A Journey through the Bible with Tiglath

85. The Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 1 to 2.24

I have had to engage in considerable research to try to get to grips with this

book. Some scholars describe it as mysterious. The first question is: who

wrote it? It was certainly not Solomon. The type of Hebrew in which it is

written did not come into use until well after his death. It is generally agreed

that the book was written about 200BCE = 'before the common era' by some

scholars (N.B. BC ='before Christ). The title of the book in Hebrew is

Qoheleth, which translates as 'preacher'. We must ask ourselves what

messages does this book send to us as we travel through it Very mixed, it

seems to me. We will have to analyse it chapter by chapter.

The message to be found in chapter 1 seems to say to me that if things don't

alter they will stay as they are. V4 'one generation passeth away, and another

generation cometh, but the earth abideth forever'. I do not agree with the

writer of verse 9 when he states that there is no new thing under the sun. I

have seen many new things in my own lifetime and would also question v. 18

which states:: 'in much wisdom is much grief, and he that increaseth

knowledge increaseth sorrow.’

In chapter 2, v1 the Preacher enjoins us to enjoy pleasure but we must also

remember that it is vanity. In v3 the Preacher attempts to find out what is

good for mankind throughout its life. V 4 -10 tell us how the he made great

works, gardens, houses, vineyards etc. He employed many servants and

acquired great riches. He then realised that all was 'vanity and vexation of

spirit, and there was no profit under the sun'. He then changes his attitude

again and states in v 13 that 'wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth

darkness'. If you have persevered this far you will have realised how difficult

it is to get to grips with the philosophy of this book.

Pressing on through chapter 2 we find that the Preacher has contrary views in

v 23 and 24. V 23 tells us that all man's days are sorrows and grief. On the

other hand, in v 24 we are told that there is nothing better for a man that he should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labour. He tells us this is

from the hand of God.

Next month, as our journey continues, we strive to find more meaning in this

fascinating book. 'for all is vanity and a chasing after wind'

N.B 'Vanity' in the Bible is generally taken to mean 'meaningless' 'of ‘no

value' or 'emptiness' - and not excessive pride in one's achievements, as in

common parlance.