Ecclesiastes - Dum Spiro, Spero

Reading:   Ecclesiastes 1-12 (All)

Ecclesiastes is a fascinating ride on the train of vanity.  We are taught that we know nothing and would do well to enjoy each day without over-thought and over-exertion in vain pursuits.  God's gift is the breath of life and from birth we are destined to die so it is imperative that we use this probationary state in the happiness of the moment.  Solomon advises that true joy is not found in riches, possessions, or even in vast stores of wisdom and knowledge.  All becomes negligible at the point of death and without daily efforts to spread our wealth, knowledge, and talents, and share our lives with others, we are simply missing out.

There is a lot in these chapters that can be stretched and debated and really expounded upon but for the sake of brevity (which doesn't really happen because this blog is still quite lengthy), I will attempt to explain my summation with a few verses...

ECCLESIASTES 11:5

5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. 

We don't know the works of God and though we can study and grow closer to Him we cannot fathom the depths of what He truly is and really should not try.  To that end it is important to also understand that all will come around, in a grand karma-esque rotation, and we should not doubt it.  The first eight verses of chapter three expound on the idea of seasons; here is the first (for clarity)...

ECCLESIASTES 3:1

1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  

The seasons, in every form, are subject only to God and though we can conjecture and assume educated positions on what/when/where/how and why they might change, we can never do more then guess - in God's due time.

Understanding or accepting these truths will aid us in our pursuit of joy because we will not waste away digging for knowledge that gains us nothing and likewise we will not allow ourselves to be weighed down by the the anxieties of what may come to pass.  I know - easier said then done, right?

There are many debates on the merits and origins of the saying, "Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die." But after reading Eccleciastes I'm definitely more inclined to lean toward Solomon, the preacher, as the primary source, albeit not interpreted as man would read it.  Here is one example of many...

ECCLESIASTES 2:24

24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. 

Yes, find joy in your labor because life is a gift from God and the pursuit of happiness the goal.  This is absolutely true but not in the perverted sense that Satan would have us believe.  Selfishness does not play a part in the joy of a "soul". We are not talking about the joys of the flesh but having our "soul" delight in our "good" labor.  Merriment of the flesh is more often found in selfish desires and pursuits and gives rise to the eventual change of season which brings sorrow, self-loathing, and a desire to return to Satan's version of joy to escape reality.  Joy of the soul can only be achieved by absolute selflessness and righteous companionship...

ECCLESIASTES 11:1, 4:9-10

11:1   Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 

4:9    Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 

4:10   For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 

If you have the means, and we all have something whether it be wealth, wisdom, talent or otherwise, cast it out there!  Feed whomever you can with whatever you have and you shall find it again as the seasons change.  Let the crumbs float where they may and full loaves will return to you in God's time.    And, even better, cast your charities with the support and love of a companion and reap a greater reward!

Happiness needs to be acknowledged and enjoyed daily, now, without the stress of what tomorrow might bring.  The greatest happiness is achieved through companionship and selfless acts of sharing with those in need - that is our labor and source of joy.

At the conclusion of Ecclesiastes, Solomon gave a great and basic summation (which he could have said at the beginning to save us a lot of confusion over all the other stuff he poetically peppered us with)...

ECCLESIASTES 12:13-14

13    Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 

14    For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 

Okay, so, fear God and keep his commandments - there you have it, haha, thanks Solomon.

But seriously, none of this is relevant unless we fear God; it is imperative that we have faith and an undying hope in Him.  Then, as we live and breath, no matter what our circumstance (farmer, billionaire, prisoner, warden, king, or serf), we can eat, drink, and be merry in the feast of our selfless acts - that is our only labor!

Dum spiro, spero—While I breathe, I hope.

~Kipling