READING FOR SEPTEMBER 16, 2025: ECCLESIASTES 5, ACTS 7, PSALM 98 ECCLESIASTES 5 This chapter calls to mind the wisdom sayings of the book of Proverbs. It can be tricky to discern from which perspective Solomon is speaking in this chapter because most of what he says is good advice whether one lives under the sun or has a kingdom of God perspective. In verses 13 and 18 Solomon does clarify his perspective by including the phrase “under the sun.” Perhaps this points to the fact that navigating life requires aspects of the same common sense whether or not a person has a kingdom of God perspective.
The opening verses discuss proper behavior during worship. We should approach the occasion in humility by listening more than trying to set everyone straight by giving excessive advice. This is convicting. A good corollary truth is it is better not to make a promise than to make one and not follow through or to delay too long (vs. 4-5). Once again, a comment hit the target. Verse 6 is interesting in that it seems to say we sometimes relabel sin as simply a mistake. How easy it is for us to excuse ourselves but to think the worst of others. Verse 8 suggests that in a bloated administrative structure it is easy to deny justice to the poor. Yet, God holds that organization and those people accountable for the injustice. If we are part of such an organi- zation, we should try to walk the oppressed parties through the system to find answers.
Solomon foreshadows Jesus’s wisdom that the love of money is a dead end; it never satisfies. Also, we can’t take it with us when we die. We can send it ahead, though: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:20-21). Verses 18-20 are explicitly identi- fied as a perspective from the “under the sun.” The advice is very current: get a job you enjoy. Sounds like an Ivy Tech commercial. Yet some of us have found that building your ultimate identity around your career is creating a false idol as surely as fashioning a golden calf.
ACTS 7 The charges were flying at Stephen from men who Acts 6 says were secretly induced to be false witnesses. There was one charge among the barrage, though, that did have some truth to it: Jesus would change some of Moses’s customs. So, when the High Priest asked, “Are these things so?” Stephen needed to provide the entire context for how Jesus fulfilled the Abrahamic Covenant and Mosaic law. His response reminds us that we can’t adequately understand Jesus unless we also study the Old Testament. Hang in there with Ecclesiastes.
As Stephen begins his defense, he calls his accusers fathers and brothers, identifying with them because they are fellow Jews. He speaks of God appearing to their father Abraham. He reminds them of God’s promise to give Abraham the very land they were standing at that moment. He shows how God’s prediction of 400 years of slavery came true but also how God brought forth a deliverer in Moses—despite Israel’s initial rejection of Moses. (Rejection
READING FOR SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 CONTINUED: ACTS 7, PSALM 98 becomes an important theme.) Through Moses’s words, Stephen starts to connect to Jesus: “God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people” (Deut. 18:15). Stephen brings up Israel’s idolatry, including the golden calf, yet also God’s faithfulness through David, Solomon, and the temple. Then he quotes Isaiah about this earthly temple not being sufficient for a God who created all things. Next, he levels the most serious charge possible; they were not circum- cised—at least in their ears and hearts. They, like their ancestors, resisted the Holy Spirit (remember this is unforgiveable), and killed Jesus, about whom the prophets wrote. As Stephen is stoned, he prays for his murderers, emulating Jesus. God begins the next phase of His church by placing young Saul at the scene, who watches approvingly not knowing what’s in store for him. Before leaving this chapter, let’s pray for those persecuted for Jesus today.
PSALM 98 J.S Bach is often considered the greatest composer who ever lived. To the dismay of many academics, he also loved Jesus. In his work as music director at churches he took this Psalm’s command literally. He not only composed a new song each week, but an entire church cantata. No one at our or any church is quite up to this, but we can make sure our worship is fresh in that it truly expresses our current awe of and love for God. Let’s start by articulating some of the marvelous things God has done for us individually and collectively. Let’s praise Him for the time when salvation through Jesus was first made known to us and when we confessed Him as our savior. Let’s thank Him that Israel was the vehicle that God used to bring us Jesus and get busy communicating that fact with others. Let’s go a little Pentacostal by shouting and singing His praises accompanied by instruments. Let’s listen to the sea resound (maybe Prairie Creek), the White River clap, and the mountains sing. Why? Because even they know that Jesus is coming back and will be a fair and righteous judge.
