The Solomon Project: Ecclesiastes 6:1-6

To find the rationale behind this blog check the earlier posts. The writer has ended chapter 5 with a positive upbeat view of life. This has come in the midst of his observations concerning wealth and the problems that it brings with it. Solomon ended chapter 5 by saying that it was good to be able to enjoy the food you eat and the work you do. This is a gift from God just like the material things that he gives people. He presents a contrast now at the beginning of chapter 6 picking up the theme of wealth and materialism again. Chapt 6:1-2 says: "I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil." (Eccl. 6:1-2) He is contrasting the thought of 2:24-26, 3:13 and 5:19. The phrase "weighs heavily on men." has the idea that it is common or frequent among men. The viewpoint of mankind "under the sun" is that the accumulation automatically brings contentment and enjoyment. The author says "not so." There are no guarantees. This is a gift from God. To miss this part of life when you have obtained all the other things you could want is "a grievous evil." This has the idea of an evil sickness.

Verse 3 continues on. "A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how Long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he." (Eccl. 6:3) Solomon presents both a factual and an emotional sensory experience here. He begins with the thought of many children but deftly inserts the repulsive thought of a stillborn child. bloody, lifeless, a grievous evil. The repulsive connection is made between a man who cannot enjoy wealth and a stillborn child. The man who cannot enjoy his material possessions is repulsive. He does not even receive a proper burial.

Verses 4 and 5 state: "It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man--" (Eccl 6:4-5) The author expands upon the idea of the stillborn child. It never has life in it. The man who does not enjoy his possessions is like this dead child: Lifeless

Verse 6 reads: "Even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?" (Eccl 6:6) This is a figure of speech. It is a positive affirmation expecting a positive answer. The one who has everything and the one who has nothing not even life go to the same place. The material goods and wealth were of no service to the rich man.

What does this passage have to do with addiction and compulsion? It is found in the gift. The gift of enjoying one's possessions. The gift of contentment. Addictive and compulsive people attempt to find meaning in the next fix, high or sexual release. Contentment is a gift from God, our higher power. When we release the urge to not be addicted when we give up the urge to not be compulsive then we have the ability to attain what we strive for: contentment. In the serenity prayer we pray for our higher power to grant us serenity. We ask for something we realize we cannot attain on our own.

In addition workaholism is a part of the addiction interaction system. We become compulsive in our attainment of wealth to bolster our self esteem, to maintain our addiction, to medicate away the guilt of acting out. Workaholism is almost a cherished attribute in the American corporate culture. But it takes its toll on the person. All the attainments and all the wealth mean nothing if they cannot be enjoyed.

An interesting concept that I have entertained for several weeks is the reason why the decalogue or the first five books of the Holy Bible are not referred to except in the end of the book and in one summation. I think at this point anyway the entire book is to be seen as a riddle not just portions of it. The absence of the obvious makes one search out the connection. There is a clear connection to Deuteronomy especially in Deuteronomy 6:2, 11-12. These verses talk about enjoying long life and eating and being satisfied.

Anyway back to our conclusion: contentment--it is a gift from God our higher power. Enjoy it and life will go much better of us. I think that closing with the serenity prayer may be in order this evening. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." (short version) Our time is up for today. Keep coming back it works if you work it and your worth it.