Solomon embarked on an experiment to test what makes life worthwhile and first of all he said "I will test pleasure to find out what is good" but it turned out to be meaningless. Then he tried great projects to see if this gave meaning to life and he planted vineyards, made reservoirs etc. but it all ended up leaving him with an empty feeling "chasing after the wind". Then the author turned to comparing following wisdom and folly to see which worked out best and neither gave meaning to life because both the wise man and the fool will both die and get forgotten. Hence despair took over as nothing gave meaning to living - and the chapter closes defining everything as meaningless "chasing after the wind".
Monday, 13 April 2026
Ecclesiastes 1 (résumé): Everything is meaningless
The book of Ecclesiastes is another wisdom book as was Proverbs, and it too is attributed to Solomon as was Proverbs. The author thinks through human life and considers that human endeavour and the seeking of pleasure to be "chasing the wind" in that nothing lasts, with the inevitability of death being the great party pooper.
Chapter 1 explodes initially with: "Meaningless... utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless... what does man get out of all his work?... the earth and all its forces just carries on... what has been will be again... there is nothing new under the sun... I, says Solomon, have studied this and can see that everything under the sun is meaningless just chasing after the wind... and so wisdom, madness and folly all add up to the same thing as with wisdom comes much sorrow".
Proverbs 31 (summary): Sayings of King Lemuel and Epilogue
This final chapter of Proverbs starts with sayings of King Lemuel followed by an epilogue in honour of a noble woman. Lemuel recalls his mother's teachings against sexual immorality ("do not spend your strength on women") and against excessive drinking ("not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave beer). Remember to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves... defend the rights of the poor and the needy".
Then comes the final epilogue saying that a wife with a noble character is worth far more than rubies... she brings her husband good all the days of his life... she gets up early and gets the food for the family... she has the autonomy to purchase land and plant vineyards... she cares for the poor... she clothes the family well in the winter... she speaks with wisdom... her children bless their mother and her husband praises her... charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised!"
Proverbs 30 (résumé): Sayings of Agur
Proverbs 30 contains the sayings of Agur son of Jakeh. Agur starts recognizing his ignorance and insufficiency before God whereas "every word of God is flawless". He then goes on to pray that God "give me neither poverty or riches but give me only my daily bread". He goes on to decry those who curse their fathers and don't bless their mothers... those who are pure in their own eyes... and those that devour the poor from the earth... sad, he says, is he that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother. Agur goes on admiring the way of an eagle flying, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea and the way of a man with a girl. He also considers small creatures (ants, conies, locusts and lizards) who are very small but very wise and then stately creatures (lion, cockerel, he-goat and king) which should be respected for their stately bearing.
Proverbs 29 (résumé): Stiff-necked
Proverbs 29 brings to a close the long sequence of Solomon's wisdom sayings saying: a man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed - without remedy... when the righteous thrive the people rejoice but when the wicked rule the people groan... an evil man is snared by his own sin... the rod of correction imparts wisdom but a child left to itself disgraces his mother... fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Proverbs 28 (résumé): The wicked man flees
Proverbs 28 expresses further wisdom sayings... The righteous are as bold as a lion... evil men don't understand justice... if anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable... he who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy... like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people... a tyrannical ruler lacks judgement... he who trusts in himself is a fool... he who gives to the poor will lack nothing.
Proverbs 27 (résumé): Don't boast about tomorrow
Proverbs 27 says: Don't boast about tomorrow because you don't know what it will be like... let another praise you... stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both... the kisses of an enemy may be profuse, but faithful are the wounds of a friend... like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home... don't forsake your friend or your father's friend... if a man loudly blesses his neighbour early in the morning it will be taken as a curse... the crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives... riches don't endure for ever.
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