Difficult Passages in EcclesiastesDifficult Passages in EcclesiastesMarch 7, 2003March 7, 2003

Studies in the Scriptures ConferenceSpeaker: Allen Dvorak

“…to the glory of God.”-- 1 Corinthians 10:31

Difficult Difficult Passages in Passages in EcclesiastesEcclesiastes

Difficult Difficult Passages in Passages in EcclesiastesEcclesiastes

Take Your Pick!Take Your Pick!

If the clouds are If the clouds are full of rain, They full of rain, They

empty themselves empty themselves upon the earth; upon the earth;

And if a tree falls And if a tree falls to the south or the to the south or the north, In the place north, In the place

where the tree where the tree falls, there it shall falls, there it shall

lie.lie.-- Ecclesiastes 11:3-- Ecclesiastes 11:3

So…What’s The Difficulty?So…What’s The Difficulty?

The Enigma of The Enigma of EcclesiastesEcclesiastes

The major interpretative problem of The major interpretative problem of Ecclesiastes is to understand its apparent Ecclesiastes is to understand its apparent internal contradictions and vicissitudes of internal contradictions and vicissitudes of

thought. At times the Preacher seems to be thought. At times the Preacher seems to be gloomy, pessimistic, a skeleton at the feast; gloomy, pessimistic, a skeleton at the feast; everything comes under his lashing scorn: everything comes under his lashing scorn:

laughter, drink, possessions, sex, work, laughter, drink, possessions, sex, work, wisdom, riches, honour, children, even wisdom, riches, honour, children, even

righteousness. Yet, at other points he urges righteousness. Yet, at other points he urges that we should enjoy life, that there is that we should enjoy life, that there is

nothing better than to eat well, enjoy our nothing better than to eat well, enjoy our labour, receive with gladness the riches God labour, receive with gladness the riches God

gives us but be content if he gives none. gives us but be content if he gives none. (Eaton, 36)(Eaton, 36)

{25} And behold, a certain {25} And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested lawyer stood up and tested

Him, saying,Him, saying,““Teacher, what shall I do to Teacher, what shall I do to

inherit eternal life?”inherit eternal life?”

{26} He said to him, {26} He said to him, ““What is written in the law? What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”What is your reading of it?”

-- Luke 10:25-26-- Luke 10:25-26

Sources of Sources of DifficultiesDifficulties

The often figurative nature of poetic The often figurative nature of poetic verseverse

The cryptic nature of some statementsThe cryptic nature of some statements Uncertainties in the translation of Hebrew Uncertainties in the translation of Hebrew

(e.g., 3:21)(e.g., 3:21) Apparent contradictions with other Apparent contradictions with other

specific passages or doctrines clearly specific passages or doctrines clearly taught in the Scripturestaught in the Scriptures

Corruption of manuscripts, particularly in Corruption of manuscripts, particularly in the case of numbersthe case of numbers

(Not an all-inclusive list - asd)(Not an all-inclusive list - asd)

Principles for Principles for InterpretationInterpretation

A passage must be interpreted in light A passage must be interpreted in light of all other passages which are equally of all other passages which are equally related to the same subject (Psalm related to the same subject (Psalm 119:151). 119:151).

A literal meaning should be assigned to A literal meaning should be assigned to language unless there is some clear language unless there is some clear reason to assume that the language is reason to assume that the language is figurative.figurative.

A passage should be interpreted in light A passage should be interpreted in light of its immediate and greater context.of its immediate and greater context.

Authorship Possibilities…Authorship Possibilities…

SolomonSolomon Lessons learned by a restored Lessons learned by a restored

sinnersinner The journey of an apostate back The journey of an apostate back

to Godto God

““In this short story, God provides us a In this short story, God provides us a record of all that human wisdom can record of all that human wisdom can

discover about the meaning and discover about the meaning and purpose of life. purpose of life. The arguments The arguments

advanced are Solomon’s, not God’s. We advanced are Solomon’s, not God’s. We have here an accurate record of what have here an accurate record of what

Solomon said and did in his Solomon said and did in his estrangement,estrangement, given to us by the Holy given to us by the Holy Spirit…With the above point in mind, Spirit…With the above point in mind,

the meaning of several difficult the meaning of several difficult passages will be clear. Some of the passages will be clear. Some of the thoughts of the book reflect shrewd thoughts of the book reflect shrewd

common sense. Others contain glimpses common sense. Others contain glimpses of deep spiritual truth. Still others are of deep spiritual truth. Still others are

only partially true, and some are false.” only partially true, and some are false.” (Waddey 4)(Waddey 4)

