| 1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility. |
After part one of the experiment, the preacher moves from the intellectual/enotional work, to action stimulating the body. In Part two of the experiment, the collector of sentences explores physical stimulation and it’s work and deeds. Again the preacher found physical pleasure to הָ֫בֶל – hā·ḇel – emtiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory.
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| 2a I said of laughter, “It is madness,” |
Laughter is madness and madness was noted to be the pursuit of the wind in the part one.
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| 2b and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?” |
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| 3a I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, |
This verse kind of makes me stop and think whenever I see it. The collector of sentence stimulates his mind with wine and relied on his mind to take a hold of folly and guide him.
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| 3b until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives |
In part two of the experiment, the Qohelet is still investigating all under heaven for action of value. Pivoting from bodily pleasure, the collector of sentences moves on to investigate wealth. The Qohelet, still seeking work of value, continues the search. After vanity of vanities repeating regularly, I am starting to anticipate some sentences prescribing a good way to live out the days of one’s life..
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