I said in my heart, “Come, now, let me try you with pleasure and the enjoyment of good things.” See, this too was vanity. 2 Of laughter I said: “Mad!” and of mirth: “What good does this do?” 3 Guided by wisdom, I probed with my mind how to beguile my senses with wine and take up folly, until I should understand what is good for human beings to do under the heavens during the limited days of their lives. 4 I undertook great works; I built myself houses and planted vineyards; 5 I made gardens and parks, and in them set out fruit trees of all sorts. 6 And I constructed for myself reservoirs to water a flourishing woodland. 7 I acquired male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned vast herds of cattle and flocks of sheep, more than all who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I amassed for myself silver and gold, and the treasures of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and delights of men, many women. 9 I accumulated much more than all others before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom, too, stayed with me. 10 Nothing that my eyes desired did I deny them, nor did I deprive myself of any joy; rather, my heart rejoiced in the fruit of all my toil. This was my share for all my toil. 11 But when I turned to all the works that my hands had wrought, and to the fruit of the toil for which I had toiled so much, see! all was vanity and a chase after wind. There is no profit under the sun. 12 What about one who succeeds a king? He can do only what has already been done.
The Book of Ecclesiastes, traditionally attributed to Qoheleth a pseudonym for King Solomon (Eccl. 1:1), is one of the Wisdom books in the Old Testament. Wisdom literature in the Bible consists of several books, including Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon (Song of Songs). The Wisdom books focus on philosophical reflection, practical guidance for living, and exploration of the human experience in relation to God. Their primary aim is to offer insights into understanding life, human nature, morality, and the nature of God.
Qoheleth reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the pursuit of meaning. It explores themes of wisdom, folly, and the inevitability of death. The author laments the vanity of human endeavors and the cyclical nature of existence. Ultimately, Qoheleth emphasizes acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and the importance of living in reverence and obedience to Him, finding meaning not in earthly pursuits but in a relationship with the Divine. Ecclesiastes is the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Qoheleth.
Qoheleth describes his attempt to find fulfillment and satisfaction through pleasure and material possessions. He concludes that such pursuits are ultimately empty and futile. Seeking happiness through the fleeting nature of laughter and joy accomplishes nothing. Qoheleth experimented with indulging in wine and folly while still focusing on wisdom to try to understand if there is a relationship between sensual pleasures and intellectual pursuits. He hoped to discern the best course of action for human beings during their brief existence on earth.
Qoheleth then attempts to find satisfaction through material wealth and accomplishments. He describes the possessions he accumulated during his efforts to find fulfillment through earthly achievements and prosperity. He accumulates more wealth and power than the previous kings of Jerusalem. He indulges in sensual pleasures and the gratification of his desires. Despite his accumulation of wealth and his indulgences his worldly wisdom remained intact. Qoheleth realizes that all his efforts were ultimately meaningless because they did not lead to fulfillment and contentment. He questions the value of earthly existence and the pursuit of temporal pleasures. He contemplates the pursuit of wisdom, madness, and folly, recognizing that future generations will repeat the same patterns of behavior in seeking to find the purpose and meaning of life.
Almighty God, may the Holy Spirit remind us of the futility of pursuing earthly pleasures apart from you. In your mercy grant us the wisdom to seek fulfillment in you alone, and the understanding that true meaning and satisfaction are found in a life lived in reverence and obedience to your will. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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