Ecclesiastes 1-3
The second book of the Bible that continues in the Wisdom Tradition is Ecclesiastes, which is the Latin translation of a word that means "teacher" in Hebrew. Like Proverbs the sayings of Ecclesiastes are usually attributed to Solomon, but in this text Solomon is never named, just "son of David." The book dates to the post-exilic period, probably written between the 5th and 3rd Century before Christ.
There is no real consensus on the structure of the book, everyone seems to think there is some order and that the sayings are not just random thoughts put down on paper. Some believe the sayings are ordered on numerological themes, while others think concentric circles of thought are used to order the sayings. Take your pick, your theory might work as well.
At the heart of the book is the realities of human life. The author(s) seem to focus on the limits of humanity and the contradictions that exist in life. The famous quote of the book deals with "vanities", which is a way of defining life without God.
Of particular interest, as we begin the study of the Ecclesiastes is the understand that this book is read during Sukkoth, which begins next week, September 18th.
In Ecclesiastes 1, the author quickly lays the foundation of the book, first he names himself "teacher" or Qoheleth in Hebrew. Next the author introduces us to "vanity" which is best described as vapor but also is viewed as meaninglessness or absurdity. The teacher sees life as vain, for those who pursue life without meaning, or without God.
To help demonstrate this point, the Teacher places humanity within a cosmic context in which the sun rises and sets, streams flow to the sea, etc. Their is a cycle in the universe and world, so there is a cycle in life, "get used to it" the teach would say.
Qoheleth, himself, has been challenged to search out the cosmos for great meaning and wisdom, yet such a search is baseless when one considers that humans cannot unmake what God has done. In a paradox, this Wisdom Literature, is very critical of a search for wisdom, for outside of God, is there Wisdom?
The Teacher is also a bit of a scientist, for Ecclesiastes 2 is an experiment of his to try and find meaning. He pursues all sorts of projects, seeking to find "happiness" or just meaning. Yet through all his works, he finds nothing. His pursuits have been in vain, much like Paul's own experience of seeking the traditions of his childhood, which gained him nothing.
Through his efforts, the Teacher realizes that wisdom and meaning can only be found in God as a gift from God. Wisdom and knowledge are God's response to those who please God. I am not sure if this is not a cyclic thing however. As we seek to please God, we come to knowledge and understanding.
If you know nothing about Ecclesiastes, you certainly know the opening of Ecclesiastes 3, a poetic expression of the cosmic cycles in which humanity resides. All these things happen in life, the question seems to be, where are you with God in this cycle? God seeks all to be happy, God seeks justice and will provide. Does one trust in God? Or does not seek happiness as an ends or justice?
2 Thessalonians 2
Paul, or the author, seeks to explain that the Day of Jesus has not come nor is upon them, for the rebellion must occur first. It was widely beleived that calamity would come before the coming of the Lord, just a Jesus predicted. These signs have not occured yet, nor are they on the horizon. Paul speaks of the anti-christ, the Lawless one who will come and present himself and yet be destroyed by JEsus Christ.
Paul follows this with a sharp break which comes back to a more thankful reflection. This break seems to represent the difference between those who will be condemned and those who will be saved.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Proverbs 31 & Psalm 94
Proverbs 31
Proverbs 31 opens with words of advice from a mother to her son, the king. In it she points out a couple of issues to be wary of, the first being not to let a women gain strength over him. This is a warning to be wary of immoral women who do not have the king's or nation's best interest in her heart. Second, she warns against strong drink, for strong drink serves a purpose, to allow those in pain or suffering to be relieved from their pain. For a king to pursue strong drink is to pursue a self-destructive path.
While the bible is very patriarchal in is form and origin, the last half of this chapter extols the virtues of the wise wife, who really keeps things in order behind the scene and whose sheer presence allows a family to prosper. This wife is a multi-tasker who sees with eyes of far-sight.
