|
by
Doug Ward |
When I start to read a murder mystery, I usually resist the temptation to turn
to the end of the book to find out who committed the murder. It is more fun, I
think, to enjoy the story as it unfolds and try to figure out the solution as
the clues are presented.
Nonfiction
is different. There is no such thing as a “spoiler" in nonfiction.
Knowing where the writer is headed aids a reader's understanding, so taking an
early look at the final chapter can be helpful.
Consider
the biblical book of Ecclesiastes as a case in point. This book is attributed
to King Solomon, who ruled over Israel during a peaceful golden age in the
tenth century BC and was renowned for his wisdom. During his forty-year reign
Solomon oversaw the building of the Jerusalem Temple, assembled a large harem,
and experienced everything that gold or silver could buy.
Taking
a candid look back over an eventful lifetime, the king confesses that the
pleasures he has experienced have been temporary and fleeting (2:1-11). In the
end he will die the same death as anyone else, and he won't be taking anything
with him (2:15-17; 5:15-16). Furthermore, life is not fair; injustice and
oppression are all too prevalent in the world (4:1-3; 8:14).
On a
first pass through, Ecclesiastes can seem nihilistic. When Solomon advocates
that a person "should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil"
(2:24), he reminds us of those who say, "Let us eat and drink, for
tomorrow we die" (Isaiah 22:13).
However,
we gain a different impression when we turn to the end of the book.
Ecclesiastes concludes with the admonition, "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" (12:13-14)
.
Guided
by the ending, we can read the book more carefully and trace the argument that
leads to Solomon's conclusion. From
the vantage point of life "under the sun" (1:3), life can seem
pointless. But things are not always as they seem. There is an existence beyond
this one, and a God who rights the wrongs we experience now and rewards our
deeds (3:17; 11:9). It is by following him that we find meaning in life.
Life
has ups and downs (3:1-11), and there is much that is beyond our understanding
(8:16-17), but we can let God take care of these things. It is God's will that
we enjoy the good gifts he has given us (2:24-26; 3:22; 5:18-20; 8:15) and work
to make a positive contribution in the world (9:7-10; 11:1-8) while we have the
opportunity to do so (12:1-8).
I
find Ecclesiastes to be frank, sobering, wise, and ultimately encouraging.
Keeping the conclusion in mind is an aid in uncovering the full message of the
book.
File
translated from TEX by TTH,
version 3.66.
On 21 Sep 2025, 14:10.
