Chasing and Grasping for the Wind Part - Four by Ps Michael Podhaczky

So, in concluding this series of blogs, maybe at first sight the book of Ecclesiastes appears to be one of the hardest books of the Bible to understand. But, as we’ve seen this is not really the case. The following suggestions are offered as an aid to understanding it.

1.  Keep things within the context of the book as a whole

Verses need to be interpreted in light of the book as a whole and not in isolation. Avoid taking verses out of their context. You will not grasp the intended meaning.

2.    Keep things within the context of the Bible as a whole

The first time the word vanity in the Old Testament is in 2 Kings 17:15. Some other uses are found in Ps 39:5, 11; Prov 13:11; Is 57:13; Jer 2:5. Ecclesiastes reveals the tension between the vanity of life without God, and the value of life with God.

3.    Keep things within the context of the central theme of Biblical wisdom material

There is an overarching theme of the book, of God revealed practical wisdom for living daily life. This is part of the poetic and wisdom literature of the Old Testament.

4.   Keep things within the context of the culture of the day

The book was not written in a cultural vacuum. The writer had an ancient near eastern culture and experience.[1] Thus, the books revealed practical wisdom for living daily life was first, for Solomon’s audience, and then secondly, for believers through history.

5.    Keep things within the context of the New Testament

The New Testament needs to be regarded as a check and balance when reading the book of Ecclesiastes. We cannot read the New Testament back into Ecclesiastes, but to avoid incomplete or unconventional wisdom it is important to read the New Testament in light of Ecclesiastes. Namely, as Christ is the ultimate fulfilment of wisdom, then wisdom from Ecclesiastes does not stand in isolation, but Christ will reflect that wisdom. Let me encourage you to have a Christly wisdom centred worldview. As a merely human centred worldview, can be paralysed by life’s “frustrations and unanswered questions.”[2]

So, remember that the key to understanding and interpreting the book is, Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

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[1] Fox, Michael V. The JPS Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes. (Philadelphia, PA: The Jewish Publishing Society, 2004), xiii.

[2] Wright, J.S. “Ecclesiastes.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. (vol. 5). (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1991), 148.