By: Larry

Larry — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 05:34:41 +0000

Bill, I have always liked Ecclesiastes, but since I seem to be in the company of atheist and other nonbelievers, I don’t know if I should even admit it! Actually, I know of at least one other moderately famous believer who loves the book, so at least I’m not alone. I don’t have any of Dr. McGee’s commentaries, but I don’t really agree that the book is just about man’s wisdom and the wisdom of Solomon outside of God’s leading. I might be making too broad of a conclusion from your comments about the book, but this seems to be the gist of matter. Should we understand Proverbs to be just the wisdom of man, at least those verses contributed by Solomon himself! What about the Song of Solomon? Is not the physical beauty
of a wife to be enjoyed? I don’t think it is best to see the book of Ecclesiastes as only or even predominately teaching Solomon’s or even man’s wisdom. If that is the case, why include it in the canon of Scripture? Solomon admits that he tries all the the world has to offer “under the sun”. This is an obvious reference to the pleasures that the world has to offer. He reaches the conclusion that , ultimately, all we do under the power of our own flesh, without God, is vanity. This seems to be what the Bible teaches. I DON’T see this as a teaching of human philosophy. I’m not sure why you draw such a negative view of Ecclesiastes 5 verses 18- 20. I don’t see how this contradicts the overall teachings of the Bible. That God often times rewards the faithful with material goods is a basic Biblical teaching, especiallly in the Old Testament. Many times we are taught to enjoy those earthly pleasures which reflect the nature of our God, including those things which reflect his creativity, artistry and wisdom. God desires for us to enjoy the fruits of our labor! (verse 18). God described the promised land as a “land of milk and honey.” Were the Hebrew people not the enjoy the bounty of their new home? Were they not to look forward to the earthly pleasures it was to provide them? I use the New Geneva Study Bible as my main Bible, and it describes verse 5:18 and 19 with the following commentary, ” God intends that people should enjoy the benefits of their work as a due reward of their labor. The ability to enjoy earthly labor comes not from stoic human strength, but from God-given grace, granted to rich and poor (v. 12) alike. I will quote verses 18 – 20 from the NKJV, ” Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him, for it is his heritage. As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor-this is the gift of God. For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.” Bill, I think you are unduly reading too much darkness into these verses, and perhaps the entire book. Solomon was indeed a worldly man, and the book reflects his life. But the overall conclusions that Solomon draws from his life are truly the wisdom of God.

Comments on: Today’s Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 3-6

By: Larry