Semper Reformanda

Ecclesiastes 5:20 | Word Study

For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. Ecclesiastes 5:20 (KJV)

The ISV reads “For he will not brood much over the days of his life, since God will keep him occupied with the joys of his heart.” Bartholmew directly quotes Lohfink here, “(this) implies that the ecstasy of the good is given within the psychic phenomenon of joy itself insofar as this is also a divine answer, something like revelation. In joy, then, the conclusion of right thinking namely the perfection and the eternity of divine action within all events is directly communicated as revelation.” (194) This is such a wholesome conclusion to the pursuit of labour and freedom, and it is such a fitting reward for the godly – to find joy in God. Adding to this, Seow notes – that the joy intended in these words are not future tense, but it is in the present tense. He writes, “the emphasis is not on the future, but on the possibility of enjoyment in the present.” (231)

References:

Bartholomew, C. (2009). Ecclesiastes, Baker Academic

Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press

Ecclesiastes 5:19 | Word Study

Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19 (KJV)

‘… to whom God given riches and wealth,’ seems to be a contrast to the wealth the natural man amasses. The difference being, to whom God gives, He empowers them to enjoy it. (Barthalomew, 193) On the contrary, the natural man is deprived of such joy. He is either troubled because he has too much, or not enough. Qoheleth here seems to suggests that wealth in itself is not wrong or problematic. Or that, it is impossible to enjoy wealth and know God; these two are not exclusives. (Provan, 146) But the godly knows God’s providence; and he surrenders to Him – granting him peace and joy.

References:

Bartholomew, C. (2009). Ecclesiastes, Baker Academic

Provan, I. (2001). Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs: The New Application Commentary, Zondervan

“… and the bread I will give is my flesh” | The Advent of Christ | 25/25

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51 (KJV)

“Crede et manducasti.” — “Believe, and you have eaten.” (Augustine)[1] The phrase, ‘eat of this bread,’ seems to be a reference to spiritual sustenance. Christ came from Bethlehem Ephrathah, i.e., ‘fruitfulness from the house of bread.’ The poetic foretelling is consistent with Christ’s own words. This is a reference to a relationship that is intimate (Henry)[2]; i.e., one that is born of faith. Calvin writes, “If any man eat of this bread. Whenever He uses the word eat, He exhorts us to faith, which alone enables us to enjoy this bread, so as to derive life from it.”[3] The question largely narrows down on desire. What satisfies your soul? Is it manna that lasts for a day? Or is it God, the giver of eternal life? The advent is a reminder that Christ came to give His life, that we may never hunger for eternity. Piper writes, “Because of his death in our place, he is bread for us. He is the source of forgiveness and righteousness and life. This is the great meaning of Christmas in the Gospel of John.”[4]

Note: With this, I end my twenty five day devotional, meditations on the ‘Advent of Christ.’ Thank you for your readership, and your encouraging comments. Merry Christmas!

[1] Augustine of Hippo. “Tractates on the Gospel of John.” In Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, vol. 7, edited by Philip Schaff, translated by John Gibb and James Innes. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1888.

[2] https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary/matthew-henry-complete/john/6

[3] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/calvin/john/6.htm

[4] Piper, J. (2014). The Dawning of Indestructible Joy