![]() ![]() In the play, Hamlet, Shakespeare explored universal themes of life, mortality, and decision. It’s hard to imagine a man who has everything - and I mean everything at his disposal with the snap of a finger - being so very distraught about life.īefore we return to Chapter 1, do you detect a recurring theme in the two verses just read? That’s right, “all is vanity - under the sun.” Keep those thoughts in mind as we walk with Solomon through his view of life … under the sun! ![]() This is the king of Israel expressing his despair about life. Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me.” “Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping at the wind. Instead, Solomon refers to himself as “the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” In fact, “Ecclesiastes” means “Preacher.” Let’s listen to the Preacher.įirst, let’s jump forward to Chapter 2 where it clarifies what is going through Solomon’s mind as he pens this journal. We will accept the Jewish tradition that Solomon, King David’s son, authored Ecclesiastes, even though Solomon’s name is never mentioned. Examining the futility of life may seem a counterproductive way to begin the new year, but the overarching theme of Ecclesiastes is really “the futility of life without God.” Solomon paints a clear picture of that lifestyle with his unique and ironic writing style. You may have guessed that our Bible study for the next few months will focus on the Old Testament (Old Covenant) Book of Ecclesiastes. ![]() Vanity of Vanities All Is Vanity, illustration by Isaak Asknaziy (1856–1902) for book Brockhaus and Efron Jewish Encyclopedia (1906–1913) ![]()
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