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Ecclesiastes 12:1-8, Vanity of Vanities

Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today

Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher; all is vanity.
— Ecc. 12:8

NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, August 20, 2019

by Daniel D. Maurer, Clergy Stuff

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If people actually took the time to read the content in Ecclesiastes, they would see its cynical view of the world.

Frankly, it’s depressing!

The “Teacher” (Qoheleth in Hebrew, Ecclesiastes from its Latinized root), drew out a list of all that is vanity in the world. Everything will one day turn to dust.

And he (assuming the writer was male) makes the point that it’s hopeless and there’s nothing any of us can do about it.

Depressing? You bet!

The hope only comes in that the ONE THING that the Teacher does not see as vanity. And that is following God’s path and belonging to God’s family.

And with that, at least, a person can find a little tidbit of hope.

Do you sense that my of life is about vanity? How so?


 
Earlier Event: August 19
Deuteronomy 4:32-35, God Claims Israel
Later Event: August 21
Psalm 89:5-18, Praise for God