Maryiam Barkho
Mrs. Carrillo
Religion
16 December 2008
Ecclesiastes Reflection
The Book of Ecclesiastes allows its readers to learn the true value of human life ( “Rev. Vincent Waters”). It states that all things are vanity. In Ecclesiastes 1:14, King Qoheleth says: “I have seen all things that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a chase after wind.” Qoheleth is saying no one in this world is real. They are trying to be someone they are not to impress others. Pleasure and enjoyment of good things is looked at as vanity (“Book of Ecclesiastes”). It says in Ecclesiastes 2:19: “ And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruits of my wise labor under the sun. This is also vanity.” In our world today, people who are vain are said to be full of themselves. All they worry about is their look and appearance. Back than more things we think would be a good deeds to perform is considered vain.
In Vanity of Toil (chapter 4), Qoheleth says it is better to be dead or unborn than to see the wicked work being done underneath the sun. “Than I saw that all toil and skillful work is the rivalry of one man for another. This is also vanity and a chase after win.” (Ecclesiastes 4:4) In the eyes of King Qoheleth, fighting with another man is vanity. Today, we don’t see that as vanity. We call this hate and jealously. In chapter 5, it says begging for wealth but no fruit is vanity. “What the eyes see is better than what desires wander after. This also is vanity and a chase after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 6:9) This is a vanity people suffer till this day because
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they see things they want and gain the desire to take action for it. Doing this usually will cause adultery to take place which means breaking the covenant of commandments with God.
King Qoheleth claims everything and everyone underneath the sun performs works of wicked evil (“Book of Ecclesiastes”). He believes everything in the...