The Old Testament contains several key books which have influenced Western philosophy and thought. One of the most read and cherished by secular thinkers is the book of Ecclesiastes. The book of Ecclesiastes is pessimistic, cynical and littered with sarcasm, all while mocking the meaning of life. Within its pages, however, is wisdom that is helpful to anyone who’s concerned with life’s meaning and personal happiness. For this reason, Ecclesiastes has become a favorite for both the religious and nonreligious.
How could a book which proclaims the meaninglessness of life become a favorite? How could such a writing offer guidance to those seeking meaning and wisdom? Ecclesiastes may be the darkest book of the Old Testament, but its teachings are loved by secular writers such as Jeffrey Taylor, who wrote in his article "A Book of the Bible even an Atheist can Love: Secular Inspiration in Ecclesiastes:" "As Ecclesiastes moves toward its conclusion, marvelously poetic lines evoke the truths that unite us all."
The book of Ecclesiastes is a journey. The author is described as "The Preacher," who has, by tradition, been assumed to be King Solomon. The authorship of Ecclesiastes is currently debated, but whether Solomon wrote it or not isn’t important. The book begins with declaring the meaninglessness of life in poetic language. "'Vanity of vanities,' says The Preacher, 'vanity of vanities! all is vanity'" (Ecc. 1:2). The translation of the word "vanity" can also mean "vapor," which evokes a powerful image. As soon as we appear, we fade away into the wind. The Preacher then examines multiple ways of finding meaning in life and finds them all to have no basis. This includes wisdom, pleasure and labor. No matter what we do, our souls go to death. The preacher then moves on to describe the evils of life which make men's striving "after wind" (Ecc. 2:17). These evils include oppression, the folly of riches, the righteous suffering while the wicked prosper, etc. The Preacher concludes that instead of being caught up in the things of this world, man should "fear God and keep his commandments because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil" (Ecc. 12 13-14).
There are many things to learn from Ecclesiastes, which can serve to guide anyone's life. The preacher enters states of cynicism where he curses the world for its evils. "Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of the oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. So I congratulated the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living" (Ecc. 4:1-2). Yet, the preacher tells the reader that, despite all the evils of this world, there is a time for everything. "Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. Everything that is to come will be futility" (Ecc. 11:8). The message of Ecclesiastes is stoic: man should not focus on the evils of this world or its inability to satisfy him, but should work hard and seek prosperity in the days ahead of him, for "man does not know his time..." (Ecc. 9:10). Since his days are unknown, man should "eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works" (Ecc. 9:7). Let man live his life in happiness, and not ponder on the vapors of this world.
The conclusion of Ecclesiastes places all hope of justice in the afterlife. The verses "Fear God and keep his commandments... For God will bring every act to judgment" (Ecc. 12:13-14) are written because there is no justice in this world, and all justice is served in the afterlife. This is the hope for The Preacher, and whether one is religious or not, they must concur: there is no hope or justice in this world. To idle on this is mere vapor, and the lives of men are short and futile. Everything is vapor: "Indeed their love, their hate, and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun" (Ecc. 9:6). Ecclesiastes is a book for all readers, and in making decisions in life or pondering its meaning, it is good to remember the words of the Preacher.
