Ecclesiastes

Summary

• Ecclesiastes: The book is concerned with the purpose and value of human life. While admitting the existence of a divine plan, it considers such a plan to be hidden from man, who seeks happiness without ever finding it below Ecclesiastes applies his “Vanity of vanities” to everything “under the sun,” even to that wisdom which seeks to find at last a semblance of good in the thing of the world. Merit does not yield happiness for it is often tied by suffering. Riches and pleasure so not avail. Existence is monotonous, enjoyment fleeting and vain; darkness quickly follows. Life, then is an enigma beyond human ability to solve.

Outline

• Outline: • Prologue (1:1-20) • Qoheleth’s Investigation of Life (1:12—6:9)• Qoheleth’s conclusions (6:10—12:8) • Epilogue (12:9-14)

Qoheleth’s Investigation of LifeEcclesiastes 1:12-6:9

IntroductionEcclesiastes 1:12-18

• Using one’s mind• S/he adds search and

investigation gains wisdom.

• Then s/he is filled with grief.

Every wanted something so bad only to learn about its burden?

Study of Pleasure-seekingEcclesiastes 2:1-12

• As Solomon he gets it all. But finds laughter is mad, mirth is useless, and wine does not drown wisdom.

Study of Wisdom and FollyEcclesiastes 2:13-17

• Wisdom of Folly? Is one superior?

"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops." (Stephen Jay Gould)

Study of Fruits of ToilEcclesiastes 2:18-26

Study of Fruits of ToilEcclesiastes 2:18-26

• Eat, drink and be merry!

• Who will be receiving you inheritance?

• Why is life not fair?

• “Even this is from the hand of God” (2:24b)

Man Cannot Hit on the Right Time to Act

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

God is the principal playerGod is the one in charge of timingWe cannot anticipate God is responsible for time and eternity.

What part of time do you find more interesting? Most difficult?

The Problem of RetributionEcclesiastes 3:16-22

Vanity of ToilEcclesiastes 4:1-6I'd rather be a sparrow than a snailYes I would, if I could, I surely wouldI'd rather be a hammer than a nailYes I would, if I only could, I surely would

Away, I'd rather sail awayLike a swan that's here and goneA man gets tied up to the groundHe gives the world its saddest soundIts saddest sound

I'd rather be a forest than a streetYes I would, if I could, I surely wouldI'd rather feel the earth beneath my feetYes I would, if I only could, I surely would

Companions and SuccessorsEcclesiastes 4:7-16

Why is two better than one?

Who is wise?

Vanity of Many WordEcclesiastes 4:17—5:6

• Fear the Lord!

How do you fear someone you love?

Gain and Loss of GoodsEcclesiastes 5:7—5:19

• Enjoyment but not greed

Limited Worth of EnjoymentEcclesiastes 6:1-9

• Riches or greed• Dull or one who enjoys life• One who has or one who shares?

These are for reflection and I’ll invite reflection

What’s Coming Up

• Next Week: January 27 The Parish Mission• February 3 Eccl 6:10-12-13 Qoheleth’s Conclusions and Epilogue