Scripture: One Book at a Time

The whole of Sacred Scripture is a single narrative that promises and points to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of the World. It is an epic story, the greatest ever told, and told "one book at a time." Each book makes it contribution to the narrative as God reveals God's self to us and his desire that all be saved.

Lesson 22: The Book of Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes

Wisdom literature in the Bible include the Books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. The opening chapters of the Book of Proverbs draws attention to wisdom itself and its inherent value rather than exhorting particular wise actions. These chapters personify wisdom as a woman and draw an extended analogy between finding a wife, or founding and maintaining a house(hold), and finding wisdom. The final chapter of the book use household chores as the analogy and then sums up the whole book in the final verse: “Acclaim her for the work of her hands, and let her deeds praise her at the city gates.” (Proverbs 31:31) Such are the rewards of right living pleasing to God. It is almost as though a tenant of that book is that God rewards the righteous and upright and punishes the wicked.

Ecclesiastes has a different view. It would say that pursuing all kinds of actions, accomplishments, and accolades is “Vanity of vanities…All things are vanity!” (Ecc 1:2) Why? Because bad things happen to good people and vice versa. Ecclesiastes is not exactly uplifting – at first blush, but it offers an alternative posture in life that assumes if you are righteous and faithful that your life will be without problems. And that posture includes an admonishment to live gratefully for all that God provides to the world, regardless of the specific circumstances of your life

Enjoy the videos, but take a moment to read Is Life Really Meaningless?

Ecclesiastes Presentation

For those who would like to explore details of this book, please consider videos from Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” program. You can find the entire playlist here.