Psalm 94
If there ever was an honest and raw plea for justice, Psalm 94 is it! You can almost feel the pain and anger of the oppressed in your bones as you hear the psalmists plea. The powerful in the community have tread all over the weak, they have oppressed and abused those who seem to have no other voice but God's. So haughty are the rich and powerful that they taunt God himself.
But the voice of righteous indignation rings out, loudly! (This is the churches present failing. We have become mired in all sorts of disputes, we no longer have the ability to speak with righteous indignation.) Irregardless of the present situation, the psalmist knows, and hence is seen as wise, that God will bring judgment. Woe to those who live and prosper in injustice, they will be brought down! Thank God!
Proverbs 31 opens with words of advice from a mother to her son, the king. In it she points out a couple of issues to be wary of, the first being not to let a women gain strength over him. This is a warning to be wary of immoral women who do not have the king's or nation's best interest in her heart. Second, she warns against strong drink, for strong drink serves a purpose, to allow those in pain or suffering to be relieved from their pain. For a king to pursue strong drink is to pursue a self-destructive path.
While the bible is very patriarchal in is form and origin, the last half of this chapter extols the virtues of the wise wife, who really keeps things in order behind the scene and whose sheer presence allows a family to prosper. This wife is a multi-tasker who sees with eyes of far-sight.
Psalm 94
If there ever was an honest and raw plea for justice, Psalm 94 is it! You can almost feel the pain and anger of the oppressed in your bones as you hear the psalmists plea. The powerful in the community have tread all over the weak, they have oppressed and abused those who seem to have no other voice but God's. So haughty are the rich and powerful that they taunt God himself.
But the voice of righteous indignation rings out, loudly! (This is the churches present failing. We have become mired in all sorts of disputes, we no longer have the ability to speak with righteous indignation.) Irregardless of the present situation, the psalmist knows, and hence is seen as wise, that God will bring judgment. Woe to those who live and prosper in injustice, they will be brought down! Thank God!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Proverbs 29-30 & 2 Thessalonians 1
Proverbs 29-30
Again the teachers seek to emphasize the need for a righteous ruler, for they will bring harmony and prosperity in Proverbs 29. The contrast between the righteous and the wicked is again demonstrated in the chapter, as is the difference between the disciplined and undisciplined person.
Proverbs 30 is a unique section to the Book of Proverbs, for it would seem that the primary "author" is Agur, a non-Israelite, who comes from a tribe that was known to exist outside of Israel. The content of the chapter would seem to be an argument between an "atheist", Agur, and a scholar of Israel, as the two discuss the existence of God. The last portion of the chapter is marked by numerical sayings that speak to the existence of the wicked and the unclean.
2 Thessalonians 1
There is much discussion about the relationship between the Second Letter to the Thessalonians and the First Letter because they seem so different. First, the tone is much warmer in the first as opposed to the second, Paul seems aloof and academic as opposed to the loving pastoral style of the first. Second, they seem to be speaking of two different contexts; in the first letter, Paul seems to right about the Second Coming as one that is to come, while in the second he seems to be trying to dispel the rumor that the Day of Resurrection had already occurred. Perhaps Paul was clearing up some miss-communication, or perhaps, this is a different author.
Paul, or the author, opens the letter with the normal greeting and then gives thanks for the community; for their love and faithfulness to God and one another. Their example is one in which Paul is able to boast to other churches.
The author then gets into the meat of the letter, the Second Coming of Christ, but he speaks about in apocalyptic terms. It would seem that, perhaps, the community or the church is suffering from some sort of persecution and the author points to the day when God's justice will reign down and the afflicted will be exalted.
Again the teachers seek to emphasize the need for a righteous ruler, for they will bring harmony and prosperity in Proverbs 29. The contrast between the righteous and the wicked is again demonstrated in the chapter, as is the difference between the disciplined and undisciplined person.
