Read Through the Bible in 2014: January 6-11 Schedule

1/6/2014	Job 1-3	John 7
1/7/2014	Job 4, 5	John 8, 9
1/8/2014	Job 6-8	John 10
1/9/2014	Job 9, 10	John 11, 12
1/10/2014	Job 11-13	John 13
1/11/2014	Job 14, 15	John 14

Journal Through the Bible: Week 48 Friday

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Ecclesiastes chapters 3 and 4

This passage begins with a beautiful poem about time and purpose. The chapter ends with the observation that everything that has the breath of life dies, whether man or beast. The next chapter speaks of the work, oppression, and cooperation.

Does God issue any commands in this passage?

• God does not speak directly in this passage.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak directly in this passage.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• One of the most misunderstood things about Jesus' first advent was its purpose. Even His disciples did not understand why He had come, especially after He had been crucified and all of their hopes for the Kingdom were dashed. But as 3:1-8 states there is a time to every purpose and Jesus' purpose in coming to earth as a baby in Bethlehem, growing up as the sinless Son of God, dying on the cross and being resurrected 3 days later was the time to fulfill the purpose of being the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
• When Solomon states "that which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been," (3:15) this is fulfilled in Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• Just as Jesus had a time to be the Lamb of God, one day He will come in His second advent and this time He will be the Lion of Judah, the Judge of the whole world. 
• Solomon states that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever. (3:14) Forever means forever. He that began a good work shall be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6)
• The time of judgment is yet to come. (3:17)

Journal Through the Bible: Week 48 Thursday

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Ecclesiastes chapters 1 and 2

In the previous book, the Song of Solomon, Solomon was a love-struck bridegroom. In this book he identifies himself as The Preacher, an older, wiser man who desires to deliver a few sermons about life.

Does God issue any commands in this passage?

• God does not speak directly in these chapters.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak directly in these chapters.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus? 

• Solomon describes work that is done under the sun as very hard (1:13-14). This is because of the curse of sin upon the earth and its inhabitants. Jesus told all who labor and are heavy laden to come to Him and He would give us rest. Revelations says that there is no need of the light of the sun in Heaven or on the New Earth because Jesus is the Light there. Work under the sun is hard. Work under the Son is easy.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• One generation after another passes away and another generation comes, but the earth abides forever. (1:4) This earth will be changed but earth will last forever. Revelations tells of the New Earth that will abide forever after its purification with fire.
• Solomon described his work as vain because they would eventually disintegrate. In eternity the works of man's hands will not be destroyed or corrupted by moth or rust.
• No matter what a person builds upon earth it cannot go with him when he dies. And he will die whether he be a fool or a wise man. But in eternity the treasures we have laid up in Heaven and those which our Savior has set aside for us will forever be ours.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 48 Wednesday

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Song of Solomon chapters 6, 7, and 8

Does God issue any commands?

• God does not speak.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Solomon went down to his beautiful garden. As God, Jesus walked among the beauty of the Garden of Eden. He also walked among his creation when he came as a baby born in Bethlehem. He is Emmanuel, God with us. 
• The loved one asks to be set as a seal upon the heart of the beloved because of the strength of love an jealousy. Our God is a jealous God who desires our hearts to be faithful only to Him in the relationship provided through the work of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the seal placed upon us to show God's ownership.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• One day we will walk in the unspoiled, untainted garden of God with our Beloved.
• Our prayer can be summed up in the last verse of this book, "Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices." Even so come, Lord Jesus!