Joy at the End of the Tether: The Inscrutable Wisdom of Ecclesiastes
Overview
Most Christians view the book of Ecclesiastes as an enigma, a puzzle from which we might draw a few aphorisms but little else. Douglas Wilson’s fresh, lucid treatment of this wonderful book enables us to see that its message is not a confused riddle but an incisive indictment of “the wisdom of the world.” We learn that what we call “modernity” is simply a term for men sinning in old ways with new toys and tools. There is truly nothing new “under the sun,” and man’s problems today are exactly what they have been since the Fall. And the answer to man’s problem is just as old, yet forever new—“the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Top Highlights
“So the message here is twofold. God is the One who gives things, and God is the one who gives the power to enjoy things. These are distinct gifts … just as a can of peaches and a can-opener are distinct gifts. Only the first is given to the unbeliever. The believer is given both, which is simply another way of saying that he is given the capacity for enjoyment. If we remember that this is the conclusion of this section of Solomon’s argument, it can help us understand what he intends as he lays out his premises.” (Page 17)
“The first refrain is summed up in the phrase under the sun—the phrase occurs numerous times and is extremely significant. ‘Under the sun’ is the realm where vanity reigns and should be understood as this world, considered in its own right. A wise man will always consider and reflect upon what occurs ‘under the sun.” (Page 12)
“The great Hebrew philosopher who wrote this book called Ecclesiastes calls us to joy, but to a joy which thinks, a joy which does not shrink back from the hard questions. He calls us to meditation, but to a meditation which does not despair. And as he points out repeatedly, shutting off every avenue of escape, only believers can enjoy the vanity which surrounds us on every side.” (Page 9)
“As we have considered, vanity does not refer to an absolute meaninglessness. We see now that it refers to an inscrutable repetitiveness. You washed the dishes last night, and there they are again. You changed the oil in your car three months ago, and now you are doing it again. All is vanity. This shirt was clean yesterday.” (Page 18)
- Title: Joy at the End of the Tether: The Inscrutable Wisdom of Ecclesiastes
- Author: Douglas Wilson
- Publisher: Canon Press
- Publication Date: 1999
- Pages: 128
Douglas Wilson (1953– ), a prolific author and speaker, has been the pastor of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho for over 30 years. He is a senior fellow of theology, a permanent member of the Board of Trustees, and a professional in residence at New Saint Andrews College. Wilson graduated from the University of Idaho with a BA in classical studies and a BA and an MA in philosophy.
He is the editor of Credenda/Agenda magazine and has authored numerous books, including The Paideia of God: And Other Essays on Education, Standing On the Promises: A Handbook of Biblical Childrearing, Reforming Marriage, and Reformed Is Not Enough: Recovering the Objectivity of the Covenant, which can all be found in the Douglas Wilson Collection (17 vols.).