Qoheleth Chapter Nine
Translation from the Anchor Bible commentary by R.B.Y. Scott 9 1So I thought about all I had observed—that just and wise men and what they do are in God’s power; whether he will favor them or not, no one knows. Anything may happen to anyone; 2 the same chance befalls the innocent and the guilty, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, the one who brings a sacrifice and the one who does not. As it is with the virtuous, so it is with the sinner; as with the one who swears, so with him who is afraid to swear. 3 This is the worst of all the things that happen under the sun—that all meet the same fate. That is why men’s minds are full of evil, and madness is in their minds while they live—because their only future is to die. 4 It is true that “while one is...
Read MoreQoheleth Chapter Eight
Translation from the Anchor Bible commentary by R.B.Y. Scott 1 Who can compare with the wise man? Who else understands what things mean? A man’s wisdom lights up his face, and the hardness of his countenance is transformed. 2 Do what the king commands, because of your sacred oath. 3 Do not hurry from his presence in agitation; nor hesitate to go when the errand is distasteful. For he does was he pleases. 4 Since a king’s word is law, who dare say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 He who obeys will avoid trouble, and the wise mind will know when and how to act. 6 For there is a proper time and action in every circumstance. To his great misfortune 7 man does not know what will happen, and who can tell him how it will happen when it does? 8 As no man can control the...
Read MoreQoheleth Chapter Seven Actual
It has been a long break on this blog since I wended through the book of Ecclesiastes. Not counting my April Fool’s Joke, it has been more than eight months since I wrote my entry about Chapter six. But this Blog began with an outpouring about Ecclesiastes, so I feel dedicated to finishing my brief commentary on the book before the end of this year. So bear with me, dear reader, as I once again delve into the words of the Preacher (Qoheleth). — Translation from the Anchor Bible commentary by R.B.Y. Scott 1 “Better is fame than fine ointment” –hence the day of one’s death is more important than the day of one’s birth. 2 “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a feast” –for that is how all everyone comes to an end, and the living take it to...
Read MoreThoughts About Stewardship-Vicar’s Corner
Newsletter article on Stewardship written to my internship congregation Trinity Lutheran Church wherein I make a poop joke. — In this time of gathering harvest, families, and thoughts– it is good to take a moment and think about what lies at the heart and other end of gathering: giving. What do I mean by “what lies at heart and other end”? I mean that what we often take to be the opposite or other-end of a thing (gathering in, versus giving out) can often also be found deep at the very heart of that thing itself. Luther made this discovery in distinguishing between Law and Gospel, that is, the word that puts to death and the word that brings to new life. Sometimes at the very bottom of the law is written the gospel. The very thing that puts us to...
Read MoreQoheleth Chapter Seven
Translation from the Lilly Pad Bible Commentary by K.D. Frogg: 1 Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what’s on the other side? 2 Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide. 3 So we’ve been told and some choose to believe it. I know they’re wrong, wait and see. 4 Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers and me. 5 Who said that every wish would be heard and answered when wished on the morning star? 6 Somebody thought of that and someone believed it. 7 Look what it’s done so far. 8 What’s so amazing that keeps us star gazing and what do we think we might see? 9 Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers and me. All of us...
Read MoreQoheleth Chapter Six
Translation from the Anchor Bible commentary by R.B.Y. Scott: 1 One misfortune which I have observed under the sun, and which bears heavily on men [is this]– 2 a man to whom God grants riches, possessions, and an honored place [in the community], so that he lacks nothing that heart could desire, but whom God has not given the power to enjoy it– rather a stranger enjoys it instead. This is a hollow mockery and a sore affliction. 3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years and is prominent all his life, but does not find happiness– I declare that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 Though its coming is futile and it departs in darkness, though its name is hidden in darkness and it has no burial place; 5 thought it never saw the sun nor knew...
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