365 Reflections

Ecclesiastes 7:1 (ESV) A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. When we come to Ecclesiastes 7 we meet a few proverbs concerning the inevitable reality of death. What seems odd to say back to back - a good name + the day of death - really tie together in this particular sense: Your name (reputation) is finalized on the day of your death. How you start in life does not necessarily determine how you finish. And if you keep your end in mind, rather than your past, you'll live wisely.  In simpler terms - CONSIDER the END of your LIFE and what you want people to say about you. Thus the next two proverbs: Ecclesiastes 7:2 (ESV) It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. And then verse 4: Ecclesiastes 7:4 (ESV) The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. We are told by cultur...

Exodus 13:11–13 (ESV)   “When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, 12 you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the Lord ’s. 13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. The most powerful theme of our salvation is redemption. God has purchased us with the blood of the spotless Lamb, Jesus. Here in Exodus 13 we see the foreshadowing of that truth in a practice of Israel established immediately after their release from slavery.  It is interesting that this matter should be addressed immediately following the deliverance of the Israelites. God's first order of business is to institute the practice of redemption so that they will not forget what is most important. Instead of telling them ...