The BEMA Podcast: Episode 460 – "Qohelet Hears Bad Words"

Release Date: July 24, 2025
Host: Marty Solomon
Co-Host: Brent Billings
Guest: Josh Bosse
Ministry: BEMA Discipleship, Impact Campus Ministries

Introduction

In Episode 460 of The BEMA Podcast, hosted by Marty Solomon and co-hosted by Brent Billings, guest Josh Bosse delves into the intricate themes of Ecclesiastes, specifically focusing on how Qohelet (the speaker in Ecclesiastes) navigates the challenges of averting disaster. This episode offers a profound exploration of wisdom literature, leadership, and the interplay between individual actions and communal consequences.

Contextualizing Ecclesiastes

[00:33] Marty Solomon:
The episode builds upon the previous discussion about the legacy and meaningful life, shifting focus toward preventing future disasters. Marty emphasizes the unique nature of Ecclesiastes, describing it as a blend of philosophy with prophetic zeal.

[01:18] Josh Bosse:
Josh highlights the book's nuanced perspective on humanism and individualism, contrasting it with contemporary interpretations. He underscores the importance of understanding one's relationship with God rather than viewing individualism solely through a modern, secular lens.

Key Insight: Ecclesiastes challenges readers to balance personal wisdom with communal responsibility, all while contemplating universal truths under the sun.

Analyzing Ecclesiastes Chapter 8

[04:57] Brent Billings:
Brent reads the New International Version (NIV) translation of the first four verses of Ecclesiastes 8, setting the stage for a deep dive into translation nuances and their implications for understanding the text.

[05:44] Marty Solomon:
Marty critiques the initial translation, pointing out the hidden layers in the text. He draws parallels between Qohelet's description of wisdom lighting up a person's face and the biblical portrayal of Moses' radiant countenance after encountering God.

Notable Quote:
Marty Solomon [06:22]: "The word there is to light up. When we think about a face lighting up, what do we think of?"

[07:29] Josh Bosse:
Josh connects the discussion to Exodus 33, recounting Moses' plea to see God's glory and the ensuing dialogue that reflects Qohelet's themes of wisdom and authority.

Wisdom in Leadership and Authority

[13:47] Josh Bosse:
Josh draws a powerful analogy between Qohelet's advice and Queen Esther's strategic interaction with King Achashverush. He emphasizes the importance of remaining engaged and influencing decisions to prevent destructive outcomes.

Notable Quote:
Josh Bosse [12:09]: "Mosheh's doing the thing that we're talking about. He's staying in the space. He's not just leaving. And he's changing God."

[14:07] Marty Solomon:
Marty expands on this by highlighting Moses' role as a mediator, ensuring God's compassionate presence accompanies the Israelites, thereby averting potential destruction.

Key Insight: Effective leadership involves engaging with authority figures to influence outcomes positively, even in the face of potential disaster.

The Nature of Evil and Its Consequences

[26:07] Brent Billings:
Brent reads verses 5 to 9, which discuss the unpredictability of judgment and the inevitability of consequences for actions.

[26:46] Marty Solomon:
Marty interprets these verses, suggesting that obedience to authority without understanding the moral implications can lead to unforeseen destruction.

Notable Quote:
Marty Solomon [28:32]: "For every matter. So the word there is actually the word for desire. And it's the same word that's used when it says the king can do whatever he wants, whatever he pleases."

[29:55] Marty Solomon:
He further explains that evil ultimately impacts everyone, irrespective of their righteousness, reinforcing the necessity of proactive engagement to mitigate destructive outcomes.

Key Insight: The unpredictability of evil's consequences necessitates wise and deliberate actions to prevent widespread harm.

Balancing Righteousness and Wickedness

[40:17] Marty Solomon:
Marty discusses verses 10 to 13, focusing on the apparent paradox of the wicked prospering and the righteous suffering, encapsulated by the phrase "hevel" (meaning "mere breath" or "meaninglessness").

[40:51] Marty Solomon:
He connects this to broader themes of justice and the failure of societal systems to appropriately reward or punish individuals, thus perpetuating cycles of evil.

Notable Quote:
Marty Solomon [50:08]: "The righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless."

[53:31] Josh Bosse:
Josh counters potential nihilistic interpretations by framing the discussion as a call to active engagement rather than resignation, emphasizing the importance of being present in decision-making processes to avert disaster.

Key Insight: Ecclesiastes acknowledges the seeming randomness of justice but encourages proactive involvement to influence outcomes positively.

Embracing the Present and Finding Joy

[54:49] Josh Bosse:
Josh emphasizes that Qohelet encourages finding joy and contentment in the present moment despite the surrounding chaos and apparent injustices.

[55:07] Marty Solomon:
He elaborates on this by explaining that focusing on the goodness within one's immediate environment can provide strength and resilience, countering feelings of helplessness.

Notable Quote:
Marty Solomon [55:08]: "Being in the room where the decision is being made to stand up... it can really easily lose track of the reality of God's presence right where you're at."

Key Insight: Amidst uncertainty and injustice, cultivating personal joy and recognizing God's presence serves as a foundation for resilience and purposeful action.

Conclusion: A Call to Active Wisdom

In wrapping up, Marty Solomon and Josh Bosse reflect on the episode's central themes:

• Engagement Over Resignation: Rather than succumbing to nihilism in the face of apparent injustice, believers are called to actively engage and influence outcomes to prevent disaster.

• Balancing Action with Contentment: While striving to avert evil, maintaining personal joy and appreciating the present moment are crucial for sustained wisdom and resilience.

• Interconnectedness of Actions: Recognizing that individual actions can have far-reaching consequences reinforces the importance of wise and deliberate decision-making.

Final Notable Quote:
Josh Bosse [54:49]: "This is a call to activism. This is not nihilistic at all."

Closing Thoughts:
Episode 460 of The BEMA Podcast offers a rich, multifaceted exploration of Ecclesiastes, urging listeners to embody a balance of active engagement and personal contentment. By drawing parallels with biblical figures like Moses and Esther, the hosts provide actionable insights into navigating leadership, authority, and the complexities of human actions within a communal context.

Additional Resources

For more information about the podcast and to connect with the hosts, visit bemaudiscipleship.com. Support the ministry by exploring the news page and utilizing the contact resources available.

Thank you for joining us on this deep dive into Ecclesiastes. Stay tuned for more enriching discussions on The BEMA Podcast.