Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash
The words of the spokesman, the son of David and the king in Jerusalem. “Absolutely pointless!” says the spokesman. “Absolutely pointless! Everything is pointless.” (Eccl 1:1-2 GW)
Is life pointless or purposeful?
How do we not lose hope with so much evil, injustice, and uncertainty in the world around us?
How does a person not become cynical or grow weary of life itself, when surrounded with such caustic and toxic social unrest and divisiveness?
The great King Solomon, once considered the wisest man in the world, struggled with these same questions (1 Kings 4:29-31; 10:6-7). They seemed to plague him in his latter years of life.
Solomon’s life was one of success and excess. It was also a life of foolishness along with wisdom because he didn’t heed all of his own wise sayings nor the warnings of the Lord and the Covenant Law.
Many people who have read or tried to read through Ecclesiastes find it a difficult and discouraging book. It seems to pose more dilemmas and questions rather than provide resolve or answers.
A careful and thoughtful reading of Ecclesiastes should help with answering the question—Is life pointless or purposeful?
Insights
When reading Ecclesiastes, we need to keep in mind an ancient worldview, 3,000 years removed from our present worldview. If you try to frame what’s written from a 21st century viewpoint, it becomes difficult to wade through all of Solomon’s observations, thoughts, and quandaries.
Ecclesiastes is one of five books collected together as poetic and wisdom books in the English canon of the Bible. Ecclesiastes is considered a book of wisdom along with Job and Proverbs. But in the Hebrew Bible, it is part of what’s called the Writings that include several books after the books of the Law and Prophets.
If you view what Solomon says from how the world appeared in his day, it will make more sense.
It’s written in an ancient form with a foil—a seemingly unsolvable puzzle is revealed in the end. Glimpses of what is revealed in the end as a conclusion are scattered throughout the book.
The book is titled Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is the anglicized Greek word for the original word in Hebrew–Qohelet, which means assembler. It’s a term used for a teacher or preacher who calls people to assemble and speaks a message of wisdom to them.
But it could have several different titles like—the Preacher, Teacher, Spokesman (as in GW), Kohelet, Philosopher, or the literal– Leader of the assembly.
A few common words and phrases are repeated throughout the book, such as “under the sun” or “trying to catch the wind” or “wisdom.” These words and phrases are worded differently in various Bible versions but the essence is the same. God is mentioned forty times.
By far, one word stands out the loudest and is repeated three times alone in verse 2—pointless. The Hebrew word is hebel. It means breath or vapor but is translated in English Bible versions in many ways—pointless, meaningless, vanity, futility, useless.
This word is metaphorical for how fragile and temporary life seems.
This is the undergirding theme of the whole book but is not the final word, although it’s repeated at the end as in the beginning (Eccl 1;2; 12:8).
Another way of saying it is—”vapor, vapor… vapor of vapor”—everything on earth and in life is just a vapor.
Existential Reflections
This series of devotional studies is titled Existential Reflections from Ecclesiastes. These appear to be Solomon’s own philosophical reflections towards the end of his life where he questions the value and purpose of all he did.
This is not existential philosophy in an academic sense, but it reflects Solomon’s questions and quandaries about life. In particular, his own learning and life experiences. So, we can say these are Solomon’s existential reflections.*
Throughout the book, you will see many contradictory thoughts and even some that don’t fit the Christian theological narrative. There’s good reason for this. Solomon was viewing life “under the sun.” In other words, his view is earthbound as it is for most people without the hope of resurrection.
And yet, the Preacher speaks often of God and even of the fear of the Lord (Eccl 3:14; 4:7; 7:18; 8:12; 12:13). So, keep this in mind as you read through these existential reflections of Solomon and know he is building up to an important exhortation at the end.
One last thought about reading Ecclesiastes. When you read it the first time, do it all in one sitting without stopping to think on things. This will help you keep the whole view and purpose of the book. This is one book where it may be helpful to read the ending first before you dive in to study it.
As you go back to read through it at a slower pace, have a pencil or pen handy to mark your Bible, make some notes in the margin, and underline what stands out to you. Note the repetition of many phrases or thoughts.
And while you’re at it, keep a notebook or journal near by to write your own existential reflections.
Do you struggle with certain questions about life in general?
Do you sometimes wonder about the purpose and value of your own life?
Are there times you wonder where God is in all of the mess of life on earth?
If any or all of the answers to the questions above are yes, read with an open mind and your heart open to God in prayer.
*If you want to know more about existentialism from a Christian theological point of view, consider theologian Soren Kierkegaard who was seen as the first existentialist philosopher.
This is an excerpt from my newest book available on Amazon! Glimmers of Light in the Darkness of Life
The full text for this devotional study can be found by clicking the blue button link– “Ecclesiastes Chap 1” (chapter number and text will change chapter to chapter).
I’ve used God’s Word Translation (GW) for ease of reading but the button link will take you to the text in a parallel view with the NKJV text.
Also, for further commentary, I recommend Enduring Word by Ptr David Guzik.