In | Alternative Conclusions

In spite of how heavy this book can feel at times, the Teacher is not encouraging an attitude of disappointment or fatalism. When he says, “Meaningless! Meaningless! … “Everything is meaningless!” (Ecc 1:2, NIV), he doesn’t want us to throw up our hands and give up on life. He’s introducing us to the worst in life in order to prepare us for the best that life has to offer. Throughout this book he will follow difficult parts of his message, especially comments about death, with uplifting words of accomplishment and joy.

Dr. David Hubbard has noted this trend and refers to these positive reflections as “alternative conclusions.” Right when we’re ready to draw a pessimistic conclusion about what we’re reading, the Teacher provides us with a different one. He reminds us that life is worth living and that joy is still possible. 

Hubbard’s chart below maps some of these passages. It summarizes the statements that come before these “alternative conclusions,” their context and also outlines their messages.

Source: David Hubbard, Mastering the Old Testament: Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, 991, pp. 91-97.