Following Proverbs, we come to the Book of Ecclesiastes. The most well-known verses from this book are found in chapter 3:

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes is a book that contemplates the meaning of life. Why are we here? What is it that makes life worth living? Although the subtitles in the NIV are not very promising:

Everything is Meaningless
Wisdom is Meaningless
Pleasures are Meaningless
Toil is Meaningless
Advancement is Meaningless
Riches are Meaningless
A Common Destiny for All (in other words, death)

The writer is basically saying that even human wisdom has its limits; it can’t discover the larger purposes of God or tell us anything about our ultimate existence. All the human things he describes are simply chasing after the wind. But his faith teaches him that God has ordered things according to his own purposes.

Life lived without reference to God is meaningless and purposeless. The wholeness of our life and existence is found in God, each of us has a God-shaped hole within us that can only be filled by him.

As the NLT Study Bible says: Those who trust God will take the apparent futility of life as an incentive to diligently and wisely achieve what they can while they are alive and to enjoy God’s good gifts in the process.

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The Book of Proverbs is a key wisdom text in the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, though it includes contributions from others. It belongs to biblical wisdom literature and provides practical guidance on living a righteous and disciplined life.

Comprised of 31 chapters, Proverbs is written in poetic form, often using parallelism to reinforce or contrast ideas. It covers themes such as integrity, humility, diligence, justice, family life, and speech. The central message is that wisdom is more valuable than wealth or power and begins with “the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:7), meaning deep reverence for God. The book contrasts wisdom, which leads to life and success, with folly, which results in destruction.

The first nine chapters contain poetic discourses urging the pursuit of wisdom, often personified as a woman calling people to follow her. Chapters 10 to 29 feature concise sayings, many attributed to Solomon, addressing daily concerns such as honesty, hard work, relationships, and leadership. The final chapters, attributed to Agur and King Lemuel, offer additional reflections on humility, God’s greatness, and the virtues of a noble wife.

Proverbs remains widely respected for its practical applications and timeless insights. Its teachings, such as “A soft answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1) and “Pride goes before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18), are still frequently quoted in both religious and secular contexts.

Ultimately, the Book of Proverbs serves as a moral and practical guide, emphasising character, self-discipline, and a reverent relationship with God. Its wisdom continues to inspire those seeking ethical clarity and sound decision-making in their daily lives.

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The Book of Psalms, often called the Bible’s songbook, contains 150 songs that capture the full spectrum of human emotion. It expresses joy, sorrow, faith, doubt, praise, and lament, reflecting the reality of life in God’s presence. The psalms are rooted in the experiences of God’s covenant people, guiding them through life’s journey.

Psalm 1 introduces the three main characters of the psalms: God, those who follow him, and those who live without him. It invites us to consider which path we are on. Just as a journey requires a map or SatNav, life needs direction, and God’s Word is described as a light for our path. Many psalms celebrate the joy and wisdom found in his teachings.

Throughout the Psalms, we’re reminded that God walks with us on our journey. This truth calls us to worship, as seen in Psalm 135:1 – Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, you servants of the Lord. His love is a recurring theme, proclaimed in Psalm 136:1 – Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

The Psalms affirm the joy of belonging to God and being upheld by his care. He strengthens us for life’s challenges, and we can share our deepest thoughts and feelings with him, even our anger. God is big enough to handle our struggles and can transform our pain into praise.

One of the most beloved psalms, Psalm 23, beautifully captures God’s provision and protection:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul…
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Ultimately, the Psalms remind us that God is always with us, guiding, strengthening, and loving us throughout life’s journey.

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The book of Job offers a profound exploration of theodicy, the justice of God in the face of human suffering. We often wish life were predictable, like a mathematical equation, but reality proves otherwise. Good and bad alike experience fortune and misfortune, making life seem unfair.

Job’s story begins in heaven, where Satan challenges Job’s faithfulness, suggesting he serves God only for personal gain. God permits a test, allowing Job to lose everything except his life. His so-called ‘friends’ arrive, insisting he must have sinned and urging him to confess. Their simplistic reasoning, assuming suffering is always a result of wrongdoing, is flawed.

Despite their accusations, Job maintains his innocence.

Eventually, he encounters God, yet receives no direct answers. Instead, he gains a vision of God’s greatness, realising that God is beyond human understanding. It’s been said that God isn’t simply another person, he’s far greater and can’t be reduced to human logic or equations.

