I have a Bible-reading plan that I use to go through my Bible once a year. I have been using it for decades. Each day has two OT chapters, one Psalm or Proverb, and one NT chapter. Also, it is designed so that the Psalms, Proverbs and Gospels are read twice.
The year begins with Genesis 1, Psalm 1, and Matthew 1, and continues on from there. It also bounces around a bit when you get to the history books and the prophets. But in June there are six days of very interesting contrasts. In June you read Ecclesiastes and Ephesians side-by-side.
That is what I was doing last week. (I know it is not June, but I am a bit ahead this year.)
Ecclesiastes begins with “Absolutely futile, everything is futile,” or “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” [HCSB, NKJV]
Ephesians begins “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” [1:3 HCSB]
After Solomon speaks of the futility of everything, he goes on in 1:12-18 to write of the limitations of wisdom, ending with “For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases.”
Paul, however, works his way through God’s rich blessings in 1:3-14, a wondrous prayer for believers in 1:15-19, and ends the chapter with God’s power in Christ Jesus in 1:20-23.
Tucked in Paul words are some of the most glorious thoughts every put to paper. Instead of futility and the limitations of earthly wisdom we have from Solomon, we find glorious grace, redemption, and forgiveness. We find God has made lavished on us wisdom and understanding and has made know to us the mystery of His will. We find we have an inheritance and a Savior who is seated at the right hand in the heavens – far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
If you have a chance, read Ecclesiastes 1 and 2 and then Ephesians 1. You will be transported from the lowest to the highest – all because of Christ Jesus our LORD and Savior.
