not the law of thy ….

not the law of thy mother” (Proverbs 1:8). Proverbs can be seen as a collection of wise sayings from a loving parent, whose main message is that blessings of peace and prosperity come to those who seek wisdom–particularly God’s wisdom. But Proverbs is followed by the book of Ecclesiastes, which seems to say, “It’s not that simple.”

The preacher quoted in Ecclesiastes observed that he “gave [his] heart to know wisdom” but still found “vexation of spirit” and “much grief ” (Ecclesiastes 1: 17-18). In a variety of ways, the book asks, “Can there be real meaning in the world where everything seems vain, temporary, and uncertain?”