Queen's Road Cell

  Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. 12  For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them. 13  I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14  There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15  But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16  But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. 17  The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shou...

12  I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13  And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14  I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. 15  What is crooked cannot be made straight,      and what is lacking cannot be counted. 16  I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17  And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. 18  For in much wisdom is much vexation,      and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.   These verses provides a transition from the preceding poem to Qoheleth's experiment...

 We start our study of Ecclesiastes today! In this introductory session, we have asked ourselves: Am I an optimist or a pessimist? We generally felt that it was somewhat too simplistic to categorize ourselves as optimists or pessimists. We felt that we might have characteristics of both at different times in our lives, or at different times of our lives. T here is no doubt the writer of Ecclesiastes was a pessimist. Even his positive statements (e.g. 2:10, 24; 5:18-20) are enveloped in some sense of resignation that joy is not ultimate. He speaks as if to say. "Make the best out of a bad situation" rather than telling people to 'go out' and  'live life to the fullest'.   I asked if it was possible to be a faithful Christian and a pessimist. I said that Ecclesiastes affirms that expectation of little in this life is fine. We know 2. Who wrote Ecclesiastes? What was his purpose?   The book is named after the writer (Gk. Ekkleiastes ). This individual is ...

  The praise of the wise Psalm 111  Praise the Lord ! אֹ I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, גְּ     in the company of the upright, in the congregation. גְּ 2  Great are the works of the Lord , דְּ      studied by all who delight in them. הֹ 3  Full of splendor and majesty is his work, וְ      and his righteousness endures forever. זֵ 4  He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; חַ      the Lord is gracious and merciful. טֶ 5  He provides food for those who fear him; יִ      he remembers his covenant forever. כֹּ 6  He has shown his people the power of his works, לְ      in giving them the inheritance of the nations. מַ 7  The works of his hands are faithful and just;   נֶ     all his precepts are trustworthy; סְ 8  they are established forever and ever, ...