Ecclesiastes - Introduction

Ecclesiastes is an odd book, indeed we may sometimes even wonder why it is in the Bible. For it seems rather negative at times. One approach is to try and treat it as  entirely positive, another is the opposite of this, i.e. to treat it as entirely negative. Neither of these seems right. Perhaps it is better to treat it as how to live in a fallen world, or a warning against finding perfect contentment purely within this world. This world is fallen and things will never be perfect here. The book is sometimes attributed to Solomon,  and there are verses that suggest this is the case, however, we have the character of “the teacher2, Qoheleth in Hebrew who is introduced in the text as the writer. A couple of phrases that recur in the text are “under the sun” and “meaningless” or “vanity”. Perhaps the book warns against making an idol out of things that are good, but become pointless or even dangerous if we make them the ultimate things, e.g. wisdom, pleasure etc. The NIV translates the Hebrew word Hebel as “meaningless”, older translations translate it as “vanity”, the commentary I am using (see below) reckons that the NIV has got it wrong here. The word elsewhere in the OT means “fleeting” or “breath”, implying a fleeting nature.

I am greatly indebted to the following commentary:

The Hodder Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes - Eric Ortlund (2024).

Ezra 10 - The matter is dealt with

10:1-4

Ezra made quite a show of his repentance, and a large crowd gathered. They too wept bitterly. Shekinah led the people and suggested that they send their foreign wives away and make a promise to the Lord. He encouraged Ezra to lead the people in this way.

10:5-44

Ezra agreed to this and led the people accordingly. Ezra continued fasting. A proclamation was sent out through all Israel calling them to assemble in Jerusalem. There were quite severe penalties for not obeying this call. All the people of Benjamin and Judah gathered. It was raining and all the people were distressed, perhaps having some idea of why they had been summoned.Ezra told the people how they had sinned.The people agreed, except for a few people. We then get a list of all those who had intermarried.

ezra 9:1-15 - wrong relationships

9:1-15

The leaders became aware that the people, even including the priest and the Levites  had taken foreign women as their wives. This was against the Law of Moses, we also see why. The foreign nations followed detestable practices, and would tend to lead the Israelites astray. In response they told Ezra. Ezra was distraught. He was appalled and was supported by other Israelites who feared the Lord. Ezra then prayed to the Lord. Note that he does not go with an attitude of self-righteousness, and refers to “our sins” rather than “their sins”. He repented on behalf of the nation.

Ezra 8 - protection on the return

8:1-36

We now get a list of the family heads who came up with Ezra from Babylon. Ezra organised people so that the temple duties could be carried out properly. Ezra proclaimed a fast for protection on part of the journey, He had told the king that God would protect them, and wanted the name of the Lord to be honoured.

They were indeed protected on their journey

Ezra 7 - The king supports the Law of God

7:1-10

We now get the first mention of Ezra, and various details about him.. The key thing is that he was well versed in the Law of Moses. The journey from Babylon took about four months. We are told that the Lord was with him, and that this was because  he had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord. So he was qualified to be a teacher of the Law.

7:11-28

Ezra had a letter from Artaxerxes. The king was concerned that Ezra should ensure that the people are following the Law properly. He was also to take silver and gold artefacts, and to make proper sacrifices. It is interesting that the pagan king was so keen that the Law of God be properly implemented. The king's attitude encouraged Ezra. We are used to our governments being anti-God, or at best lukewarm.  We should not be afraid to pray for a change of heart in our leaders.

Ezra 6:1-22 - Building work completed

6:1-7

Darius issued an order for the archives to be searched, and it was discovered that Darius had indeed issued a decree. So Tattenai and Shethar-Bozenai and other officials were told to stay away  and not to interfere with the work.The Jews were to be allowed to get on with the work.

6:8-22

Moreover they were to ensure that the JEws were supplied with all that they needed. There were to be severe consequences for disobeying the order. This was a decree of King Darius. The decree was carried out with diligence, So the work carried on, the ministry of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah continued to be important,and the work was completed.The Passover was then completed, and there was great celebration.

Ezra 5:1-17 - The work continues and a letter is sent to King Darius

5:1-17

Haggai and Zechariah are now mentioned. Their prophetic ministries played an important role in the rebuilding work. Zerubbabel and Joshua seem to have led the rebuilding work, and the two prophets supported them. Tattenai and Shethar-Bozenai went to see what was happening, but the work was not stopped. They wrote to King Darius and suggested that a search be made of the archivist to see if indeed Cyrus had decreed the rebuilding work. The Jews had told them that they were doing the work of God, and that Cyrus had decreed it, and had ordered the return of various artefacts.