Before you watch or read today’s Daily Word, please read Ecclesiastes 6:10-12. Greek mythology tells the story of Daedalus and Icarus, a father and his son who were imprisoned on the island of Crete. Daedalus fashioned a pair of wings for each of them from feathers and wax so that they could fly away and escape to home. He warned Icarcus not to fly too high, lest the heat of the sun melt the wax on the wings. But once in flight, Icarus became so enthralled with his newfound power that he soared higher and higher, until the wax melted, … Continue reading Living with Limits (Ecclesiastes 6:10-12)

Before you watch or read today’s Daily Word, please read Ecclesiastes 6:1-9.   Recently, I was speaking with a friend about the men she works with. They all are very well educated, hard working, and successful, at least in monetary terms. Most of them are married, and although they do not spend much time with their wives, they compensate for their personal absence with monetary presents. Are they happy? Do they have the ability to enjoy the wealth they have accumulated so far? Could they call it quits today and take pleasure in their wives, children, and hobbies? Evidently not. … Continue reading The Wandering Appetite (Ecclesiastes 6:1-9)

Before you watch or read today’s Daily Word, pleasd read Ecclesiastes 5:8-20. Wealth, the Problematic Gift of God (Ecclesiast…, posted with vodpod In Ecclesiastes 5.8–20, the Preacher lists three problems with wealth but then, surprisingly, concludes that it is nevertheless a gift from God. The first problem with wealth the Preacher identifies is the unholy nexus between wealth and oppression. Verses 8–9 are notoriously difficult to interpret because the Hebrew underlying them is enigmatic. The English Standard Version translates them as referring to corrupt government officials who oppress the poor, but are protected in their injustice by their bureaucratic superiors. … Continue reading Wealth, the Problematic Gift of God (Ecclesiastes 5:8-20)