Joy at the End of the Tether: The Inscrutable Wisdom of Ecclesiastes

by Douglas Wilson

We are given the privilege of experiencing joy here, in the midst of ongoing disobedient and imbecilic chaos.

Man is built for community, and loneliness is a great evil. Working together is satisfying; it is fruitful, prevents harm, keeps you warm, defends, and keeps unity (4:9–12).

We want to evaluate everything that parades by us simply, and say that material blessings are always a blessing and that adversity is always a curse. It is not necessarily so. We cannot necessarily tell God’s disposition toward a man through his outward condition.

The religious bustle of those who do not know God can be considerable.

The wise know how to identify what cannot be known.

As we live and breathe, we broadcast what we are. If we are foolish, the folks see us coming. If we are wise, that competence is visible as well.

Recognize what you do not know (which is pretty much everything), and turn to what you do know (your assigned duties).