Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
The book of Ecclesiastes seems to concentrate on how to get by in the world without too much trouble – though when we dig below the surface, we find there's more to it than that.
In chapter 8, the author tackles head-on the view expressed elsewhere in Scripture that a good life is rewarded and a bad life is punished. This is 'nonsense', he says (verse 14); 'sometimes the righteous get the punishment of the wicked, and the wicked get the reward of the righteous'.
The Preacher's take on this might be shocking, as it seems to contradict other parts of Scripture, or it might come as a breath of fresh air. So perhaps there are two things here for us. First, we should be careful how we read all Scripture, paying attention to its context and the kind of writing it is; devotion is not the same as doctrine, and a good life doesn't automatically guarantee a peaceful or prosperous life. But second, we shouldn't be surprised when bad people prosper; Scripture doesn't say they won't. And when the Preacher says that 'the only pleasure we have in this life is eating and drinking and enjoying ourselves' (verse 15) and that we will 'never be able to understand what God is doing' (verse 17), he is really urging us to be quietly faithful, and not to wear ourselves out looking for reasons why things are as they are. Whatever happens, we are loved by God.
God, sometimes it's hard to look round and see bad people getting away with doing terrible things. Help me to trust in your righteousness and to be faithful in what you've given me to do.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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