The preacher continues is his negative vein: religion should not be taken too seriously; prayers should be short; humans should take sacred vows seriously; humans should never put themselves in a position to have to excuse themselves before God’s representative. Again life is endless repetition. The meaning of life is beyond comprehension. His basic advice is to live in the present without judgment. Events should be accepted for what they are. Heated comparisons from the past are foolish. Is there room for laughter? Foolish laughter is likened to the crackling of a fire of thorns that generates no heat. In spite of his negative attitude toward life, the author never denies the value of wisdom. However, he limits wisdom to an individual time, not eternity. Wisdom cannot discern absolute moral order; so it is wise to enjoy what there is to enjoy. He repeats. Man’s study of the work of God cannot lead to knowledge of the purpose of life. Obviously, the author spends a lot of time in contemplating this question of the meaning of life. Do we not still wrestle with this question? Are questions not a sign of spiritual growth? The mystics remind us that when we think that we have comprehended Life we are worshipping an idol.
The preacher continues is his negative vein: religion should not be taken too seriously; prayers should be short; humans should take sacred vows seriously; humans should never put themselves in a position to have to excuse themselves before God’s representative. Again life is endless repetition. The meaning of life is beyond comprehension. His basic advice is to live in the present without judgment. Events should be accepted for what they are. Heated comparisons from the past are foolish. Is there room for laughter? Foolish laughter is likened to the crackling of a fire of thorns that generates no heat. In spite of his negative attitude toward life, the author never denies the value of wisdom. However, he limits wisdom to an individual time, not eternity. Wisdom cannot discern absolute moral order; so it is wise to enjoy what there is to enjoy. He repeats. Man’s study of the work of God cannot lead to knowledge of the purpose of life. Obviously, the author spends a lot of time in contemplating this question of the meaning of life. Do we not still wrestle with this question? Are questions not a sign of spiritual growth? The mystics remind us that when we think that we have comprehended Life we are worshipping an idol.
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