For your final exam, I will be combing what are usually study questions 3 and 4. I'll be asking your for comments on this generalization:The Hebrews may not have added much to human knowledge, but their contributions to human wisdom are very impressive. Especially important are their explorations of the problem of evil
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I'll be giving you a lot of material on the final part of the generalization, but you can if you like spend some time dealing with the "wisdom" books of the Bible including (especially) Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
For extra credit, share your reactions to the prompt here:
For some people, Ecclesiastes is their favorite book in the entire Bible. Others wonder why it is in the Bible at all. What's your reaction? Did you find this book more or less enjoyable/valuable than the other books you've read for this class? Any particular important contributions to human wisdom you see here?
Broc Kilber- This is a hard book to read as it challenges the human nature of the flesh and directly calls out the sins a person has committed. It speaks to the truth that the things we strive for out of sin are vanity and worthless. I find it to be one of the more valuable books as it reminds me of all the time sin has let me down and how it does not provide satisfaction or worth. 7:1 "A good name is better than precious ointment and the day of death than the day of birth." This verse has a lot packed into it and has a lot to say about our lives. The first part is something that we all have heard at some point but the second half is something else entirely. Many people fear the day when they will die and seek to extend that date as far as possible. But this verse states that that day is better than the day you were born which is traditionally a day of great celebration. The reason for this is that the author sees the world as suffering. Life is pain and the best day is when that pain goes away. If you are saved this verse makes a lot of sense as when you die you will be able to go to heaven and enjoy the eternal peace. However for those who ae not this is entirely the opposite case as the day of death leads to everlasting tourment.
ReplyDeleteThis section of the Bible was certainly strange; it takes a different approach to Life compared to everything we have seen so far. Typically, such as in the cases of Moses and prophets, we are reading about men who have applied themselves to a life of trying to keep the house of Israel on the right path. In other cases, typically as often as those of religious figures, we see the viewpoints of those who sin without regret, getting their commupance later down the line (oftentimes through battle or politics or droughts).
ReplyDeleteBut this section... it is calling everything of life 'vanity'.
It tells of how we make our choices, and we are all fools or wise. The wise are sad and mournful (because they can see the truth) while the fools are joyous and celebrate often (for they are blind).
Aside from this, the point of view appears to be written in first person. Someone is talking of his experiences with us - but who? How long did this go on for?
Does the person writing view himself as a fool, or as a wise man (he views himself as the latter).
It's almost refreshing, seeing someone call life vain and full of fools that the wise shake their heads at.
Ecclesiastes is a unique and thought-provoking story that stands out from much of the Bible due to its raw honesty and philosophical tone. It deals with life's meaning, death's inevitability, and the apparent futility of human effort. This realism makes it incredibly relatable and profound, offering deep insights into the human condition and the pursuit of lasting fulfillment beyond material or worldly success. Compared to other biblical texts, Ecclesiastes may feel less comforting but more intellectually challenging, providing a valuable contribution to human wisdom by urging readers to find purpose in humility, reverence for God, and the simple joys of life.
ReplyDeleteWalker Larson- For some people, Ecclesiastes is their favorite book in the entire Bible. Others wonder why it is in the Bible at all. What's your reaction? Did you find this book more or less enjoyable/valuable than the other books you've read for this class? Any particular important contributions to human wisdom you see here?
ReplyDeleteI find the book of Ecclesiastes extremely useful. I know I say that a lot in my blog posts, but it's true nonetheless. The book opens with a statement that troubles the reader: "Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity." If the Preacher in this book is indeed Solomon, he would be one of the most powerful, rich, and influential people in the world. The kingdom of Israel would have dominated Mediterranean trade and Middle Eastern politics. But, at his height of wealth, Solomon comes to this great epiphany: all is vapor. A profound statement, it's all meaningless. It's all coming to an end. This statement serves as the entrance to the question of what is the meaning of life, why are we here? A question that truly and utterly bothers people to this day. Take a look at existential nihilists, a movement that started in the 1940s and took off in the 1960s, immediately after WWII. It seems to me, whenever people finally obtain what they want and become as wealthy as they need, they realize there's no point to any of it, it's all going away in the end. And to a large extent, they're right. It is all going away, and we are all going to die eventually. But Ecclesiastes doesn't stop there. It answers the question of life for us with "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." This is important because it takes the focus off what we do and shifts it to focusing on God. It makes living life into an act that is bigger than us. This book seeks to answer an inherently selfish question, and flips the focus to serving something greater than us. Our lives have meaning when we serve something other than us.
I am a prime example of someone whose favorite book of the Bible is Ecclesiastes (see our first blog post for this class). Ecclesiastes is a book I keep coming back to in my daily life because of its overall message to readers. My three big takeaways when I read this book (there are a lot more than three, but that's a post for a different day) are don't put too much stock in material joys, trust God's plan for your life and his timing, and treasure the little things life has in store for you.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I like the book of Ecclesiastes is because it speaks honestly about wisdom. I especially remember chapter 1, verse 18, and chapter 2, verse 18. It tells us frankly that knowing much and being wise does not necessarily bring peace of mind. In Korea, there is a saying, "Not knowing is a blessing." Sometimes, ignorance can make life easier and more comfortable. However, there are also other sayings: "Knowledge is power" and "You see as much as you know." For those who are overly sensitive and tend to overthink, the idea that "not knowing is a blessing" might actually be helpful. Yet, there are social issues and historical truths that we must know — and only by knowing them can we move toward a more just society, even if it is painful. I believe this is why Ecclesiastes is such an important book: instead of only praising wisdom, it also acknowledges the suffering and doubt that come with it.
ReplyDeleteSophia Lee