Wednesday Bible Study: In conclusion

In the final chapter, Koholet wraps up his counsel of despair, seemingly conflating what he sees as the inevitably deteriorating and meaningless dotage of individuals with what seems to be a declining society. Get it while you can, while you are young, and while the society is vigorous, seems to be the meaning. Then the scribe wraps up with an interpretation that doesn't accurately reflect what has gone before, at least as far as I have understood it. In particular, the scribe states the Just World Fallacy, which Koholet has repeatedly denied.

Next is the so-called Song of Solomon, or Song of Songs. I'm not going to go through the whole thing, because it would be pointless. It's an erotic love poem, and why the heck it's in the Bible is a puzzle. But I'll discuss that next time.

2 Remember your Creator
    in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
    and the years approach when you will say,
    “I find no pleasure in them”—
² before the sun and the light
    and the moon and the stars grow dark,
    and the clouds return after the rain;
³ when the keepers of the house tremble,
    and the strong men stoop,
when the grinders cease because they are few,
    and those looking through the windows grow dim;
⁴ when the doors to the street are closed
    and the sound of grinding fades;
when people rise up at the sound of birds,
    but all their songs grow faint;
⁵ when people are afraid of heights
    and of dangers in the streets;
when the almond tree blossoms
    and the grasshopper drags itself along
    and desire no longer is stirred.
Then people go to their eternal home
    and mourners go about the streets.

⁶ Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
    and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
    and the wheel broken at the well,
⁷ and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
    and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

⁸ “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.^[a]
    “Everything is meaningless!”

The Conclusion of the Matter

⁹ Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. ¹⁰ The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.

¹¹ The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.^{[b] 12} Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

¹³ Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil.

Footnotes

1. Ecclesiastes 12:8 Or the leader of the assembly; also in verses 9 and 10
2. Ecclesiastes 12:11 Or Shepherd