The Harm of Fools in Authority [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 10:16–20]

What is as harmful as foolish counsel? Ecclesiastes 10:16–20 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that foolish governance is as harmful as foolish counsel. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on the responsibility and moral accountability of leadership, drawing from Ecclesiastes 10:16–20 to contrast wise governance—marked by disciplined feasting and diligent stewardship—with the folly of self-indulgent rulers who prioritize pleasure over purpose. The passage warns against the dangers of internal rebellion against foolish authority, even in thought, reminding believers that all authority is ultimately under God’s sovereign oversight, and that disrespect—even in the heart—violates divine order. Ultimately, the message calls for humility, prayerful dependence on Christ, and a life marked by faithful stewardship and godly respect, even in the face of flawed leadership.

2026.01.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ecclesiastes 10:16–20

Read Ecclesiastes 10:16–20

Questions from the Scripture text: What is woeful for a land (Ecclesiastes 10:16)? What opposite condition is blessed (Ecclesiastes 10:17)? What are the effects of laziness and idleness (Ecclesiastes 10:18)? What do such a people prioritize (Ecclesiastes 10:19)? What must the wise do, even in such a case (Ecclesiastes 10:20)?

What is as harmful as foolish counsel? Ecclesiastes 10:16–20 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that foolish governance is as harmful as foolish counsel. 

It is woeful to have fools for your counselors (Ecclesiastes 10:11-15), and woeful to a land to have fools for its nobility (Ecclesiastes 10:16). Kings and princes should understand the proper timing of things (Ecclesiastes 10:17b), and the proper usefulness of things (verse 17c). The laziness and idleness of Ecclesiastes 10:18 refer to the one who neglects service on account of self-indulgence. They live, instead, to have fun (Ecclesiastes 10:19a), indulge themselves (verse 19b), and obtain things (verse 19c). Where those in government are like this, a land is miserable rather than blessed, destroyed rather than built (Ecclesiastes 10:18). But let the wise not curse their “nobility.” In the curious turns of God’s providence (Ecclesiastes 10:20c–d), we cannot expect blessing to come by breaking His law. We must entrust ourselves and our blessedness to Him.

Whom do you govern? Are you blessing or cursing them? Who governs you? How are you responding to them?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for how we have lived to have fun, to indulge ourselves, and to obtain things. We have harmed those whom we have governed. And forgive us, for when our thoughts have cursed those whom You have set over us. Christ has been perfectly diligent and wise for us. Forgive us by His cross, and sanctify us by His Spirit, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”  

2026.01.28 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

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Learning from Covenant Curses [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 28:15–29:1]

What does every sin deserve? Deuteronomy 28:15–29:1 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that every sin deserves the wrath and curse of God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio:This devotional presents a sobering exposition of divine judgment upon covenantal unfaithfulness, illustrating how disobedience to God’s law results in cascading curses that afflict every aspect of life—personal, familial, agricultural, and national. The central message underscores that true obedience flows not from legalistic fear but from heartfelt thankfulness, joy, and reverence for God’s glorious Name, which is the foundation of a life pleasing to Him. When believers lose this posture of gratitude and adoration, they turn away from God, turning to other gods whom they obey, culminating in divine abandonment and judgment. The devotional emphasizes the justness of these curses, reflecting God’s righteous response to the rejection of His covenantal grace, and they serve as a stark reminder of humanity’s desperate need for Christ, Who alone fulfills the law, bears the curse, and sustains the church as its true Prophet, Priest, and King. Ultimately, the passage calls for a return to a life of joyful, thankful worship, rooted in God’s sovereign mercy, and overflowing with responsive obedience and service to Him.

2026.01.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 28:15–29:1

Read Deuteronomy 28:15–29:1

Questions from the Scripture text: What might they not do (Deuteronomy 28:15)? What, then, will the curses do to them? Where (Deuteronomy 28:16)? In what work (Deuteronomy 28:17)? And what fruit (Deuteronomy 28:18)? When (Deuteronomy 28:19)? Who will do this (Deuteronomy 28:20)? In what ways? To what extent? At what pace? Why? What will YHWH make the plague do (Deuteronomy 28:21)? Until what? With why seven things will YHWH strike them (Deuteronomy 28:22)? Until what? How much of creation will be cursed for them (Deuteronomy 28:23)? What will happen to what was supposed to give them life (Deuteronomy 28:24)? What will YHWH do between them and their enemies (Deuteronomy 28:25-26)? With what sort of plague will YHWH strike them (Deuteronomy 28:27)? And with what else (Deuteronomy 28:28)? So that they end up in what condition (Deuteronomy 28:29)? What efforts will He frustrate (Deuteronomy 28:30)? What possessions (Deuteronomy 28:31)? And whom, most grievously (Deuteronomy 28:32)? So that who benefits from what was theirs (Deuteronomy 28:33)? Unto what end (Deuteronomy 28:34)? What will He do to them themselves (Deuteronomy 28:35, cf. Job 2:4–7)? What will YHWH do to them politically and religiously (Deuteronomy 28:36)? Wit what result (Deuteronomy 28:37)? How will their produce be cursed (Deuteronomy 28:38-40, Deuteronomy 28:42)? Including especially what (Deuteronomy 28:41)? How will they relate to the foreigner (Deuteronomy 28:43-44)? What will these curses do to them (Deuteronomy 28:45)? On account of what? For what purpose (Deuteronomy 28:46)? From what failure does their disobedience proceed (Deuteronomy 28:47)? So whom will YHWH make them serve instead (Deuteronomy 28:48)? And whom will YHWH bring against them (Deuteronomy 28:49-50)? To do what (Deuteronomy 28:51)? Until what? What will they do to them (Deuteronomy 28:52)? Until Israel does what to whom (Deuteronomy 28:53-57)? So, what must they observe (Deuteronomy 28:58)? And fear? Or else what will YHWH bring upon them (Deuteronomy 28:59-61)? Leaving them in what condition (Deuteronomy 28:62)? Why? What will YHWH then rejoice to do (Deuteronomy 28:63)? What will YHWH do to them politically (Deuteronomy 28:64)? Religiously? What will YHWH give them in exile (Deuteronomy 28:65)? What will their mindset be (Deuteronomy 28:66-67)? Where will YHWH take them (Deuteronomy 28:68)? How? For what? How does Deuteronomy 29:1 summarize all the blessings and curses? 

