Ecc IX

A slab of black oak.

Heavy with aged presence.

Pew End by Kinsley Byrne*.

Strikingly shaped, carved, cut and marked.

I didn’t recognise all the symbols. But some caught me.

The Magen David, the Icthus fish (early Christian), and the holy cross, in Celtic style.

But it’s the reference Ecc IX that has been working on me this week.

And it has sent me back to that astonishing book, Ecclesiastes.

There is a well-known bleakness to this portion of scripture. All is vanity.

For the writer - Koheleth [Teacher] - the universe is totally unimpressed with our best efforts, our finest achievements, and even our most selfless virtues.

And with little or no apparent sense of eternal hope.

The first century rabbis and the Church Fathers both wrestled with its place in the canons of holy scripture. But there, thankfully, they decided, it stays.

In the face of the seeming random and even indifferent nature of existence, the Teacher encourages us to live with great humility.

But also with deep joy.

And we are not just loved by God (as wonderful as that is) but liked by God as we live this way [thanks Ellen F. Davis for this insight.]

At the centre of the ninth chapter (IX) is this encouragement: Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do. Let your garments always be white; do not let oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that are given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

Enjoyment of food and drink, attention to beauty and love, devotion to work. These matter!

Give yourself to them with joy!

If all is vanity, much is beautiful.

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