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AUGUST 26
made clear during His earthly ministry (Matt. 5:31,32; 19:5–8). Jesus Himself based His teaching on
the previously revealed word of God (Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:16).
Paul’s departure point for teaching affirmed God’s prohibition of divorce. He wrote that in
cases where a Christian has already divorced another Christian except for adultery (1 Cor. 7:10,11),
neither partner is free to marry another person.They should reconcile or at least remain unmarried.
Paul then added some helpful direction on the issue of marital conflicts created in cases where
one spouse becomes a believer (vv.12–16).First,the believing spouse lives under orders to make the
best of the marriage,seeking to win his or her spouse to Christ.If the unbelieving spouse decides to
end the marriage, Paul’s response is “let him depart” (v. 15). This term refers to divorce (vv. 10,11).
When an unbelieving spouse cannot tolerate the partner’s faith and wants a divorce, it is best to let
that happen in order to preserve peace in the family (12:18).Therefore, the bond of marriage is bro-
ken only by death (7:2), adultery (Matt.19:9), or an unbeliever’s departure.
When the bond of marriage is broken in any of those ways, a Christian is free to marry anoth-
er believer (Rom.7:15).Throughout Scripture, whenever legitimate divorce occurs, remarriage is an
assumed option.When divorce is permitted, so is remarriage.
In general,conversion and obedience to Christ should lead us to greater faithfulness and com-
mitment in every relationship.This extended passage (vv. 1–24) plainly repeats the basic principle
that Christians should willingly accept the marital condition and social situations into which God
has placed them and be content to serve Him there until He leads them elsewhere.

And there is nothing new under the
sun.
AUGUST 26 10 Is there anything of which it may be
said,
“See, this is new”?
Ecclesiastes 1:1–2:26
It has already been in ancient times
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, before us.
1 king in Jerusalem. 11 There is no remembrance of former
things,
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; Nor will there be any remembrance of
2
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
things that are to come
What profit has a man from all his labor
3 By those who will come after.
In which he toils under the sun? 12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Je-
One generation passes away, rusalem. And I set my heart to seek and
4
13
and another generation comes; search out by wisdom concerning all that is
But the earth abides forever. done under heaven; this burdensome task God
The sun also rises, and the sun goes has given to the sons of man, by which they
5
down, may be exercised. I have seen all the works
14
And hastens to the place where it
arose.
The wind goes toward the south,
6
And turns around to the north;
The wind whirls about continually, 1:13 wisdom. Solomon’s use of the term, in
And comes again on its circuit. typical Hebrew fashion, is more practical than
All the rivers run into the sea, philosophical and implies more than knowl-
7
Yet the sea is not full; edge. It carries notions of ability for proper
To the place from which the rivers behavior, success, common sense, and wit.
come, burdensome task. Man’s search to under-
There they return again. stand is at times difficult, yet God-given (2:26;
All things are full of labor; 3:10; 5:16–19; 6:2; 8:11,15; 9:9; 12:11). God. The
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Man cannot express it. covenant name, “LORD,” is never used in
The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Ecclesiastes. However, “God” is found almost
Nor the ear filled with hearing. 40 times.The emphasis is more on God’s sover-
eignty in creation and providence than on His
That which has been is what will be, covenant relationship through redemption.
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That which is done is what will be
done,
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