The Preacher and his message
Who is the author of Ecclesiastes and what is his message. The assumption is often that the book is essentially negative, that the author is a cynic who because he attempts to understand “life under the sun” has a limited world view. On that perspective, we are treated to the limits of reason, empirical evidence and hedonism. This view is re-enforced if we assume that hebel means vanity.
But take a second look and notice the following things.
Who is Qoholeth?
The Hebrew word literally refers to a teacher who gathers or assembles things. They can either gather people or knowledge. If the former then emphasis is on him as preacher, if the latter as a teacher.[1]
Qoholet introduces himself as “King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem (1.1). Bartholomew comments:
“That we are to think of Qoholet as Solomon is made clear by the phrase ‘the son of David, king in Jerusalem.’ ‘King in Jerusalem’ could refer to David or Qoholet, but in the light of 1:12 it is best to refer to Qoholet. Only David and Solomon were kings over Israel in Jerualem.”[2]
Note that modern commentators have tended to assume that the book dates much later than the reign of Solomon and is therefore pseudepigraphal. In other words, it is assumed that an author chooses to take on the persona of Solomon in order to make their point. This of course relies on the assumption that the majority of the Old Testament was assembled late (from the Exile onwards). I don’t see any reason to follow a liberal assumption. Rather, we have every reason to accept that the historical Solomon, a man given wisdom by God and author of Proverbs is indeed the writer. However, whether or not that is so does not change the rhetorical force of a book claiming kingly authorship in Jerusalem.
The rhetorical force is as follows.
“As king in Jerusalem we should … note that this is the leader of God’s people and someone familiar with the Israelite traditions as they have been embodied in the Sinai covenant and the Davidic covenant. We would not therefore expect Qoholet to be an unbeliever but someone who knows the way of the Lord and whose responsibility it is to promote those ways among God’s people.”[3]
In other words, Qoholet is a believer in the covenant keeping God, Yahweh. We are to treat his words as revelation.
“’Under the sun’ does not mean ‘on earth, as opposed to heaven.’” [4] It’ not “to be dismissed as a faulty this-worldly perspective.” [5]
The content of his message
The book starts with the heading, “The words of..” This type of introduction usually introduces collections of sayings. In other words, Ecclesiastes is wisdom literature.[6] This should help us consider how we are to engage with it.
Remember that Wisdom literature does not equate to commands, promises or predictions. Rather t sets out proverbial or general truths that have to be considered in context. We are meant to take time to chew over these pithy sayings, to examine them from different perspectives, to reflect and mediate on them.
Enns comments
“…it bears repeating that the frame narrator himself has provided a canonical evaluation in 12:8-14, which …has a demonstrably positive dimension to it. In other word, we should not rush to evaluation and judgement but be patient in allowing Qoholet to make his case in his own terms, however jumbled and belaboured it might appear at times and then bring the totality of Qoholet’s words into conversation with the frame narrator’s evaluation.”[7]
This provides another important clue about the message, we are helped by the structure of the book which is framed by a prologue (1:1-11) and an epilogue (12:8-13). These sections are marked out by the use of the third person “The teacher….” does and says certain things whereas, the main body of the text uses the first person “I the preacher.” Note that this may mean that the book has been assembled by an editor who adds the commentary however, it is equally possible that Solomon uses this as a stylistic devise to frame his book.
We are told that
“11 The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd[b] drives the sheep.”
Qoholet has taken time and care to diligently choose exactly the right words to make his point. Here is an important lesson for any preacher/teacher! This book is meant to be seen as useful wisdom for life within the canon of Scripture.
All along, Qoholet has been skilfully building up an argument.
“13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.”
We are left with the very same verdict that we find in the book of Proverbs and in Psalms, it is the fear of the Lord which is the beginning or source of wisdom. Note that this idea of fearing, reverencing God is applied in the New Testament to Christ (cf 1 Peter 3:14-15). Life under the Sun is not life away from God’s presence. It is God who watches over us, sees everything and judges.
What will God’s verdict be on my life? Like every OT book we are pushed onto the Gospel that if the verdict is to be “righteousness” then we need to be hid in Christ.
The Preacher and his message
Who is the author of Ecclesiastes and what is his message. The assumption is often that the book is essentially negative, that the author is a cynic who because he attempts to understand “life under the sun” has a limited world view. On that perspective, we are treated to the limits of reason, empirical evidence and hedonism. This view is re-enforced if we assume that hebel means vanity.
But take a second look and notice the following things.
Faithroots 