ECCLESIASTES 1: HYPOTHESIS

ECCLESIASTES 1: HYPOTHESIS

This is part 2 of a many-part blog series on the book of Ecclesiastes. Qoheleth (the Collector or Assembler – Solomon) begins chapter 1 with a hypothesis: everything in this life is ultimately hebel (the Hebrew word that is often translated vanity, meaningless,...
ECCLESIASTES: INTRODUCTION

ECCLESIASTES: INTRODUCTION

This is part 1 in a many-part series on the book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is widely believed to be the most difficult to interpret of all of the Bible, even more so than Revelation. Perhaps the central reason for this difficulty is that the main message of the...
WHO IS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION?

WHO IS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION?

Imagine going to a wedding. Upon entering the venue, you are awestruck by the beautiful décor. Much time and attention has been devoted to make this day special for the wedding couple. Your excitement for them grows as you walk into the room and take your seat – it’s...
JEREMIAH 32: THE LORD REDEEMS BUSINESS

JEREMIAH 32: THE LORD REDEEMS BUSINESS

This is post 7 of 9 in a series about the book of Jeremiah. Do you have a contrarian in your life? You know, that person who never seems to reflect the mood in the moment. When it’s raining, they are giddy. When you’re tired, they want to sprint. When you’re ready to...
NEHEMIAH 4: Building Under Opposition

NEHEMIAH 4: Building Under Opposition

This is part 5 of 7 in a series about Nehemiah. Nehemiah gains momentum, and then in 4:1-3 the opposition arrives. It comes via some traditional enemies of the Jews, but as is often the case—like the Jewish tax collectors in Rome 450 years later—there are Jewish...
NEHEMIAH 3: Working as a Whole Village

NEHEMIAH 3: Working as a Whole Village

This is part 4 of 7 in a series about Nehemiah. Nehemiah chapter 3 could easily be glossed over as one of those long-winded chapters in the Bible with a lot of names that are hard for us to pronounce. That would be a mistake. There is a simple but compelling reason...