Ecclesiastes 1:1a

The Preacher (Qoheleth)

- The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. -

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh from Pexels

There’s one more part to the first verse we need to address, and it’s the word Preacher.

The word has a feminine root that roughly means to gather. It also means a collector of sentences and a public speaker.

As a side note, the title “collector of sentences” is more evidence that the author is claiming to be Solomon. Remember Proverbs? What better way to describe it than a collection of wise sentences?

The preacher, i.e. Solomon, by adopting this moniker was acknowledging his desire in gathering those around him and sharing the lessons he had learned throughout his life.

This is an interesting side of what it means to be a preacher (your translation may read teacher). Not only are they to deliver sermons, but they are also to act as someone who brings the body together.

This idea is evocative of when Jesus describes himself as a mother hen gathering Jerusalem together in both Matthew 23:37 & Luke 13:34. The tense is past, making this a desire of the “Old Testament” and “New Testament” God.

Preachers must be concerned not only with professing truth in the pulpit, but also using that time and their position to bring the body of Christ together.

Though, it is incumbent on Christians to want unity.

I remember being young and reading Ephesians 4. Verse 3 made an impression on me. “Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

One of the duties of a Christian is to keep the Church together.

Jesus confirms the importance of this command when he says in John 13:35 that it’s by our love for one another that people will know we are His disciples.

Now, what I’m about to say does not in any way diminish these activities, but these verses do not speak to evangelism, teaching, serving, worshipping, or even giving.

Are those activities important? Absolutely. Are they how the world knows we are God’s disciples? When done in love for the body and others, yes.

I know this conversation gets complicated quickly. I’ve left churches because of bad doctrine. Was that a failure on my part to live out the above? Was I really leaving the “church”?

In some ultimate way, I think yes.

What I do believe is that our failure as Christians to live out this truth is obvious and saddening.

Look at the denominations. Look at the non-denominational crowd. Everyone wants you to think they have the unique, unfiltered connection to God’s truth.

God knew that we would all have different thoughts, ideas, and relationships with Him. He expected us to live those out with each other. For the Prophet to be strengthened by the one who Serves. For the Preacher to listen to the voice of Mercy.

Is not God three in one? Does this contradiction sound any different than what it is like to be human? Paul expresses the sentiment beautifully when he speaks of doing what he hates.

You can have your opinions on the church, your church, and other churches, by all means.

My challenge to you today is the command of Christ and the pleading of Paul.

Love desperately to keep the church unified.