Qoheleth’s Quest
In the book of Ecclesiastes the author, who defines himself as Qoheleth (Greek for the Teacher or Preacher), shares with us his quest to find meaning in life.
He tells us how he tried various things in all areas of life.
He starts by devoting himself to studying and exploring by wisdom, “all that is done under heaven,” meaning all there is in this world.
Then he tells us he has seen all the things that are done under the sun, but that all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
The Teacher goes on to explain what it is he’s seen and done. He tells us:
He’s applied himself to the understanding of wisdom and of madness and folly.
He’s tested his heart with pleasure to find out what is good.
He’s tried cheering himself with wine.
He’s undertaken large, fancy projects. He’s built houses, vineyards, gardens, and parks. His building program was so extravagant he even built a reservoir so he could water all his groves of trees.
He didn’t stop there.