I love this book of the Bible - it’s probably my favorite book ever (which is quite a statement considering what’s going on between those two covers). Ecclesiastes is filled with balanced despair and hope, seemingly random threads of pessimism and optimism, and finally at the climax of it all, an exhortation to follow God while you’re young. After all, the preacher guy already went through all the crap and figured out that it wasn’t a very good plan.

On the other hand, there’s this: “Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise—why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool—why die before your time?” Chapter 7:16. I know I’ve probably asked this before, but what exactly is that saying? That’s probably one of the most shocking passages I’ve read in the Bible, ever. If it means what it looks like it means at first glance, it’s basically saying not to go crazy being righteous (because after all you’re going to die anways). Alternately - as the Jews would have you believe - it means don’t try to be more righteous than the Torah itself says. That would be a nice shot in the arm to the Pharisees of days past. Or maybe it means that you shouldn’t invent your own righteousness.

But still, gotta love that book.

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