Fear of the God

Ecclesiastes

next 2 weeks - Russell then recalibrate-the annual feasts

Summary with Bible Project clip

Interpretation of wisdom literature

So we can see that Ecclesiastes fits in a series of Wisdom literature and together they make up the whole picture of Jewish wisdom. The central message of the wisdom literature is the term “The fear of the Lord” which ties together the Old Testament. “The fear of the Lord” occurs fourteen times in Proverbs, and also occurs several times in Job. This “fear” is:

Proverbs 1:7 NIV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

and

Psalm 111:10 NIV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

The Bible Project in their proverbs video explained the Hebrews thought, your journey to becoming wise has to begin with the Fear of the Lord; It’s this healthy respect for God’s definition of good and evil, and true wisdom means learning those boundary lines and not crossing them.

In Ecclesiastes, it would seem that the critic/Solomon rejects this by describing wisdom as without value in 1:12-18. Yet Solomon’s purpose exceeds this passage. Solomon defines a limit not only on wisdom but on all human resources (wealth, achievements, pleasure), rejecting any self-reliance. One scholar suggests (if people would like my essay with references, Eaton)

“The fear of the Lord” which is recommended (3:14; 5:7; 8:12; 12:13) is not only the beginning of wisdom; it is also the beginning of joy, contentment and of energetic and purposeful life.

In this way, Solomon's wisdom literature is instructions to ‘avoid self-destructive behaviour’. To those that follow these instructions God gives to them the gift of life (5:18; 8:15; 9:9), wisdom, knowledge and happiness (2:26a), wealth and possessions, and the power to enjoy them (5:19). Nevertheless, others are given wealth, possessions and honour, but not able to enjoy them (2:26b; 6:2).

Jordan Peterson video - Canadian media personality, clinical psychologist, author, and professor - a critic of mainstream ideas

now I don't agree with everything he says here but he has i believe a powerful image of the fear of the lord and a modern take on the consequences.

video

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 NIV

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. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

The debate of life’s meaning continues to rage on in secular society. The information explosion has resulted in society having access to more than ever before, yet, all this information will never arrive at another truth about the universe than has already been given. Many fall into Atheism or Nihilism and are trying to find meaning without God, however, Solomon never rejects God as the creator and orchestrator and they too will find removing God from the equation as hevel.

Self-indulgent - universal law (C.S. Lewis)

we should fear when we step outside God’s definition of good and evil because of the carrot and the stick (the punishment that will catch up with us in this life or the next and the joy and contentment that we will lose)

Interpretation of the Christian life

The teaching of Ecclesiastes to enjoy the gifts God gives of wisdom and contentment in the toil motivates a Christian lifestyle of looking to heaven rather than chasing after the world’s hevel. Swindoll, in Living on the ragged edge applies these lessons to today’s context of “chasing the wind”. Ecclesiastes reminds the church of the need to tackle the real issues of life, death and the hevel of the world's standards on success or prosperity, which has made Christian life comfortable. Paul challenges Christians in a similar way calling on the church to grow up and be hungry for heavenly things (1 Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:11-14). Solomon acknowledges God and honours Him as sovereign, above all else, so too the Christian life should honour God in acknowledgement of blessings and gifts.

One scholar is encouraged by the message of Ecclesiastes when he states ‘Christians have even greater reason for faith and obedience and an even deeper foundation for joy than Solomon does. This does not mean we must not heed the warning about illusions and his advocacy of a better way. Christians are still called to live in this world that God has created and loves, even while anticipating a world to come.’

Solomon teaches that there is more to religion than salvation, however, if there is one thing that we do not find in this book, it is the joy of resurrection. From the Christian perspective, it is true to say that we can know with certainty that any confusion or limitations by death have been banished by Christ. Jesus Christ has come and fulfilled that better way, conquered death and brought in the New Covenant.

Romans 6:23 NIV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Timothy 1:10 NIV

but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Solomon could only see death as the final destination yet still advocated enjoying God’s good gifts in life; Christ is the greatest gift God could give.

Conclusion

‘Solomon has no goal to encourage one to feel that they have arrived at a perfect state of shalom, any more than Christ wanted an inexperienced and naïve young man to believe he really had fulfilled the whole law (Matt. 19:16-24).’ To say Ecclesiastes brings joy is an oversimplification, however, it would seem that Solomon’s teachings defend the life of faith in a generous God by pointing to the bleakness of the alternative; a lesson in apologetics (why I think many young Christians in age or spiritual journey should read and understand Ecclesiastes).

Because the reality is, those that who have chased after pleasure, wealth, wisdom and escape from death have found it hevel.

Eaton concluded the debate well when he said, ‘Ecclesiastes is thus an exploration of the baroness of life without a practical faith in God. Intermingled with pessimism are invitations to different outlooks altogether, in which joy and purpose are found when God is seen to be “there” and to be characterised supremely by generosity.’

When it comes to the search for meaning in life:

Enjoyment and meaning come from the fear of the Lord and contentment from God’s gifts to us in our time under the sun. The ultimate gift of His son, Jesus Christ, death and resurrection.