Nothing Better...Under the Sun (Ecclesiastes 2-3)

This week's Bible journal reading was from Ecclesiastes 1-6... and no, it wasn't meaningless! There is a time for that, just not now.

I have always said that Ecclesiastes shows us King Solomon, as an ancient scientist writing in his "lab book" detailing the wearisome results of his experiments… trying to find out if there is meaning in life "under the sun" apart from a relationship with God. Here is a sampling of some of the verses that I read:

• 2:24-25 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?
• 3:12-13 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.
• 3:22 So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?
• 8:15 And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

As you can see in the verses above, as I read the first six chapters of Ecclesiastes, I noticed the repeated phrase, “there is nothing better.” On closer examination, I was surprised to see that all were basically the same idea (with some poetic variation). Nothing is better than for a person…

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• To "eat and drink and find enjoyment in their toil.” This enjoyment is “from God.” (2:24)
• “To be joyful and do good as long as they live” (3:12) in parallel with "eat and drink and find enjoyment in their toil.” 
• “That a man should rejoice in your work.” Our work is the place that has been allotted to us. (3:22)
• “To eat, drink, and be joyful” (8:15)

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How often are we satisfied and content with only our food and drink and the work that we do? Solomon makes it clear that our response should be more than mere satisfaction, but a lifelong joy! I think about how our consumeristic society has convinced us that more gear equals greater happiness. Solomon robustly tested that theory and busted that myth. In fact, Ecclesiastes is like binge-watching some philosophical or world-view version of the popular TV show MythBusters. As we know, Solomon was resourced like no other person in history with the intellectual, financial, political, and spiritual means to boldly seek meaning apart from God, and in the end, he busted that myth as well (Ecc. 12:13).  

This idea echoes loudly in the New Testament. Is this wisdom from Solomon so different from John the Baptist’s answer to the soldiers’ questions about repentance? He said, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:14).

Or the conclusion of St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians?

“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:11-14)

Consider also his surprising testimony to the Corinthians,

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

The Tomb is Empty!

Moreover, the testimony of the early church was that they understood the wisdom of Solomon but without the fatalistic conclusions he reached. What was different? They were witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ! They knew that death “under the sun” was not the end and that in Christ there was neither emptiness nor an endless cycle of life and death. In Christ, there was the source of eternal life! They had been transformed by the love of Christ and lived with joy and gratitude even in the face of terrible oppression. As a result, not only were they glad for their provisions, but they also generously shared what they had with each other!

And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:45-47)

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)

It should also come as no surprise that it doesn’t take the wealth of Solomon to buy that

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which satisfies us—Jesus paid the price for all that (1 Peter 1:18-19), and the Bible ends with an invitation from the Holy Spirit and the Church to share in this water of life,

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Rev. 22:17)

This fitting ending echoes and fulfills the prophetic poem in Isaiah 55:1-3,

“Come, everyone who thirsts,

    come to the waters;

and he who has no money,

    come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

    without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,

    and delight yourselves in rich food.

Incline your ear, and come to me;

    hear, that your soul may live…

Good words from Solomon’s “laboratory” for those of us engaged in Christian ministry! The more we are grateful for what we have been given (both the simple and the profound) the more insulated we will be against the embers of burnout that wants to send us up in smoke and the more inoculated we will be against the trauma of chronic disappointment that would weigh us down till we no longer participate in the restorative mission of God.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

A note about this blog: The Cupbearer's Initiative arose out of a Doctor of Ministry thesis project that outlined a theologically affective and Trinitarian approach to ministry. One such application was to participate in the spreading goodness of God by partnering with and encouraging pastors (and others engaged in Christian mission) through the struggles and the joys of their lifework. 

Hopefully, these articles and devotional posts are helpful to you.

In the Meekness of Wisdom?

Some 2000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth said some shockingly counter-culture things that will still wreck us, in a profoundly wonderful way, if we are willing to let them take root in our hearts. Not the least among these are the “Blessed are the…” statements from Matthew 5:3-12 that we call the Beatitudes. In these surprising statements, Jesus set forth the values of the kingdom of God as diametrically opposed to the values of the world. I often delineate them as kingdom (of heaven/God) values vs. empire (worldly pride) values.

This post deals with just one of those statements, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5)

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The meek were those people who were oppressed and yet looked forward in the certainty of hope for the vindication that God would bring about. Their trust was in God and not in their own efforts. There is wisdom in that approach. Yet, as we try to lead and serve missionally, does meekness play a significant role in who we are, how we do ministry, and how we interact with the culture around us? I am sad to say that meekness is not something that shows up on the checklist for a pastoral search committee. Our culture has conditioned us to look for “catalytic leaders” instead. Is it any wonder that we often end up with an Eliab or Aminadab that looks good on the outside and appears able to get things done, instead of a David who has a heart after God?

