excerpt.

From my final paper of this semester:

"As I embarked on the rollercoaster ride of being taught by Qoheleth, listening to the Book of Ecclesiastes from cover to cover, reading my pericope and poring over commentaries, I was fascinated by Qoheleth’s employment of rhetorics, and I was astounded by the God whom he spoke of. Qoheleth was a master of acculturation and contextualisation. He writes in the face of changing times, and engaged in the philosophies that troubled and were sought by those in his context regardless of their background. With Ecclesiastes, he invites his students to journey alongside him as he holds two ropes in tension — his heritage and his context — yet also not shutting out those who do not share his heritage completely. The wisdom in not just what he speaks of, but also how it is reflected in his life and writing depicts the One True God who desires all nations to come to Him. For His wisdom, as in Deuteronomy 4:5-8, is near to His people, and only in knowing Him can one truly find righteousness and life. It is inspiring and exciting to find Ecclesiastes dropping a big hint that God is indeed in the business of contextualising.

I was also refreshed when reminded that God does not discount our thoughts and struggles — He allows for questions and is not afraid of them. He recognises the journey of faith that we all take — just as Qoheleth did. His ways are higher than our ways, but our ways are never any less of His concern. There is so much to be thankful for, and I am floored by the revelation of Himself to me through the book of Ecclesiastes."

Time to pick up Ecclesiastes proper.