Authorship Possibilities…Authorship Possibilities…

SolomonSolomon Lessons learned by a restored Lessons learned by a restored

sinnersinner The journey of an apostate back to The journey of an apostate back to

GodGod A post-exilic JewA post-exilic Jew

Author-editor (Eaton)Author-editor (Eaton)

““The way is prepared for such comfort The way is prepared for such comfort by the first part of the book, which by the first part of the book, which

beautifully illustrates the second major beautifully illustrates the second major purpose of the book. By teaching with purpose of the book. By teaching with tremendous emphasis the vanity of all tremendous emphasis the vanity of all

earthly things the author first earthly things the author first disillusions his hearers…The best disillusions his hearers…The best

service that can be rendered a man is service that can be rendered a man is to divorce him from the things of this to divorce him from the things of this

world as completely as possible. world as completely as possible. We call We call that disillusionment.that disillusionment. The author aims to The author aims to

achieve such an end as thoroughly as achieve such an end as thoroughly as possible. Men who know the vanity of possible. Men who know the vanity of

all things are well prepared for the all things are well prepared for the trials of depressing times.”trials of depressing times.”

(Leupold 17)(Leupold 17)

Whatever men do does not last Whatever men do does not last forever,forever,Mankind and their achievements alike Mankind and their achievements alike come to an end…come to an end…

Do not let evil sleep afflict your heart;Do not let evil sleep afflict your heart;Banish misery and suffering from your Banish misery and suffering from your side;side;Misery and suffering produce a dream.Misery and suffering produce a dream.Counsels of a PessimistCounsels of a Pessimist

Babylonian pessimism literatureBabylonian pessimism literature(Cited by Eaton 35)(Cited by Eaton 35)

Do You Recognize Where This Passage Do You Recognize Where This Passage is Found??is Found??

Acknowledgement of Acknowledgement of GodGod

2:24, 262:24, 26 3:10-15, 173:10-15, 17 5:1-7, 18-205:1-7, 18-20 6:1-26:1-2 7:13-14, 18, 26, 297:13-14, 18, 26, 29 8:12, 15, 178:12, 15, 17 9:1, 79:1, 7 11:5, 911:5, 9 12:1, 6-7, 13-1412:1, 6-7, 13-14

Just a Just a

pessimist??pessimist??

““a divinely inspired a divinely inspired bait-and-switch bait-and-switch apologetic that apologetic that

carries the reader carries the reader from the edge of from the edge of

hell to the hell to the threshold of threshold of

heaven.”heaven.”(Keddie 12)(Keddie 12)

Our Difficult PassagesOur Difficult Passages

• 3:18-223:18-22• 4:1-34:1-3• 6:3-66:3-6• 7:13-147:13-14

• 7:15-187:15-18• 7:27-297:27-29• 9:3-69:3-6• 11:1-611:1-6

(Some truly “sticky wickets”!)

Ecclesiastes 3:18-22Ecclesiastes 3:18-22

Point of difficulty – apparent Point of difficulty – apparent contradictioncontradiction Vs. 18 – Vs. 18 – “in order for them to see that they “in order for them to see that they

are but beasts”are but beasts” (NASB) (NASB) Vs. 19 – Vs. 19 – “man has no advantage over “man has no advantage over

animals”animals” (NKJV) (NKJV) Vs. 21 – Vs. 21 – “Who knows whether the human “Who knows whether the human

spirit goes upward and the spirit of animals spirit goes upward and the spirit of animals goes downward to the earth?”goes downward to the earth?” (NRSV) (NRSV)

No man knows what happens after No man knows what happens after death…apart from divine revelation!death…apart from divine revelation!

Ecclesiastes 4:1-3Ecclesiastes 4:1-3

Point of difficulty –Point of difficulty – Totally pessimistic!Totally pessimistic! No acknowledgement of final justiceNo acknowledgement of final justice

Observations –Observations – The author purposefully paints an The author purposefully paints an

incomplete picture.incomplete picture. Suicide sentiments…Suicide sentiments…

Ecclesiastes 6:3-6Ecclesiastes 6:3-6

Point of difficulty –Point of difficulty – Vs. 3 – Vs. 3 – “a stillborn child is better “a stillborn child is better

than he”than he” Vs. 6 – Vs. 6 – “Do not all go to one place?” “Do not all go to one place?”

