To begin drawing upon good from Ecclesiastes, one has to take a deep dive so to speak. This series does not cover every chapter and verse, but key themes.
- Each bolded statement is the title of an entire article.
- Each following sentence is a lead-in to the article, setting the stage a little.
- With each click, you’ll be directed to the article of your choosing.
Solomon, if this is Solomon, is older now. The youthful vigor of Song of Solomon has waned. The constant drive for wisdom and wise sayings, like those we find in the Proverbs, has subsided. His narrative has played out in Scripture.
Solomon is older and in my opinion wiser. Furthermore, he seems to be slightly jaded with the purpose of teaching us a thing or two, which is a bonus for anyone from Generation X.
Ecclesiastes can be read in 1/2 hour, maybe a little longer out loud.
regarding Solomon and the authorship of Ecclesiastes
With the expansion of the Davidic Kingdom, Solomon would have had more exposure to the outside world, language, culture, and thought. This would include exposure to surrounding kingdoms. Therefore his thought, language, and writing style could have been influenced.
knowing the times | an introduction to Ecclesiastes 3
Knowing the times: “Open your barns when it is the time to do so; and plant in season, and let the clusters be cut when they are ripe, and launch boldly in spring, and draw your ship on shore again at the beginning of winter, when the sea begins to rage.” Gregory Nazianzius [1]
resonating in awe with the presence of God in Ecclesiastes
We are to be silent as we’re resonating in awe with the presence of God. However, we are to make our voices known at the wonders of God {His movements, miracles, proclamations, etc.}.
peace, love, and good questions in Ecclesiastes 3
Everyone wants personal peace, probably at least since the peace movement in the 1960’s. However, have we lost sight of the Biblical understanding, the strength of a peace that binds us together in community?
will of God vs. “what God has done”
…moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes iii.11, NRSV
“the good life” & its attraction
The greatest good, the highest good, is for them, “to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live” {Ecclesiastes iii.12.b}. Life signifies all that one is . . . one’s vitality and passion, for instance be “happy and enjoy.” With everything, we are to rejoice and pursue the good.
God’s hands hold all life
Koheleth seems to be an elder, reflecting on what is truly meaningful in this life. Life is brief. Our lives and times are in the hands of God.
Koheleth draws our eyes to abuses of power
Koheleth draws our eyes to abuses of power. The oppressed often have no one to comfort them, no one by their side, no advocate, no one to plead their case.
The Preacher weighs in on the gift of work
The Preacher {Koheleth or Qoheleth} weighs in on the gift of work. The Bible has much to say on the topic. Ecclesiastes offers some interesting insights as well.
stand before the king
The spoken word of the king carries great authority, in the same way the written word of our Constitution in America carries authority today. The view of civil authority in the ancient Near East is it does not flow from the written law as much as it flows from the king.
on community | the Preacher of Ecclesiastes
The authentic community of the visible church, in all the beauty and forms she displays, is greatly needed now. Now she is greatly longed for. God is using the church to attract postmodern seekers, digital natives, and the rest of us once again.
the futility of chasing wealth
“Increased wealth will only produce increased people to consume it. The owner of the wealth will derive no advantage other than looking at his big balance sheet.” James Kugel [2]
decisions of wise men and fools
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand,
but a fool’s heart at his left. Ecclesiastes x.2, NKJV
one is to invest and work, trusting God for increase
There are consequences to our decisions, one way or another. Koheleth offers wise counsel, and ultimately his word is the Word of God, urging us to listen to the voice of wisdom in our everyday life.
notes:
pic credit: Gaspar de Crayer | Het Oordeel van Salomo | circa 1620-1622 | creative commons
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