Joyce H. Hondru - E(eek)cclesiastes: Finding Meaning in a Meaningless Life

E( EEK ) CCLESIASTES

E( EEK ) CCLESIASTES

Finding Meaning in a Meaningless Life

Joyce H. Hondru

2018 Joyce H. Hondru

E(eek)cclesiastes

Finding Meaning in a Meaningless Life

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Library Congress Control Number: 2018951385

ISBN 978-1-595558299 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-595558145 (Hardbound)

ISBN 978-1-595558305 (eBook)

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C ONTENTS

Dedicated to my husband, Bryan Hondru, because he gets me.

E cclesiastes is an odd duck. It is, at least in my opinion, one of the strangest books in the Bible.

However, since I believe in Gods divine intervention in making sure that all the books in the Bible are there to help us understand Him better, Im guessing it is included for a good reason.

You may not be at all familiar with Ecclesiastes since it isnt a text from which many sermons are preached (in my experience anyway). Or you may not know much about it because it is in the Old Testament or because no one has ever recommended it to you. However, this is precisely why I chose it. Personally, I wanted to delve into this rather obscure, at times depressing, book to see what gems of wisdom I could findand I wanted to take you along for the ride.

If you havent read this book before (you will find it just after Proverbs) please, please dont get discouraged! Even though the author of this book continually makes you think that everything about this life is meaningless, remember the subtitle of this study: Finding Meaning in a Meaningless Life.

At times, we all struggle with lifes meaning, so walking through this crazy book together should encourage us more than discourage us. In any case, that is my hope and prayer!

Keep in mind, though, as with the other studies I have written, I dont typically consult a lot of theological commentaries or biblical reference books. The reason for this is simple: I want to read the Word of God and hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to me . Therefore, please dont expect an overly scholarly book. I am neither a biblical scholar nor a theologian. Thus, if anything you read herein conflicts with things you have read prior to this book or with sermons you have heard before, dont fret. All scripture is somewhat open to interpretation, and my joy comes from taking it at face value and waiting to see what God reveals to me. Then I trust that He will allow both of us to learn from that revelation.

It is also important to note that this isnt a verse-by-verse study of this book. There are a lot of good commentaries that will help clarify, if you want to more clearly understand, any specific verse that gives you pause, or you simply dont understand. In fact, the footnotes of many Bibles offer help. Mine, though, is an overview of this most interesting, at times perplexing, book, in which I have chosen to focus on what I felt were the most relevant points.

Finally, as with my other studies, I believe it is most beneficial if this study is done within a small group (even though you could do it by yourself). However, the opinions, questions, and insights of others stir thought and discussion that cannot be obtained when doing the study alone. I also feel that if you are doing the study in a small group, it is good to read the paragraphs (what I have written) out loud, along with the questions. This is helpful for two reasons. One, reading the verbiage that goes along with the questions will help maintain the flow of the study and may stimulate deeper discussion. Two, reading this information for a second or third time helps reinforce (as repetition always does) what is being said and should help you better retain the message and/or its key points. No matter how you approach this study, though, may you grow closer to Christ as you study his Word.

H mmmm, what an interesting couple of chapters, right? Life, it seems, is meaningless. And just to make sure the reader doesnt miss this point, my Bible comes with these headings:

Everything Is Meaningless

Wisdom Is Meaningless

Pleasures Are Meaningless

Wisdom and Folly Are Meaningless

Toil Is Meaningless

Boy, what a great way to start a study! Stick with me, though. I promise it will get better.

But before we begin dissecting these first two chapters, I think it is important to reflect on the person who wrote this book. Unfortunately, though, as is often the case with scripture, theologians disagree on who that person might be. However, for the sake of argument, and since the opening line says, The words of the Teacher (Preacher), son of David, king of Jerusalem and verse 12 states I, the Teacher (Preacher), was king over Israel I suggest we follow the more traditional belief that it was King Solomon (the son of David), who authored this book.

(Keep in mind, it is not overly important that we agree on this books authorship, but it is important, however, that we agree that all scripture is God-breathed and that this book, therefore [whoever wrote it], is included in the Holy Bible with a purpose of helping us learn more about God, and ourselves, as we relate to Him.)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.