Wisdom from 2300 years ago

The book of Ecclesiastes is snuck in between Proverbs and Song of Solomon. The author is unknown. The literary method used to convey the author's message is that of a Preacher or wise teacher. Perhaps we could imagine sitting down to listen to an elder statesman or woman as we read this book, which was probably compiled somewhere around 300BC. One commentator (J. R. Dummelow) suggests the writing "bears distinct traces of the Greek culture established throughout the civilised world after the break up of the Empire of Alexander the Great (died 323BC).- see page 391 One Volume Bible Commentary.

In January 20, 1895, the newspaper Jackson Patriot, (Jackson, Michigan) published an article entitled "Christian Science". The article quotes from Ecclesiastes (chapter 1 verse 9):

            No new doctrine is proclaimed, but there is the fresh development of a Principle that was put into practice by the Founder of Christianity nineteen hundred years ago, though practised in other countries at an earlier date. “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” See Pulpit and Press by Mary Baker Eddy, page 52:26.

Whatever seems new is but a fresh manifestation of what has always been. Truth doesn’t change. Ecclesiastes reminds us of this.

Julie Swannell