It has taken me a long time to get started on a sermon
series on this book
of the OT, mainly because it is
not an easy book to preach on. It has a reputation of being
pessimistic . What is the first
thing you remember as you think of the
book of Ecclesiastes ? Most likely this
verse : “Vanity of vanities , says the Preacher , vanity of vanities ! All
is vanity.” (1:2) . The last thing you want to hear is a pessimistic analysis of the world in which you live . For
that, you have the daily news !
In my repeated reading and studies of
this book over the years , I must admit however, that it has not left me with a pessimistic perspective of life. I would
rather say that it has impressed upon me
a very realistic view of
life! This book shows
us that the things we chase
after so very frequently, routinely fail
to satisfy us. They are like mist
– like vapor – a key word in Ecclesiastes
(and perhaps better words to use
than “vanity“ ) , as I will demonstrate in the course of our expositions . The experiences of life on this earth, under the sun can make you
very cynical , if you take life at face value. Much of what you experience in
life is not fair; much of it is unexplainable . People are often puzzled how God can allow certain
circumstances to happen . But this book
is an excellent help and guide through
the difficulties common to man in this life . It will teach us to seize
and to enjoy the special
moments given to us by God in this life on
earth and under the sun. It will teach us to resign ourselves to the sometimes
mysterious providences of God in this
life . In fact , this book will show us
how faith in God alone can take us
beyond cynicism and despair .
Apparently , the Jewish synagogue
traditionally reads Ecclesiastes on the third day of the Feast of Tabernacles (
late September or early October). It
is a festival recalling Israel’s wilderness experience (
Lev 23:34-43). Reading such a book
during a festival of great joy tells us that Judaism does not consider this to be a pessimistic book .
Today , I simply want to introduce you to
this God inspired portion of Scripture. I want you to get “ a
feel for it”, as we
consider the title , the type of
book , the themes and the theology of Ecclesiastes.
A.
THE TITLE : “ECCLESIASTES”
The original Hebrew title for the book is “Qoheleth”.
Translated it means “Preacher“ – one who delivers sermons before a “qahal” (a congregation). The Greek
translation and equivalent of the OT title is “Ecclesiastes”
. The “ ekklesia” is the n assembly/ gathering /congregation of people, being called together by the congregational
preacher – the “ecclesiastes”. The word ‘qoheleth’ is not
found in any other OT book , but it is used 7 times in this book ( 1:2,12 ; 7:27; 12:8,9,10).
·
Author : Solomon : Internal and
contextual evidence support
Solomon’s authorship . The first verse tells us
that the author was “the son of David, king in Jerusalem”
(1:1), and again in 1:12 : “I , the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem”. Only four kings ruled over Israel ( the 12 tribes) in Jerusalem: Saul , David
,Solomon , Rehoboam. After Rehoboam ,
the kingdom was divided into a Northern ( 10 tribe) and a Southern ( 2 tribe)
kingdom . Subsequent kings in Jerusalem no longer ruled over the
whole of Israel, but only over Judah , the Southern kingdom. By way of deduction we
may therefore argue that this author
was Solomon , since we know that
Solomon was the king endowed by God with
unusual wisdom and knowledge. His
knowledge and wisdom became
legendary ( 2 Chronicles 1:7-13) .
Compare also Ecclesiastes 1:16 with 1 Kings 3:12[1] Ecclesiastes 1:16 “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.”
1 Kings 3:12 (
Solomon speaking) “… behold,
I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind,
so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after
you.”
·
The Date : If Solomon was the author , the date would be
approximately 940-932 B.C.
No other king in Israel matches the
qualities of Solomon.
B.
THE TYPE OF BOOK : WISDOM LITERATURE
Ecclesiastes is classified
as ‘ wisdom literature’ . Five
OT books are classified as wisdom literature : Job, Psalms,
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs.
What makes this a unique
corpus of literature in the Bible ?
Wisdom literature focuses on existential and ultimate questions
about God, humanity, creation, and the
nature of evil and suffering.
C.
THE THEMES OF
ECCLESIASTES
I will not try to give you an
outline Ecclesiastes . Some have done that , and I could
give you their [2]
outlines . Others have simply refused to give an outline , saying that the book defies logical analysis [3]. That view may be a little extreme, since the general
aim of the book is clear. It is the connection of thoughts that are not always easy to follow . We must remember that Hebrew thinking and literature ( which is
circular , repetitive, emphasizing one point from a number of angles ) is not like Greek
thinking ( linear, progressive and to
the point ). I will apply the Hebrew
thought form in my preaching , and I will endeavor
to allow the book to unfold its own logic and wisdom .
·
The main point of the book is found in its conclusion : see 12 : 9-14 , and in particular vv
13& 14
·
Key words : In terms of
getting to know and appreciate the
message of Ecclesiastes , it is also important that we should get to know the key
words or concepts (i.e. those used repetitively)
1 .
Vanity (ESV; KJV) ; meaningless (NIV); -
used 38 times . The Hebrew word ‘ hebel’
translates literally as vapour or mist , and outside of Ecclesiastes, the word is often translated as
‘ breath’ ( Ps 62:9; 94:11; 144:4)or ‘vapour’ ( Prov 21:6). Thus it reads literally ‘ vapour of vapours, all is vapour.” We will deal with this word more extensively once we get to the
exposition of the text. Interestingly , the name of Adam’s second
son ‘ Abel’ is derived from the
root of this word, and he was “ the first
human to suffer death ( Gen 4:2) , the first to know the reality of life’s
vapourousness. In the end , every
last one of us is Abel ( hebel” [4])
2.
