Most of us, when we are but children, become acquainted with fairy tales, wherein folks live happily ever after, and we all imagine such a life for ourselves. Nevertheless, we soon learn in life (or we should) the reality of the proverb, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush! I believe this is what the Teacher meant by saying: “Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire” (Ecclesiastes 6:9). In other words, he is gently telling his reader to wake up and smell the roses. He has just told us how he concluded his study of the Lord’s judgment upon man’s rebellion (viz. Genesis 3:14-19), and how men have embraced or rejected that judgment. Presently he, the wisest man in the world (Ecclesiastes 1:16), begins his discourse about how men should respond to the Lord’s verdict.
The Teacher begins by saying: “That which has been…” and contextually this refers to mankind, whose character or name is clearly understood already, as he lives through the cycles of life (Ecclesiastes 6:10a; cp. 3:1-8). Thus, it is clearly understood through experience that man, the descendants of Adam (H121), who comes from or was formed out of the ground (adamah, H127; Genesis 2:7; 3:19), have but a transient nature. Even the most aged of us has but a brief lifespan, all things considered. Moreover, it would be but a futile effort to contend with our Maker, whom the Teacher describes as the One mightier than man (Ecclesiastes 6:10b). In the very beginning of mankind’s history, the patriarch, Adam contended with the Lord (Genesis 3), and many have, since, followed his pernicious ways (Isaiah 45:9; cp. Romans 9:20).
Next, we are told: “there are many things that increase vanity…” (Ecclesiastes 6:11a), and if we understand the phrase, as found in the KJV, things no doubt refer to the anxieties of life, the desire for more than we have and one’s lust to keep up with one’s neighbor etc. (cp. Mark 4:19), but how does this contextually fit with verse-10? There, the text seems to depend upon the meaning of words, Adam, adamah and the word name. What does the Teacher actually mean?
I believe the best rendering of (debarim; H1697; things in the KJV) should be words, vis-à-vis “there are many words that increase vanity” (Ecclesiastes 6:11a), the sense being: we understand many words increase vanity, and this has to do with contending (H1777) with the Lord. In other words, men often express their irritation with the uncertainties of life and their unbelief, even to the point where they debate one another over the meaning of the words of the Lord. The philosophies of the ancient Greeks are well known in the west, and the ancient Greek philosophers are often held in high esteem in both Europe and America. It was also true that different sects of Judaism debated one another about the meaning of the word of God, and this was done to the point of separating brethren into unfriendly camps. Moreover, men still behave similarly today, both in religion and politics. Wars are waged due to political differences, and religion, including Christianity, has separated into many denominations, pitting one group against the other in an unfriendly manner, each one believing he is standing for the Lord. This shouldn’t be, according to the Teacher, and he concludes that it only increases vanity. Moreover, for all its believed importance, man is no better off because of it (Ecclesiastes 6:11).
How would anyone know what is best for another man? Each one of us exists for such a short time. How could any of us acquire the wisdom to do such a thing? Consider for a moment the extreme arrogance of such a practice, when a mere man makes it his calling in life to tell another what is best for him, and what will happen, if his listener won’t comply (Ecclesiastes 6:12). Who are we to speak for the Lord?
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