20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and todust all return.
20 Both go to the same place they came from dust and they return to dust.
- P81
21 Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and ifthe spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"
21 For who can prove that the human spirit goes up and the spirit of animals goesdown into the earth? - P81
The Teacher saw that there was wickedness in the place of judgment. He saidto himself, God will bring both the righteous and wicked into judgment forthere will be a time to judge every deed. - P81
God tests human beings so that theymay see that they are like the animals. So, there is nothing better for a personthan to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. - P81
The Teacher is concerned about the pervasive injustice in society. Thosewho are powerful have perverted moral values by oppressing the weak.
- P82
Even where one expects to see fair judgment rendered, one sees wick-edness and corruption instead. - P82
Unfortunately, the realities of injustice,
unrighteousness, and corruption are still common in our societies. - P82
Butwe live in the hope that God will right every wrong and bring to justiceeveryone who has perverted His righteous ways. - P82
In His time, God willalso reward those who have remained faithful. - P82
Since we are servants ofGod, let us emulate Him by being champions and exemplars of Hisjustice as we strive to bring His good news to this broken world. - P82
Death is common to humanity and creation in general because of theeffects of the fall. - P82
Yet, there is also a very significant difference betweenhumans and other creatures: humans are the only creatures who aremade in the image of God. - P82
We will all die, and our bodies will returnto dust, but we who are in Christ Jesus have the hope of resurrectionand eternal life. - P82
Our hope goes beyond the grave, so even as we face theinevitability of death, we must use our time on earth wisely. - P82
We can doso by letting our perspectives be shaped by eternity and by the hope thatChrist purchased for us. - P82
"Biblical hope is biblical faith in the future tense."- John Piper - P82
When we desire to punish the people who have annoyed or hurt us, we exhaustourselves and frustrate God‘s plans to heal the world. - P83
Let us fast today by layingdown our selfish desire for revenge. Rather than insisting on our will beingcarried out, let us forgive others and pray for God‘s will to be done. - P83
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of life and the salvation that I have in JesusChrist, Your Son. - P83
In Him I have the glorious hope of resurrection. - P83
Please help me tolive for Your glory the rest of my days here on earth. In His name, amen. - P83
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