in the shadows, find contentment. " Diedre created a serene scene of two persons, one person finding inner peace amidst the bustling cityscape and another person confused and not finding it looking to the sky. Bell rang. Class over. The Lit students exited the room, leaving behind their creativity. The very late very tired stuck behind a frustrating traffic accident on a bridge teacher finally returned, greeted by the colorful expression adorning the once blank wall. He picked up a piece of chalk and wrote "we go from dust to dust - but - and sometimes then go from dust to glory"
GJ

greg jones

My favorite two books of the Bible are the one I’m reading and the other one that I’m reading as a backdrop to the first. Today it’s Ecclesiastes and Esther. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15-16  All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him? Ecclesiastes 3:20-22 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. Esther 4:17 Back story on Esther and Mordecai. Mordecai has disrespected the number two man in the land by not bowing to him. We’re not sure of the reason but Mordecai was definitely taking a Jewish stand (Esther 3:4). Mordecai was being overtly Jewish in the land of Persia. What’s interesting is that he had advised his niece to be covertly Jewish in the house of the king. Mordecai’s defiance to bow to Haman has earned, him personally, a death sentence, and a genocide sentence for all other Jews. Esther’s “job” is to save her people from the king’s edict (Esther 3:12-13). She doesn’t exactly take the Proverbs 31 route. In fact you can make a fair case that she takes the lady folly route to reel Haman into the tangled web she weaves for him. However, you cannot, make a case that lady folly describes Esther’s character in any way or that King Ahasuerus showed any wisdom on his part by choosing her as queen. In the case of both Mordecai and Esther there is a righteous disregard of authority that has been mostly lacking in Israel’s pre-exile history. Post exile in Esther it shows up. Mordecai the Jew who didn’t return home but continued to seek the welfare of the place he found himself (Jeremiah 29:7) goes on to become number 2 to the king of Persia (Esther 10:3). Purim will be celebrated next month from sunset on the 23rd to nightfall on the 24th by Jews around the world. In remembrance the book of Esther will be read.
MS

Michael Sisson

Re: Ec 4:3 Ecclesiastes 4:3 (ESV) But better than both is >>>he who has not yet been<<< and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. This verse would seem to support the Talmudic concept of souls in the “guff” before birth (Heb. “Guff” [goof] — a reservoir of souls yet to be born). Most Christian commentators reject the concept because when souls are created is not specifically addressed in Scripture, nor is the place where they reside before birth. We simply don’t know. However, that every soul, prior to conception, at least had a place in the foreknowledge of an omniscient G-d seems inescapable and as existentially real and certain as any prophecy yet to be fulfilled.
SB

Sue Bohlin

Lovely devo, Sarah! I love encountering one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible, 3:11--"He has made everything beautiful in its time." What a wonderful lens through which to view creation! This is especially encouraging to me because growing up, I avoided looking in the mirror because I had slapped the label of "ugly cripple girl" on myself. Of course, I now know that "ugly" is a comparative word; its only context is in comparison to something or someone else--UGLY doesn't exist on its own. But several years into my walk with Jesus (and on Monday I celebrated my spiritual birthday of 51 years as a Christ-follower), the Lord spoke these deeply encouraging words to me: "I only know how to make beautiful things, and I made you. You are beautiful!" That I didn't imagine this blessing from my Creator is confirmed by Ecclesiastes 3:11. Thank You, Lord!
JC

Jason Cromwell

Ugh...Solomon...you do remember your dad was born a poor shepherd boy who became king and was a one time servant of the former king? This is about the 10th time between Proverbs and Ecc. that Solomon warns against a servant becoming king.
AL

Amy Lowther

1. Yes, I trust God’s authority and control in this world and in my life. I trust Him because of information I learn at church and information I learn in the Bible which l can apply in daily life. 2. There are difficult times in life, but when I see them like God and consider how God prefers life to be, difficult times become easier. God’s way helps reduce stress and helps increase feeling good. 3. I am currently content with life. God helps me be content. Learning a little bit each day, applying what I learn in daily life, and sharing information about God and Jesus with others reminds me not to strive after wind. 4. I can praise God for His unconditional love and support and how it shines everyday. Prayer: God thank you for everything. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for your unconditional love and support and how it shines everyday. May we all believe in you and in what you do. Amen. Sarah - Thank you for sharing your ideas. You make a good point in saying, “We can rest and take comfort that our gracious Heavenly Father is in control of all things”. This is a great thing for work, for school, and for social activities.