Discussion #1: Are you an optimist, a pessimist or a realist? Do you like/dislike the book
of Ecclesiastes? Why?
Title: Greek translation of the Hebrew word (Qoheleth) for the “Teacher”.
Author: King Solomon, Israel’s archetypal sage. His authorship is questioned by scholars but clearly claimed in 1:1, 12-13.
Purpose:
The author explores the limitations of wisdom. His purpose is to show that life is full of ambiguities and therefore one must be careful not to get caught up in vain pursuits. Shows that there is nothing “under the sun” that is capable of giving meaning to life. His purpose is to show that satisfaction can only be found in One and all other pursuits must be made in the light of that knowledge. The course of life to be pursued is a God-centered life.
Theme(s):
The favorite book of the pessimist, anti-establishment, angst filled person. Potential favorite for the people of Seattle.
Searching, emptiness, work, death, wisdom, time, wealth, politics, friendship, religion, evil and contentment.
This book explores the limits and contradictions of life as a means for teaching a wise approach.
He has a high view of God – His “otherness” and transcendence, and the way man cannot build bridges to Him or manipulate Him. At the same time the author affirms His goodness and the opportunity to enjoy the gifts of life.
Has a high view of youth (Ecc. 11:9). Enjoyment is what makes life worth living amid the vanities of life.
Does not see a world that is progressing – rather it is a static cosmos. An endless cycle of sameness. Even wisdom the pursuit of wisdom can be a vain pursuit.
Instead of wisdom being attainable and desirable it is presented as a futile pursuit.
Style:
Following the wisdom tradition he analyzes the established view of life. An approach that deconstructs traditional wisdom from within.
It is a series of confessions – another example of absolute honesty with God. Baring his soul and sharing his personal discoveries the teacher uses allegories, autobiographical narrative, parable, metaphors, proverbs, and other forms common to “wisdom” literature.
Meaning:
Vanity: Key word: (Strong’s #1892) hevel: vanity
Translated meaningless, absurd, emptiness, useless, senseless. Literally, means “breath” or “breeze” “vapor”. Author says life is as a “striving after the wind.” Found in this book 36X, once in all chapters except chapter ten.
Discuss: How could life with God be described as vanity?
Outline:
The Title 1:1
The Teacher’s Theme 1:2
Questioning the Profit of Life 1:3-11
Wisdom Versus Folly 1:12-2:26
A Time for Everything 3:1-15
Injustice and Judgment 3:16-4:3
Criticizing the Doctrine of Work 4:4-6
The blessing of community 4:6-12
Success and Popularity 4:13-16
Man Before God 5:1-7
Political Corruption 5:8-9
Wealth, Labor and Materialism 5:10-6:12
What Gives Security? 7:1-14
The Ambiguity of Life 7:15-22
Gender Inclusive Unrighteousness 7:23-29
The Ruler 8:1-8
Man’s Cruelty 8:9-15
God’s Work and Man’s Quest 8:16-9:12
Wisdom Slighted 9:13-10:3
Assorted Sayings 10:4-20
Life as Risk and Possibility 11:1-8
Youth and Age 11:9-12:7
Conclusion: The Theme 12:8
Postscripts 12:9-14
Key Verses:
Discussion
Look up one of these verses and read it aloud. What do you think is the significance or meaning of this verse? Do you agree with it?
1:2: “Meaningless”
2:17: Despair
2:24: A good thing to do: The repeated conclusion.
3:1-8 “a time for everything”
3:11 “eternity in their hearts”
4:9-12 “two are better…a threefold”
5:7 “stand in awe of God”
9:2 A common destiny
11:1 “Cast your bread upon the waters.”
12:13 “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
Conclusion:
#1: Your labor is in vain.
#2: Your life will be forgotten (walk an old cemetery)
#3: The pursuit of wisdom and knowledge is noble but vain
#4: The pursuit of pleasure is empty
#5: The building of an “empire” is a “no gain” endeavor
#6: Foolishness is equally vain
#7: Death cannot be avoided Even if some level of achievement or self-satisfaction is achieved, death is waiting at the end. Answers to life are not forthcoming.
What is being repeated in the following verses? ______________________
Endorses the simple pleasures of life. Gives this exhortation seven times: This is the conclusion that the author keeps coming back to:
2:24-26
3:12-13
3:22
5:17-19
8:15
9:7-10
11:7-12:1
Fear God: This shapes right character (see 3:14; 5:6; 7:18; 8:12; 12:13). Enjoy life, and fear God. He is presented as sovereign. Transcending. All that we do is fleeting, therefore fear Him. Welcome toil and joy – they are both a part of life.
Carpe Diem: Don’t look back (7:10), but remember that the present is most important. The past is dead and forgotten. The future is uncertain.
Even though all is vanity, wisdom is better then folly. Its goods as gifts are from God and should be embraced as such.
The author is a realist, yet will not let go of God.
