SUMMARY
Though life is brief and death certain, life is a gift to be enjoyed.
ANALYSIS
Two of the basic forms of Wisdom literature in the Bible are short sayings and longer essays (Proverbs 10-31 provides many examples of the former; Proverbs 1-9 provides examples of the latter–this kind of material is sometimes called “instruction”). The book of Ecclesiastes contains both of these types of material. Here in 9:7-10 is the longest piece of “instruction” in the book, where imperative verbs dominate (Go…eat…drink…enjoy). Note that each imperative is given a reason (for God has long ago approved…because that is your portion in life…for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, "The fear of the... in Sheol); this is a reasonable way to live! Following Ecclesiastes in the Bible is the Song of Solomon (Song of Songs), which may be understood as a spelling out of the Teacher’s advice to “enjoy life with the wife whom you love.”
