Qoheleth notices something that keeps theologians and barroom philosophers equally busy: the wicked prosper, the righteous suffer, and the sentence against an evil deed is almost never executed on time. That delay, he says, seems like a cosmic travesty. Human hearts read slow justice as no justice at all and fill the gap with more evil. What can be done? Obey the king, fear God, eat your bread, and accept that you cannot decode the logic of what happens under the sun. The man who claims he has it figured out is lying, even if he is wise.

The Rev. Paul Cain, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheridan, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Ecclesiastes 8:1–17.

To learn more about Immanuel in Sheridan, visit immanuelsheridan.blogspot.com.

What does a man gain from all his toil under the sun? Solomon asked that question three thousand years ago, and it still cuts. Ecclesiastes is the Bible's most unflinching book about work, wealth, wisdom, and the ache nothing in this life can fill. It is also one of the most pastoral, because the Preacher tells the truth about death, time, and meaning without leaving the reader in despair. Pastor Booe and guest pastors from across the Synod study it verse by verse, following Solomon's argument to where it finally lands: fear God and keep His commandments.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.