When the Horizons Close: Rereading Ecclesiastes

On its surface the book of Ecclesiastes appears to offer a type of wisdom that bears little reference to social or historical issues. But from her own perspective in Central America Elsa Tamez finds in this ancient book a surprisingly current message. Ecclesiastes reflects a time when utopian hopes have been crushed when the prospects for change seem remote and the challenge is how to live faithfully in the present while maintaining some openness to a different future. Because that describes the situation of many people today especially in the third world the book of Ecclesiastes bears a message of unusual relevance. Just when we thought that there was nothing new under the sun in Qoheleth studies Elsa Tamez offers a rereading that speaks hopefully to our present situation. By affirming the joy of life in eating drinking and solidarity with a loved one and by reorienting the world to Gods time which has a season for everything Qoheleth challenges those in his Ptolemaic times who would deny the dignity of life or be paralyzed by its frustrating reality. Like Qoheleth Tamezs interpretation helps us to feel our humanity and live real life day-to-day with intensity. A must read for every pastor. --Denise Dombkowski Hopkins Wesley Theological Seminary Elsa Tamez is the author of Through Her Eyes (Wipf & Stock reprint 2006) Bible of the Oppressed (Wipf & Stock reprint 2006) The Amnesty of Grace (Wipf & Stock reprint 2002) and coeditor of The Discourse of Human Dignity (2003).