Is. 55:1–5; Psalm 136:1–9, 23–26; Rom. 9:1–13 (Read Here)
At our Gathering in the Garden this past week we had a brief look at these three passages and discussed how they influence one another along with the importance of working to understand a passage like Romans 9-11.
There are also many ways that these passages relate to our current study in Ecclesiastes because even though God used many human authors with their skills and quirks there is one divine author of scripture.
Three big connections jump out to me between these texts and their relationship to Ecclesiastes as well:
The Incomprehensible Work of God
By this I simply mean that the way God works out the entirety of his will in his own time and by his own means is not understood or necessarily meant to be unless otherwise revealed to us by his Word (Jesus and the written word).
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes makes this clear to us as he consistently talks about the enigma that is this life. And the Apostle Paul makes this clear when he breaks down the whole concept of what it means to be a part of Abraham’s family.
The Relationship of God’s Gift in the current and New Creation
In Ecclesiastes the Preacher reminds several time of “the gift“ God has given to us. Family, work, food, and drink in all in the midst of what seems like toil.
Our Isaiah passage from the weekend reminds us of a time when this gift come to us without the toil. Along with that idea we have the assurance (everlasting covenant v.3) of all kinds of people coming to God (Isa. 55.5) freely because his Good News has been given freely (Isa. 55.3).
The Constant Nature of God’s Character as it Relates to Assurance
Psalm 136 is the only one of its kind. And in case you did not get it the Psalmist is attempting to tell us about something, God’s hesed, his never-stopping, never giving up, always and forever love. “his steadfast love endures for ever”. In this Psalm we see that refrain of God’s unchanging love and character being shown in judgement, miracle, creation, protection, and His general over-everything-ness.
One of the questions that Paul is faced with in Romans 9 is why does it seem like God has changed his mind. Paul’s Hebrew brothers have turn from who he clearly knows to be the Messiah. They are clinging to the Law but ignoring his Word. Has God abandoned them. By no means. He has freely extended his mercy and there is a large contingent of God’s first people who are rejecting that mercy. Yet some have turned to Jesus and received that mercy and forgiveness. His character does not change. His love does not change.
In Ecclesiastes God’s work seems mysterious to the Preacher but his work does not change, the gifts given to us do not change, and his love does not change though our experience of it may seem disparate according to our circumstances.
This is clearly not a thorough study of these texts but hopefully a guide for you as you read through them. Perhaps these texts cause you to have questions. Perhaps something in the passages causes doubt or gives you new information about God and his work is confuses you.
This is the purpose of studying these texts together. To draw us closer to the mysteriousness of God and the concreteness of his work is Christ.
This short guide is also an invitation to conversation and study on a one on one or small group basis. Please let me know if you would have time to sit down and talk about some of those doubts or questions that are raised.