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Ecclesiastes – Unintentional Idols
Unintentional Idols
“Vanity of vanities. All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes1:2). Various translations phrase it differently such as “futility of futilities”. Very literally the Hebrew (hebel) is “breath of breaths” and the Hebrew is often translated elsewhere as “idol”. I’m not sure how this fits, but there does appear to be some applicable lessons not directly intended by the Teacher (Ecclesiastes 1:1):
1. Every futile (hebel) thing can become an idol (hebel).
2. Every idol (hebel) is futile (hebel) and emptiness (hebel).
3. Even my very breath (hebel) can become my idol (hebel) when my life becomes the center of my attention.
4. If every idol (hebel) is futile (hebel) and if I prioritize that which is futile (hebel), has my false priorities become my idol (hebel)?
Now I am not saying hebel in Ecclesiastes should be translated “idol of idols, everything is an empty idol”. What I am saying is, words can have many unintentional, yet true, lessons. Ecclesiastes does show how so many futilities can become our focus of attention, our purpose for living – Education, Money, Vacations, Jobs, Family, Drugs, Sex, Music, Entertainment, and more, both inherently sinful or even necessary. Even secondary goods can become a false primary evil. Isn’t anything above God a central definition of idolatry? What, or who, are we living and breathing for today? Me?
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