Listen to the Preacher!

How did Solomon get to be a Preacher(Heb. Koheleth= teacher)? 

Gentle Reader,

 I once spent several years translating and teaching through the book of Ecclesiastes . I have no intention of taking you through all the ins and outs of these 12 Chapters Bit I will try (with your kind permission, as long as our coffee holds out) to show you what the book is about and why you might gain from these wee studies. Some feel that the Hebrew part of the Bible is not worth the time to read but I find on each page wisdom that passes most by, and leaves many of us wondering "What is Life all about"? 

Dr G. Campbell Morgan once said "  Ecclesiastes is an inspired confession of failure and pessimism, when God is excluded, when man lives under the sun, and forgets the larger part, which is over the sun, the eternal and abiding things. If you want to know what a man of great privilege, and of great learning and great wisdom can come to, read this record of a man who has put God  out of count in his actual life."

It is all about EGO, gentle Reader, that is E (Edge) G (God) O (out). Your ego my ego the ego of all those about us who have allowed the material things to crowd out what is really important. We forget where we came from and where we are headed.   The sage once said 

"Putting a value on status

will create contentiousness.

If you overvalue possessions, 

people will begin to steal."  

The Book of Ecclesiastes is a sermon. There is an announcement of a theme, a brief introduction, a developing of the theme, and a practical application in conclusion. The theme is "What is the chief good"? Or we might say it this way in more modern vernacular in the lyrics of a song "What's it all about Alfie?" 

The subject is this "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity" and His question which he propounds is "What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?' this question  suggest that we are on a QUEST! a searching for meaning in life.

There are many who have great wealth, but aren't happy! Others have great power, but aren't happy, while still others run to and fro seeking relief from the burdens of life in sex, drugs, gambling and other diversions  but when they come down (and they all do, Gentle reader, they all do) they discover that instead of getting ahead they fallen behind their goal of happiness. And yet Gentle reader, the answer is so simple even a child can understand. Don't you wish you were as wise as a child before you let EGO crowd out you life?

 Happiness is not a goal, it is a path Gentle reader! Can you understand that? We came from nothing and we return to nothing [death is a return]to the Source from whence we all came.

 men cry out for more and more at yet the "eye is never satisfied" No matter how much you see or desire no matter how much you hear or listen you will never be satisfied. You want more than what you have of the world, but when it comes, it does not satisfy. Do you ever dream of rest? It is only the Source that brings satisfaction  (many Christians miss this also and some pagans get it right.  we are headed for Eternity that opens with bright anticipation of perfect enjoyment. And yet Gentle Reader, you have it NOW! It is within your grasp right now . right where you are!  

"You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world's happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime."

 Till next time Gentle Reader, think about what would make you truly happy?

 Love, Denis