Meekness, as an attribute, has always been scorned by the rich and the powerful and, perhaps more surprisingly, by many social-justice advocates as well. The conventional wisdom is that we must fight for everything because we all deserve better. We are encouraged to boldly stand up for our rights and the rights of others as we see them. In the process, we tend to self-sanctify our causes de jour. 

In his classic book, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Kenneth E. Bailey made a particularly insightful observation while discussing the narrative of the man who wanted Jesus to decide an inheritance case between himself and his brother (Luke 12:13).

The person who fights for a just cause usually thinks that he or she is thereby a just person. Everything such a person does in fighting for that cause usually becomes right in her or his own eyes. Woe to those who fall under the sway of this kind of self-created justice. This parable presents a new perspective on the cry for justice. In the story before us, the petitioner has already decided what justice requires and wants the visiting rabbi to enforce the petitioner's view. How will Jesus respond? [italics mine][1]

Photo by Warren Wong 

on Unsplash

Once we think that our just cause has made us a just person, it is too easy to justify any action or attitude used to advance our cause. Have we, like the man speaking to Jesus, “already decided what justice requires” and determined to demand our fair share, or are we teachable to the leading of Christ through the Spirit? We should be cautioned by the example of Jesus, who, deeply concerned for the deliverance of the downtrodden and oppressed as stated in his announcement in the Nazareth synagogue (Luke 4:16-21), never stoops to such ends-justify-the-means behavior. He was intentional in preparing his disciples to resist the impulse to defend their own cause.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt. 5:10-12)

And just a bit further on,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (Matt. 5:38-40)

The Apostle Paul later wrote to the church in Rome (Romans 12:14-21), expanding on Proverbs 25:21-22, with a hard-hitting nine-point list. See if you don’t agree!

• Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
• Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 
• Live in harmony with one another. 
• Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. 
• Never be wise in your own sight.
• Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
• If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
• Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
• Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Bullets mine)

Paul also confronted the Corinthian church’s temptation to think themselves wise and strong with his apostolic example,

To the present hour

             we hunger and thirst,

             we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and

             we labor, working with our own hands. 

                           When reviled, we bless; 

                            when persecuted, we endure; 

                            when slandered, we entreat. 

We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, 

                                                         the refuse of all things. (1 Corinthians 4:11-13)

Why do so many Christians on social media platforms write combatively rather than engagingly, responding defensively rather than graciously towards those who do not believe or behave exactly as they do? Why are we not more like Paul, who was willing to be treated like dumpster dregs for the cause of the gospel?

Jesus’ non-resistance and commitment to love and forgive his accusers through his Passion week, up to his death, was a powerful witness to his followers and to his oppressors alike (Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47; John 18:33-38; Acts 8:32-35). Jesus’ power was under the control of the loving plan of the Father, and he has given us an example to follow.

But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:20-23)

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Why is it that we often don’t have the same effect on those who observe our lives through curated windows of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.? Biblical meekness was, and is, not weakness, and we have probably heard that instead, it is “power under control.” Certainly, we have power and authority, bestowed by Christ’s commission and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:18; Acts 1:8) yet we do well to remember that our “battle” is not with other people (Eph. 6:12). But for the Christian, what is the control to which we submit? Is it the law of legalistic requirements? Is it the law of what people think about us? Or is it the law of liberty?

It is human nature to defend oneself when oppressed and even more when falsely accused. Yet, mature followers of Jesus learn that it is better to trust Jesus to be our defender. He will set things right, though perhaps not according to our timetable.

If the kindness of God leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4) and we have benefited from that kindness and mercy, then we should extend it to others! (James 2:13)

As I was journaling through the book of James, I was struck by a phrase in chapter three, “the meekness of wisdom” (3:13). I think that we can learn more about meekness when we see with what it is contrasted.

Who is wise and understanding among you? 

By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18 emphasis mine)

In this passage, commentators and preachers often focus on “wisdom from above” and skip over the initial descriptor of that wisdom— “meekness.” It is not a stretch to say that true wisdom is meek. It is neither tainted by “bitter jealousy” nor by “selfish ambition”. In fact, the nine descriptions of heavenly wisdom help us to see meekness more fully. I don’t think that it is a leap to say that meekness is…

• pure,
• peaceable,
• gentle,
• open to reason, 
• full of mercy
• full of good fruits,
• impartial 
• sincere.
• Its righteousness is sown in peace.

Also, as we read this list, it sounds a lot like the whole list of the beatitudes and the values of the kingdom of heaven. No surprise…they come from the same place. You can tell by the accent. When people read our posts, tweets, and comments, what does our “accent” reveal about us and the source of our message?

Can we move into such meekness that on one side is desperate asking for and obeying God's guidance and direction—contentedly accepting justice at his hands—while intentionally seeking to relate to others gently, doing no further harm, as we work for the wholeness of justice both within and without? I hope so.