Proverbs 30 is a unique section to the Book of Proverbs, for it would seem that the primary "author" is Agur, a non-Israelite, who comes from a tribe that was known to exist outside of Israel. The content of the chapter would seem to be an argument between an "atheist", Agur, and a scholar of Israel, as the two discuss the existence of God. The last portion of the chapter is marked by numerical sayings that speak to the existence of the wicked and the unclean.
2 Thessalonians 1
There is much discussion about the relationship between the Second Letter to the Thessalonians and the First Letter because they seem so different. First, the tone is much warmer in the first as opposed to the second, Paul seems aloof and academic as opposed to the loving pastoral style of the first. Second, they seem to be speaking of two different contexts; in the first letter, Paul seems to right about the Second Coming as one that is to come, while in the second he seems to be trying to dispel the rumor that the Day of Resurrection had already occurred. Perhaps Paul was clearing up some miss-communication, or perhaps, this is a different author.
Paul, or the author, opens the letter with the normal greeting and then gives thanks for the community; for their love and faithfulness to God and one another. Their example is one in which Paul is able to boast to other churches.
The author then gets into the meat of the letter, the Second Coming of Christ, but he speaks about in apocalyptic terms. It would seem that, perhaps, the community or the church is suffering from some sort of persecution and the author points to the day when God's justice will reign down and the afflicted will be exalted.
Proverbs 27-28 & 1 Thessalonians 5
Proverbs 27-28
Proverbs 27 is a very diverse Proverb that has many themes, most extremely unrelated. Best not to try and make sense of the connections to each other. This chapter itself demonstrates a strong antithetical trend, which is the only real unity that one will find within it.
The following chapter, Proverbs 28, continues with the antithetical tradition but they tend to revolve around the difference between the righteous and the wicked. The opening of the chapter may have had royalty in mind as it focuses on appropriate rule and order, a trend that is seen in the entire chapter. Clearly order helps keep harmony.
Verse 4-9 focus on the Law, which is unusual for Proverbs as its primary focus is on Wisdom and not the Law. Another section within the chapter deals with wealth and poverty and while wealth is something that is esteemed, for it then provides one to care for self and others, it pales in comparison to righteousness.
1 Thessalonians 5
As the community of Thessalonians is consumed with the Parousia, the coming of Christ, Paul lets them know that no one can or will know when it will happen, in this Paul's view mirrors that of Jesus who proclaimed that only the Father knows. Paul exhorts the community to be ready, to live in the Light and follow in the example of Paul and Jesus. The function of the community is to encourage each member to live into this standard.
In closing, Paul encourages the community to push themselves, to discipline each other and every once and while, kick each other in the butt when they need to. He also, exhorts them to listen to their leaders and care for them.
Proverbs 27 is a very diverse Proverb that has many themes, most extremely unrelated. Best not to try and make sense of the connections to each other. This chapter itself demonstrates a strong antithetical trend, which is the only real unity that one will find within it.
The following chapter, Proverbs 28, continues with the antithetical tradition but they tend to revolve around the difference between the righteous and the wicked. The opening of the chapter may have had royalty in mind as it focuses on appropriate rule and order, a trend that is seen in the entire chapter. Clearly order helps keep harmony.
Verse 4-9 focus on the Law, which is unusual for Proverbs as its primary focus is on Wisdom and not the Law. Another section within the chapter deals with wealth and poverty and while wealth is something that is esteemed, for it then provides one to care for self and others, it pales in comparison to righteousness.
1 Thessalonians 5
As the community of Thessalonians is consumed with the Parousia, the coming of Christ, Paul lets them know that no one can or will know when it will happen, in this Paul's view mirrors that of Jesus who proclaimed that only the Father knows. Paul exhorts the community to be ready, to live in the Light and follow in the example of Paul and Jesus. The function of the community is to encourage each member to live into this standard.
In closing, Paul encourages the community to push themselves, to discipline each other and every once and while, kick each other in the butt when they need to. He also, exhorts them to listen to their leaders and care for them.
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