What amazing reading is that ancient Jewish wisdom book Qohelet (or Kohelet; often called Ecclesiastes in English translations). It is showing the ephemeral or virtual nature of the whole of life and what we call Reality, and kind of poking holes in the “human left brain hemisphere's” kind of way of seeing reality as gaining profit for the self and showing that way of living or approach to life, is too insubstantial and isn't actually founded on evidence… it's kind of a circular thing within its own rationality and an interesting kind of Eastern-mindset refutation to Western beaurocratic materialism - wherever it shows itself - in the Christian church or out of it, in our business or commercial life & employment.
A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24 NIVUK).
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil – this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure for ever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. …
So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12-14, 22 NIVUK)
[18] This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given them – for this is their lot. [19] Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil – this is a gift of God. [20] They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 NIVUK)
This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.’ (Ecclesiastes 7:29 NIVUK)
[15] So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
[17] then I saw all that God has done. No-one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no-one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it. (Ecclesiastes 8:15, 17 NIVUK)
Human observation & rationality is not enough to comprehend human meaning & purpose, when our reference point is simply everything “under the sun”, or “this side of death”.
[7] Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. [8] Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. [9] Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this vaporous life that God has given you under the sun – all your vaporous days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labour under the sun. [10] Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 )
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