Old Testament reading: Ecclesiastes 4-7
Today’s reading makes a transition from the experience of the Preacher to a collection of maxims and admonitions akin to those found in Proverbs. The emptiness of the Preacher is seen in his repeated statements concerning the superiority of death over life: “I praised the dead who were already dead more than the living who are still alive” (4:2). So empty is the Preacher’s soul that he says a man never born is better than both the dead and the living, as he has never seen the futility of evil in the world (4:3). On a more favorable note, the Preacher rightfully declares that all men, rich and poor, are on equal ground in matters of living and dying: “Do not all go to one place?” (6:6). Of note here – the phrase “under the sun” appears 29 times in this book. It should be understood as being among the living in the world, that is, on the face of the earth. A proper understanding of this phrase will help dispel some errors concerning the dead that will be noted in our next reading. See you then!
New Testament reading: Ephesians 1-3
The church is not God’s “Plan B.” This may sound odd, but this view of the church is held by millions who espouse premillennialiam. Those believing this error cannot have a high view of the church. This doctrine affirms that Jesus failed to establish a physical kingdom in His first earthly visit and set up the church as a temporary kingdom until He comes the second time to do what He failed to do the first. But this is not Paul’s view of the church. Rather, Paul teaches us in that the church is a vital part of God’s eternal purpose (Eph 3:9-11). How important is the church? It is the chosen mouthpiece of God to make known His wisdom to the world and to “principalities and powers in heavenly places.” God did not disclose His will to the angels. Instead, God’s wisdom as manifest in the gospel was revealed to them as it unfolded in the life of the church (cf 1 Pet 1:10-12). How highly does God think of the church? Jesus died to purchase it with His blood (Acts 20:28), and God will destroy those who defile it (1 Cor 3:16-17). The church is the body of Christ, the fulness of Him who fills all in all (Eph 1:22-23). “To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen” (Eph 3:21).
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