What Ecclesiastes Can Teach Us | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

What Ecclesiastes Can Teach Us

The book of Ecclesiastes is a journey.

525
What Ecclesiastes Can Teach Us
pixabay

The Old Testament contains several key books which have influenced Western philosophy and thought. One of the most read and cherished by secular thinkers is the book of Ecclesiastes. The book of Ecclesiastes is pessimistic, cynical and littered with sarcasm, all while mocking the meaning of life. Within its pages, however, is wisdom that is helpful to anyone who’s concerned with life’s meaning and personal happiness. For this reason, Ecclesiastes has become a favorite for both the religious and nonreligious.

How could a book which proclaims the meaninglessness of life become a favorite? How could such a writing offer guidance to those seeking meaning and wisdom? Ecclesiastes may be the darkest book of the Old Testament, but its teachings are loved by secular writers such as Jeffrey Taylor, who wrote in his article "A Book of the Bible even an Atheist can Love: Secular Inspiration in Ecclesiastes:" "As Ecclesiastes moves toward its conclusion, marvelously poetic lines evoke the truths that unite us all."

The book of Ecclesiastes is a journey. The author is described as "The Preacher," who has, by tradition, been assumed to be King Solomon. The authorship of Ecclesiastes is currently debated, but whether Solomon wrote it or not isn’t important. The book begins with declaring the meaninglessness of life in poetic language. "'Vanity of vanities,' says The Preacher, 'vanity of vanities! all is vanity'" (Ecc. 1:2). The translation of the word "vanity" can also mean "vapor," which evokes a powerful image. As soon as we appear, we fade away into the wind. The Preacher then examines multiple ways of finding meaning in life and finds them all to have no basis. This includes wisdom, pleasure and labor. No matter what we do, our souls go to death. The preacher then moves on to describe the evils of life which make men's striving "after wind" (Ecc. 2:17). These evils include oppression, the folly of riches, the righteous suffering while the wicked prosper, etc. The Preacher concludes that instead of being caught up in the things of this world, man should "fear God and keep his commandments because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil" (Ecc. 12 13-14).

There are many things to learn from Ecclesiastes, which can serve to guide anyone's life. The preacher enters states of cynicism where he curses the world for its evils. "Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of the oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living" (Ecc. 4:1-2). Yet, the preacher tells the reader that, despite all the evils of this world, there is a time for everything. "Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. Everything that is to come will be futility" (Ecc. 11:8). The message of Ecclesiastes is stoic: man should not focus on the evils of this world or its inability to satisfy him, but should work hard and seek prosperity in the days ahead of him, for "man does not know his time..." (Ecc. 9:10). Since his days are unknown, man should "eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works" (Ecc. 9:7). Let man live his life in happiness, and not ponder on the vapors of this world.

The conclusion of Ecclesiastes places all hope of justice in the afterlife. The verses "Fear God and keep his commandments... For God will bring every act to judgment" (Ecc. 12:13-14) are written because there is no justice in this world, and all justice is served in the afterlife. This is the hope for The Preacher, and whether one is religious or not, they must concur: there is no hope or justice in this world. To idle on this is mere vapor, and the lives of men are short and futile. Everything is vapor: "Indeed their love, their hate, and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun" (Ecc. 9:6). Ecclesiastes is a book for all readers, and in making decisions in life or pondering its meaning, it is good to remember the words of the Preacher.

From Your Site Articles
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198226
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19660
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461486
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28644
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments