That Which Is “Far Off and Exceedingly Deep”

“All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, ‘I will be wise.’ But it was far from me. As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find out? I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things –Ecclesiastes 7:23-25. “For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything that is before them. Everything occurs alike to all.” –Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a. Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’ ” –John 20:29 (NKJV).

So much escapes our knowledge. As the writer of Ecclesiastes laments: “that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find out?” We may study the Bible sincerely, but its rich mine of knowledge and spiritual wisdom may escape our understanding. Are we in despair? In our efforts “to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things,” can we gain enough knowledge to give assurance along life’s pathway? Sometimes, we like the “assembly man,” --for that is the meaning of Ecclesiastes, the one who calls a religious assembly or who is its spokesman or preacher—think, “vanity of vanity, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). But, fortunately for the wisdom-seeker, Ecclesiastes, the “assembly-man,” there is an optimistic conclusion to his searching: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, Whether it is good or whether it is evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NKJV).

I concluded the cited verses above with John 20:29 for a specific reason. Jesus had already appeared after His resurrection from the dead to some of the disciples. Thomas had not yet seen the risen Christ and had made the statement, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Eight days later, Thomas was with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. Jesus invited Thomas to reach and touch His nail-scarred hands and His pierced side. But seeing Jesus was enough. Thomas did not have to touch His Lord to believe. Then Jesus made an astounding statement that includes you and me and any believers: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV). It is possible through the eyes of faith to see that which is “far off and exceedingly deep” (Eccl. 7:24). “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV. The necessity for faith is clearly stated in Habakkuk 3:4b as the prophet forth tells the vision that would come: “The just shall live by his faith.” This statement became the central thrust of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” so boldly proclaimed in 1517 in Germany at the beginning of the Reformation.

I am amazed and grateful that the findings of archaeologists are unraveling that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” For those who would criticize and term many of the events and people of the Bible as myths and legends, archeology is proving the Bible events to be true. Beneath the Gulf of Aquaba (the Red Sea) Egyptian chariot wheels and other artifacts have been found, proving the event of the Hebrews crossing on dry land and the Egyptian army and all their equipment being covered and destroyed with water. This find gave proof indeed that God did what was recorded in Exodus. These discoveries give insight to the awesome mystery and wonder of God, the omnipotent, omniscient One. We have adequate knowledge of His work to link us in faith to the Savior God. As the father of the sick child may we pray: “Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b). –Ethelene Dyer Jones 07.12.2015