Quhelet

“Enjoying the present moment” according to Qoheleth

Qoheleth represents the skeptical side of Israelite wisdom. He does not avoid the wisdom movement, but challenges some of its cherished beliefs. The idea he shares is much clearer here. He believes in God and in the fear of God. According to him, the present moment is very important. Every moment that we get is the gift of God, the Father. Before going to the explanation let us see the verses on enjoyment in the Qoheleth. These are in chapters 2:1- 11, 22-26; 3:12,22;4:7-8, 5:11,16,17; 6:9; 8:159:7-9; 11:9-10.

This book is very particular and Qoheleth deals with death, everything will be ended with death. He does not believe afterlife. It is clearly told here that we need to think of the present and we need to enjoy the present. He says that God gives the ability to enjoy (2:25-26). What God has given to us, we are no one to change that time. The Qoheleth rejects the wisdom tradition of industriousness. He says that the death robs everything one earns in his life. It is useless to keep for the future because one does not know when his time will come to depart from this world. The fate of accumulated wealth is uncertain.

According to him toil brings neither profit, progress, novelty nor remembrance. He does not believe on laziness but on hard working and a full rest on the other hand (4:5-6). According to him, everything is vanity in this world. He focuses very much on the present. He believes that the enjoyment is the thing to be focused on in life, not a luxurious life because it is not worth (2:1-11). He proposes for the ordinary enjoyment where there will not be no wastage and any damage. The enjoyment we enjoy must be accepted by God which He gives to us to have and finds it fit for us in that moment. He affirms it seven times in this book (2:24; 3:12,22; 5:17;8:15;9:7-9;11:9-10).

In 7:14 he says that we are to enjoy the good day and accept the evil days which is the gift of God in variety, so we cannot find fault with him. In 6:9 he tells that we need to enjoy whatever we have in present time. Enjoy the present moment; do not think of anything which is unattainable. Enter into the life with great enthusiasm (9:10). Be not overcautious (11:14), Enjoy the moment because the old age and death are approaching (11:7-12:8).