HS #77 2021.12.9
Ecclesiastes and Leaf Cutter Ants
I have long been inspired by the sage wisdom of Ecclesiastes. Several years ago, I attended a wedding where the couple wove three strands of cord together representing their lives being joined together with God. It was inspired, no doubt, by Eccl 4:11 “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
It inspired me to compose a song, “Bound and Woven,” for such occasions: “AS we bind our hearts together, Asking God to make us one, May the union of our spirits, Glorify thy Son. AS we weave our live’s ambitions, Into a single common dream, May your purpose and your pleasure, Ever be our theme. AS our lives grow bound and woven, Intertwined oh God with thee, A three-fold cord not quickly broken, Union of mystery.” (Song at my YouTube channel: timothy j pennings)
Indeed, it’s an interesting topological truth that while a rope of two strands twisted together and fastened at the ends can be unraveled and pulled apart, this cannot be done when three strands are woven together. Three strands woven together and secured at the ends is inseparable. What an insight – from 3000 years ago!
Such gems of wisdom from Ecclesiastes have inspired much music and poetry: “To everything – turn, turn, turn, there is a season - -“ (The Byrds, 1962). “Dust in the Wind - all we are is dust in the wind“ (Kansas, 1977).
But while such nuggets of wisdom resonate with all, there is less consensus about the overriding themes of Ecclesiastes.
As I read the book, the theme of the first several chapters is living with contentment. The key is to lower one’s expectations. Though not discussing Ecclesiastes, C.S. Lewis made the same point in one of his essays. If two people are forced to live in a poor quality hotel for a month, the first having been told s/he was going to prison, while the second told s/he was going to a luxury retreat, then the first will be satisfied, and the second not. All depends on one’s expectations.
How does the author of Ecclesiastes lower our expectations? He first tells us (Chapter 1) not to expect anything better in the future than what we presently have. There is nothing new under the sun.
Then (Chapter 2) he tells us (we who has not had his rich life experiences) that the things we imagine might bring us pleasure and fulfillment all fail to satisfy: wine, achievements, gardens, slaves, flocks and herds, treasure, concubines. We have to take his word for some of those! (My high school English teacher said his doctor warned that he was getting too much “wine, women and song” - so he stopped whistling.)
Then at the end of Chapter 2, after showing us that nothing present and nothing to come will bring fulfillment and happiness, he gives the bottom line: “There is nothing better than that one should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil.” That’s it. “This is from the hand of God.” Don’t expect more.
In Chapter 3, the author underscores this point by reminding us that, although we have a sense of eternity, we have no assurance of life beyond this one (vs 18-22). Concluding, he emphasizes yet again, “Enjoy your work – that is your lot. For who can see what will come after?” Don’t expect more – there is no guarantee of anything better.
Fascinating that our Founding Fathers (especially Jefferson) understood this wisdom. The Declaration of Independence asserts that rights given by our Creator include life, liberty and THE PURSUIT OF happiness. Life and liberty are rights in and of themselves. But we have no right to happiness. There is no such guarantee. We are granted only the opportunity to pursue it.
Can one be content with the daily routine of work and activity? The author of Ecclesiastes may also have written the proverb exhorting us to learn from the ant. When touring the Amazon rainforest, I was fascinated by the 100 foot stream of leaf-cutter ants, one line heading away from the denuded tree each with a portion of cut leaf, the other line heading back for another.
The most complex animal society functioning because each is content to do their part.
Martin Luther seemed to agree with this approach to life. When a cobbler asked him how he could serve God, Luther replied, “Make better shoes.”
