Reading for March 27th

Read Ecclesiates 9.1-12. In 9.1-12: In God's hands. In verse 2; Clean and unclean, sacrifice and not sacrifice: References to ritual practices, verifying that the Teacher is not opposed to traditional religion. Those who who swear are evil. Those who shun the oath are good, avoiding unnecessary words (5.2). In verse 3: Less a concept of complete sinfulness that a cry of despair in face of human fraility and mortality. In verse 4: Dog: a despised animal in ancient Israel (Prov 26.11). The valuing of life over death is either a contridiction or a development beyond the contrary statements in 6. 3-6. In verse 8: White: a color for festivals, contrast 7.3-4. In verse 9: Wife: Literally, "woman." In verse 10: Sheol: See comment on 3.20. Comments or Questions..