Lecture

In this lecture, we will focus on Ecclesiastes 11:7 NRSV until the first verse in chapter 12 and develop what I want to call a “theology of happiness” with practice ways of experiencing God’s blessings here and now.

Let me introduce this a little bit, simply to say that what we have here is a truly inspiring and climactic conclusion to the book of Ecclesiastes. To summarize the content, here, Ecclesiastes instructs us to enjoy life and remember our Creator while we are still young, from the beginning of our lives. A motivational meditation on the future, beginning in 12:1, that is characterized by a sense of foreboding and inevitability adds urgency to the instructions on how to be happy.

Let’s look briefly at the structure of these verses. We really have here a rhetorical and didactic teaching climax. It begins with a beautifully evocative and deeply motivational introduction. Let me read it to you. “Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun” (NRSV). Of course, if our lives are oriented towards God, rather than at the satisfaction of our material desires. And this then leads into a series of no less than eight instructions on how to maximize happiness from the beginning of life, 11:8–12:1 to its end. And it then concludes with this extended meditation for the rest of 12:2–7, that really is an elusive and evocative, highly metaphorical description of five impending obstacles to happiness.

The last part of this section of the book of Ecclesiastes is then highly poetic, and I want to call it multivalent, ambiguous, and this creates really this sense of foreboding and inevitability, and it adds urgency to the preceding instructions on happiness. And what we have in those verses, verses two to seven in chapter twelve, is really a pastiche of genres. What we have, combining this end of the book with this theology of happiness is a resulting instruction as a pastiche of genres. First we have teaching, then we have a prophetic warning and then a lyrical meditation. And as such, what we are exploring in this lecture is really a poetic masterpiece whose beauty and rhetorical urgency matches its content and importance.

So now let’s look together at the text. Verse 7, of what motivational introduction. Life is beautiful, life is good. And then we have no less than, actually is it eight or nine instructions depending on how you translate some of the Hebrew here. But let me read this to you in one go so that you really get a sense of the flow and the importance and the beauty and the emotional intelligence of what Ecclesiastes is teaching us here, which I think is absolutely beautiful and amazing. And it certainly has changed my life as I have been studying, thinking, and praying through the book over many years in my own life now. “Even those who live many years should rejoice in them all; yet let them remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the inclination of your heart and the desire of your eyes . . . ,” so that’s five already, “. . . but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Banish anxiety from your mind, and put away pain from your body; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come.” Can you see, so we’ve got really nine instructions here. And I believe from the bottom of my heart, I know for sure because I have lived it for many years now, that these instructions really are a fabulous theology of happiness.

And so, if we want to apply this final climactic section of the book of Ecclesiastes, we find that the book is coming and developing now to us, an inspiring invitation to enjoy life to the full within the context of our Christian faith. Against the reality of impending divine judgment, this final part of the book is wise teaching that is presented with urgency, with optimism, and with deep practical wisdom. Here, the book, God promises that true happiness can indeed be experienced here and now. Ecclesiastes promotes belief in life before death.

Against the background of the prophetic literature in the Old Testament, our book that we’ve been studying together in these five lectures emerges as a wise prophecy, which includes the prospect of eschatological judgment in an instruction which, however, offers to us as modern believers today, a model for living well in true happiness and within the will and the blessings of a good and generous God.

The eight specific instructions in this theology of happiness bear repeating. First, actively seek to enjoy life at all times. Remember secondly, that some sadness in life is unavoidable. Third, consequently live with realistic expectations, making the most of every opportunity to enjoy life now and throughout your life. Next, make wise, that is intelligent and life-enhancing choices, which promote not only your own good but also the common good for others. Further, do what you enjoy and desire. And finally, last, not least, remember that you are accountable to God, not only for the wrong things you have done, but also for the good things that you have not done or enjoyed in your life. Overcome anger, resentment, and bitterness over wrong done to you or those you care for. Always seek to please God.

And so, in the final analysis as we have together explored the book of Ecclesiastes, this amazing philosophical, poetical contemplation of life itself. What we find is the book is really indeed the product of a preacher of joy. And in this book, we have found a programmatic approach to the pursuit of happiness, which bears all the hallmarks of traditional biblical wisdom, such as the fear of God, reverent trust and obedience, integrity, moderation, forbearance, determination, self-control, courage, and justice.

From the perspective of Christian faith, this beautiful, amazing book that we have in our Bible, and in particular, what we have explored in our last lecture together, this theology of happiness provides hands-on practical advice on how to find that abundant life which Jesus Christ has come to bring as He Himself says in John 10:10 NRSV.

Qoheleth’s claim that God is the origin and destiny of human life, was, in its original context, not an affirmation of immortality. Nonetheless, when we read it against the entire biblical canon, it nonetheless reminds us modern readers of the important truth that all earthly life originates with God, our Creator, and moves towards God, our Redeemer, towards a life of eternal happiness. And this knowledge, this eternal perspective motivates intentional, virtuous living today.

The book as a whole will richly reward careful study, with regards to modern ways in which believers can live their lives and live their lives well in the midst of political complexity and material and ideological temptations. As such, I believe it is the most sustained, realistic and practical exploration of how to find true happiness in, I think, the entire Bible.

So what we have here then in this beautiful book of Ecclesiastes, in our wonderful Bible: a more realistic outlook on life, advice on how to find resilience in adversity, the encouragement to adopt and develop a posture of gratitude, the confidence to combine faith with obedience to God’s command. And ultimately, we are encouraged, instructed and discipled, apprenticed, into a life of increasing joy and happiness. Thanks be to God.