18th Sunday in OT 2019

Herding the Wind

Modern translations read, “Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” Hebrew scholar, Robert Alter, however, translates these words differently. (The first audio link is a recording of his translation (1)). “Merest breath, said Qohelet, merest breath. All is mere breath.” This is very concrete imagery to the temporary, intangible nature of existence. “What gain is there for a man in all his toil…” he then asks. Perhaps Qohelet is legitimately seeking answers, but he seems to me instead to be looking for others to attend his pity party. But, who can blame him? We have all been there before, wondering the point of it all, haven’t we?

Verse 8 suggests man is never satisfied, and our author certainly appears to be voicing discontentment. Before he also dismisses the wisdom and knowledge he has been striving to obtain as useless frivolity, he says, “I have seen all the deeds that are done under the sun and look, all is mere breath, and herding the wind.” But, who among us has not attempted to do things as ridiculous as herding the wind? Do we not become a bit depressed and anxious when we either fail altogether or figure out we were not thinking rationally?

In truth, a bit of biblical basics and verses 4-11 can offer hope for our Qohelet inspired existential angst. These verses, and Robert Alter’s footnotes, beautifully express the repetitive and cyclical nature of life on Earth. We have a bit of a negative attitude towards repetition; “Here we go again!” We sigh, but Robert Alter’s books, The Art of Biblical Poetry and The Art of Biblical Narrative teach us a powerful new way to understand repetition. Sacred texts do repeat themselves, but with each reiteration something is added or left out.

The Lord states through both Jeremiah and Ezekiel that He will write the law in or on our hearts. This makes each of our lives a sort of sacred text. I don’t know about you, but mine seems to sport lots of repetitions. When I notice a situation looks similar, I would be wise to ask, “What’s missing and what’s been added?” It is through paying attention to these differences, these cracks, that I can trace the Lord’s presence in my life and notice how He continues to co-create me through reforming and transforming my heart and head.

Reflection Questions for Journaling:

- - I will list and reflect on 4 or 5 recent examples from my life of my efforts to ‘herd the wind.’
  - In which recent experiences have I said to myself, “Here we go again.” While this situation seems to be a repeat, what’s been added or subtracted from the previous renditions?

1- Alter, Robert, The Wisdom Books. WW Norton & Company, New York, 2010. Qohelet (Ecclesiastes).

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