We may try to explain God, but ultimately, we must trust, obey, and humble ourselves before him. The Christian life is one of complete dependence on God, even when life appears unfair. There’s no easy answer to suffering, but we can look to Jesus Christ, who suffered, died, and rose again for us.

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The books of Ruth, Esther, and Song of Songs all centre on women, though they differ significantly in content and theme. The story of Ruth is set during the time of the Judges. Ruth, a Moabite, married a Jewish man, the son of Naomi, who had moved to Moab with her husband, Elimelech, due to famine. After Elimelech and both sons died, Naomi decided to return to Judah. Ruth, out of deep loyalty, chose to accompany her mother-in-law despite an uncertain future.

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16-17)

Life was hard, but God provided. While gathering barley, Ruth met Boaz, the field’s owner, who happened to be a relative of Naomi. Naomi encouraged Ruth to seek his help, and in the end, Boaz married Ruth. Remarkably, Ruth became part of Jesus’ genealogy, signifying God’s inclusion of outsiders in his plan.

The book of Esther tells the story of a Jewish woman who became queen of Persia during a perilous time. Haman, the king’s chief administrator, plotted to exterminate the Jews. Esther courageously approached the king and revealed the plan, risking her life. The king intervened, saving the Jews, and Haman was executed. Esther’s bravery ensured the survival of God’s people, and her actions are commemorated in the Jewish festival of Purim.

Finally, Song of Songs is a poetic celebration of love and passion. The book is filled with sensual imagery, as two lovers express their deep emotions for each other through vivid natural metaphors.

Some interpret the book allegorically, seeing it as a representation of God’s love for his people, Christ’s love for the Church, or the relationship between God and the human soul. However, it’s also a straightforward portrayal of romantic love and sexuality, a rare and deeply expressive piece of biblical literature.

These three books highlight love, devotion, and loyalty – qualities that define human greatness. Whether through Ruth’s steadfast commitment, Esther’s courageous sacrifice, or the passion in Song of Songs, they remind us of the power of love in all its forms.

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The people of God were once a proud and powerful people, but now they were in a foreign land. They must have felt that God had deserted them.

All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh King of Egypt. They worshipped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced.

But things start to pick up for the covenant people of God, and it was Ezra and Nehemiah who became key figures in a new era for God’s people. A new king in their land of exile wanted them back in Jerusalem, not only that, he wanted them to rebuild their city that was in ruins.

This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you—may their God be with them, and let them go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem. Ezra 1:2-4

It was Ezra’s job to rebuild the temple and Nehemiah’s job to rebuild the walls of the city, and it opened up a new future. However, the people in Jerusalem who remained were now in charge, and they’d intermarried with Gentiles who’d taken advantage of the situation. This is where the Samaritans came from, and they were still hated in the time of Jesus. This gives the context to the Parable of the Good Samaritan where Jesus made a hated Samaritan the hero of a story.

As a result of all this, the rebuilding was not without its problems. But eventually the temple was rebuilt, the city restored and the walls completed. Ezra and Nehemiah restored the spirit and identity of the people, once again reminding us that God never forsakes his people.

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See also: Tears That Rebuild Foundations

Following our look at 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles, we now turn to 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, which recount the same historical events from slightly different perspectives.

Elijah had dramatically demonstrated God’s power over Baal at Mount Carmel. Before his departure, he appointed Elisha as his successor. Elisha became a devoted prophet, constantly reminding the people of God’s presence and serving as a faithful witness.

However, this period was marked by decline. The once-united kingdom had split into northern (Israel) and southern (Judah) realms, each ruled by different kings. Most of these rulers prioritised political success over loyalty to God. As a result, Assyria conquered the northern kingdom, leading to the exile of its people.

In Judah, Hezekiah sought to restore true worship and encourage faithfulness but eventually succumbed to the allure of political power. Josiah, one of the last good kings, tried to reform the nation by destroying pagan worship sites and restoring the temple. Despite his efforts, the people remained unfaithful.

Ultimately, Babylon attacked Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and took the people into exile. Once a proud nation, Israel now found itself enslaved in a foreign land, feeling abandoned by God. This downfall was a direct result of their disobedience, worshipping other gods and following sinful practices (2 Kings 17:7-8).

Yet, even in exile, hope remained – because with God, there’s always hope.

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In our journey so far, we’ve worked systematically from Genesis, though not strictly in order. We covered Leviticus and Deuteronomy together, followed by Numbers, and we now face the challenge of navigating overlapping accounts.

