Ecclesiastes 6
Song of Songs, Chapter 6 contains the story of how the love between the bridegroom and the bride is deeply restored, and how they renew their heartfelt declarations of each other's beauty and preciousness. This chapter, overall, shows a flow of reconciliation after their relationship has gone through conflict, and it is written as a poem that sings of deep affection and honor for one another.
1verseThere is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy on men:
2versea man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
3verseIf a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and moreover he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he;
4versefor it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.
5verseMoreover it has not seen the sun nor known it. This has rest rather than the other.
6verseYes, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet fails to enjoy good, don’t all go to one place?
7verseAll the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
8verseFor what advantage has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that knows how to walk before the living?
9verseBetter is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
10verseWhatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
11verseFor there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man?
12verseFor who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
Explanation of Structure and Flow
- 6:1-3 – The women of Jerusalem ask the bride about the whereabouts of her bridegroom, and the bride searches for him while confessing their special relationship.
- 6:4-10 – The bridegroom praises the bride's beauty and excellence. The bride is described as being like a lily, with an incomparable brilliance that shines.
- 6:11-13 – The bride walks through a garden of nature, experiencing the fullness of love and new joy. At the end, we also see the community welcoming the bride.
Within this kind of structure, Song of Songs, Chapter 6 emphasizes the maturity and respect within the relationship through the restoration and reaffirmation of love.
Overall Meaning
This chapter shows the depth and preciousness of love felt when, after conflict and misunderstanding, they find and meet one another again. Each person discovers the other’s beauty anew and reveals an attitude of regarding one another as the highest value. Poetically, it captures the tension and reconciliation experienced within love, and the joy that arrives at the end.
Points for Reflection
- In a relationship of love granted by God, how important is the attitude of respecting and cherishing one another?
- Think about how you might overcome misunderstandings and conflicts in your everyday relationships, and how you could experience the trust and love that deepen after reconciliation.
Try Applying It to Me
- In my relationship with someone I love, reflect on times when I genuinely praised and respected their strengths.
- If I am currently going through conflict or distance, could I first find the courage to reach out and try to come closer?
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