Pathways through the Bible: Classic Selections from the Tanakh (Third Edition)

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes Cc When things do not turn out the way you think they should, and you are disappointed, it is very helpful sometimes to learn patience and to resolve to make the best of life’s limited opportunities. So, at least, this wise Book of Ecclesiastes would teach us. The Bible, for the most part, has a happy, joyous, hopeful attitude towards life. However, the Book of Ecclesiastes is sad and sometimes even gloomy. Its author was a gentle, kindly man who was greatly puzzled and disappointed by what he experienced. Like Job and many another person, he was perplexed by the mystery of life. Neither pleasure nor wealth nor wisdom brought him permanent satisfaction. He grew weary of everything. Nothing in the world seemed able to make him truly happy. And he summed up all his disappointment in words that have become immortal: “Utter futility! All is futile!” That is, everything seems to be empty of real value; nothing is in itself worthwhile. As Ecclesiastes puts it, all human effort is “pursuit of wind.” But Ecclesiastes was not irreligious. This kindly philosopher had wholesome advice to give his equally disappointed fellow human beings. Therefore, our sages included his book in the Bible, although some of them wanted to keep it out. Ecclesiastes’ advice to us briefly is: You may often be disappointed and even suffer by what you experience in life. Indeed, you may not understand what happens to you. But you must not become impatient and rebellious, nor be discouraged. You must enjoy life while you have it, for life is good and has many rewards. Moreover, if you do your duty as it comes to you, God, who is good, will not fail you. “The sum of the matter,” he advises, “when all is said and done: Revere God and observe God’s commandments.” The Book of Ecclesiastes is known in Hebrew by the name Koheleth, which probably means “the Assembler,” that is, one who gathers listen- ■ 461 ■ ers (a preacher). King Solomon is supposed to have written it in old age. This book is traditionally read in synagogues during the Festival of Sukkot—the harvest festival of joy and happiness—as if to remind us, in the midst of our physical enjoyments, of the seriousness of life. Its reading, perhaps, was also suggested by the season of the year. People in colder Northern climates are apt to feel a little melancholy when the gray, sad days of autumn have come, when leaves fall from the trees, the days grow short, and the year ages old and weary, soon to die in white snows. At such a time, it is good to remember Ecclesiastes’ call to life and duty. For, as an English poet says: “If winter comes, / Can spring be far behind?” 462 ■ Pathways Through the Bible 1. NOTHING NEW BENEATH THE SUN Koheleth has decided that life seems to be without purpose or meaning, for things are always the same, getting nowhere. Nothing new ever happens in nature; everything repeats itself endlessly. People are always wanting something, and when they get it, they are not satisfied. They feel disappointed , and their labor seems without profit and in vain. THE WORDS OF KOHELETH SON OF DAVID, KING IN JERUSALEM. Utter futility!—said Koheleth— Utter futility! All is futile! What real value is there for us In all the gains we make beneath the sun? One generation goes, another comes, But the earth remains the same forever. The sun rises, and the sun sets— And glides back to where it rises. Southward blowing, Turning northward, Ever turning blows the wind; On its rounds the wind returns. All streams flow into the sea, Yet the sea is never full; To the place from which they flow The streams flow back again. All such things are wearisome: No one can ever state them; The eye never has enough of seeing, Nor the ear enough of hearing. Only that shall happen Which has happened, Only that occur Which has occurred; There is nothing new Beneath the sun! (Ecclesiastes 1.1–9) The Writings: Ecclesiastes/Nothing New Beneath the Sun ■ 463 2. A RULER’S SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS Koheleth had the means to try such things as pleasures, learning, labor, and wealth—to find out whether they could bring happiness. All these were disappointments. They gave no permanent satisfaction; instead, he became convinced that there is no real difference...