“Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities, says the Preacher. Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities! All is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and vainglory). What profit does man have left from all his toil at which he toils under the sun? [Is life worth living?]” Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 ->me: I have moved my daily quiet times to a journey through Ecclesiastes. I am very excited. The introductions I have read say that it is either Solomon himself who wrote this book or someone observing his wisdom and writing it down. Ecclesiastes means “the Preacher” or “one who addresses an assembly”. The timing of the writing does not matter – these words and wisdom are timeless. The first couple of verses of this book paint a pessimistic picture. “Everything is vain and futile…why is life even worth living?” -> But what about when faith is introduced? “All is vanity” is still true, but it is not the whole picture. With my faith in God new factors are brought in (the generosity of God, divine providence, divine judgement). The vanity of life is not erased or forgotten; however, these new factors transform the perspective and turn pessimism into faith! My new perspective will not cancel the old one out but I am living in an overlap -> my new perspective revolutionizes my outlook. I cannot wait to learn more from this book!!!
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