Ecclesiastes is said to be the work of Solomon in his later years.
According to the book of Kings, "God gave Solomon great wisdom and wisdom, and Solomon's wisdom surpassed all the wisdom of the East and the Egyptians. He wrote 3000 proverbs and 1005 poems. " (4: 29-34) But such a king Solomon was seduced by the splendor of the world. He "has seven hundred concubines, all of whom are princesses; There are still 300 won. These concubines seduce his heart. " (Wang Shang 1 1: 3)
The second chapter of Ecclesiastes says that Solomon "won the singing men and women, the things that the world loved and many concubines ... I didn't leave anything that I loved in my eyes; I don't forbid what I like in my heart. "(2: 10) That is to say, he has done everything that can be thought of in his mind. When it comes to power, he is the king. In terms of wisdom, he surpassed all people in ancient and modern times, at home and abroad, and in terms of wealth and splendor, no one can match him. But he finally came to the conclusion that "nothing is nothing, nothing is nothing." (1: 2) He said, "I think everything I do in the sun is catching the wind. " ( 1: 14)
The word "void" appeared 39 times in Ecclesiastes and "under the sun" appeared 29 times. The expression "under the sun" means that it belongs to nature, that is, to human life. All the actions in the sun eventually come to nothing. God's children do not live under the sun, but under God, under God's rule, in other words, under grace (Luo. 6: 14). People who live under the sun are those who live under sin (Romans. 3: 9). So, the result must be nothing. However, Ecclesiastes is by no means a soliloquy of nihilists. Here, we should understand that "everything done under the sun is futile" is not to believe in God, but to remind us to believe in God and fear God in an ironic tone.
From the structural point of view, Ecclesiastes is divided into several sections according to the style of "all that is done under the sun is vanity and catching the wind", so it is necessary to "fear God". The first paragraph is summarized in the third chapter, section 14-"I know that everything God does is eternal, neither increasing nor decreasing. God did this because he wanted people to be in awe of him. " The second paragraph also says, "There are many dreams and many words, many of which are illusory. You just need to fear God. " (5: 7) The conclusion of the third paragraph says: "Those who fear God will be blessed in the end", and also says: "The wicked will not be blessed and will not last long; This day is like a shadow, because he does not fear God. " (8: 12- 13) The two forms a sharp contrast. In the fourth paragraph, there is also such an exhortation-"Before the day of decline comes, that is, before you say that I have no joy, you should remember your maker." ( 12: 1)
Ecclesiastes, in the final summary, first summarizes what has been discussed so far-the preacher says, "vanity is vanity, everything is vanity", and then concludes-"I have heard all these things. The general meaning is to fear God and keep his commandments, which is what people should do. " (12: 13) The so-called "obligations that people should fulfill" means that life is not empty, everything is empty, there is no plan or purpose, and there is no fate that comes out of thin air. When God created mankind, he had a clear purpose, and he gave people the obligation to do it. So, what is the purpose of life, that is, responsibility? Many people have explored this. Confucius said, "If you listen to the Tao in the morning, you can die at night", which means that if you understand the road of life in the morning, you will have no regrets even if you die late. Sakyamuni said: "When you see the moon, you forget your fingers", which means that when you see the moon, you must forget to point your fingers at the moon. The implication is that you are a pathfinder and a seeker of truth.
Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verse 1 1 says that when God created man, he "put eternal life in the hearts of the world". The Lord Jesus Christ said to those who seek truth and long for the salvation of their souls, "I am the way, the truth and the life." No one can go to the father without me. " (about 14: 6) This is the clearest answer to those who seek truth, road and life. In a way, the author of Ecclesiastes is worried about finding the key to eternal life. He finally realized that money, fame, power, pleasure and knowledge could not lead him from the door of death to the door of eternal life. Only the Lord Jesus said to us-I am the "door" of eternal life (about 10: 9), "I will give you the key of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew. 16: 19).
Jews read Ecclesiastes during the festival of tabernacles. This is to tell them that everything they do under the sun is futile, and in their life journey, just like the festival of tabernacles, lead them to the road of fearing God. Ecclesiastes concludes that there will be a judgment-"God will judge everything a man does, whether it is good or evil." (12: 14) Chapter 1 1 Section 9 also warns people that "... know that God will judge you for all this." The New Testament also says: "According to the mandate of heaven, everyone will die, and there will be judgment after death." (Hebrews 9: 27) In the final analysis, everyone will be judged according to what he has done in life.
Life is gone forever, let's learn from it. Therefore, Ecclesiastes is the advice given to the world by the preacher after he has experienced and possessed everything that the world pursues. This is another invitation from God to save the world and guide those who read and listen to Ecclesiastes to live a life without regrets.
think deeply
1. What advice does a missionary with all wisdom, strength and wealth give to the world?
2. What does the expression "under the sun" mean?
3. Please tell me the little conclusion of Ecclesiastes.
4. What is the writing purpose of Ecclesiastes, that is, the general conclusion?