Joe Btfsplk of cartoonist Al Cap fame is not Qoheleth of Ecclesiastes, but I couldn’t resist the connection, and both their names are beyond pronouncing.
Maybe you’ve figured out by now, if you’ve been reading these, that Ecclesiastes is my favorite book. At least it’s up there with my top 66. The fact that it starts out with everything being meaningless doesn’t bother me much, particularly when in the end it says the opposite.
The word “meaningless” is really better translated “vapor.” And vapor turns back into rain, which waters the earth. I know I’m wonderfully watered by the words in this book.
The book of Ecclesiastes seems esoteric at times, even inscrutable, and positively negative! But it faces life as it is, not how it should be. I can trust a God that includes in His book the admission that things don’t always go as we think they should, that a lot of life is hard to fathom.
I see in Ecclesiastes a thought process many of us have traveled, questioning the ultimate meaning of everything and ending up, shudder, empty.
There was a time when I concluded that a pessimist is just a realist who is honest.
Ecclesiastes was written from the perspective of a person who has tried everything, attained everything, and then reflected on it. By the way, he never claims to be King Solomon, and the writing style is that of a later usage than Solomon’s era. The writer, Qoheleth,* has taken on a Solomonic perspective and writing as if . . .
Since none of us will experience as much as Solomon did, the writer gives us the benefit of the conclusion he would have reached.
And that is:
When all is said and done, all is meaningless–unless and until greater light is found. Of course, that is God Himself. After that one may still see the anomalies, but there’s plenty of reason to be happy . . . in the simple things.
I find a highly positive thread weaving through it all . . . something I’ve already alluded to in a handful of these blog posts. (See below.)
Another Book?
I’ve actually thought of putting together a little book using Ecclesiastes as the point of departure. Not that it hasn’t been done before, but then everything’s been done before–that’s one of Ecclesiastes’ truths.** It’s just never been done by me. And my perspective will be different.
Just like yours.
“Of the making of books there is no end.”*** There’s another from Ecclesiastes. It just gives me all the more permission.
So, with your permission, I’ll embark. And I’ll invite you along. You’ll be valuable help just by reading, possibly commenting, looking for its completion and sharing it with any others.
I do not intend to go chronologically. I’ll jump around, and not cover everything. Nor will every post be on the theme. It’s a Blank Slate. I will want to retain my moments of spontaneity and humor, and so will you, I think. It’ll be up to you to know when it’s which.
So here we go. Come along, and grab a paddle; we’ll be pulling up stream. And, like I said, invite others. There’s plenty of room in the boat.
And if it tips over, so be it. It’s just water (vapor).
Past Posts on the Theme
Posts already based on Ecclesiastes segments include:
So, Go, Says God, Ecc. 9:7-10
Try Things, You Never Know, Ecc. 11:6
On Seeing the Future, Not, Ecc. 10:14
Don’t Leave Your Post, Ecc. 10:4
Light is Sweet, Ecc. 11:7
Slow, Beauty Ahead, and Strong in its Kind, both taken from Ecc. 3:11
A Time for Everything, Ecc. 3:1-8
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*The original Hebrew name of the book is Qoheleth, coming closest to “preacher,” the self-description of the author. Translated to Greek it became Ecclesiastes.
**Ecclesiastes 1:9
***Ecclesiastes 12:12
Next: All is Meaningless–What a Way to Start a Book! Coming Tuesday.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
8:11 am
I’ve got my paddle and I’m ready for the journey!
8:27 am
Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 is my fav!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love this because it is concluding what you have just said, Hyatt! That you need to do the very best you can in life at everything you do and to do it with JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!! IN YOUR HEART! AS UNTO THE LORD! Because we do not have a long time here. It is all meaningless basically, but not to God! He wanted us to work hard, enjoy what He has provided, always do your best, love others with your whole heart, and serve the Lord with joy while you are here! Also, exactly what I always thought too, Hyatt——- realists were just honest pessimists! Or what my husband said I was! Hahahaha! Not anymore. Loving life! God’s blessings! Love Lisa
8:45 am
I think of it as…….”soapbubbles, soapbubbles….”
A pessimist is still living at a “half honest” level of life.
Cheers, Allan
9:37 am
As one writer to another, is there anything more exciting than the rumblings on a new book deep in your soul? At first, one tries to reject the thought. I always ask my self if I truly want to be consumed by this topic for the next two years until it drives me crazy. If the answer is “yes” then, one must go for it with a whole heart and an open mind because the “work” can take unexpected turns and more than expected delays. And in the end, when it is all said and published, it will be you who is most changed by the experience. No one will love it (or dislike it) more than you. No one will share it (or be tempted to disown it) more than you. No one will care about a typo more than you. However, in mysterious ways it will reach that one reader who needs it the most–the one you’ll never meet this side of heaven–the one God had in mind when he put that rumbling in your soul to write the book. It’s for all of these reasons that all who write embrace the blank page . . . it is God’s call.
Hyatt, you were made for this topic. Go for it, my friend!
10:44 am
A wonderful book for life!
10:49 am
Great endeavor Hyatt! I applaud the incessant use of your faculties on noble causes. Please save a place for me next to Tanya. Have life buoy,will travel.
10:57 am
I’ve got my paddle too……….
11:09 am
Hyatt, I really enjoy reading your posts. Looking forward to seeing the group Wednesday!
2:32 pm
Hyatt, I love hearing your musings on Ecclesiastes. It’s as if you don’t want to just look at the topsoil, you dig down to the hard pan to see what’s really there.
2:56 pm
Once again, Hyatt, good stuff! Persoally I find solid evidence that the author is indeed Solomon. Looking forward to “paddling along in the (em)bark” :-)
3:38 pm
Applause for your post Hyatt……Pat’s comments about writing a book should be fair warning to every aspiring author.
10:08 pm
CAN’T WAIT !!!!!!!!!!!
1:23 pm
Have my paddle. And as I learned kayaking in a very strong current – sometimes it’s best to just lift the paddle up and go with the flow of the current. You never know where it will take you, and it’s usually better than where you were struggling to go.
6:05 pm
I’m looking forward to your book, Hyatt, just as I am to reading your up-coming Blank Slate posts. What a blessing you have provided to your followers. So……I’ve got my paddle ready and am joyfully awaiting the journey with you.