[Here are some other “meek” verses not already addressed in this article: Isaiah 29:17-21; Psalm 37:10-11; 45:4; Numbers 12:2-4; James 1:21; 2 Corinthians 10:1]

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[1] Kenneth E. Bailey. Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels (p. 301).

2. A Cupbearer is a Confidential Sounding Board

The second function of the Cupbearer Initiative, after that of A Brother (or Sister) in Arms, is that of a trusted adviser, an adviser in the sense of a confidential sounding board. 

Sometimes we just need a safe place to be able to share our ideas where the lightning won’t start fires or frighten others. Do we have someone with whom we can share such ideas? Sure, at some point we will need to share our ideas and plans with our staff, elder board, and church council. However, our staff and council may not feel comfortable opposing our ideas if we are passionate about them. And as staff, perhaps we are tentative about sharing our developing ideas and opinions with our superiors. What if they say no or are critical? Power dynamics tend to hinder open and honest communication within an organizational structure. The ancient cupbearer was often considered the king’s closest adviser, for he had skin in the game—the safety of the king was his job—and yet he had no path to power. As a result, he was not a threat and could be trusted to be refreshingly candid when asked for feedback.

The Scriptures are filled with teaching about the wisdom of getting good counsel before making important decisions, but in our culture, that is often taken as a sign of weakness. Likewise, any opposition to our plans can trigger our own insecurities and make us more defensive than we need to be. Here are just a few of those Scriptural admonitions to seek wise counsel:

• It is wise to get counsel and to consider the consequences of a course of action (Deut. 32:28-29).
• It is presumption on our part to not ask counsel from the Lord (Joshua 9:14).
• Some will follow us only as long as their counsel is followed, and when we don’t do things their way, they will leave like Ahithophel did (2 Samuel 17:23).
• Listening only to those who feed our ego and self-importance is disastrous, as we can see in the life of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles. 10).
• Even after hearing clear directions from the Lord, it is still wise to take counsel with those whom it affects on how to implement those directions (2 Chron. 20:20-22).
• We need to consider the source, for some will offer us wicked counsel (2 Chron. 22:1-5).
• Our taking counsel may play a part in our experiencing repentance, revival, and the return to the Lord we all desire to see (2 Chron. 30:2ff).
• Without counsel, our plans fail (Prov. 11:14; 15:22; 20:18; 24:6).

One of the most tragic parables in the Bible is that of the Rich Fool, where Jesus tells about a rich man who did not take counsel with anyone but himself (Luke 12:13-21). Kenneth E. Bailey in Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes does an excellent job of pointing out the cultural and spiritual foolishness of such a self-focused and self-directed position. The saying, “he who defends himself in court has a fool for a client,” is true in the area of counsel and self-examination as well. Have we become so isolated from others because of the pressures and perceptions of our ministry that we have no one with whom to talk over our decisions and get honest counsel? Isaiah 5:8 says,

“Woe to those who join house to house,
    who add field to field,
until there is no more room,
    and you are made to dwell alone
    in the midst of the land.”

Ultimately, we should work towards an open and honest environment where we can freely share ideas and offer constructive opposition or cautious encouragement without the constant fear of being “voted off the island.” Let’s face it, in our culture, we often “eat” our naysayers and whistle-blowers. It is a rare leader indeed who rewards those who love him or her and the mission enough to stand up to them if needed. Too often, our quest for consensus and unity means that the followers must agree with the leader instead of genuinely seeking the Lord’s direction together.

Our dream for the Cupbearer Initiative is to be able to help pastors and leaders think through their ideas, carefully considering potential opposition and weighing the practical and theological consequences offline before going public. Over my more than 30 years in ministry, I have seen a few pastors make draconian changes regarding staffing, structure, and mission of the church/organization they serve with little or no conversation with those most affected. Such leadership needs to be held in check so that we might consider God’s leading and work in the lives of the people as at least as valid as his work in and through us.

Let me close this section with an illustration and a quote.

We all need a proofreader, for we are often unable to discern our own blind spots. When I read my students’ papers, they are filled with typos, grammatical errors, wrong words (that spell checkers don’t catch), and unfinished sentences (due to cut & paste editing). They would benefit greatly from a proofreader before turning in their work. I wouldn’t have to buy so many red pens! But as much as I can mark up an undergraduate student’s paper or even that of a doctoral student, I have to confess that I am no different. When I do writing of my own, I frequently don’t have anyone willing to proofread for me, and it often ends up containing embarrassing errors.

Paul David Tripp says it this way, “Perhaps every pastor needs to humbly recognize that because of the blinding power of remaining sin, self-examination is a community project.”[1] 

If we are willing to seek counsel and desire honest feedback, then the Cupbearers Initiative is for us!

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[1] Paul David Tripp, Dangerous Calling [Good News Publishers. Kindle Edition], 73.