Year in the Bible Week 23

Solomon Wirshipping Idols by Luca Giordano (1634-1705)

This week’s readings turn the story of Israel completely upside down. First we get the words of Solomon the wise in Proverbs, then we watch as Solomon violates commandment number one, and then suddenly we read about the meaninglessness of it all. Without repentance and submission, without the will of God reigning supreme over our own plans and desires, life is tragic indeed, and such is the aim of Ecclesiastes.

Very often I am guilty of reading God’s word in the Old Testament as God’s instructions and interactions with the entirety of His chosen people, but Ecclesiastes brings me back to the truth of God’’s living word, that all of it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). God’s righteousness is always the same. Only our distance from it changes. It is good to enjoy the simple pleasures given to us if we are in his will, but if we aren’t in his will it is all meaningless.

Next week we will see the passing of Solomon, and the beginning of Israel’s terrible troubles. We will begin a series of unfit kings and usurpers who do evil in the Lord’s sight, and reduce the nation incrementally. God could turn it around, but with only a few exceptions they do not turn to Him. Without God’s blessing, the nation will not prosper. It will barely endure.