Observations –Observations – Greater context?Greater context?

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

Point of difficulty –Point of difficulty – God appoints the day of God appoints the day of

adversity??adversity?? Cryptic nature of verse 14bCryptic nature of verse 14b

Observations –Observations – ““After him” (vs. 14b)After him” (vs. 14b)

Future days on earth?Future days on earth? His future after death?His future after death?

Ecclesiastes 7:15-18Ecclesiastes 7:15-18

Point of difficulty –Point of difficulty – Vs. 16 – Vs. 16 – “Do not be overly righteous, “Do not be overly righteous,

nor be overly wise”nor be overly wise” Vs. 17 – Vs. 17 – “Do not be overly wicked, “Do not be overly wicked,

nor be foolish”;nor be foolish”; is it alright to be a is it alright to be a little wicked?!little wicked?!

Cryptic nature of verse 18Cryptic nature of verse 18 Observations –Observations –

Not an exhortation to avoid extremesNot an exhortation to avoid extremes

““In this context the two things to be In this context the two things to be maintained are, on the one hand, maintained are, on the one hand,

devotion to God and the teachings of devotion to God and the teachings of wisdom and, on the other hand, wisdom and, on the other hand,

enjoyment of the good things of life. enjoyment of the good things of life. The God-fearer ‘comes forth’ with them The God-fearer ‘comes forth’ with them in that he maintains both through his in that he maintains both through his

life. While the ascetic looks upon every life. While the ascetic looks upon every form of indulgence or mirth as sin form of indulgence or mirth as sin (against religion) or folly (against (against religion) or folly (against

wisdom) and the libertine looks upon wisdom) and the libertine looks upon any restraint as a threat to his any restraint as a threat to his

pleasure-seeking, the Teacher counsels pleasure-seeking, the Teacher counsels combining true religion – the fear of combining true religion – the fear of

God – with true enjoyment of the good God – with true enjoyment of the good things of life.”things of life.”(Garrett, 324)(Garrett, 324)

Ecclesiastes 7:27-29Ecclesiastes 7:27-29

Point of difficulty –Point of difficulty – The cryptic nature of the versesThe cryptic nature of the verses Comments by a misogynist?Comments by a misogynist?

Observations –Observations – Wisdom?Wisdom? Uprightness?Uprightness?

Ecclesiastes 9:3-6Ecclesiastes 9:3-6

Point of difficulty –Point of difficulty – Vs. 4 – no hope for the dead; Vs. 4 – no hope for the dead; “for a living “for a living

dog is better than a dead lion”dog is better than a dead lion” Vs. 5 – Vs. 5 – “But the dead know nothing, and “But the dead know nothing, and

they have no more reward”they have no more reward”

Observations –Observations – The author purposefully paints an The author purposefully paints an

incomplete picture.incomplete picture. Note, however, 11:9; 12:5, 7, 14Note, however, 11:9; 12:5, 7, 14

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Point of difficulty –Point of difficulty – Cryptic nature of the verses:Cryptic nature of the verses:

Need to practice benevolence?Need to practice benevolence? Counsel about commercial Counsel about commercial ventures?ventures?

Observations –Observations –

TThe book of Ecclesiastes is an he book of Ecclesiastes is an extremely practical book for our extremely practical book for our age.age.

The Preacher’s purpose is, at least, The Preacher’s purpose is, at least, nominally evangelistic.nominally evangelistic.

CConclusiononclusion

CConclusiononclusionThe Preacher wishes to deliver us The Preacher wishes to deliver us

from a rosy-coloured, self-confident from a rosy-coloured, self-confident godless life, with its inevitable godless life, with its inevitable

cynicism and bitterness, and from cynicism and bitterness, and from trusting in wisdom, pleasure, trusting in wisdom, pleasure, wealth, and human justice or wealth, and human justice or

integrity. He wishes to drive us to integrity. He wishes to drive us to see that God is there, that he is see that God is there, that he is

good and generous, and that only good and generous, and that only such an outlook makes life coherent such an outlook makes life coherent

and fulfilling.and fulfilling.

(Eaton 48)(Eaton 48)