by Admin | Jun 11, 2024 | Ancient Texts, Bible, Emerald Book Club
Oh Give Thanks
105 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.
20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.
31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.
32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.
34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,
35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord.
by Admin | May 31, 2024 | Ancient Texts, Bible, Emerald Book Club, Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, a passage from the Hebrew Bible, articulates a profound reflection on the nature of time and the cyclical rhythms of human existence. It emphasizes that life is composed of a series of predetermined and contrasting seasons or periods, each with its own appropriate activity. This concept is often summarized by the phrase,
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
King Solomon
Solomon (/ˈsɒləmən/), also called Jedidiah, was a Hebrew monarch of ancient Israel and the son and successor of King David of the tribe of Judah, according to the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. He is described as having been the penultimate ruler of an amalgamated Israel and Judah.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Scholarly Perspective:
From a scholarly perspective, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is part of the Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Bible, attributed to Qoheleth or the Teacher. This passage explores the notion of temporality and the divine ordering of time.
The structure of the passage, with its antithetical pairs (e.g., “a time to be born and a time to die”), serves to underscore the inevitability and balance of life’s experiences. Scholars interpret this as a recognition of the divine sovereignty over human affairs, suggesting that human beings, while capable of making choices, ultimately operate within a framework established by a higher power.
This acknowledgment of a predetermined order invites readers to accept the transitory nature of life and the futility of attempting to control every aspect of their existence.
Philosophical Perspective:
Philosophically, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 engages with themes of existentialism and the search for meaning within the human condition. It reflects on the temporality and impermanence of life, proposing that each moment and event, whether joyous or sorrowful, has its rightful place in the grand scheme.
This cyclical view of time challenges linear perceptions of progress and emphasizes the importance of embracing the present.
Philosophers might interpret this passage as advocating for a form of temporal realism, recognizing the inevitability of change and the balance of opposites in shaping human experience.
It also resonates with the Stoic acceptance of fate and the emphasis on living in harmony with nature’s rhythms.
Integration:
Integrating both perspectives, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 presents a holistic vision of time as an organizing principle of existence, divinely instituted and philosophically rich. It calls for a contemplative recognition of life’s seasons, advocating for a balanced acceptance of both the joys and tribulations that define the human journey.
This passage, thus, serves as a reminder of the inherent order and purpose within the flux of life, encouraging individuals to find peace and meaning within the temporal flow ordained by a transcendent order.
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to delve into the profound insights of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 with us. We hope this exploration has enriched your understanding of the intricate dance between time and human experience. Reflecting on the wisdom of embracing life’s seasons can offer a sense of peace and purpose amidst the inevitable changes we face.
We invite you to implement these reflections in your daily life, observing how acknowledging the natural flow of time influences your perspective and decisions.
Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear how this timeless wisdom resonates with you and impacts your journey.
Emerald Book Club
