Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • "Ill," Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit.
  • Chapter I, On The Veiling of Virgins, Tertullian (c. 205)
  • Chapter III, On Monogamy, Tertullian (c. 215)
  • X.10, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • "A Metaphrase of the Book of Ecclesiastes," by Gregory Thaumaturgus (3rd century).
  • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "He speaks of this diversity of time for two causes first to declare that there is nothing in this world perpetual: next to teach us not to be grieved, if we have not all things at once according to our desires, neither enjoy them so long as we would wish."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "To expect unchanging happiness in a changing world, must end in disappointment. To bring ourselves to our state in life, is our duty and wisdom in this world."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "And by virtue of this appointment of God, all vicissitudes which happen in the world, whether comforts or calamities, come to pass. Which is here added to prove the principal proposition, That all things below are vain, and happiness is not to be found in them, because of their great uncertainty, and mutability, and transitoriness, and because they are so much out of the reach and power of men, and wholly in the disposal of God."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "Earthly pursuits are no doubt lawful in their proper time and order, but unprofitable when out of time and place; as for instance, when pursued as the solid and chief good; whereas God makes everything beautiful in its season, which man obscurely comprehends."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • "Terrorist Enemies and Just War," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Peace and War," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004.
  • "Following Our Vocation in Organizations," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Vocation," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004.
• Articles & Background:
  • "Mainstreaming Justice," Susan Dolan-Henderson, Sojourners Online, July/August 2000.
    • "We are all only temporarily-abled. Illness and disability can strike at any time. The disabled and chronically ill remind us how much in life is beyond our control."
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  • Brisson, E. Carson, "Between Text & Sermon: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8," Interpretation, 2001.
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  • Collins, John J., "The Zeal of Phinehas: The Bible and the Legitimation of Violence," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2003.
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  • Gault, Brian P., "A Reexamination of 'Eternity' in Ecclesiastes 3:11," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2008.
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• Reviews:
• Sermons:
  • "Should There Be a Clock in the Sanctuary?" the Rev. Dr. Joanna Adams, Day 1, 2010.
  • "A Time to Heal: The Process of Beginning Again," Sr. Joan Chittister, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1997.
  • "Time: The Great Spiritual Director," Sr. Joan Chittister, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1997.
  • "The Spirituality of Work," Sr. Joan Chittister, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1995.
  • "The Right Time," (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), Paul Tillich. From The New Being (1955), at Religion OnLine.
• With Children:
  • "In God's Time," Judy Grubb, sermons4kids.com.
• Drama:
  • "A Time to Die," Joanne Miller, dramatix.
  • "You Are My Sunshine," Jessica Tutini, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • "A Time For..." Reverend Fun Cartoon, gospelcom.net. Check for printing permissions at right-hand side of destination page.
• Hymns and Music:
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Ecclesiastes