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Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes. “ Now we see through a glass darkly ” (1 Cor 13 KJV). How is the book structured?. Introduction with motto (1:1-2) Main body Observations “ I saw ” or “ I know ” A pessimistic view of human impotence Instructions A positive view of what is possible and sensible

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Ecclesiastes

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  1. Ecclesiastes “Now we see through a glass darkly” (1 Cor 13 KJV) Israel's Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes

  2. How is the book structured? • Introduction with motto (1:1-2) • Main body • Observations “I saw” or “I know” • A pessimistic view of human impotence • Instructions • A positive view of what is possible and sensible • Motto with epilogue (12:8-14) Israel's Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes

  3. Key Themes: hebel • “All this is hebel and a chasing after the wind” 23 x in the observation passages as a stereotyped conclusion. • In the instruction passages it occurs as the basis for advice or a question. 5:7: “Much dreaming and many words are hebel, therefore stand in awe of your God” • Definition: breath, mist, vapour, transient, ephemeral, profitless… Israel's Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes

  4. Key themes: labour/ toil • Only in the observation passages • The limitation and unprofitability of work • Basically, all human endeavour is hebel Israel's Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes

  5. Key themes: wisdom • The instruction passages affirm its relative advantage over folly • But “classic” wisdom is viewed critically • The common element is caution in the face of human frailty Israel's Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes

  6. Who is Qoholet? • The introduction is explained more fully in the epilogue. • Level of ambiguity: an artificial title, a personal name or a royal position (qahal)? • The anonymity creates a critical distance • A whistleblower/ iconoclast Israel's Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes

  7. The angle of vision • “Under the sun” 1:3 13x is unique to Ecclesiastes • It creates an “angle of vision” • The world as a closed system • 5:2 “God is in heaven and you are on earth” • 3x “under heaven” suggests divine government Israel's Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes

  8. Considering 12 • Context • Structure • Development of thought • Old age • Sovereignty/ judgement of God • The approach of death • Is there an after-life? v7 • The Epilogue: critique or conclusion? Israel's Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes

  9. Comparing Ecclesiastes with Gen 1-11 • God as creator, sustainer, provider of what is “good” • Man in the image of God, his spirit returning to Him. • Knowledge, wisdom and the condition of humanity • Is hebel a judgement on man like Romans 1? Israel's Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes

  10. Comparing Ecclesiastes with Proverbs • The epilogue locates Eccl in the mainstream of Israelite wisdom • Yet there is a tension (rather than a conflict). Prv is more optimistic • Creation theology • The “fear of God” • Eccl guards wisdom against unreality Israel's Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes

  11. Brown (1996): 135 • “Inflated and ambitious goals, pretentious claims of knowledge, obsessive concerns for getting ahead are all exposed for what they are in the face of the absurdity of life, mere delusions of grandeur. Life’s grand purposes are whittled down to simple fleeting pleasures.” • Check Romans 8:19ff Israel's Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes

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