What does every sin deserve? Deuteronomy 28:15–29:1 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that every sin deserves the wrath and curse of God.  

There are five times as many curses in chapter 28 as there are blessings. This is because, in the administration of the law, under sinful prophets, priests, and kings, they will indeed break the covenant and bring themselves under the curses. The way that this happens is found at the heart of the passage in Deuteronomy 28:47: “you did not serve YHWH your God with joy and gladness of heart.” It is this thankful, glad zeal that produces the obedience that the Lord seeks. When they fail to obey, YHWH will make their curses to come upon them, pursue them, cling to them, and overtake them (Deuteronomy 28:15, Deuteronomy 28:21-22, Deuteronomy 28:45). This is what we deserve, but Christ has taken the full curse that we deserve, for all who will believe in Him.

What do you deserve? What is the only way for you not to suffer it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we have often failed to serve You with joy and gladness of heart. We have not done according to all Your law, and we deserve Your wrath and curse. Forgive us and cleanse us, w ask through Christ, AMEN

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH51C “God, Be Merciful to Me”

His Love of Her Love [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 4:8–15]

What does Christ think of His church on their wedding day? Song of Songs 4:8–15 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ delights in His church’s presence with Him, and in her He takes great pleasure. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional unfolds the profound intimacy between Christ and His church, portrayed through the Song of Songs, emphasizing that the Lord’s greatest delight is His bride’s love—expressed in heart, word, and deed. Central to this union is the image of the bride as a sealed garden and fountain, a private, sacred space of divine pleasure, yet one that overflows with life-giving fruit for others.

2026.01.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 4:8–15

Read Song of Songs 4:8–15

Questions from the Scripture text: What invitation does Song of Songs 4:8 give? What does the Bridegroom say that the bride has done (Song of Songs 4:9)? How? What does He say about her love (Song of Songs 4:10), even compared to what two things? What two things does He superlatively praise in Song of Songs 4:11? How does He describe her in Song of Songs 4:12? What does He call her, here, for the third time (cf. Song of Songs 4:10, Song of Songs 4:11)? What plants does He describe as flourishing in that garden (Song of Songs 4:13-14)? What water sources does it have (Song of Songs 4:15)? 

What does Christ think of His church on their wedding day? Song of Songs 4:8–15 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ delights in His church’s presence with Him, and in her He takes great pleasure. 

The wedding has taken place, and now He calls her “spouse” in five consecutive verses (Song of Songs 4:8-12). This passage on her beauty begins with an invitation, “Come with me” (Song of Songs 4:8a). Now that they are married, He insists that she always be with Him—no matter from how remotely (verse 8b–f). Their being together should be the great desire of the bride, because it is the great desire of the Bridegroom (Song of Songs 4:9). 

The church is Christ’s great love and desire. And, the first thing He loves about her is… her love (Song of Songs 4:10)! He loves, in her, what we began the song by hearing that she loves in Him (cf. Song of Songs 1:2–3). He loves her perfumes, her graces/adornments, which constitute likeness to Himself. Thirdly, He loves her praise, the fruit of her lips (Song of Songs 4:11). It all drips richly, sweetly, like honey—her prayers, her songs, her preaching; it is not superficial or light but thick and rich. He loves the worship that is the fruit of her lips. Indeed, not just on the lips, but even when it is still under the tongue—He loves the worship of her thoughts, her heart. Finally, He loves her actions, the garments with which He has clothed he (cf. Revelation 19:8). 

In the last four verses of our passage, the church is Christ’s garden (Song of Songs 4:12, cf. Isaiah 58:11; Jeremiah 31:12). Just as great palaces would have a royal garden for the delight of the king, so she has been prepared for Him. She has come out of the wilderness, and now she is a garden. She is “enclosed,” “shut up,” and “sealed,” because she has only one object of all of her devotion, affection, and obedience. These proceed from her continually, as from a fountain or a spring. The garden is developed in Song of Songs 4:13-14, and the spring/fountain in Song of Songs 4:15, expressing the great variety, preciousness, and usefulness of what Christ produces in His church. His pleasure is all her aim, but from her riches, He offers much to the world.

How are you responding to Christ’s desire for the presence of His church? To His taking pleasure in her?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for Your marvelous work in Your bride, the church. We rejoice to see Your delight in her on Your wedding day. Keep working in us by Your Spirit, and make us delightful for You to delight in, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH471 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking”

A Wedding Invitation [2026.01.25 Evening Sermon in Song of Songs 4:8–15]

The Lord Jesus appeals to His own delight in us, as He invites us to come with Him and look to Him.

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He Cannot Deny Himself [2026.01.25 Morning Sermon in Matthew 26:57–75]

Jesus confessed Himself to be Lord, so that by His grace, we also can

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Wisdom’s Grace-Formed Values [2026.01.21 Midweek Sermon in Proverbs 20:29–21:3]

As God's grace makes us wise, we come to value maturity, chastening, God's sovereignty, and God's judgment.

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