FOURTH SECTION
The Quest Achieved. The Chief Good Is To Be Found, Not In Wisdom, Nor
In Pleasure, Nor In Devotion To Affairs And Its Rewards;
But In A Wise Use And A Wise Enjoyment Of The Present Life, Combined
With A Steadfast Faith In The Life To Come
Ecclesiastes 8:16 - Ecclesiastes 12:7
AT l... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHIEF GOOD NOT TO BE FOUND IN WISDOM:
Ecclesiastes 8:16; Ecclesiastes 9:1
1. The Preacher commences this section by carefully defining his
position and equipment as he starts on his final course. As yet he
carries no lamp of revelation in his hand, although he will not
venture beyond a certain... [ Continue Reading ]
NOR IN PLEASURE:
Ecclesiastes 9:7
Imagine, then, a Jew brought to the bitter pass which Coheleth has
described. He has acquainted himself with wisdom, native and foreign;
and wisdom has led him to conclusions of virtue. Nor is he of those
who love virtue as they love music-without practicing it. Be... [ Continue Reading ]
NOR IN DEVOTION TO AFFAIRS AND ITS REWARDS.
Ecclesiastes 9:13; Ecclesiastes 10:1
So far, then, Coheleth has been occupied in retracing the argument of
the first Section of the Book. Now he returns upon the second and
third Sections: he deals with the man who plunges into public affairs,
who turns h... [ Continue Reading ]