September 2023 – Semper Reformanda

Ecclesiastes 2:12 | Word Study

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. Ecclesiastes 2:12 (KJV)

These verses, v12-17 seems to focus on the method of Qôheleth’s methodology itself – wisdom. And it is now compared with madness and folly; or hôlêlâh (H1947)[1] and hôlêlâh (H5531)[2]. Both words essentially mean the same thing. Gill speaks of these as ‘sufferings;’ or an inquiry of wisdom in suffering (as opposed to pleasure, v1-12). But it is important to note that the focus remains on wisdom (not on suffering); he is now asking is there any profit to wisdom? And the verse positions himself as the qualified person to ask this; that no man after the King (as resourceful as he is) cannot do what he is capable of.

Comments: Qoheleth does not seem to question the usefulness of wisdom itself. Wisdom is a useful instrument in understanding the true nature of reality; that it is absolutely unsatisfactory without its creator. (1:12-15, 2:1-11) But wisdom in itself is without any profit. (Provan, 84) By extension, this means – even in suffering, it is of no profit just as it is of no profit in pleasure. To make this claim, Qoheleth studied at great length, ‘all that happens under the sun.’ That ‘no man after him,’ – a rhetorical phrase (Seow, 134), can ever go that length of studying wisdom as he has – because of his special situation. It is quite a blessing to have the understanding of one’s own privileges and not misusing it. Qoheleth thought of others – as any good Christian would – such an interesting trait.

References:

Gill, J. (1748-63). Exposition of the Old Testament, Eccl. 2:12
Provan, I. (2001). Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs: The New Application Commentary, ZondervanSeow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press
Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press

[1] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h1947/kjv/wlc/0-1/

[2] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5531/kjv/wlc/0-1/

LXXVIII

The new heart is the creation of the Holy Spirit. That same Holy Spirit is working within us to yield His fruit. As our hearts are more inclined to God, so the fruit of His Spirit is multiplied in our lives. Unregenerate people can perform external acts of righteousness, but no man with a heart of stone can yield the authentic fruit of the Spirit. Our sanctification is a matter of the heart. It is a process that flows from intimate fellowship with God. Jesus summarized the matter by showing the link between love and law, “if you love me, keep my commandments.”

RC Sproul, Developing a Godly Lifestyle

Ecclesiastes 2:11 | Word Study

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11 (KJV)

The phrase ‘I looked on,’ refers to the idiom pana be[1], meaning, ‘to turn to consider.’ (Seow, 133) Qoheleth considers the works of his hands – as would a normal man do after completing a project. It is a fitting end to a project of experimenting with the vanity of self-indulgence.

Comments: A common expectation that every man holds – out of his work is – pleasure. Henry contrasts this phrasing with the way YHWH delighted after the 6^th day – pleased with the labour, his creation. But that is not the expected end that Qoheleth finds himself. There is a strong inclination to read joy in these words. Is it despair if YHWH spared Qoheleth from admiring his own work? – perhaps, it could have been a self-devouring end that ultimately leads one away from his creator. Scripture seems to say – YHWH abandons the reprobate to their own desires; or more appropriately, He condemns them to do and be as they want. (Rom 1:28) Another reason why it is so tempting to read joy in these words is because Qoheleth seems to find one – as stated in the previous verse ‘my heart rejoiced in all my labour.’ The point I wish to highlight here is that – where the elect finds joy in complete obedience, just labouring as the Master sees fit, the reprobate finds despair because he has a different expectation – a different mind – one focus on profiting under the sun, unaware of the labour’s purpose and the Master’s intent.

References:

Henry, M. (1706). Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete, Eccl. 2:1-11

Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press

[1] Pana be/Pana el: usage in scriptures, Job 6:28, Num 12:10, 2 Sam 9:8, Ezek 36:9, Hag 1:9, Mal 2:13.