Day 157 - Saturday in the Second Week after Pentecost

Read | Day 157 | Saturday | June 6

Ecclesiastes 1: 12-18

Ecclesiastes 2: 1-11, 12-16, 17-26

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-15, 16– 4: 6

Ecclesiastes 4: 7-12, 13-16

Ecclesiastes 5: 1-7, 8– 6: 9

Ecclesiastes 6: 10-12

Source | Daily Reading Guide | The One Year ® Chronological Bible | Tyndale, 2013 | Click here 

Background | Center for Biblical Studies | Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes is presented as a book written by a king of Israel called “Qohelet,” typically understood to be Solomon. But scholars agree that the book’s author is unknown and lived after Israel returned from exile—long after Israel’s line of kings died out. The author was not trying to deceive his readers, however. He was using a kingly character to drive home his theological point.

The meaning of the name Qohelet is not clear, but it likely is derived from the Hebrew word qahal, which means “to gather.” In 1 Kings 8, this word is used several times to describe how Solomon gathered together the elders of Israel. Referring to this character as Qohelet may be the author’s way of alluding to Solomon indirectly. Also, the English title “Ecclesiastes” is derived from both the Latin and Greek words that mean “assembly” (and where we get our word “ecclesiastical” from). The Greek word ekklesia means “church” in the New Testament, which is why the name Qohelet is often translated as “preacher” or “teacher.” But these are not translations of Qohelet as much as interpretations of what the word might mean. It is best to leave the name as is and refer to the main character as Qohelet. Also, as readers will quickly see, Qohelet is not really preaching or teaching as much as he is lamenting and complaining about the nature of life.  More ... click here 

Reading | Solomon? Vanity; everything stays the same despite the changes in the world; death is still one per person; what is all the toil worth?; Everything has a season and a time for it to happen under heaven; there is nothing better for them to be happy and enjoy themselves for as long as they live; this is a gift from God; enjoy work and life; attitude before God; Enjoy but don't be greedy; limits to knowledge ... better than X then Y.

Source | Oxford Annotated Bible, 4th Edition | Notes pp. 935-942

Next | Day 158 | Sunday | June 7 | Ecclesiastes 7:1 - 11:16

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Listen to this morning's prayers from the Episcopal Parish of Garrett County (MA) via Mission St Clare - click here