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ECCLESIASTES WISDOM LITERATURE

ECCLESIASTES WISDOM LITERATURE. TITLE. The title Ecclesiastes means “the preacher” In the Hebrew bible, this book is called “ Qoheleth ,” which is most commonly stranlated : “preacher,” “teacher” One who collects an assembly into a metting in order to teach them

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ECCLESIASTES WISDOM LITERATURE

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  1. ECCLESIASTESWISDOM LITERATURE

  2. TITLE • The title Ecclesiastes means “the preacher” • In the Hebrew bible, this book is called “Qoheleth,” which is most commonly stranlated: • “preacher,” “teacher” • One who collects an assembly into a metting in order to teach them • This appears to be the title of the author of this book, appearing 7 times • The book states that is author is “the son of David, king in Jerusalem” (i.e., Solomon)

  3. DATE OF WRITING Late Persian or early Hellenistic period (350-250 BC)

  4. THESIS “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (1:2; 12:8). • Vanity = hebel—literally, “vapor,” “breath,” “puff of air” • Becomes metaphor for fleeting, temporary, transient • Or, futile, absurd, meaningless • “Vanity of vanities” is superlative—the most vain thing of all—everything is “utter vanity.”

  5. A “ROYAL EXPERIMENT” • Posing as “Solomon,” Qoheleth claims to have tried everything and found nothing that satisfies (1:12-18). • The testing of pleasure, work, wealth, and fame (2:1-11). • The testing of wisdom (2:12-17). Same fate comes to wise and foolish.

  6. A “ROYAL EXPERIMENT” • Conclusion: despair—there is no gain from one’s efforts to satisfy life’s emptiness (2:18-23) • Consolation: The best we can do is simply “eat, drink, and find enjoyment in [our] toil” – enjoy life and toil as God gives it (2:24-26; cf. 3:13; 5:18; 8:15; 9:7).

  7. THEMES • 1. The Retribution Principle (Revisited) • 2. Experience vs. Revelation • 3. Epicureanism vs. Piety

  8. THEMES The Retribution Principle (Revisited) • Qoheleth comes to accept the retribution principle in theory, but he rejects its ability to predict how our lives will go or why we are in our current life situations. • Though “getting out what we put in” (i.e., the righteous will prosper, but the wicked will perish) sounds nice, the influence of time and chance make this idea far-fetched.

  9. THEMES • 1. The Retribution Principle (Revisited) • 2. Experience vs. Revelation • 3. Epicureanism vs. Piety

  10. THEMES Experience vs. Revelation • What is unique about Qoheleth’s approach to this book is that he builds his case not by appealing to God’s revelation, but to experience and wisdom. • No reference is made to the Law or the Prophets; nothing is said about Israel’s place in God’s plan or the covenant.

  11. THEMES • 1. The Retribution Principle (Revisited) • 2. Experience vs. Revelation • 3. Epicureanism vs. Piety

  12. THEMES Epicureanism vs. Piety • According to the Greek philosopher Epicurus (270-341 BC), the gods were no threat to our experience and had little to no influence in our daily lives, much less what might happen to us when we die. His philosophy, then, was simple: “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” • Epicurus said little about piety, faith, or good works, and little about moral virtue, repentance, or a sense of sinfulness.

  13. THEMES Epicureanism vs. Piety • It is at this point we must recognize that Ecclesiastes is not intended to be a systematic theology. • Rather, Qoheleth’s primary purpose is to establish that life “under the sun” cannot fulfill the way we often want it to. • The only way we will find fulfillment in this life, contrary to what much of our culture tells us, is not only to “enjoy life,” but to “enjoy life and fear God.” • Enjoyment in this life comes not in the search for personal fulfillment, but in the recognition that everything comes from the hand of God.

  14. SUMMARY • Ecclesiastes reflects the utter vanity “emptiness and worthlessness” of life without God. • No matter what Qohelethtried and experienced, nothing replaced the love and blessings he had known in serving God.

  15. CHRIST IN ECCLESIASTES • Since Christ alone is man’s means to God, where man finds wholeness and satisfaction, or life and life more abundantly (Jn. 10:10; 7:37-38), and futility and perplexity experienced in life can only be removed through a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. • Man’s aspiration for significance and satisfaction are found only in the Savior.

  16. AND…? • Ecclesiastes affirms that meaning for life is not in life, but in the One who gives life. • Nothing in can fill the void that is left in your heart from pursuing worldly endeavors such as power, popularity, prestige, and pleasure. Only God can give you what you really need.

  17. AND…? • Further, far from being a bleak and miserable existence, the life of the believer is to be optimistic and cheerful. Once we see things is from the heavenly view, we can begin to enjoy life as it was meant to be. With God, there is no more despair and emptiness. • Ecclesiastes highlights the need we all have for something beyond anything this physical life can offer: Jesus Christ.

  18. ECCLESIASTESWISDOM LITERATURE

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