TSK · Ecclesiastes 7:14

The Curse of Military Siege“Because you have not served the LORD your God joyfully and wholeheartedly with the abundance of everything you have,

After this the son of the woman who owned the house got sick. His illness was so severe he could no longer breathe.

But he replied,“You’re talking like one of the godless women would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?” In all this Job did not sin by what he said.

Then you turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and covered me with joy.

How blessed is the one whom you instruct, O LORD, the one whom you teach from your law,

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

Surely, he ate in darkness every day of his life, and he suffered greatly with sickness and anger.

Concluding Refrain: Qoheleth Restates His Thesis“Absolutely futile!” laments the Teacher,“All of these things are futile!”

At that time the Sovereign LORD of Heaven’s Armies, called for weeping and mourning, for shaved heads and sackcloth.

So he poured out his fierce anger on them, along with the devastation of war. Its flames encircled them, but they did not realize it; it burned against them, but they did not take it to heart.

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that everything comes– both calamity and blessing?

Listen! The LORD is calling to the city! It is wise to respect your authority, O LORD! Listen, O nation, and those assembled in the city!

Go and learn what this saying means:‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

Prayer for the Sick Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises.