Chapter 3 A PROPOSED SOLUTION
• The book purports to be by Solomon and so Solomonic authorship is assumed.
• He calls himself Qoheleth. Why do this? It was noted at the start that this name contains the idea of calling an assembly together. Solomon wanted his subjects to get back to the truth of how to live before a holy God; something which he himself wandered away from (1 Kings 11:1-11, 33). Clearly a number of Israelites did not fear God and keep his commandments. Instead, they pursued their own pleasures. This fits in with the picture painted in 1 Kings 10:14-29 and 2 Chronicles 1:14-17 where the vast richness of Solomon’s reign is portrayed as ‘silver in Jerusalem was as common as stones’ (1 Kings 10:27) and gold too (2 Chronicles 1:15).
• Solomon’s opening (1:2) and near closing call
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Judgment to come, fear God (3:17; 5:6-8; 6:10; 7:18; 8:5, 11-12; 10:20; 11:9-10). This theme runs through Ecclesiastes so 12:13-14 is no surprise ending. He has sought to teach his people, in the light of the passing nature of this world’s goods, the certainty of death and judgment. The most appropriate course of action is to fear God and keep his commandments. Whatever else they do, they dare not neglect this. Remember Jesus’ words: If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15); If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love (John 15:10); This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you (John 15:12). 18And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Mt 28:18-20). Do we keep this commandment today or do we pander to the traditions of man established