In Ecclesiastes 9 Solomon
describes the nature of earthly life: of “evil in everything under the sun”
(v3), of the certainty about our common destiny of earthly death (v1) and
uncertainty about when that time will come (v12). Life on earth is tainted with
evil, bounded by the limits of mortality and subject to capricious misfortune.
Leviticus 26 reminds us that we
can choose how to respond to life in this less-than-perfect world. We can choose
obedience to God (v1-13), or disobedience (v14-39). While the consequences of
disobedience make for uncomfortable reading, we are also told of the blessings
that stem from repentance (v40-46).
Psalm 33 shows us that despite
the difficulties of the world described by Solomon, we can put our trust in a
God who is right, true, faithful and loving (v4-6). A God who created the
universe in all its vastness (v6) and also cares about each one of us (v14)
individually. A God who holds out hope, unfailing love and ultimate salvation.
We may be deep in the Old
Testament, but running through each of today’s readings is a pre-echo of the
gospels: the nature of sin, the imperative of repentance and the outrageously
wonderful offer of salvation though the unfailing love of God: Creator of the
universe yet Father to each one of us.
(homegroup leader)