Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE:
Ecclesiastes 1-6
Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
What does this passage mean to me/us
The theme of Ecclesiastes stands in contrast to other Old Testament books. It was probably written sometime around 250 BC and was traditionally ascribed to King Solomon, but this might not be actually true. Whoever was the author was well versed in the Wisdom Tradition. The voice of the author reveals an older person nearing the end of their life and reflecting back on lessons learned and realities observed. The term meaningless sets the tone and is used 35 times in this book and only once elsewhere in the book of Job.
In the first three chapters the author proposes several theological themes as follows:
- Human existence lacks any real purpose or value
- God has set up nature and history in a specific format so that people don’t have anything to add other than a non-thinking compliance
- God’s will is hidden from people
- Humans and animals share the same fate, which is death
Chapter 4 extolls the uselessness of work as it does not bring happiness. Chapter 5 guards against the superficiality of religious practices. Chapter 6 laments that wealth does not bring purpose or contentment either.
What are we to make of this puzzling book? After living a long time and reflecting on how to find a meaningful faith in the midst of daily struggles, the author concludes that what we perceive as important is in reality meaningless. Perhaps the author is depressed that he wasted so much of his life chasing after things that weren’t really of value. This book gives us permission to question, examine and doubt what we cling to daily. We try so hard to find meaning that we often fail to accept life as God ordains it and center our living around him instead of other pursuits.
contributed by Luci Wright
Prayer
Lord, we confess that we often fail to live in you and attempt to find purpose elsewhere. Help us to center our lives and refocus our choices. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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