We’ve skipped Ruth and are now looking at 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles, bypassing 2 Kings for now. This is because 1 Chronicles recounts much of the same history as 1 Kings, just from a different perspective. Many people reading the Bible from start to finish reach this point and feel they are repeating the same stories, leading them to give up. Understanding this structure can help readers stay engaged.

Previously, we explored the golden age of David, his moral failures, and his sincere repentance. Despite his imperfections, God used him powerfully. After David’s death, his son Solomon became king, beginning his reign with sincerity and noble intentions.

Solomon is best known for two things. Firstly, his exceptional wisdom, which drew admirers from all over, including the Queen of Sheba. Secondly, he fulfilled his father David’s dream by building a magnificent temple in Jerusalem. However, despite his successes, Solomon made a critical mistake, he allowed the beliefs of his many wives to influence him, leading to religious compromise. This dilution of true worship angered God. Prophets warned the people, but they refused to listen.

After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam inherited the throne, but lacked his father’s wisdom. His poor leadership led to the division of the once-united kingdom, undoing David’s legacy.

In the midst of this decline, the prophet Elijah emerged as a powerful voice for God. His dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel reminded the people of the one true God. His victory was a testament to God’s power.

As the saying goes, “If you play with fire, you will burn your fingers”, but if you remain faithful to God, he will give you victory.

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The people of Israel were discontented and demanded a king like other nations. Despite warnings, they persisted, and eventually, God instructed Samuel to grant their request.

Their first king, Saul, started well as both a leader and a soldier. However, his character flaws soon became evident, leading to his downfall. After his army was defeated in battle, Saul took his own life, marking a tragic end to his reign.

In 2 Samuel, David was chosen as king, but his path to the throne wasn’t without struggle and bloodshed. The tribes of Israel recognised his leadership, recalling how he’d led military campaigns even during Saul’s reign. As stated in 2 Samuel 5:2, God had appointed David to shepherd his people and become their ruler.

Once king, David united the kingdom, an achievement that wasn’t easy. He established Jerusalem as both the political and religious centre, bringing the Ark of the Covenant there as a symbol of God’s presence. Under his leadership, Israel grew in strength, defeating the Philistines and becoming a dominant power. His reign was later remembered as a golden age.

Despite his greatness, David wasn’t without fault. His most infamous failure was his affair with Bathsheba, as referenced in Leonard Cohen’s song Hallelujah. Seeing her bathing, David was overcome with desire, though she was already married. He took her as his own, and when she became pregnant, he arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be sent to the frontline of battle, where he was killed. This act of deceit and betrayal led to further troubles for David.

The prophet Nathan confronted him with a parable, making him realise the gravity of his sin (2 Samuel 12). Later, David expressed deep remorse, pleading for forgiveness: I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing (2 Samuel 24:10). His repentance is further reflected in Psalm 51, where he prays for a clean heart.

David was flawed, but remains a crucial figure in Israel’s history. His story demonstrates that God can use imperfect people for his purposes, just as he does with his covenant people today.

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At the end of the book of Judges, the people of Israel were caught in a cycle of victory and failure, needing a long-term solution. As the book of 1 Samuel begins, a meaningful change takes place.

God surprised the people by choosing an unlikely figure to lead them. He granted a childless woman a son, Samuel, who grew up to be a renowned priest and prophet. He listened to God’s voice and led the often-stubborn people. However, the Israelites weren’t content with a prophet; they wanted a king – someone visible, someone to lead them into battle, like the rulers of other nations.

Despite Samuel’s warnings, the people insisted, and God granted their request. He instructed Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel’s first king. Saul started well, he was a strong leader and soldier. However, flaws in his character soon emerged. He became arrogant, choosing his own desires over obedience to God. As a result, God rejected Saul as king, and Samuel delivered the message that his reign wouldn’t last.

Once again, God’s choice was unexpected: David, the youngest son of Jesse. Although he began in a humble position, his skill and bravery won admiration, especially after he famously defeated Goliath with a single stone. His rising popularity made Saul deeply jealous, and he repeatedly tried to kill David. David, however, didn’t seek revenge; he even spared Saul’s life multiple times.

Eventually, Saul’s downfall was complete. After suffering defeat in battle, he took his own life, a tragic end to a once promising but deeply flawed ruler. David would soon take the throne, but his reign wouldn’t be without personal failures. However, his story serves as a reminder that God can work through imperfect people, just as he can with anyone.

This book reminds us of the dangers of rejecting divine guidance, the consequences of unchecked ambition, and the idea that even deeply flawed individuals can be used for greater purposes.

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