Author Archives: Jefferson Vann
no reward
Ecclesiastes 9:1-10 The Preacher lives in a world where there are no guarantees of success, even if one does what is right. Rewards for righteous living are “in the hand of God” which means that they are out of … Continue reading
Posted in discipleship, hope, resurrection, sleep of death, Solomon, wisdom
Tagged Ecclesiastes 9
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band-aids on broken arms
Jeremiah 8:4-9:22 Even when the officials of the people understood that they were doomed and dying, they simply tried to calm everyone down with false assurances of peace. But Jeremiah knew that there was no peace. The people tried … Continue reading
Posted in discernment, Jeremiah, peace, relationship with God, repentance
Tagged Jeremiah 8, Jeremiah 9
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exceptions
Ecclesiastes 8 The essence of the conventional wisdom of the Preacher’s day is that living a righteous life will produce a longer, healthier, and happier life. Yet, the Preacher proclaims that there are plenty of exceptions, and no one can … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, eternal life, joy, Solomon, trust
Tagged Ecclesiastes 8
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remember Shiloh
Jeremiah 7-8:3 Jeremiah is told to stand at the gate of the temple and warn the people that they are trusting in a place rather than the LORD himself. Even if it is – or was – the LORD’s chosen … Continue reading
Posted in church, discipleship, Jeremiah, relationship with God, worship
Tagged Jeremiah 7, Jeremiah 8
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balance
Ecclesiastes 7:15-29 The preacher confesses here that he has sought to analyze all reality and has been able to figure out so little of it. He knows why one man in a thousand does what he does, but cannot understand … Continue reading
useless offerings
Jeremiah 6 The LORD proclaims impending destruction upon Jerusalem because they are always rejecting his word. They dare to think that God cares about offerings from foreign lands, as if their costliness would appease him. But he says: “What use … Continue reading
good old days
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 The preacher instructs us not to look back when times were good and pine for them. Instead he instructs his readers to consider the present times as the work of God. There is a reason that we are … Continue reading
“He will do nothing”
Jeremiah 5 Jeremiah’s audience was convinced that the LORD would not make good on his threats. They felt secure in their position in spite of the fact that they were idolatrous and exploited the poor. The LORD said: “Go up … Continue reading
not enough
Ecclesiastes 6 The grievous evil that the Preacher has discovered is mortality. Even a long and strong life is not enough. In the end, all of life’s good things must go to another, because all go to the same place … Continue reading
Posted in deliverance, dependence upon God, mortality, relationship with God, Solomon
Tagged Ecclesiastes 6
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two lions
Jeremiah 4:5-31 The lion Jeremiah described as “a destroyer of nations” was the lion in Daniel’s vision (Daniel 7). It was Babylon, and since Judah did not repent, the lion did bring swift destruction to her from the north. All … Continue reading