Under the sun:
used 29 times . “Under the sun” describes typical life upon this earth. Solomon’s
observations are limited to life ‘under the sun’ , here in time and space .Life
under the sun is pre messianic , says Peter Leithart , when the
Lord will rend the veil of the
heavens and the sun will give way to the blight of the Lamb. ( Rev 21:23) [5]
3.
Striving/chasing
after the wind : (literally shepherding the wind) – a very vivid metaphor
which helps us to understand our lack of control over the world and over our
own lives . “We can no more bring the
world under our control than we can guide the wind into a paddock for the night.”
[6]
Thank God that Solomon believes
that there is life after
this life under the sun . For Christians there is Life in the Son NOW and
forevermore ! Thankfully Solomon knows
that God will bring all wickedness to judgment ( 3:16-17). In the
time after the time under the sun, there
will be a judgment!
4.
The name of “God “ is mentioned 40 times. I will comment on this
in closing as we consider the theology of Ecclesiastes.
5.
The “heart “ is mentioned 40 times . We remind ourselves that
out of the heart are all the issues of life, either for good or for evil .
( ) A major question we shall come
up against time and again is this : “Where is your heart rooted and settled under
the sun ?”. Believe me , this is a most
important question .
6.
Wisdom/ wise occurs 52 times .This
is the primary purpose of Ecclesiastes – to teach us true wisdom ; a
reliable worldview . You will note that wisdom
,philosophy , the pursuit of knowledge,
reason in itself and without God gets you nowhere ( cf 2:12)
7 .
Rejoice/ joy occurs 17 times . It is one of the major
themes of this book – how to find joy
under the sun and in the midst of many perplexing trials . Among a number of
themes , this book is meant to lift your spirits. It is one of the
stated aims : “The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and
uprightly he wrote words of truth ( Eccl 12:10)
8.
Other important words : good ( 52 times) ; time
( 37 times); trouble ( 33 times); evil (30 times) ; eat and drink ( 6 times)
D.
THE THEOLOGY OF
ECCLESIASTES
The Word ‘ theology’ proper refers to
the doctrine of God - “ theos & logos” i.e. the word about
God . It is of course the
word of God (the truth about
God) in relation to us (mankind) , and
the truth about us in relation to God .
In
this regard ( and in a
nutshell) Solomon develops 3 foundational theological truths
about God and man :
1. Mankind is always in
search of happiness and enduring
substance ( e.g. 2:24; 3:12,22; 5:18; 8:15; 9:7-9;
11:7-10) . This is not wrong in itself ,
provided that we realize and understand …
2. God is King. Divine
sovereignty and often mysterious
providences characterize human
existence under the sun ( 3:11) . In this respect we must remember that :
(i)
Life
is lived in a fallen world ( 1:13b; 7:29; 8:15b)
(ii) Good
( 2:24,25; 3:10 ; 5:18-20 ; 6:2 ; 7:14
) and trials ( 3:18 ; 6:2b; 7:14) come from His hand.
(iii) God
must be approached reverently ( 5:1)
and cautiously with our words ( 5:2), knowing that our words
are counted ( 5:4)
(iv) God
must be feared ( 5:7; 12:13 ) and those who fear Him need not to
be afraid of Him ( 8:12) ; the wicked
must always fear God in an ultimate sense ( 8:13)
(v) God
always has the last word ( 7:13)
(vi) God
is the sovereign Creator
and He can ultimately not be made
subject to our whims and fancies ( 5:2 ;
9:7; 11:5)
(vii) What
He does is perfect ( 3:14)
(viii)
God
is the Giver and Taker of Life (5:15; 12:7)
(ix)
He
will judge the righteous and the wicked
( 3:17; 11:9; 12:14)
3.
In the light of your knowledge
of God be wise how you live
(i)
Be
content with where
you are at – in whatever circumstance ( 7:10)
(ii) Remember
that all things on earth are temporary . Don’t fix your heart on them . It is a
striving after the wind.
(iii)
Enjoy
whatever you have from God. ( 2:24;
3:12; 5:18-20; 7:14;8:15 ;9:7; 11:8)
(iv)
Be
cautious ( 5:1-7 ; 8:1-9 ; 10:8-11
(v)
Don’t
be overly righteous ( 7:16,17;20; ) and
don’t scheme too much ( 11:10)
[1] Compare also Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 with
1 Kings 9:17-19; Ecclesiastes 2:7-9 with 1 Kings 10:14-20 ; Ecclesiastes 12:9-10 with 1 Kings
4:32)
[2] E.g. Stuart Olyott on Ecclesiastes ( Welwyn Commentaries) p.14,15 ; William D. Barrick ( Focus on the Bible Commentaries) pp 24 27
[3] E.g.
G.S Hendry in the New Bible
Commentary ( 3rd ed,) p.571
[4] Peter Leithart :Solomon amongst the
Postmoderns , p.67
[5] Ibid . p. 100
[6] Ibid. p 68
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