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ECCLESIASTES
INTRODUCTION
Ecclesiastes is the collected words of a “teacher” or “preacher.” The Teacher is described as having been king over Israel in Jerusalem, and as the son of David. Both of these mean that he was in the royal line of Judah. He is not further identified, and while tradition identifies him with Solomon, it is appropriate to leave this cloak of anonymity in place.
The repeated phrase Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless! Warns us that life’s rewards are uncertain and ultimately unsatisfying. The Teacher pursues this insight in a long discourse that shifts between prose and poetry, and between autobiography and straightforward teaching. The book makes observations and poses questions, returning to themes like the wind— round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.
When the Teacher says what is crooked cannot be straightened, he reminds us that something wrong has intruded into our world. This fits the larger Jewish story told in the rest of the Scriptures. Setting things right again is what this bigger drama is about. The Teacher, however, does not tell us about God’s attempts at straightening the world. He is content to say that God is sovereign over all things and it is our duty to follow his ways for living, since God will bring every deed into judgment.
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Ecclesiastes 1 (ESV)
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem…
12 I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
15 What is crooked cannot be made straight,
and what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
REFLECTION:
The author of Ecclesiastes is Solomon, “the king in Jerusalem, son of David”. He called himself a preacher, gathered the people to listen to his message, and collected words of wisdom (Proverbs). He is the person in the Bible who has everything in the world (including wisdom, power, wealth, honour, fame, and God’s favour), but he said that everything in the world is ultimately vanity. Although the state of Israel under Solomon was in its heyday, he wanted the people to understand that success and prosperity cannot last for a long time. All human achievements are like chasing after the wind, and one day they will disappear. We should keep this truth in mind so that we can live wisely. His purpose in writing this book is to show that only knowing God can bring true satisfaction and declare that this is “great wisdom.” “What is crooked cannot be made straight” refers to the confusion and chaos caused by the many unanswerable questions in our lives. When Solomon described his life, he found that neither his achievements nor wisdom could make him truly happy. The true wisdom is in God, and true happiness comes from pleasing God. We should respect God in words, thoughts, and all actions, and obey God’s will. Think about whether you have such great wisdom in your heart and really live according to this great wisdom?
PRAYER:
Come to God quietly, just like Solomon asked God for wisdom back then. Ask God to give you true wisdom in life, so that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you can gradually understand that everything in the world is emptiness. You have to walk with God and live according to His will to get true peace and joy.
HYMN:
I Give You My Heart – youtu.be/mZGzu6oI9b4
