“What is Good for the Children of Man to Do”: Ecclesiastes and the Covenant Instruction

The epilogue of Ecclesiastes may be considered an addition by a redactor in an attempt ensure theological orthodoxy to a writing which is often thought to have little in common with the remainder of Scripture. However, this research proposes that the concluding statements of Ecclesiastes cohere with the overarching message of the book and are based on connections to the covenant instruction in Genesis and Deuteronomy. Moreover, the concluding statement is consistent with the New Testament epistle of James. Thus, human beings should conduct their lives in reverent fear of the covenant making God who has given his people the instruction for wise living, despite the tension between the appearance of the fleeting nature of all life on earth, the impermanence of human accomplishments, and the absence of justice as seen from the creaturely perspective, on the one hand, and the justice promised by the covenant, on the other. Support of this conclusion is demonstrated by a comparison of the themes of selected passages of Ecclesiastes with the covenant instruction in Genesis and Deuteronomy and also with the view of the law in James. This research project has demonstrated that the message of Ecclesiastes is that is is good to be obedient; and that to which believers are called to be obedient is the covenant instruction as summarized by the perfect law of love. On this side of the cross, that obedience comes from love and gratitude toward the overwhelming grace of God in Christ. Therefore, as Qohelet concludes, it is more important to know how to live than to know why things happen the way they do. The Old Testament covenant people of God and the New Testament believer have the same basis for keeping the Law: the love of God their Father. James points out that the New Testament believer has been given more light by means of faith in the “Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” (James 2:1)