The pursuit of _____________________(wealth, knowledge and political power) is ultimately unsatisfactory. Life is short and full of mystery. All our attempts to make life meaningful fail. The wise response, therefore, is to cling to God and His grace.
It challenges us to live in the world as it really is, not with a false hope. Life will not always deliver what we demand. It addresses those who seek meaning through wealth, education, or power. The quest for meaning through these things will leave one empty.
Abandon illusions of self-importance, face death and life squarely, and accept with fear and trembling our dependence on God. The book’s commands are stronger than its pessimism. The senselessness of life drives us to God, the only Giver of permanent worth. Life is God’s precious gift and fleeting pleasures should be enjoyed while pursuing the lasting joy that come only from God.
12:13 “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
Questions for further consideration:
How does our mortality render meaningless much of what we do in life?
What are some of the ways people try to add meaning to their lives? What does would/does Ecclesiastes say about them?
In an achievement oriented society, how does the author attempt to help one keep a proper focus?
What do you believe will bring satisfaction in your life? What must you do to feel successful?
Song of Solomon
Title:
(See 1:1) “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.” Song of Songs means, the best song.
Authorship: Solomon
(Critics like to say that the author was later due to some of the language and references. They suggest that the book may have been dedicated to him by the actual author at a later time, as the founder of the wisdom movement.
Solomon was credited as having authored over 1000 songs (1 Kings 4:32), so it is possible that this was one of them, along with Psalm.
Location: mentions locations from all over Palestine.
Interpretations of Song of Songs:
Religious Allegory: (this is the Jewish understanding) Celebrating the covenanted relationship between God and man. This interpretation has a long, continuous and impressive history. One prominent rabbi who asserted this view called it the “Holy of Holies” of the Jewish Bible. This was consistent with the view of prophets such as Hosea, Jeremiah and Ezekiel (who use the imagery of bride and bridegroom). BUT, nothing within the book argues that it should be read this way. Christians view the allegory as one between Christ and the church.
Dramatic Interpretation: That it is a two character dramatic story, with Solomon and the girl as the main actors.
Wedding Song describing an actual wedding, celebrating their relationship.
A collection of wedding songs to be used at lengthy wedding festivities.
Love Song: – passionate love between two young people, with no secret allegories. No story of plot. Just a lyrical expression of romantic love between two people who are marrying each other. The setting is both royal and rustic – both grand and simple. It shows that love is for all. This view, as a celebration of human love, became popular with the rise in literary and historical analysis. Features a man, a woman and a chorus of women.
Structure:
A series of songs. Purely lyrical and spontaneous. Not easy to follow as a dramatic poem with progression of plot, etc.
Theology: Never mentions God. Does not talk about sin, duty, salvation, creation, etc.
Characters:
Lover: The groom, Solomon
Beloved: The bride (Shulammite – lit. the perfect one)
Daughters of Jerusalem: Attendants of the bride.
Some speak of a “shepherd lover” as the true love of the bride, but there is little textual support for this idea.
A unique aspect of this book is that is doesn’t spiritualize love or sex. It just celebrates the deep human desire for one another. God created this bond. This book affirms the bonds between man and woman.
Beautifully written. Savors life. Shows a relationship with passionate energy, a joyous sensual world, treating passion without suppression. It is a mutual egalitarian passion where both of them speak lovingly of each part of the other and deeply desiring the other person. Both lovers speak the same way with the same intensity even in the patriarchal society. A communion of souls.
Outline
The Title 1:1
An Invitation to Love 1:2-4
Keeper of the Vineyards 1:5-6
Where is the Shepherd? 1:7-8
Dialogue 1:9-2:7
Herald of Spring 2:8-15
The Tryst 2:16-17
The Lost Bridegroom 3:1-5
Solomon’s Wedding Day 3:6-11
The Bride’s Beauty 4:1-7
The Garden of Love 4:8-5:1
The Bridegroom: 3 Songs 5:2-6:3
The Bride: Beautiful 6:4-10
The Grove 6:11-12
The Dance of the Shulammite 6:13-7:10
Love in the Vineyard 7:11-13
The Bride’s Yearning 8:1-4
The Power of Love 8:5-7
Other Suitors 8:8-10
The Priceless Vineyard 8:11-12
Call and Response 8:13-14
Lessons:
The Bible is a guide for life and this book specifically deals with the universal aspects of human life including love, marriage and sexuality. It teaches that a marriage relationship is physical, verbal, and emotional.
Teaches that the love of the couple was exclusive and binding. (7:10).
Celebrates love and human sexuality as something valid and beautiful in a world that is fallen and sinful.
Uniquely does not turn sexuality into a sacred ritual. Instead it is a joy of this world.
Discussion Questions
What are some wrong attitudes toward love and sexuality and how does Song of Songs correct them?
What can we learn about maintaining a healthy love relationship and courtship and marriage from how the groom and bride express their love for each other?
Why have both Jews and Christians preferred the allegorical interpretations of the Song of Songs?
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