Different circumstances, same conclusion

In the books of Job and Ecclesiastes, two important Biblical figures reflect on the meaning and purpose of life. The circumstances in which they find themselves differ drastically. Job has lost his earthly possessions, his family, and his bodily health. Solomon, on the other hand, is enjoying the pinnacle of earthly prosperity and celebrity.

Yet despite those different circumstances, both Job and Solomon, as they reflect upon life, reach the exact same conclusion!

In Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV), Solomon succinctly summarizes his reflections,

Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

And in Job 28:28 (KJV),

Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Those passages show two things. First, the meaning and purpose of life is not complicated: fear God and obey him. Second, that conclusion applies regardless of our life circumstances. Whether we sit on top of the world like Solomon or suffer in the depths of agony like Job, our mission is the same: fear God and obey him.

Searching for and finding mercy

The Bible is often described as a book that explains itself. For example, Proverbs 21:21 (KJV) reads,

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Those seem like huge rewards for following righteousness and mercy! Now, the "righteousness" part of this is clear: we must follow God's commands. And note, from the passage, that righteousness is, in fact, a reward for pursuing righteousness. So righteousness appears to beget itself.

But what about "mercy"? Where do we find that? Although the immediate surrounding text doesn't provide an answer, other parts of the Bible do. For example, Psalm 36:5 (KJV) reads,

Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens.

So all mercy emanates from God in heaven. And the way for us to connect to that mercy is to pray to God for that heavenly gift of mercy.

This is but one, relatively easy-to-understand, example of the Bible explaining itself. The Bible's pattern of explaining itself, I think, becomes clear if one habitually reads the Bible, especially a "literal" translation that attempts to adhere to the original Hebrew and Greek wording. Making a practice of doing that (eventually) helps clarify passages and answers questions that some sections might pose.

(Note: I don't mean to disparage more "dynamic" translations. I, myself, frequently use the NLT!)

God's promise and warning

2 Chronicles 7 finds the ancient Hebrews, led by Solomon, dedicating the newly-constructed Temple. As part of the dedication ceremony, God issues a powerful promise, and an equally powerful warning.

First, for the promise, summarized in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV),

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

If we've sinned or drifted away from God in any way, then this verse is directed right at us. What a great verse of hope and grace!

But then, in verses 19-20 (KJV), comes the warning,

But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight...

Taken together, these verses indicate that sinful behavior causes God to turn from us, but just as quickly, repentance brings about mercy and forgiveness. This, of course, is a dominant theme throughout the Bible, and one which should animate all of our prayers. Today, let us praise God for his infinite mercy!