As the teacher, Solomon, continues his instructions to his audience, he turns to the topics of loss, grief and fairness in the world. All of us have experienced loss at some level and the grief that accompanies it. It is important that we understand how to process that grief appropriately, not becoming angry or reactive, but in humility accepting the kind plan of God, even in loss and grief. Solomon then turns to address the seeming fairness or lack of fairness in the outcomes of life. Why do the righteous seem to suffer at times, while the foolish or wicked succeed? The teacher, Solomon, calls us again to trust God, though we may not understand all of the events around us. Through it all, we know with confidence that he grace of God gives wisdom that enables us to cope with uncertainties and losses of life.
As Solomon writes Ecclesiastes, as the teacher (Qohelet), he expresses various aspects that everyone experiences in life. Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon rehearses the frustration, futility, irony and fleeting nature of life. The difficulties that exist are described throughout Ecclesiastes as hevel or vanity (futility). This theme consistently appears throughout this wisdom literature. Together, all of these frustrations can be rightly engaged, only as we rightly engage God through his revealed word. God offers the perspective and strength that we need to endure the hardships, trials and frustrations that life presents. This is why Solomon calls everyone to fear God and to keep his commands – to follow his instructions. This will not take away the frustrations of life, but it does offer a proper framework by which view them.
