Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Beholding Futility

Ecclesiastes 1:13 And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. [14] I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

The preacher sets out to determine whether what is done under Heaven has purpose of itself. In his own words, he set his heart to diligently seek out an answer; the compound descriptor emphasizing the sobriety and gravity of the seeker’s intention and effort. More than that, the preacher sought these things by wisdom.

Canticles of Andurun Volume Five Available on Amazon

By the grace of God and the diligence of my devoted wife and her artistic skills (she creates the covers for my fantasy fiction), The Canticles of Andurun Book 5: Ascent of Shadows is available starting today on Amazon! I am so pleased and feel very blessed to be able to finally move forward with my fiction series! The novel is available in soft cover and Kindle versions, and I am presently hoping that the sixth volume in the series can be out by January next year. God bless!

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Who Is The Preacher?

Ecclesiastes 1:12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

Verse 12 clearly gives a strong indictment as to the identity of the preacher. The writer does not identify himself with northern Samaria or southern Judah, as they would become in the wake of the rebellion Jeroboam led against Rehoboam after his accession to the throne. No, only three men qualify for a united Israel from the throne of Jerusalem. Saul is disqualified simply because we are informed that the preacher is king over Israel from Jerusalem, a city that David took from the Jebusites during his reign, 2 Samuel 5:6-9. We read, “In Hebron [David] reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty three years over all Israel and Judah,” 2 Samuel 2:5:5.

Ecclesiastes Chapter One, Old & Forgotten

Ecclesiastes 1:10 Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. [11] There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who come after.

Amazingly, these first 11 verses form a sort of primer for the weightier material the preacher is about to examine and give his insight on. One may say that this introduction was a sweeping overview of the issue (the purpose for man’s labor) and his rebuttal to an argument for purpose under the sun: there isn’t one. Not one that is universal and absolutely satisfies the craving eyes and ears of humanity.

Prayer Request For Joanne

Good evening all. I would like to bring this matter before my readership and request that prayer and supplication are made on behalf of Joanne, the grandmother of one of my employees. My employee came to work today with the distressing news that his grandmother was diagnosed with cancer.