Category: Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 12

    Our last chapter concludedwith the words, “For childhood and youth are vanity”: that is, childhoodproves the emptiness of all “beneath the sun,” as well as old age. Theheart of the child has the same needs–the same capacity in kind–, asthat of the aged. It needs God. Unless it knows Him,…

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 11

    We are drawing near the end,and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepestinterest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks;that faculty that is rightly termed divine, for its possession marks thosewho are “the offspring of God.” He is the Father ofspirits,…

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 10

    The climax of Ecclesiastes’ exercises seems to have beenreached in the previous chapter. The passionate storm is over, and nowhis thoughts ripple quietly along in proverb and wise saying. It is asif he said “I was altogether beyond my depth. Now I will confine myselfonly to the present life, without…

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 9

    The last two verses of Chapter8 connect with the opening words of this chapter. The more Ecclesiastesapplies every faculty he has to solve the riddle under the sun, robbinghimself of sleep and laboring with strong energy and will, he becomes onlythe more aware that that solution is altogether impossible. The…

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 8

    Still continues the praiseof “wisdom.” For if, as the last verses of the previous chapters have shown,there be but very few that walk in her paths, she necessarily lifts thosefew far above the thoughtless mass of men; placing her distinguishing toucheven on the features of her disciples, lighting them up…

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 7

    But whilst the King has not that most blessed light, yetthere are some things in which he can discriminate;and here are seven comparisonsin which his unaided wisdom can discern which is the better:–   1. A good name is better than precious ointment. 2. The day of death is better…

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 6

    Remembering how far the writer of our book excels allwho have ever come after him, in ability, wisdom, or riches, his groansof disappointment shall have their true weight with us, and act as lighthousebeacons, warning us from danger, or from spending the one short fleetinglife we have in treading the…

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 5

    With the opening of this chapter we come to quite a differenttheme. Like a fever-tossed patient, Ecclesiastes has turned from side toside for relief and rest; but each new change of posture has only broughthim face to face with some other evil “under the sun” that has again andagain pressed…

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 4

    But we must follow our Preacher, who can only turn awaywith bitterness from this closed door of Death, once more to take noteof what is “under the sun.” And sad and sorrowful it is to him to markthat the world is filled with oppression. He has already, in the previouschapter,…

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 3

    Chapter three may be paraphrased, I think, somewhat inthis way: Yes, life itself emphasizes the truth that nothing is at onestay here;–all moves. There is naught abiding, like the winds andwaters that he has noted in chapter one; man’s life is but a wheel thatturns: death follows birth, and all…

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 2

    The wise man, having found that wisdom brought with itbut increased sorrow, turns to the other side — toall those pleasures that the flesh, as we speak, enjoys. Still, he givesus, as in chapter 1, the result of his search before he describes it: “Isaid in my heart, ‘Go to…

  • Ecclesiastes, by F C Jennings, Chapter 1

    Perhaps there is no book within the whole canon of Scripture so perplexing and anomalous, at first sight, as that entitled “Ecclesiastes.” Its terrible hopelessness, its bold expression of those difficulties with which man is surrounded on every side, the apparent fruitlessness of its quest after good, the unsatisfactory character,…