juantoo3
....whys guy.... ʎʇıɹoɥʇnɐ uoıʇsǝnb
Kindest Regards, all!
Here’s to you, Cage!
I like Ecclesiastes because it is short and straight to the point for the common person. Next to James, and perhaps Hebrews, it is my personal favorite book of the Bible. Now, I had thought to do somewhat of a commentary on the whole book, on the order of what Dauer, Bandit and Poh have done with the Parsha Project, but I can see that would take a great deal of time to do it proper justice. Unfortunately, time is a very precious commodity in my life right now.
So, I am going to have to narrow this done considerably. As time allows, and interest is shown, perhaps we can expand to include the whole book.
I have drawn from Brian’s compilation at the following address for ease of composition, but I noticed that this version does not take into account the grammatical “fixes” that make it easier to read in English. With that in mind, I hope to place in parentheses [ (x) ] what is found in the KJV in italics. This is important to me, because the original collection of authors assembled to compose the KJV used italics to note where they inserted words to make the words flow better in English. The words found in italics in the KJV are not found in the original Hebrew. Modern grammatical convention uses italics for emphasis, and this is a sticking point for interpretation among various denominations, who at times place emphasis on words that are not in the original text. That is why I will use parentheses, which should convey better with modern grammar.
Having said all of this, I will now begin:
http://www.comparative-religion.com...g-james-version/old-testament/ecclesiaste.php
It is hard to discuss Ecclesiastes without taking this wonderful sample into consideration. There is a time and purpose for everything, even if we do not understand it at the time. Yes, I feel it is right, well and good to try to understand. But try as we might, some things in life are beyond our understanding. I understand that my mind is not sufficient to know the totality of G-d’s mind. As smart as I may think I am, and may even well be, I am no match for the Creator of the universe. So I trust that those things I don’t understand are as they should be. I trust that when the time is right, what I am capable of knowing will be revealed to me. I trust that some things I will never know, no matter how hard I apply myself. I can live with this understanding.
To rejoice, and do good in our life, and to enjoy the good of our labor, is G-d’s gift to us. Our gift to G-d in return is to do these things. See how this parallels Jesus’ command to love G-d and our neighbor? See how this parallels James’ “faith without works is dead?”
Since we were so recently on the subject of sacrifice, I thought it well to note this. This seems to support the comments by Luna and others about the intent and motivation behind the sacrifice. Whether taking the life of a creature, or fasting, or whatever form of sacrifice offered (I might even add charity), if it is done by rote with little mind to what it signifies, it is unacceptable. Only when these things are done in the proper spirit and frame of mind do they become “a pleasing fragrance” to our Heavenly Father.
After the preacher gets done telling us of so much that transpires in the world, he advises us simply to “Fear God, and keep his commandments.” Did not Jesus tell us exactly the same thing over a thousand years later? Love G-d with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Indeed, there is a famous Rabbi whose name escapes me just now, who said something to the effect of: “Love G-d, and love your neighbor. All the rest is commentary.”
As always, constructive and polite comments are welcome.
Here’s to you, Cage!
I like Ecclesiastes because it is short and straight to the point for the common person. Next to James, and perhaps Hebrews, it is my personal favorite book of the Bible. Now, I had thought to do somewhat of a commentary on the whole book, on the order of what Dauer, Bandit and Poh have done with the Parsha Project, but I can see that would take a great deal of time to do it proper justice. Unfortunately, time is a very precious commodity in my life right now.
So, I am going to have to narrow this done considerably. As time allows, and interest is shown, perhaps we can expand to include the whole book.
I have drawn from Brian’s compilation at the following address for ease of composition, but I noticed that this version does not take into account the grammatical “fixes” that make it easier to read in English. With that in mind, I hope to place in parentheses [ (x) ] what is found in the KJV in italics. This is important to me, because the original collection of authors assembled to compose the KJV used italics to note where they inserted words to make the words flow better in English. The words found in italics in the KJV are not found in the original Hebrew. Modern grammatical convention uses italics for emphasis, and this is a sticking point for interpretation among various denominations, who at times place emphasis on words that are not in the original text. That is why I will use parentheses, which should convey better with modern grammar.
Having said all of this, I will now begin:
http://www.comparative-religion.com...g-james-version/old-testament/ecclesiaste.php
It is hard to discuss Ecclesiastes without taking this wonderful sample into consideration. There is a time and purpose for everything, even if we do not understand it at the time. Yes, I feel it is right, well and good to try to understand. But try as we might, some things in life are beyond our understanding. I understand that my mind is not sufficient to know the totality of G-d’s mind. As smart as I may think I am, and may even well be, I am no match for the Creator of the universe. So I trust that those things I don’t understand are as they should be. I trust that when the time is right, what I am capable of knowing will be revealed to me. I trust that some things I will never know, no matter how hard I apply myself. I can live with this understanding.
To rejoice, and do good in our life, and to enjoy the good of our labor, is G-d’s gift to us. Our gift to G-d in return is to do these things. See how this parallels Jesus’ command to love G-d and our neighbor? See how this parallels James’ “faith without works is dead?”
Since we were so recently on the subject of sacrifice, I thought it well to note this. This seems to support the comments by Luna and others about the intent and motivation behind the sacrifice. Whether taking the life of a creature, or fasting, or whatever form of sacrifice offered (I might even add charity), if it is done by rote with little mind to what it signifies, it is unacceptable. Only when these things are done in the proper spirit and frame of mind do they become “a pleasing fragrance” to our Heavenly Father.
I include this for the benefit of those who rail at “the machine.” Yes, it happens. We must do what we can to prevent it from happening. Sometimes that is not enough. How few successfully stood against Hitler during the time of his power. How few successfully stood against Pharoah before the Exodus. Yet, we can in our own little ways, within the sphere of our influence, do what we can to counteract these “evils” that will come.
I love these verses, they speak so deeply to me. Grandpa taught me to live my life in such a manner that I can sleep at night. It took me a long time to figure it out, but some things aren’t worth losing sleep over. The more wealth we have, the bigger target we are, and the more we worry about who will take our wealth from us. Even so, wealth in the proper context is a blessing from G-d, and it is right that we enjoy the fruit of our labor.
I see here a foreshadow of Jesus’ anointing before trial and execution. I also see a parallel with a Native American tradition; “it is a good day to die.”
I find these verses to be among the most profound in this book. G-d knows we will not at all times be 100% as He desires us to be. It is on us, to do our best in accord with what we understand, to be the best we can possibly be, for G-d’s sake and for our own.
Does this make sense in light of my comments about foolish men being taken advantage of by less-than-scrupulous women?
I would like to draw attention briefly to verse 12. Scholarship is a blessing, but it is also a curse. Knowledge is a heavy burden. Wisdom is far better than knowledge, for without wisdom knowledge is wasted effort. I have known people in my life who were not “book smart,” who were yet wise. And I have known PhD’s who made a living driving a cab. Given the choice, I would rather be wise than smart.
After the preacher gets done telling us of so much that transpires in the world, he advises us simply to “Fear God, and keep his commandments.” Did not Jesus tell us exactly the same thing over a thousand years later? Love G-d with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Indeed, there is a famous Rabbi whose name escapes me just now, who said something to the effect of: “Love G-d, and love your neighbor. All the rest is commentary.”
As always, constructive and polite comments are welcome.
